People

Donna is responsible for the Engel Burman brand. In this role, she works to maintain the consistency and integrity in all Engel Burman communications and the alignment of all divisions – EB Development, EB Construction, EB Management, EB Living. As needed, she coordinates with the teams for the various communities and properties developed by Engel Burman.

Donna brings to Engel Burman over 20 years of experience honing her skills in stewarding brands and developing and implementing strategic marketing plans across a wide array of industries and in a wide array of roles. She has led large internal marketing teams as well as multi-disciplinary teams within some of the world’s largest advertising agencies. Her experience includes being a co-founder of a marketing consultancy firm.

Collin Gabriel is responsible for the launch and operation of the Multifamily Division at Engel Burman. He has built a career on “lifestyle experience” focused property management. He and his teams have been recognized with multiple service and revenue awards.

Collin brings over a decade of rental management and development experience, most recently as Regional Manager of the Long Island portfolio for Greystar Management which he built from a single property. Prior to that, he managed various properties for Avalon Bay Communities, including successful redevelopments of Avalon Towers in Long Beach and The Avalon, in Bronxville, NY.

Collin began his multifamily career on the construction side with Pulte Homes in Florida and Timber Ridge on Long Island, building condominium and townhome communities in Orlando, FL before moving to Long Island to build condo communities in Massapequa, Mount Sinai, Oceanside and Patchogue. He has over 15 years of experience working in multifamily real estate between building, renovating and managing properties across Nassau and Suffolk counties and Florida. Collin also spent time renovating brownstones in Brooklyn which required working within strict guidelines set by the Landmarks Preservation Commission and Brooklyn Historical Society. Collin is also a member of the Long Island Builders Institute.

Andrew is responsible for overseeing the accounting and financial activities of the company. He has extensive experience in banking, working previously for European American Bank and People’s United Bank. Utilizing that expertise, Andrew works closely with the Principals in securing financing for the acquisition and construction of the company’s residential and commercial real estate projects. Additionally, he manages all the cash needs of the company in respect to acquisitions and predevelopment activities.

Craig has more than 20 years of experience in real estate law. Prior to joining the team at Engel Burman, Craig was Senior Counsel at Proskauer Rose LLP. There he acted as outside counsel on a wide range of substantial real estate transactions, including dealings for Engel Burman and their portfolio of The Bristal Assisted Living communities. Craig graduated with honors from the State University of New York at Binghamton and cum laude from Brooklyn Law School.

Jake spearheads the entitlement process at Engel Burman. Leveraging his years of experience, Jake adeptly maneuvers through what can often be a lengthy and complicated process. He coordinates zoning entitlements and municipal permitting and drafts easements and subordination agreements, in addition to his role as litigation defense facilitator.

Jake’s past experiences as Assistant Town Attorney for the Town of Huntington, Department of Engineering Services and Senior Assistant District Attorney in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office have provided him with a real understanding of what is expected from municipalities when it comes to real estate development. This coupled with his proven track record of building strong relationships makes him a key asset to Engel Burman.

Jake received his law degree from New York Law School.

Anthony oversees the New Jersey and Manhattan territories for EB Construction, including a 14-story ground-up project on the upper east side of Manhattan. Anthony manages a team of superintendents and project managers to meet the needs of EB Construction’s active pipeline.

Anthony earned a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from New York University which prepared him well and served as a cornerstone for his many successes:

• Boricua Village – a $300 Million complex which included 700 Apartments, 45,000 sq. ft. of retail space, and a 200-spot underground parking garage
• Spring Street Studios – a 150,000 sq. ft. building with 11 photo studios, nine green rooms, a restaurant, bar, and art gallery
• The Cast Iron House – 13 custom condominiums totaling 85,000 sq. ft.
• Several projects for Continuum Health Partners.

Anthony is passionate about his work, and his enthusiasm sets the tone for each project that he takes on. The construction industry can bring challenges, but Anthony is driven to always find solutions.

Christina serves as controller for the company and its affiliated subsidiaries. She and her staff are responsible for all aspects of financial management, including project accounting, financial accounting and reporting.

After earning her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting at Hofstra University, Christina joined Turner Construction. Over the course of the next 20 years she impressively moved up the ranks tackling several different roles which eventually led her to be the account manager for their International Division. Christina has also served as a methods and procedures manager and controller for other large construction firms.

With her in-depth knowledge of the construction industry, Christina understands what it takes to complete each project. She has obtained her Project Management Professional certification and completed the Financial Management Institute Leadership program. She keeps current in the industry as a member of both the Project Management Institute’s Long Island Chapter and the Construction Financial Management Associates (CFMA).

Christina has a passion for helping others and participates regularly in walks which benefit organizations like March of Dimes, Wounded Warrior Project, Toys for Tots, and the Alzheimer’s Association. She is an active member of the Bellmore Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary, where she volunteers her time to help support local food pantries, families in need during the holidays, America’s VetDogs, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and more.

Jason is a project manager at EB Construction who is also a Master Electrician and has the New York City Construction Superintendent License. In his role, Jason is responsible for managing budgets and ensuring that jobs remain on schedule and within budget. He has a track record of strong relationships with engineers, architects, vendors, subcontractors and laborers. With quality assurance and control a priority, Jason manages and supervises all phases of a project with a goal to meet or exceed expectations. Jason has been integral to the success of many projects at Engel Burman, including:

• Double Day Court
• Several of The Bristal Assisted Living communities on Long Island and in Westchester and New Jersey
• The first of The Bristal communities in New York City
• The Seasons in East Meadow and Plainview

Arsen joined the EB Construction team as an estimator and has since held many positions, including assistant project manager, superintendent, and mostly recently project manager. He has worked on renovation projects as well as ground up construction jobs. Arsen’s diverse experience and his ability to adapt quickly to changes make him an important and dynamic member of the team.

Arsen earned an Associates of Science in Electro-Mechanical Technology from the New York City College of Technology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering. He went on to work in the construction field serving in many roles that prepared him well for his responsibilities at EB Construction.

In his time outside of work, Arsen takes time to give back to the community. He has volunteered at the Brooklyn Public Library adult literacy program, coaches youth basketball and is involved with various charity organizations.

As Engel Burman continues to grow, in size and scope, Scott fills a vital role as Director of Operations for EB Construction. He manages a team of more than 25 people as he oversees the operations of all construction projects.

Scott spent nearly 27 years at Turner Construction as an assistant superintendent doing everything from field assignments to purchasing, building a career that led to his being Project Executive. His impressive portfolio of projects includes:

• Construction of Montefiore’s JD Weiler Hospital
• Senior Project Management of 500,000 sq. ft. of new construction for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City
• Project Executive for NYU Langone’s Kimmel Pavilion, an 800,000 sq. ft. hospital with a project volume of $800 million.

Nick serves as project manager on several ground-up construction projects. In his role, he not only oversees his own teams at each site, but also works directly with Engel Burman’s on-site sales team to set realistic goals and timelines and successfully manage expectations.

Before joining EB Construction, Nick was a senior project manager responsible for the development of:

• 2,296 residential units on 120 acres
• A 60,000 sq. ft. supermarket
• A 25,000 sq. ft. retail transit hub
• Over $93 million in supportive civil work like relocating city streets, sewers and water mains.

After Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Nick secured over $300 million in recovery work collaborating with architects, engineers and consultants to meet the requirements of city and state funded recovery programs. He also served as construction manager for the Breezy Pont Co-Op, rebuilding the 200+ homes that were damaged as a result of the storm.

Nick is an active member of the Long Island Builders Institute and the Queens & Bronx Building Association.

Nick is a project manager at Engel Burman, specializing in major renovations of existing buildings purchased in NYC. Nick works closely with all sections of NYC’s municipalities, including local law 11 work and Landmark restorations. Nick is hands on with field decisions required by architects, engineers and subcontractors. Nick supervises and manages all phases of the project and is more of an infield manager. He also has many years of hospital renovation work and high-end residential projects from Manhattan to Montauk. Nick donates most of his time and efforts with fundraising and construction projects to East End Disabilities; who provides much needed services and housing to the east end’s special needs community. He is correctly directing EBC’s total renovation, interior and exterior, at the NYC West End Landmarks Senior living project.

A few previous projects include;

• • Major demolition and renovation at Stony Brook University Hospital, NY. Built state of the art heart center, rooftop mechanical rooms, four story courtyard elevator and renovated three patient floors with hospital in full operation.
  • Major demolition and total renovation of high-end, residential building, including $52.3 Million Penthouse.
  • Walker Tower Building. Chelsea, N.Y.
  • Major demolition and total renovation of landmark, high-end, residential building. 823 Park Avenue. Park Avenue, N.Y.
  • Delivered complex, $210 million project, resulting in additional Penthouse project. Received character commendation letter from Penthouse owner.
  • Major demolition and renovation of occupied Habitat Hotel/ residential building. 57th Street and Lexington Avenue, N.Y.
  • Demolition of two-story factory and construction of Neil Toyota used car dealership. Lynbrook, NY
    Received letter of acclamation from Lynbrook building department Superintendent.
  • Total renovation of Boca Rio Country Club. Boca Raton, Fla. Project received AIA award.

As senior project manager Ron’s responsibilities start at preconstruction and continue through to completion. He meticulously manages his team of 15 imparting his solution-driven attitude and his emphasis on proper follow-up. Ron maintains schedules, tasks, and budgets, always looking for ways to make improvements in efficiency and accuracy.

After attending Island Drafting & Technical Institute, Ron spent 16 years with Racanelli Construction as a project manager. Later he was the Director of Construction for a construction consultancy company before joining EB Construction.

Ron is a member of the Long Island Builders Institute (LIBIN) and has donated his time to helping the charitable arm of LIBI renovate homes for residents with special needs. Ron is also a member of Construction Management Association of America (CMAA).

As Director of Preconstruction Martha manages the estimating and purchasing team which currently averages over $300M in annual purchasing volume. Martha is responsible for conceptual cost modeling and estimating, managing bids and budgets, and reviewing contractual terms and constructability during preconstruction, to ensure a smooth transition through the buyout process.

Martha attended the New York Institute of Technology, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. From there, she worked as a design engineer for electrical systems and spent over 10 years as a Senior Estimator with Turner Construction.

Martha has been essential in developing streamlined processes and best practices within her department. She has introduced and implemented new software platforms and developed new processes and reports designed to increase efficiency and ensure accuracy.

Martha is a member of the Society of Women Engineers, as well as CREW.

Over the course of more than forty years, Maryellen has distinguished herself in the field of Assisted Living and has maintained a particular focus on enhancing operations in Independent and Adult Care Facility Management. At times, Maryellen has simultaneously overseen over 29 communities throughout the Northeast. She was awarded Administrator of the Year in 1990 by the Empire State Association – being recognized for upholding quality care, compassion and high professional standards – and has become a visible and respected authority in the field. Throughout her tenure with the Association, she has also co-chaired its Assisted Living Services Committee along with its Conference Committee.

Maryellen joined Engel Burman in 2001 and helped establish Ultimate Care NY, LLC, the team responsible for the development, construction and daily management of eighteen upscale Assisted Living communities grouped under the well-known and highly respected name of The Bristal. A committed advocate and sought-after speaker for the cause of senior living issues, Maryellen has served on the Board of ESAAL (Empire State Association of Assisted Living) since 2002, and today, she continues to play high-profile roles in many of the Association’s most important initiatives and influential committees.

Ellen brings to the table over twenty years of experience in the sales and marketing of various real estate properties, multi-use developments and single- and multi-family residential homes and communities. In that time, Ellen has personally sold over 1,200 properties. She possesses a deep understanding and a focused specialization in the senior living segment – particularly, with Assisted Living and 55+ Active Adult Communities – which makes her, of course, an invaluable asset to our organization. Ellen is familiar with what families need in senior living, and she is able to convey with clarity and confidence the life-enriching qualities that residents can expect to experience at The Bristal.

Ellen completed her bachelor’s degree in Economics at Union College, and continually attends conferences and seminars to continue expanding her education and training. She is also CAASH-certified — Certified Active Adult Specialist in Housing. Familiar to many families and professionals across LI for her work with The Bristal as well as other numerous community initiatives, Ellen is frequently recognized for her commitment to the industry and has been honored by the JCC (Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center) in Roslyn, NY. She has been with The Bristal and Ultimate Care Management since their inception.

The importance of having true gourmet food at an Assisted Living community simply cannot be overstated. We fundamentally understand this at Ultimate Care, which is why we hired Randy Tremble to oversee the dining experience at The Bristal. Few resumes in this industry come as solid and comprehensive as his, culminating in over 30 years of experience in the culinary arts. Formally trained in the US Air Force, Randy has served the private sector now for decades, and has worked alongside some of the world’s best chefs, both nationally and abroad.

His many and impressive credentials include being twice decorated for meritorious service, he earned participation in the esteemed Hennessey Trophy, a worldwide cooking competition across all branches of the Military, and he has won Best in Show for culinary display; the list goes on. This massive talent and global expertise translate into a consistently exceptional Resident Dining Program for residents of The Bristal. His uncompromising attention to detail, his understanding of senior nutrition and his love for the culinary arts have all been instrumental in making The Bristal second-to-none when it comes to dining.

With over 30 years of experience in Human Resources, and with nearly 25 of those years in direct service to the healthcare industry, Erik brings a depth and breadth of expertise to The Bristal that sets him apart in the field. His extensive knowledge of the strategically functional areas of legal and regulatory compliance, as well as employee relations, performance management and more, all result in a caliber of guidance and support that ensures the development of “best-in-class” practices across the organization. Erik is deeply committed to upholding these standards at all communities of The Bristal, ensuring the 5-star Assisted Living experience that has come to define our organization.

Nationally, Erik is recognized among peers as a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and SHRM-CP, designations reserved for those with substantial industry knowledge and skills — and ones he has held for over 17 years. Erik’s results-oriented career has been driven by a simple but proven principle: The most talented, engaged and committed staff members produce the highest quality of care, a degree of excellence that manifests itself tangibly in the daily lives of our residents. With critically focused recruitment, training and performance development practices, infused with a genuine caring for each member our team, Erik helps create a fulfilling and rewarding experience for both employee and resident of The Bristal. In addition to his schooling at The University of Vermont, Erik strengthens his skills with continuing HR education and ongoing program re-certifications.

For over a decade, Eileen Rainer has brought impeccable and dependable expertise to Ultimate Care Management in the areas of accounting and finance. She possesses the hands-on knowledge for managing day-to-day financial issues with confidence; and yet, she brings both creativity and an enthusiastic vision for tomorrow, to help pave the way to a strong and stable future. Eileen has been honing these management and analytical skills specifically within a Senior Living setting since 1995.

She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from State University of New York at Fredonia, and quickly climbed the rungs of success – first beginning as a staff accountant and eventually working her way up to serve in the capacity of a VP of Finance, which she does for us today. Augmenting her financial credentials, Eileen is also proficient on numerous software platforms. Her exceptional management, evaluation and forecasting skills have been essential in keeping The Bristal on solid ground, and she continues helping to position the organization for steady and healthy growth.

The build-out, expansion or renovation of a senior living community is no standard project – nor are the countless maintenance, refurbishment and construction tasks required on a daily basis. No one knows this better than Brian White and his team. There is a complex balance that must be maintained between functional need, design aesthetics, and resident safety and comfort. One of the differentiating aspects of The Bristal Assisted Living is how well these dynamics are executed and managed every day.

With over twenty years of hands-on experience in the environmental maintenance and construction fields – and with a specific concentration in senior living settings – Brian brings this unique expertise to the communities of The Bristal. With unquestioned integrity, a sharp eye for quality and an extensive knowledge of New York State Department of Health codes for Assisted Living facilities, his work helps ensure the quality of life of every resident of The Bristal.

Maureen Scalesi comes to us with over 25 years of experience in senior care with a special emphasis in assisted living and resident services. During her career she has been promoted through the ranks from nursing home admission coordinator to serving as regional director for an assisted living organization, giving her broad, first-hand experience and making her an expert in her field. Her meticulous attention to detail and deep understanding of residents’ needs enable her to develop policies and procedures that help empower The Bristal management to provide the most commendable, consistent and compassionate resident care.

Maureen is well known and well respected within the senior living community. She is an active participant and presenter at conferences, seminars and other events, sharing her experiences and mentoring. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Gerontology from Molloy College and a Master’s in Public Administration from Long Island University – CW Post, both with highest honors.

Kyra has been with the organization since June 2003, and during that time she has continued to be instrumental in the Grand Openings of several communities of The Bristal as well as daily operation across all communities. In many respects, Kyra is the administrative IT glue that keeps Ultimate Care Management up and running. Among her many responsibilities are included configuring and maintaining our various hardware and software platforms to ensure the operational integrity and security of our network. She manages the provisioning of all server and PC applications and oversees IT operations for our employee and resident populations.

Kyra serves as the liaison between in-house operations and our numerous information systems vendors, as well as construction and development partners, ensuring all aspects of expansion, build-out and renovation align with our IT goals, objectives and daily operation. In terms of education, Kyra received both her Bachelors in Sociology and her Master’s in Business Administration from SUNY at Albany; her master’s has a concentration in Human Resources Information Systems

Clement obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management and currently has more than a decade of management experience. He spent several years as an Assistant Executive Housekeeping Director and experienced leader at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Manhattan, New York, where he was recognized for his hard work. Clement was part of the team that developed programs to increase efficiency based on the high volume of guests, while ensuring all quality standards were met. Clement has trained numerous Assistant Executive Directors, Housekeeping Directors, and Porters, while supporting them even after training.

Clement’s experience with the Grand Hyatt was of great value when he joined The Bristal in 2014 as Housekeeping Director. As part of the team at the Armonk location when it was new, Clement structured the housekeeping department, while holding employees accountable for maintaining a quality environment. Under his leadership, compliance with the Department of Health (DOH) was ensured. Clement attributes his success to his in-depth experience, thorough assessment of the environment, and always following up and closing the loop.  In 2016 Clement was promoted to Regional Housekeeping Director overseeing and restructuring the housekeeping department at multiple communities of The Bristal. He continually strives to ensure all his communities are deficiency free and maintain a five-star standard.

Clement is highly motivated and committed to The Bristal Assisted Living communities. He enjoys being part of the leadership team since “The Bristal team has a vision for senior living.”  In 2017 Clement was promoted to Vice President of Housekeeping Services and now oversees all 20, and counting, of The Bristal Assisted Living communities. Clement acknowledges that his department works hard and is committed. He looks to pave the way for new Housekeeping Directors and identifies individuals for The Bristal’s training program. Clement exhibits the company’s core values every day. He believes they are essential to providing the quality of service expected from The Bristal.