Wayne Meyer, President
Mr. Meyer joined NJCC’s Board in 2007 and became President in 2009; he is a member of all board committees. Mr. Meyer provides leadership, establishes strategy, raises funds, and promotes and advocates for policy change on behalf of New Jersey Community Capital, its borrowers, and residents of its target communities. Mr. Meyer led the formation of Operation Neighborhood Recovery, a concept that led to the creation and acquisition of the Community Asset Preservation Corporation. Before joining NJCC, Mr. Meyer was responsible for all real estate development activities as Housing Director of Housing And Neighborhood Development Services, Inc .(HANDS), a leading and nationally recognized NeighborWorks America member organization located in Orange, NJ. As a recognized leader in the community development industry, Mr. Meyer serves on a number of committees and panels that focus on affordable housing and community stabilization. Mr. Meyer is an attorney and CPA with 20+ years of private sector real estate experience representing owners and investors in a wide range of commercial and residential transactions.
In addition to studying urban planning on the graduate level at New York University, Mr. Meyer completed the 18-month “Achieving Excellence in Community Development” fellowship program at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Gregory Stankiewicz, Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Stankiewicz joined New Jersey Community Capital in May 2011 as Chief Operating Officer. He has spent his professional career in the public and nonprofit sectors, focusing on domestic policy issues. Most recently, Mr. Stankiewicz served the State of New Jersey as a state budget specialist in the Office of Management and Budget. He focused on issues with broad impacts that cut across numerous agencies, including helping implement the State’s performance management initiative and helping coordinate the writing of the State’s annual budget documents. While at OMB, he also served as an adjunct lecturer for the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University.
Mr. Stankiewicz has published on both community economic development and state fiscal issues, including co-authoring journal articles assessing the New Markets Tax Credit program and the Los Angeles Community Development Bank. He earned an M.P.A. and Ph.D. in Public Affairs from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School. In addition, Mr. Stankiewicz earned a Graduate Diploma in International Law from the Australian National University as a Rotary Foundation Scholar, and both a Bachelor’s degree cum laude and a Master’s degree from Harvard University.
Marie Mascherin, Chief Lending Officer
Ms. Mascherin comes to New Jersey Community Capital with over 25 years of commercial banking and real estate mortgage lending experience. She is formally trained in the principals of commercial lending and management with recognized skills in financial and credit analysis.
She was most recently the Vice President of FHA lending for Capmark Finance Inc., formerly GMAC Commercial Mortgage, where she was responsible for management of the regional loan production office specializing in FHA insured multifamily and senior housing lending. Prior to that, she served as executive Vice President at DVI Mortgage Funding, Inc. where she coordinated FHA commitments into mortgage related securities and loan production.
In addition, she served as Executive Vice President of Quaker Capital, L.P. reviving an inactive FHA mortgage company. She began her career at Midlantic National Bank’s recognized Commercial Credit Management Training Program where she rose to Vice President and Team Leader in the Real Estate Lending Division and managed borrowing relationships in excess of $800 million.
Ms. Mascherin earned her Master of Business Administration degree (MBA) from New York University’s Stern School of Business. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Seton Hall University with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance. She is a Leadership New Jersey Fellow. She is a former board member and officer of the NJ Community Loan Fund, a founding board member and treasurer of the Eastern Lenders Association, a current member and former board member of Women in Housing & Finance and, the current Vice Chairman of the Board for the American Repertory Ballet & Princeton Ballet School.
William Delaney, Interim Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Delaney joined New Jersey Community Capital as Interim Chief Financial Officer in March 2012. In this position, he provides valuable guidance and support related to the management of our financial processes and capital structure as we transition to a new permanent Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Delaney comes to NJCC with over 20 years of experience as a Chief Financial Officer in the nonprofit sector. He was most recently the Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer for Saint Barnabas Hospice and Palliative Care Center. Prior to that, he served as Director of Finance and Chief Financial Officer for New Community Corporation, a Newark-based community development corporation.
Mr. Delaney also served as a Manager and Senior Manager for Ernst & Young, CPAs where he was responsible for the planning, supervision, and completion of audit and consulting engagements. His past work experience has provided him with an extensive background in nonprofit accounting as well as treasury, budgeting, strategic planning, and financial and regulatory reporting. A graduate of Bernard Baruch College, CUNY with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, Mr. Delaney earned his CPA license in 1986. He also has experience serving as a Treasurer and Board Member of nonprofit organizations and as a member of the Reimbursement and Government Relations Committee for New Jersey’s Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.
Peter Grof, Manager, Resource Development
Mr. Grof joined New Jersey Community Capital (and the Community Asset Preservation Corporation) in October 2009 as an Associate for REO and Measurement. He subsequently accepted the position of Manager of Resource Development in February of 2011. In his new position, Mr. Grof supervises the development and execution of New Jersey Community Capital’s communications, marketing and capitalization strategies. His responsibilities include management of the organization’s investor, media, and public relations; cultivation of relationships and strategic partnerships with community development organizations throughout the state; and oversight of the organization’s policy and advocacy activities.
Prior to joining NJCC, Mr. Grof spent time as both a Wachovia Bank/Department of Community Affairs Housing Scholar for the City of Newark and an AmeriCorps VISTA member working for the New Jersey Community Development Corporation. Mr. Grof graduated from Rutgers University in May 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. He also received a Masters Degree in Public Policy with a concentration in Community Development from Rutgers University in May 2009.
David Bloomberg, Vice President, Portfolio Management & Compliance
Mr. Bloomberg joined NJCC in May 2009 and assumed the responsibility of Portfolio and Compliance Manager in January 2011. Mr. Bloomberg brings to this position over 14 years in the commercial banking sector and 20 years of entrepreneurial experience. Mr. Bloomberg’s banking experience includes nine years in Asset Based Lending, coupled with five years of commercial loan review and field examination expertise. His experience with workout and restructured loans, coupled with his credit and collateral skills, brings another dimension to an already strong lending staff.
A graduate of Rider College with a Bachelors Degree in Accounting, he also attended Commercial Lending School at the University of Oklahoma and received certification as an Asset Based Lending Field Examiner.
Jeffrey Crum, Director of Real Estate, Community Asset Preservation Corporation
Mr. Crum joined Community Asset Preservation Corporation in August 2011 as its Director of Real Estate. Mr. Crum oversees the implementation of CAPC’s neighborhood stabilization strategies, including the identification of scattered site housing opportunities, arrangement of bulk purchase property acquisitions, expansion of funding sources, establishment of cross-sector redevelopment partnerships, and analysis of exit strategies for the acquired properties. Prior to joining CAPC, Mr. Crum was the Vice President of Real Estate at Real Estate Advisory and Development Services, where he oversaw $50 million in community facilities development, providing active pursuit and direct management of projects ranging from charter school facilities to supportive housing and nonprofit centers. Mr. Crum has also served as Director of Real Estate for the New Jersey Community Development Corporation, where he managed site acquisitions, financing, municipal approvals, and construction oversight.
Mr. Crum earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude in 2003. In 2006, he earned his Master’s in Public Policy from Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University in New Brunswick. Mr. Crum also participated in Leadership New Jersey Class of 2008 and serves on the Greater Brunswick Charter School’s Board of Directors. He is also active with a number of community and religious organizations throughout New Jersey and New York.
Leah Apgar, Lending Officer, Financial Products & Services
Ms. Apgar joined New Jersey Community Capital in June 2006 as a Wachovia Bank/ Department of Community Affairs Housing Scholar. She was subsequently hired as an Associate for Financial Products and Services in June 2007. Her primary responsibilities include community research, business development, and relationship management.
Ms. Apgar graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in April 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Economics and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. She also received a Masters degree in Public Policy with a concentration in Community and Economic Development from Rutgers University in May 2007.
Daniel Arndt, Lending Officer, Financial Products & Services
Mr. Arndt joined New Jersey Community Capital in August 2008, as a research associate focusing on a variety of tasks including research on the current challenges for community development organizations. After the summer of 2009, Mr. Arndt committed to a new position as an Associate for the Financial Products and Services Division.
In 2008, Mr. Arndt received a Masters degree in Public Affairs from Rutgers University focusing on strategies for Community and Economic Development. Most recently, Mr. Arndt also received a Masters degree in Public Administration from the University of Konstanz in Germany. Mr. Arndt habitually volunteers for community services.
Jacqueline Baranowski, Loan Servicing Officer
After volunteering for New Jersey Community for several years, Ms. Baranowski joined the staff as an Administrative Specialist in August 1998 where she assisted in both the lending and financial divisions of the organization. After assuming the position as Portfolio Coordinator in 2000, Ms. Baranowski used her experience to design a more efficient billing and loan tracking system. As the loan portfolio continued to expand, she oversaw the seamless conversion to a commercially prepared software system.
Now as Loan Servicing Officer, Ms. Baranowski continues to oversee the portfolio system, designs and implement new reports and assists in arranging the fiscal activity between the lending and financial divisions. Previously, Ms. Baranowski was employed by a commercial bank as a teller supervisor and personal banker where she was responsible for branch compliance and customer service. Ms. Baranowski holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography from the College of New Jersey.
McCaela Daffern, Associate, Resource Development
Ms. Daffern joined New Jersey Community Capital in June 2010 as an Associate in the Resource Development area. She assists the President with public policy initiatives, assists in the preparation of grant applications and public relations communications, and develops and analyzes information that is used to measure the impact of the organization’s loans and investments. Ms. Daffern has four years of experience as an urban planner, with a focus on land use and environmental issues. A native of Washington State, Ms. Daffern graduated from Western Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Environmental Policy and Planning. She earned a Masters Degree in City and Regional Planning with a concentration in Community Development from Rutgers University in 2010.
Kelly Gh’Rael, Loan Closing Officer
Ms. Gh’Rael recently joined New Jersey Community Capital as a Loan Closing Officer. She works with the Lending Officers and Borrowers’ attorneys reviewing loan closing packages and the processing of loan approvals. Ms. Gh’Rael also assists Lending Officers in handling Borrowers’ requests for documentary changes/accommodations.
Ms. Gh’Rael was previously employed for ten years with Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company as a Paralegal where she assisted the Chief Underwriting Counsel on multimillion dollar commercial real estate deals. Ms. Gh’Rael holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Legal Studies from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Doris Harris, Assistant Manager, Resource Development
Ms. Harris handles the development, implementation and maintenance of the organization’s internal and external communication strategy, publicizes the positive change taking place within the communities served by New Jersey Community Capital, develops marketing collateral to promote brand identity, improves the visibility of organization, and keeps stakeholders aware of the organization’s activities.
Ms. Harris is currently responsible for many facets of the organization’s fundraising, as well as relationship management responsibilities with funders. Ms. Harris is also responsible for managing the organization’s information technology systems. Ms. Harris was hired in June 1997 and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Architectural Design from the California College of the Arts.
Daniel Kravetz, Fundraising and Media Coordinator, Resource Development
Mr. Kravetz joined NJCC as a Resource Development Fellow in May 2011 and began his tenure as Fundraising and Media Coordinator in March 2012. His responsibilities include researching and preparing grant applications and investment proposals, assisting in investor relations and infrastructure, and preparing content for NJCC’s newsletters, annual reports, social media outlets, and other methods of communication.
Mr. Kravetz has previously served as a Program Assistant at La Casa de Don Pedro in Newark, NJ, and worked for four years as the Program Developer at Aurora/St. Anthony Neighborhood Development Corporation in Saint Paul, MN. He graduated from Macalester College in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography and Urban Studies, and earned Masters’ degrees in Public Policy and City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University in December of 2011.
Juanita Marshall, Associate Financial Reporting
Ms. Marshall joined New Jersey Community Capital in September 1998 as an Administrative Support Specialist. Ms. Marshall was previously employed with Wachovia Bank as a teller supervisor and a Customer Service Representative. She also worked for the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs as an Administrative Assistant.
Ms. Marshall is currently working to complete an Associates Degree at Mercer County Community College.
Norman Melofsky, Accounting Manager
Mr. Melofsky joined New Jersey Community Capital in December 2009 as its Accounting Manager. In this capacity, Mr. Melofsky’s primary responsibilities will be assisting the CFO and the Fiscal & Risk Management Team in implementing the organization’s fiscal plans, ensuring the integrity of financial reports and other data and using financial resources efficiently. Additionally, Mr. Melofsky will provide assistance in the areas of treasury operations, financial controls, regulatory reporting, risk management, capitalization and strategic planning.
Mr. Melofsky has over 35 years of accounting experience, including over 20 years as a corporate controller and has an extensive background both in the private and public sectors. His skills include financial reporting, establishing and implementing internal control procedures, budgeting and forecasting, treasury operations and taxes.
Mr. Melofsky holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Queens College of the City University of New York. Additionally, he is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in New Jersey and New York.
Joseph Palazzolo, Lending Officer, Financial Products & Services
Mr. Palazzolo joined New Jersey Community Capital in August 2006 as an Associate for Financial Products and Services. Prior to joining NJCC, Mr. Palazzolo worked for CityWorks, a nonprofit redevelopment agency. While with CityWorks, Mr. Palazzolo worked as an on-site administrator for the company’s largest project – an $18.5 million New Markets Tax Credit development in Neptune, New Jersey. While working on-site, he provided information to the public and technical assistance to partner nonprofit agencies. He also served as a liaison to the local municipal officials and media outlets.
In addition to his duties at NJCC, Mr. Palazzolo is an Adjunct Professor of Political Science at Monmouth University and an Online Instructor at Thomas Edison State College’s School of Business and Management. Mr. Palazzolo graduated from Monmouth University’s McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences in May 2003 with a Bachelor of the Arts Degree in English. He received a Master of the Arts Degree in Public Policy with a concentration in Community Development from Rutgers University’s Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy in May 2006 and a Graduate Certificate as a Public Relations Specialist from Monmouth University in January 2011. In addition to serving on the board of a national educational foundation, Mr. Palazzolo is a member of the Hope Academy Charter School Foundation’s Board of Trustees. An active local volunteer, he serves on the boards of several nonprofit groups focusing on educational issues, community impact, and the environment.
Cara Purcell, Associate, Financial Products & Services and Resource Development
Ms. Purcell joined New Jersey Community Capital in June 2010 as a Wachovia Bank/Department of Community Affairs Housing Scholar and was subsequently hired as an Associate in May 2011. In her current position, Ms. Purcell supports both the Financial Products and Services and Resource Development departments.
Prior to joining NJCC, Ms. Purcell worked in the public sector as a land use planner and held research positions related to energy efficiency and conservation, foreclosure, and privatization of public services. Ms. Purcell graduated from Temple University in May 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Community and Regional Planning. She also received a Master of City and Regional Planning degree with a concentration in Urban and Community Development from Rutgers University in May 2011.
Andrew Regenstreich, Project Manager, Community Asset Preservation Corporation
Mr. Regenstreich joined Community Asset Preservation Corporation in March 2012 as a Project Manager. In this position, Mr. Regenstreich manages individual development projects from predevelopment through construction, ensuring that the final product is of high quality and is completed in a timely manner.
Prior to joining CAPC, Mr. Regenstreich held a variety of positions with Jersey City’s Department of Housing, Economic Development and Commerce; the City of New York; the United States Senate; and the U.S. Embassy in London. He also spent a year managing a microfinance program in a refugee camp in Zambia. Mr. Regenstreich holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Northeastern University, and a master’s degree in public and nonprofit management from NYU’s Wagner School. He is on the board of the Alexia Foundation, a nonprofit photography foundation.
Todd Rotert, Property Manager, Community Asset Preservation Corporation
Mr. Rotert joined New Jersey Community Capital (and the Community Asset Preservation Corporation) in November 2009 as a Project Manager of Community Asset Preservation Corporation (CAPC). Mr. Rotert is responsible for all assets of managing and cultivating the properties/mortgages acquired by the CAPC. Mr. Rotert will assist the incumbent Managing Director with developing and maintaining a pipeline of CDC developers capable of acquiring the properties.
Mr. Rotert possesses an extensive background in Urban Property Valuation/Sales and Preservation, experienced REO Specialist and Contract Negotiation & Compliance. Mr. Rotert presently co-owns Valley View Realty, a specialized real estate management agency providing national REO companies, bank, financial institutions and Non-profit CDC groups a comprehensive range of field services. Mr. Rotert is a New Jersey State Licensed Real Estate Agent and attended Quinnipiac University studying Mass Communications.
Peter Schaeffing, Underwriter, Financial Products & Services
Mr. Schaeffing joined New Jersey Community Capital as Financial Products & Services Fellow in May 2011. Following this fellowship Mr. Schaeffing was hired as Underwriter in the Financial Products & Services Division. In this capacity he prepares underwriting packages for presentation to the organization’s Credit Committee, assists in the development and underwriting of New Markets Tax Credit transactions, and helps lending officers manage borrower relationships.
In 2011 Mr. Schaeffing earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Political Science from the South Carolina Honors College at the University of South Carolina. His coursework included a finance concentration and he completed a senior thesis on the performance of community development financial institutions through the recent recession.
Jane Shoemaker, Executive Coordinator
Ms. Shoemaker joined New Jersey Community Capital in April 2000 as an Administrative Assistant. Currently Ms. Shoemaker is responsible for the central coordination of New Jersey Community Capital’s internal resources as well as assisting in developing external partner relationships. Ms. Shoemaker also is responsible for managing and coordinating the organization’s relations with its Board of Directors.
Julie Thibault, Executive Assistant to the President
Ms. Thibault joined New Jersey Community Capital as a fellow working for the Community Asset Preservation Corporation (CAPC) in May 2011. She was subsequently hired as Executive Assistant to the President in September 2011. In this position, Ms. Thibault performs a wide range of administrative duties for the President, enabling him to focus on his decision-making responsibilities. She also continues to assist CAPC in a variety of ways, including by serving as the National Community Stabilization Trust (NCST) Community Coordinator for New Jersey. Prior to joining NJCC, Ms. Thibault was an underwriter for a commercial mortgage banker, an assistant planner for a private planning firm, and a business entrepreneur.
Ms. Thibault holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Planning and Design from Cook College at Rutgers University. She is currently pursuing a Master of City and Regional Planning degree with a concentration in community development at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.
Rrezarta Veseli, Impact Assessment Coordinator, Resource Development
Ms. Veseli joined New Jersey Community Capital in June 2011 as Impact Assessment Coordinator. She devotes her skills and knowledge to advance one of the key goals of NJCC’s Strategic Plan – implementing a strengthened impact assessment system. Ms. Veseli is experienced in program implementation, social work, and policy analysis and evaluation with a number of nonprofit organizations, including UNICEF in its New York headquarters. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Sciences from the University of Business and Technology in Kosovo, and attained a Masters Degree in Public Policy from Rutgers University in May 2011.
