The People Behind
Island Associates

Chris brings more than 25 years of experience in commercial real estate development, specializing in the planning and execution of ground-up projects for multifamily communities, retail centers, industrial buildings, and office properties. He works closely with property owners, developers, landlords, and tenants, providing strategic guidance on site selection, development opportunities, and lease negotiations, with a focus on creating long-term value for every transaction. Throughout his career, Chris has represented clients including Safstor Storage, Allstate, Montessori School, Dunkin', 7-Eleven, and numerous other national retailers. He holds the Commercial and Investment Real Estate Certified (CIREC) designation, reflecting his expertise and commitment to excellence in commercial real estate.

Jason is a commercial real estate professional with nearly a decade of experience advising property owners, investors, tenants, and owner-users across Long Island and the greater New York market. He specializes in the sale and leasing of industrial properties, while also working across retail, office, mixed-use, multifamily, land, and investment assets. Jason takes a hands-on, relationship-driven approach to every assignment, assisting clients with acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, and investment strategy while prioritizing clear communication and alignment with their goals. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Baruch College’s Zicklin School of Business and holds the Commercial and Investment Real Estate Certified (CIREC) designation. A lifelong New Yorker based in Huntington, he is active in professional networks and community initiatives, and outside of work enjoys traveling, fitness, sports, and staying engaged with the local business community.

Lawrence is a seasoned commercial real estate professional with decades of experience in sales, leasing, and investment transactions across Long Island and New York City. Prior to joining Island Associates, he served as a Licensed Sales Associate with Douglas Elliman Commercial. Earlier in his career, Lawrence was CEO of WorkSafe Industries, a publicly traded company listed on the Nasdaq, where he oversaw the acquisition, sale, and leasing of industrial properties throughout the United States and internationally. His extensive background in both corporate leadership and commercial real estate provides clients with valuable insight into complex transactions, and he has successfully negotiated industrial sales and leases throughout Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, and Brooklyn. Lawrence has been a member of ARG since 2015.

Richard brings more than 30 years of commercial real estate experience specializing in the sales and leasing of retail, multifamily residential, self-storage, industrial, and land properties throughout Long Island. In addition to his brokerage expertise, Richard is highly experienced in navigating and expediting the entitlement and development approval process across numerous Long Island municipalities. Throughout his career, he has successfully collaborated with major developers, property owners, and national tenants, providing strategic guidance and market insight to help clients achieve their real estate and development goals. His extensive industry knowledge, strong relationships, and proven track record make him a valuable resource for investors, developers, and businesses alike.

Robert has been with Island Associates for over five years, where he specializes in the leasing and sale of retail and industrial properties. He works closely with property owners, landlords, and tenants to identify strategic opportunities and deliver effective solutions tailored to each client’s needs, with a focus on retail spaces and industrial assets. Prior to joining Island Associates, Robert worked in finance as a currency broker, where he managed Asian currency trading and developed strong analytical and market-driven skills. His background in finance, combined with his commercial real estate experience, allows him to bring a disciplined and strategic approach to every transaction.

Beniamin brings more than 30 years of experience in accounting, financial reporting, and financial management. His work focuses on maintaining accurate general ledgers, supporting property management operations for Florida-based assets, and overseeing underwriting processes that support sound investment decisions. He also plays a key role in modernizing property-level financial systems by improving reporting accuracy, streamlining workflows, and strengthening overall operational efficiency. In addition, he develops structured and secure documentation systems, along with AI-driven lease abstraction workflows that help keep property records organized, easily accessible, and consistently audit-ready.

Diane brings more than 30 years of experience in commercial and residential property management and is a licensed Real Estate Agent with extensive expertise in every aspect of the industry. As the Property Manager at Island Associates Real Estate for over 20 years, she has overseen a diverse portfolio of commercial and residential properties throughout New York and Florida. Her responsibilities include negotiating new leases and renewals, managing income and expenses, overseeing vendor contracts and renewals, and handling budget planning and financial management. Diane’s wealth of knowledge, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence ensure the efficient operation, long-term value, and success of every property under her management.

Michaela is a Property Manager Assistant with Island Associates, where she helps keep things organized and running smoothly behind the scenes. From tenant communications and record keeping to administrative support and customer service, she enjoys being a reliable resource for both residents and colleagues. Before joining Island Associates over a year ago, Michaela built her experience in office administration and customer service, including managing catering operations and coordinating events. Known for her positive attitude, strong organizational skills, and friendly approach, she takes pride in helping people and making each interaction a pleasant one.

Devin Muller is a real estate marketing and operations professional with over eight years of experience at Island Associates Real Estate, where she manages property listings, marketing initiatives, website content, digital advertising, social media, and branding while helping promote commercial and investment properties throughout Long Island through strategic campaigns. She also serves as Area Director for Gold’s Gym, overseeing operations at the Islip and Middle Island locations, including staff leadership, member relations, facility management, marketing, and business development. With a strong background in marketing, operations, and client relations, she brings a hands-on leadership style and a commitment to growth, organization, and customer experience across both industries.

Jim has been with Island Associates, serving as a Business Analyst supporting the firm’s owned and operated businesses within its portfolio. He focuses on analytics, accounting, and financial reporting, ensuring accurate performance tracking and operational insight across assets, while also providing senior management with P&L projections and financial modeling for potential commercial property acquisitions. Prior to Island Associates, Jim spent over 25 years with The Walt Disney Company, where he held Controllership and FP&A roles within the broadcasting division. His extensive corporate finance background brings a high level of discipline, structure, and analytical expertise to his work, strengthening financial reporting and investment decision-making across the organization.

Martine has been a valued member of Island Associates Real Estate for more than 28 years, providing comprehensive support to senior management, real estate agents, and property managers. In her role, Martine assists with property research, tenant and landlord relations, and communications with real estate directors regarding prospective locations. She also coordinates travel arrangements, scheduling meetings and events and manages a variety of day-to-day operations that help keep the organization running efficiently. Martine takes great pride in helping others and making a positive impact wherever she can. Her strong work ethic, persistence, organizational skills, and customer-first approach have been the key to her long-standing success. Martine earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a minor in Italian from Dowling College. Before joining Island Associates Real Estate, she worked in the retail industry.