NAI Mertz Celebrates 35th Year in Business

NAI Mertz, a leading full-service commercial real estate firm serving southern New Jersey and greater Philadelphia, is celebrating its 35th anniversary since Barry Mertz, SIOR, Chief Executive Officer, formed the firm in 1981, with his wife Faye, in Pennsauken, New Jersey. Barry started the company as a commercial real estate brokerage and property management firm with one employee, and a goal to add additional sales staff to broaden market coverage in the region and to service clients’ needs more proficiently.

With Faye serving as CFO managing the back office of the firm, and Barry at the helm, NAI Mertz experienced significant growth in its early years and soon secured over 1.5 million square feet of property that it managed throughout southern New Jersey.

NAI Mertz has since moved its headquarters to Mount Laurel, NJ, surrounded by some of southern New Jersey’s premier office and industrial parks. The NAI Mertz team has been responsible for countless sale and lease transactions in these parks, and Barry developed some of the properties in East Gate Corporate Center when the park was taking shape.

As part of the firm’s sustained growth, new offices were added in Philadelphia, Bucks County and Wilkes-Barre, Pa., which helped increase its market coverage and enabled the company to better meet its clients’ needs. Over the years, the NAI Mertz broadened its reach to provide expert services in brokerage, leasing, sales, investments, property management, site selection and construction management in the industrial, office and retail sectors.

Jeff Licht, senior vice president, joined the firm in 1994 to head the office in Bucks County. Two years later, he was joined by Adam Lashner, vice president, and the duo have amassed a formidable track record of industrial and commercial sales and leases in Philadelphia and its suburbs.

“It has been a tremendous two decades working with the Mertz’s and being a part of the firm’s continued growth and success,” said Licht. “Together we have witnessed many real estate cycles and changes in the industry, and through them all the Mertz’s remain loyal to their clients and committed to their staff—always assisting their efforts and guiding them in the right direction,” he added.

Joining the NAI Global network—one of the largest managed networks of commercial real estate service providers—was a significant milestone for the firm. Operating as NAI Mertz, the company is able to service their clients’ nationally and globally, offering more resources and greater market knowledge to its client base.

“NAI Global is a powerful organization and one that we are thrilled to be a part of,” stated Barry Mertz. “We were one of the original members of NAI, and I proudly served four terms on its leadership board. NAI also has bestowed our firm with the NAI Global Eagle Award for Outstanding Service and Leadership on two occasions,” he added.

At the forefront of NAI Mertz’s success in the region is its staff. NAI Mertz has built a team of seasoned professionals, many of whom have been with the firm for over 20 years, who are dedicated and knowledgeable experts in their craft. NAI Mertz impressively has eight brokers on its staff who earned the prestigious Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) designation. Rebecca Ting, vice president and 21-year veteran with the firm, currently serves as the SIOR New Jersey Chapter’s president; and Roy Kardon, vice president-industrial division and 21-year veteran with the firm, serves as the current treasurer of the SIOR New Jersey Chapter.

NAI Mertz entered its second generation in 1999 when Barry and Faye’s son, Scott, joined the firm. Scott brings a sense of enthusiasm for the commercial real estate industry to the firm, which he learned from years of watching his parents help businesses, developers, landlords and community officials meet their strategic goals throughout the southern New Jersey and greater Philadelphia region. In 2014, Scott was recognized as NAI Global’s top producing broker throughout the worldwide network of 6,700 professionals. He followed that up with a second place finish in 2015.

“I am committed to continuing the leadership of our family-owned business, while building on our success in the industry through any real estate cycle we may encounter,” said Mertz. “I share the vision of my parents and take pride in the amazing company they have built, and look forward to continuing to mentor our team and providing our current and future clients with exceptional service and earning their trust and respect,” he added.

NAI Mertz is in the midst of another strong year of sales and leases. Through September, the company has completed 225 transactions for over 4.5 million square feet and close to $200,000,000 in total volume.

“We weathered through the recession in our industry and we have been in growth mode for the past several years—the only way to look is up. Building NAI Mertz into a highly respected and successful commercial real estate firm has been one of my greatest accomplishments.  I take great care in providing my team with the knowledge and tools it takes to blossom into true professionals. And, I am equally proud of knowing that our firm’s level of professionalism and sophisticated knowledge of our work has led to our outstanding reputation in the industry,” concluded Mertz.

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