Executive Team

Michael M. Adler, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Adler Group, Inc.

As the chairman and chief executive officer of Adler Group, Inc., one of South Florida's largest and most successful real estate companies, Michael M. Adler has played a significant role in the growth and development of South Florida as a major center for international trade. Adler Group, Inc., formed in 1978, is an aggressive, multi-profile real estate firm with individual entities and affiliates offering services in such areas as development, general contracting, real estate management for institutional investors, real estate brokerage, and leasing and property management.

Adler's involvement in South Florida real estate began at a very young age. He represents the second-generation of one of Florida's most respected “builder families.” His father, Samuel I. Adler, founded Southern General Builders in the early 1950's and built, owned and managed nearly 6,000 high-rise rental apartment units in Dade and Broward Counties.

While attending college, Michael M. Adler learned his father's business on the job, as a working crew member of the Laborers and Carpenters Unions, where he participated in the construction of high-rise apartment buildings throughout South Florida. In 1979, Adler began developing Miami International Commerce Center (MICC); this 350-acre park was the pioneer mixed-use project in Dade County's Airport West market. Today, the park contains approximately four million square feet of warehouses, flex showrooms and offices. MICC was developed in a joint venture with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.

Michael M. Adler also serves as Co-Chairman of Kabel-X USA, founded in 2008. Kabel-X provides the fastest possible Internet connection by extracting copper core and replacing it with fiber optic cables for optimum system performance.

Adler graduated from the University of Miami with a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1973. He is a member of the National Association of Industrial & Office Properties (NAIOP), the Beacon Council and Greater Miami Chamber.

A devoted member of Miami's philanthropic community, he is Chairman of Mount Sinai Medical Center and Board Member of Mount Sinai Philanthropic Foundation. He is a member of the Florida International University Foundation Board of Trustees and a past member of the Florida International University Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors and past Chair of the Florida International University Foundation, Inc. Development Committee. Adler is also the past President of The Greater Miami Jewish Federation, Member of the Executive Committee and past President of Temple Emanu-El, active member of the United Way of Dade County - Alexis de Tocqueville Society, past Chairman of the National Jewish Democratic Council, and past Board of Directors member of the University of Florida Foundation, Inc.

Brett W. Harris, President and Chief Operating Officer

Brett W. Harris, CCIM, CPM®, leverages his breadth of experience in residential and commercial real estate appraisal and asset management to identify investment opportunities and create value within Adler Group's portfolio. Throughout his career, Harris has worked on the successful restoration, redevelopment and repositioning of a wide variety of projects, including REO properties, vacant office buildings, retail centers and industrial and office products. He has consistently demonstrated an ability to add value through the turnaround and repositioning of a variety of asset classes, through renovation and lease-up, for ultimate sale at a profit. Under Harris' leadership, the Adler team has also successfully managed the turnaround of a variety of under-performing assets, significantly reducing operating costs and bringing above average market occupancies and improved renewal ratios.

Harris joined Adler Group in 1996 as President of Management and Leasing, where he continues to oversee a diverse portfolio comprised of retail, office, industrial and office-flex space in South Florida, Tampa, Orlando, Atlanta, Greensboro, Norfolk and Charlotte. He prepared and implemented tactical, strategic, marketing, business and capital plans for the existing portfolio as well as newly acquired properties and three ground-up developments. In less than three years, Harris profitably managed the growth of the Adler portfolio from 2 million square feet in South Florida to 8 million square feet, more than 50 properties and over 2,000 tenants throughout the Southeast.

Before joining Adler, Harris headed the Asset Services Division of Cushman & Wakefield of Florida as the South Florida Portfolio Manager. He oversaw South Florida operations within asset management, leasing, and marketing. Harris worked with financial institutions and the RTC during the real estate market collapse of the late 80s, and was responsible for the successful turnaround, repositioning, leasing and disposition of several high-end assets, including Alahambra Plaza in Coral Gables and various properties on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach. As head of their special assets division, Harris represented esteemed clients such as Cartier, Escada and MaxiMara. Additional highlights include leading the company to above market occupancy rates, managing a successful retail joint venture with Healey-Baker UK, and overseeing a high-profile project with Simco Realty on a joint venture out of San Paulo, Brazil.

Harris' career began in 1985 as an appraiser with a regional commercial appraisal company in Gainesville, Florida. He was employed as Manager in the regional office of the Allen Morris Company, specializing in commercial real estate. The company underwent tremendous growth in third-party management during Harris' tenure there, expanding from a Florida-only operation to a strong presence throughout the entire Southeast. He specialized in high-end assets, including office buildings on Palm Beach's upscale Worth Avenue, and also led the noted redevelopment of the historic Via Mizner, transforming it from a primarily residential complex to a profitable 40,000 sq. ft. mixed-use project.

Harris holds a bachelor's in Government from Wofford College and earned a master's with honors in Real Estate and Urban Analysis, with a minor in Urban and Regional Planning, from the University of Florida. He has both his Certified Property Manager (CPM) designation and is a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM). He remains an active participant with the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) and the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP).

Matthew L. Adler, Chief Investment Officer and President, Adler Realty Services

Matthew L. Adler is the chief investment officer of Adler Group and president of Adler Realty Services, where he oversees fund management and acquisitions for the commercial real estate (CRE) company founded by his grandfather. Since joining the company, Adler has negotiated the acquisition and disposition of well over 4 million square feet of office, industrial and retail space throughout the southeastern United States. Adler is also the founder and manager of significant company business lines, including a series of income-producing property investment funds.

As CIO, his responsibilities extend to include fundraising and investor relations. As President of Adler Realty Services, Adler's primary focus is on growing the realty company's third-party assignments.

Additionally, Adler and a group of prominent Miami business leaders recently purchased controlling interest in Union Credit Bank, where he is now a member of the Board of Directors and Credit Committee.

Prior to joining Adler Group, Adler spent two years as a financial analyst for New York-based Insignia Financial Group, Inc., at the time one of the nation's leading commercial real estate service providers. His responsibilities included conducting financial and market analysis and assisting with negotiations for major real estate transactions.

Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Studies from the University of Pennsylvania in 1999, Adler has always been interested in urban development and community involvement. He previously served on the Miami Beach Planning Board, which allowed him the opportunity to be involved with the city's zoning and land use issues.

An active member of the community, Adler serves on numerous community-based organizations, including: Immediate Past Chairman of the Network and member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, member of the Jewish Federations of North America's National Young Leadership Cabinet and is a founder of Slingshot, a non-profit that focuses on developing the next generation of philanthropists through cultivating innovation in Jewish life. He is also Vice Chairman of Mount Sinai Medical Center Foundation Young Founders Board, Trustee Member of Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and member of the Miami Chapter of the Young Presidents Organization. In September 2010, President Barack Obama appointed Adler to serve on the United States Holocaust Memorial Council.

Matthew Adler blogs at the Progressive Capitalist.

Robert Smither, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President, Finance

Robert Smither is responsible for Adler Group's accounting, financial reporting, income taxes, treasury, banking and lender relations as well as human resources and information technology. Smither joined Adler Group in the fall of 2008, bringing with him experience in all aspects of business acquisitions. His real estate track record includes residential land development, construction management, multifamily, mixed-use, residential condominiums, rental management, hospitality and land acquisition and entitlement.

Smither began his career with A.M. Pullen & Co., CPA, and subsequently worked for a private company with national and international investments in newspaper, television, manufacturing and real estate. He served as Chief Financial Officer for that company for more than 10 of his 25-year tenure. Subsequently, Smither held the position of Chief Financial Officer for a real estate developer in Northwest Florida and then served as Chief Financial Officer for one of the largest privately-held condominium developers in South Florida.

Smither earned both a Bachelor of Arts degree and master's degree in Business Administration from James Madison University. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and past member of the Southern Federal Tax Institute. Smither has also served on the boards of several private charitable foundations.

Joel Levy, Vice Chairman

Joel Levy pilots Adler Group's acquisition activities and participates in debt placement, seeking shrewd investments in the current opportunistic real estate environment. Levy has participated in all phases of the company's operations, with particular emphasis on acquisitions and financing.

Under his past leadership as Chief Operating Officer from 1984 to 2007, Adler Group acquired over $400 million in existing industrial, flex and office properties aggregating over 4 million square feet. Levy negotiated the financing for all acquisitions and was additionally responsible for dispositions, which also totaled over $400 million.

Levy joined Adler Group in 1984 with more than 24 years of public accounting experience. Throughout his career at Adler Group, he has had primary responsibility for structuring the company's various partnership transactions with institutions and individuals, as well as supervising the company's accounting and tax functions.

After graduating from Brooklyn College with a bachelor's degree in Accounting, Levy was employed by the New York accounting firm Eisner & Lubin, until relocating to South Florida in 1965. He joined the accounting firm of David Stuzin & Company as partner, only to be recruited back to Eisner & Lubin as partner in charge of the Miami and West Palm Beach offices in 1972. Levy is currently a Board Member of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and Mt. Sinai Medical Center.

David S. Adler, President of Adler Development, Inc.

David S. Adler is the president of Adler Development, Inc., the development and project management division of Adler Group, Inc. In this position, he is responsible for contributing to the development and acquisition of industrial, office and retail properties. Additionally, he oversees business development of third-party development projects, project management services and oversight of capital expenditure and facilities management programs for properties owned and managed by Adler Group.

Since joining Adler Group in 1997, Adler, a licensed general contractor, has been involved in all development and construction projects of commercial properties statewide. Currently, he is in the process of negotiating three exciting development projects in Florida while also working on five large office and retail development projects totaling 100 acres in the Florida cities of Kissimmee, Tampa, Riverview, Fort Pierce and Bradenton.

Adler represents the third-generation of one of Florida's most respected "builder families." His grandfather, Samuel I. Adler, founded Southern General Builders in the early 1950's and built, owned and managed nearly 6,000 high-rise rental apartment units in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. The Adler family name is synonymous with the entrepreneurial leadership and innovation that keeps Adler Group at the forefront of the commercial real estate industry.

Adler lives in Miami with his wife, Hinda, and two children, Samson and Mason. Committed to community service and education initiatives, Adler is a member of the Young Founders Club at Mount Sinai Medical Center; is the Treasurer of the Jewish Museum of Florida and the Miami Beach Jewish Community Center; and is actively involved with the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.