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.
Conceived in 1999, FlexxSpace was the evolution of Adler's partnership with Apollo Real Estate Advisors. Now operating as Adler Realty Services, the commercial real estate portfolio is a branded network of business communities spanning more than eight million square feet throughout the Southeastern United States. Adler Realty Services caters not only to its tenants' real estate needs, but now extends its premier real estate offerings to property owners and tenants outside of the Adler portfolio seeking quality, professional support.
Michael M. Adler formed AA Acquisitions LLC, a related entity of Adler Group, to develop a 230-acre premier, master planned development at Miami-Dade County's Opa-locka Airport in 2007. With over $200 million in planned improvements, Airside International Business Park is poised to be a first-class commercial property equipped to accommodate aviation and other businesses desiring private hangars, corporate hangars, terminals, offices, warehouse, retail, restaurants and hotels.
In 2008, Adler Group formed its first discretionary real estate fund, Helios Fund. The Fund was created for the purchase of income-producing commercial properties throughout the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States.
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, Member of the Florida International University Foundation Board of Directors and Chairs the FIU Foundation Development Committee, Board Member and 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 has used his expertise in real estate acquisitions and transactions to facilitate further growth of the family business founded in the 1950s by his grandfather. Over the last four decades, the real estate market has undergone numerous changes and Adler represents the company's third generation of innovative, flexible and entrepreneurial leaders that have continued to take advantage of emerging trends and opportunities.
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 an income-producing property investment fund, commercial condominium projects and a statewide retail land bank venture.
As President of Adler Realty Services, Adler is ultimately responsible for all leasing and management activities for the company. His primary focus is on growing the realty company's third-party assignments. As CIO, his responsibilities extend to include the management of acquisitions, fundraising and investor relations.
Along with a group of prominent Miami business leaders, Adler is one of the founders and board members of Apollo Bank i/o, a Coral Gables-based community bank that is slated to open in the Fall of 2009.
Prior to joining Adler Group, Adler spent two years as a financial analyst for New York-based Insignia Financial Group, Inc., 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. From 2005-2008, he was elected to serve 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 South Florida community, Adler serves on numerous community-based organizations, including: Co-Chairman of the Network of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, Vice Chairman of Mount Sinai Medical Center Foundation Young Founders Board, board member of the American Jewish Congress' Florida Chapter, member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and member of the Miami Chapter of the Young Presidents Organization.
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.
Karen R. Adler, Partner and Internal Consultant
Karen R. Adler is a partner in Adler Group, a significant investor in many Adler Group partnerships and an internal consultant on matters ranging from government projects to acquisitions. Her other areas of consulting expertise include structural, organizational and financial management issues for family offices, family foundations and small to mid-size not-for-profit organizations.
Prior to joining Adler Group in 2007, Adler was CEO of Bromor Management, LLC, where she was responsible for the investment, management and operation of a multi-generational family office, as well as the administrative and financial activities of the Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies, an umbrella for seven foundations in the United States, Canada and Israel.
Over her 25-year career, Adler has gained a strong background in management administration and operations, marketing, advertising, public relations, legislation, political organizing, investment banking and financial analysis. From 1993 to1997, Adler was the Northeast regional administrator for the General Services Administration of the US Federal Government. She has also worked for a variety of private sector companies including Ensign Bank, LCOR, Inc. and WAM! NET, Inc.
Adler earned a bachelor's degree in Urban Studies from American University. Adler also holds a master's degree in Management and Finance from New York University, as well as a master's degree in Urban Politics and a master's degree in Urban Planning from Northeastern University. She is based in New York.
Sara Adler, Partner and Florida Director of the New Israel Fund
Sara Adler currently serves as the Florida director of the New Israel Fund, and has been involved in the Jewish community both professionally and as a lay leader for a number of years.
Adler served as the 1995-1997 President of the Women's Division and prior to that she served as the Women's Division campaign chair. She sits on several national boards and committees, including the UJC National Women's Board. Adler serves on the Greater Miami Jewish Federation's Board of Directors and is chairing a committee to formulate a strategic plan for Women's Philanthropy within the Federation.
Adler has also worked professionally as the volunteer coordinator for the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, and was the Florida director of Jewish Outreach for Clinton-Gore campaign in 1997. Women and politics continue to play a major role in Adler's life, as demonstrated by her ongoing support of Emily's List, JACPAC and any pro-choice woman who is running for office. Additionally, she has worked for a residential treatment center for adolescent boys.
Adler earned a bachelor's degree from Case Western Reserve University and a master's degree in Social Work from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work.
Linda K. Adler, General Counsel
Linda K. Adler is responsible for managing the legal aspects of the acquisition and development of Adler Group's office/warehouse and retail projects, as well as land acquisitions, commercial condominium conversions, 1031 exchanges and tenant-in-common projects. In addition, Adler handles the day-to-day legal matters and transactions related to real estate development, management, leasing and brokerage.
Prior to joining Adler Group in 1996, Adler began her career in private practice with the law firm of Greenberg, Traurig, where she represented major commercial real estate developers, institutional lenders and developers of substantial residential and commercial condominium projects in the South Florida area. Thereafter, she continued her practice first with Levine, Tryson, Evans & Adler and then with Hornsby, Sacher, Zelman & Stanton, P.A. in Miami.
She is an active member of the South Florida legal and business communities. While at Adler Group, Adler served on the board of the Miami Chapter of Commercial Real Estate Women for 10 years and is also a member of the National Network of Commercial Real Estate Women. Adler has co-authored a chapter entitled “Overview Of Like-Kind Exchanges and Tenancies in Common Transactions in the Fourth Edition of Florida Real Property Complex Transactions (with an update to be published in the Fifth Edition) and has lectured at the University of Miami School of Law. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of LocustProjects, a not-for-profit organization that supports emerging artists.
Adler attended the University of Florida, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude/Phi Beta Kappa, and later received her J.D. from the University of Miami, Cum Laude.