Awards for Excellence in Development Co-Chair

Jared Epstein
President, Aurora Capital Associates

Jared Epstein serves as President at Aurora Capital Associates. He signed on as the firm’s first employee in 2007 and quickly became a principal due to his success Jared has been instrumental in establishing Aurora as one of the largest owners and most active developers in New York City’s downtown Manhattan market, having completed over $3 billion in transactions during his tenure. 

Through Jared’s thoughtful guidance and creative vision, he has been integral to establishing the firm’s deep presence in the City’s Meatpacking District and has helped pave the way for the neighborhood’s revitalization and transformation. Through his leadership Aurora has become the largest landlord in the Meatpacking District besides Google.

Jared’s most notable transactions include both acquisitions and leases in New York City’s SoHo, West Village and Meatpacking District neighborhoods, several of which were nominees for REBNY’s Deal of the Year including one that was selected as The Real Deal’s Retail Deal of the Year. 

Jared was recognized by Crain’s New York as one of its 40 Under 40, by Globe Street as a Retail Influencer, and by Real Estate Forum as an Emerging Leader in Retail. He received the Transformation of a Neighborhood Red Award from Property Shark, numerous Power Broker Awards from CoStar, and the Community Builder Award from Sag Harbor’s Center for Jewish Life. 

Jared is a founding member of the board of the Meatpacking Improvement Association and Business Improvement District (BID); a founding member of the Board of the SoHo Broadway BID; a member of the board of the 34th Street Partnership; and a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).

Jared lives in Manhattan with his wife, their sons and dogs.

Awards for Excellence in Development Co-Chair

Brian Feil
Principal, feil Organization

Brian Feil is Principal of The Feil Organization, an industry-leading, multi-generational real estate owner, operator, and manager with more than 72 years of commercial and residential real estate experience. Brian joined the firm over 15 years ago and currently leads all aspects of the firm’s 24 million square foot office, retail, residential and industrial portfolio.

A principal owner and board member of The Feil Organization, Brian leads a team of more than 200 professionals across the country and oversees more than 200 properties throughout New York City, Long Island, New Orleans, Chicago, and Tampa/St. Petersburg. In addition, he oversees all day-to-day operations, strategy and focus of the company, as well as leasing, acquisitions, dispositions, employee management and special projects throughout the portfolio.

Outside of the office, Brian sits on the board of the Met Council and is a mentor with the Urban Land Institute (ULI) as well at the UJA .

He is also actively involved with the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), Young Men’s/Women’s Real Estate Association (YMWREA), and REX Steering Committee for the UJA of New York. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Eckerd College.

Brian is a passionate sailor and lives in Manhattan with his wife Mara and their two children.

Awards for Excellence in Development Co-Chair

Victor Sigoura
Founder & CEO, Legion Investment Group

Victor Sigoura is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Legion Investment Group, a prominent real estate development firm focused on projects throughout the New York metropolitan area. Over his 20-year career, Sigoura has spearheaded the development of over 6 million square feet and $10 billion worth of luxury condominiums and upscale residential projects. His experience includes overseeing the ground-up construction of condominium towers such as 109 East 79th Street, as well as the conversion and redevelopment of several landmark properties into ultra-premium residences, such as the iconic Plaza Hotel. 

A graduate of the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Sigoura’s legal training and experience working at the New York City law firm Greenberg Traurig have fortified his strategic mindset and approach to complex real estate transactions. Under his leadership, Legion Investment Group acquires and develops architecturally significant properties across various asset classes. The firm collaborates with leading architecture and design firms, leveraging the collective expertise of the in-house team to source investment opportunities, structure and execute sophisticated deals, and deliver exceptional real estate development projects of the highest caliber.

Awards for Excellence in Development Vice Chair

Michelle Kleger
Senior Vice President - Business Development, Kensington Vanguard

Michelle Kleger is a Senior Vice President of Business Development at Kensington Vanguard (KV).
 
KV is one of the largest residential and commercial title insurance agencies in the country, servicing transactions in all 50 states. Michelle has developed strong relationships with hundreds of clients and closed thousands of deals in past few years, providing title insurance for several billion dollars of transactions. Michelle’s clients range from some of the largest institutional owners/operators and lenders in the space to local and regional sponsors and developers. 
 
Michelle is a co-founder of Girl Gang CRE, a women’s commercial real estate networking group with over 2,000 members.  Other affiliations include JNF Real Estate Cabinet, REX member of UJA, WLI membership committee and member of YMWREA.
 
Michelle was born and raised in the Boston suburb of Andover, Massachusetts. She graduated in 2013 from the University of Delaware Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics. Michelle currently lives in Manhattan.

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