Meet our key executives

Paul Ciminelli - Chief Executive Officer

As CEO of Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation, Ciminelli has been instrumental in spearheading many of our company’s key projects over the past three decades, including:

·       The development of Conventus, Ciminelli’s largest project to date at 350,000 sf

·       Contracting with KeyBank (formerly First Niagara Bank) to provide property management services for its 4,000,000 square feet of space across NY, PA & CT

·       The formation of Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation, Ciminelli Real Estate Services of Florida and Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation of Canada

·       The formation of Allpro Parking, LLC, Western New York’s premier parking operator

·       The purchase of the former Federal Reserve Building in downtown Buffalo, and its redevelopment for New Era Cap Company

He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Certificate of Finance from the University’s School of Management. Ciminelli is a member of the inaugural class of Harvard University’s Executive Program, “Running A Private Real Estate Company.” As a strong proponent of the Buffalo Niagara region, he is also actively involved in many civic, professional and nonprofit organizations.

Kyle Ciminelli - President

In his role as President, Ciminelli oversees the brokerage, investments, and marketing teams. Specific to brokerage, an alliance with global real estate firm, Newmark, resulted in the introduction of Newmark Ciminelli in the Western New York market. The alliance delivers the strength of local relationships and market knowledge with the resources of global leader Newmark in commercial real estate. The formation of Newmark Ciminelli was a natural fit for Ciminelli, after spending 16 years with Newmark in New York City, where he most recently served as Executive Managing Director, providing real estate services to both tenants and landlords.

Throughout his career, he has provided real estate advisory services for numerous high-profile clients, specifically within the technology, media, legal and education sectors. Additionally, Ciminelli has been a part of an array of leasing teams for some of Manhattan and Brooklyn’s most distinguished buildings, as his team handled over 20 million sq. ft. of assignments. He is the recipient of NKF’s NYC Managing Director of the year, its Aaron Gural award for the broker best representing the firm’s brand as voted on by his peers, and the Rising Star Award, which acknowledges NKF’s top broker with less than seven years of experience. He has also been named as one of Real Estate Forum’s Tomorrow’s Leaders of New York, Real Estate Weekly’s Rising Star, and earned an SL Green Most Significant Lease GreenDeal award for representing Pace University in a complex, 140,000 sq. ft. ground-up development next to the World Trade Center.

Ciminelli is a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson in New York State, holds a Bachelor’s degree from Fordham University in New York, and a Master’s Degree in Real Estate and Finance from NYU in New York. He is also active in regional business groups and is a member of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Jim Gottstine - Chief Operating Officer

In addition to overseeing the day-to-day operations at Ciminelli, Gottstine is responsible for overseeing real estate services functions in support of approximately 26 million square feet of owned, managed and developed commercial real estate.

In his role, he works directly with the President & CEO to establish and accomplish organizational goals and objectives, as well as strategic plans for the company. He is responsible for obtaining, negotiating and closing commercial real estate loans for the development and portfolio projects, and acts as the liaison between the company and regional economic development agencies and financial institutions. Gottstine holds a CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) accreditation, a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Canisius University in Buffalo, New York, with a concentration in Finance. He is also a member of the Real Estate Advisory Committee of the New York State Common Retirement Fund, the third largest pension fund in the United States.

Chris Keenan - Senior Vice President of Property Management, LEED AP, RPA, FMA

Keenan is responsible for overseeing and providing leadership for all Property Management activities for Ciminelli. This includes the planning and oversight for all property finances, including operating and capital budgets, project management, utility analysis and work order processing, and the review and tracking of all tenant and capital improvements. The scope of Keenan’s responsibilities necessitates daily interaction with the leasing, finance, development, and construction departments.

Keenan holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Illinois, in Champaign, Illinois and is a LEED Accredited Professional with the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

Matthew Caldiero - Controller, CPA

Caldiero is responsible for oversight of both property and corporate accounting activities for Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation. His vast experience as a Certified Public Accountant for leading CPA firms, and perspectives gained in various team leadership roles, will help create and deliver efficiencies to enhance the level of service provided to our company’s many clients. Caldiero is knowledgeable about the Western New York market, and has also provided services for clients in a variety of industries.

In 2022, Caldiero was named one of Buffalo Business First’s 40 Under 40 recipients. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Accounting Information Systems from Canisius University in Buffalo, New York. He is a Certified Public Accountant and is the Treasurer on the Board of Directors for Lexington Co-operative Market.

Zach Melas - Vice President of Corporate Services, LEED AP

Zach Melas joined Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation in 2007, working in the Property Management department for more than decade, and in 2020 was named Vice President of Corporate Services. In his current role, Mr. Melas is responsible for the company’s Procurement, Legal, and Risk Management functions. He collaborates throughout the organization to design and implement strategic solutions that increase overall performance, reduce expenses, and improve communication between departments. He is also a member of Ciminelli’s Corporate Stewardship team, and has been integral in the development of the company’s Environment Social & Governance program.

Mr. Melas has been a dedicated member of Buffalo BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association) for 15 years, serving two 3-year terms on the Board of Directors and has chaired various committees, including Government Affairs and Membership. He holds a Bachelor’s in Business Management from Case Western Reserve University and is a LEED accredited professional.

Ryan Zebro - Vice President of Investments

Zebro sources investment capital from both institutional and individual investors, is responsible for underwriting and structuring the company’s investment opportunities, coordinates creation and distribution of financial reporting and investor correspondence, and is the liaison between investment partners and the company.

Mr. Zebro has more than 20 years of experience in commercial and residential real estate finance and investment. Much of his experience was obtained in Boston, Massachusetts while working with Boston Capital and Cabot Properties where he successfully negotiated many significant financial transactions.

Mr. Zebro holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He is a Board Member of the National Association of Industrial and Office Parks (NAIOP), a member of the Board of Directors for Hospice and Palliative Care Buffalo, serving as Vice Chair, and a Board Member of the Hospice Foundation of WNY.

Andrew Schwartz - Vice President of Marketing & Public Relations

Schwartz joined Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation in 2005 and has over 25 years of experience delivering corporate messages and ideas through presentations, print, broadcast, transit & digital advertising, social media, direct mail, special events. In his current role, he creates and manages marketing & public relations programs, and is well-versed in all disciplines of marketing including brand recognition, social identity, sales lead generation, and crisis management. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Media Communications from Medaille University in Buffalo, NY and is a past recipient of the Dale Carnegie Highest Award For Achievement.