From the heights of financial success to the lows of health challenges, Steven Schultz and his family have never stopped giving back
by Laura D.C. Kolnoski Photos By Amessé Photography
The Schultz family of Monmouth County embodies the Bible passage, “To whom much was given, of him much will be required.” Successful in many facets of commercial real estate, the family is equally accomplished in supporting philanthropies. The entire family was honored in 2008 by the Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Monmouth County at its 25th annual tribute dinner before 300 guests (over $150,000 was raised for charity that evening). At the time, patriarch Harvey Schultz and his two sons Steven and Jonathan operated Schultz Organization LLC, a commercial real estate investment and development company.
“I learned about real estate at the dinner table,” Steven Schultz said. The family formed the Schultz Organization in 1990, specializing in industrial, office, and retail properties throughout New Jersey. Over time they founded additional companies; their Pyramid Property Partners develops commercial property, while Onyx Equities, LLC is a private equity fund. Helios Capital Advisors was formed in 2009 to work in an advisory capacity with banks following the real estate downturn. The trio worked together for 25 years until the capital markets side of their company was sold to global real estate services company Newmark Grubb Knight Frank (NGKF) Capital Markets. Steven went with it.
“It’s hard for a boutique firm today to compete in the global arena,” Schultz explained. “Having all the businesses we were in, I thought it would be a great move to join a firm like NGKF to expand my horizons.” Today, he is its executive managing director, leading the loan sale advisory group and capital markets for New Jersey, splitting his time between the firm’s Park Avenue, New York City and Rutherford, New Jersey locations. With 100 offices nationally and 360 worldwide, NGKF is one of the world’s leading commercial real estate advisory firms.
According to the NGKF website, “Mr. Schultz’s unique style and leadership allows him to attract and secure notable clients across all asset classes who continue to work with him as they move forward to grow their businesses. His vast knowledge and expertise in the markets where our team remains most active— New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut—make him a trusted advisor to his clients and help guide the continued growth and expansion of NGKF capital markets.” Among its extensive client roster are such notable names as Columbia, Cornell, and Pace Universities, The Sierra Club, United Nations Foundation, Barneys New York, CBS Corporation, Home Box Office, Inc., Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, Inc., Marvel Enterprises, Inc., Best Buy, Facebook, Chipotle, and McDonald’s.
“This platform allows my experience to grow into larger transactions, serve clients better, and expand my client base, Schultz said, adding that since 2012, he has sold two billion dollars in loans and commercial real estate. “If it wasn’t for my 25 years experience with my father and brother, I wouldn’t be here today. I was proud and honored to work with them. It’s all about name and recognition. My change of career to a larger firm wasn’t leaving, it was a change. We still work together on a number of fronts and I’m happy about that.”
Near and dear to the hearts of Schultz and his wife of 27 years, Jaime, is their involvement with Red Bank’s Count Basie Theatre, where he is on the Board of Trustees. In 2007, he was asked to chair the renowned historic theatre’s renovation committee, helping oversee the $10 million project. The real estate recession was just beginning, and suddenly, Schultz received the news he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
“The diagnosis threw me for a loop,” he said. “I’m fine; I’ve been able to treat it. I joined the MS Society and did a lot of walks and fund-raising. The Count Basie Theatre was there for me and helped me through a downturn in my life. I cherish it. It’s rewarding, and one of the places I most like to be.”
Schultz and his entire family, including son Matthew and daughter Jaclyn (The clan lives in Interlaken with their three dogs) will be at the theatre on June 13 for the inaugural MS Rock for a Cure benefit, which Schultz founded and helped organize with the assistance of theatre CEO Adam Philipson (whose father also has MS). The event’s headline act is Beatles tribute band The Fab Faux. Local musicians will also perform.
“When my wife Jaime and I embarked on the task of learning how to cope with this disease, we realized that so many people had no idea the impact MS can have on an individual and their family,” Schultz said. “It is our hope that we can help make a difference in the quest to find a cure.”
Event proceeds will be distributed to the National MS Society for research and MS-related programs.
“It took a couple of years for this to come together,” Philipson said. “I personally wanted to be involved and utilize our resources here at the Basie to help. Steve has been such an unbelievably valuable member of this board, doing so much work pro bono to turn this theatre around during the renovation at the very same time he was diagnosed. All of the artists are very honored and excited. We expect the event to be sold out. It’s going to be a great evening filled with energy.”
“Steve’s diagnosis affected us all because he has it, but his attitude and his wife’s attitude have been great,” said the recently retired Harvey Schultz. “He has a lot of family support. We all have a positive feeling about the outcome. His mother Ethel had breast cancer at 38. She had a positive attitude and is still with us.” The elder Schultz added that it was “wonderful” working with his family for so many years, pointing out that, “We’re a successful business family, but we are all about giving back to the community. It’s a tremendous thing that Steve has become involved in raising funds for this important cause.”
“I love the ability to create and built great relationships and long term clients,” Schultz said. “That’s my main goal and focus. That’s what my life is all about. We’re truly trying to show the younger generation what giving back means.”
Steven Schultz NGKF Capital Markets / ngkf.com