GARDEN STATE LEADERS IN BUSINESS, CULTURE, AND THE ARTS SHARE THEIR GREATEST CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS, FAVORITE SPRING ACTIVITIES, AND INTERIOR DESIGN STYLES BY JESSICA JONES GORMAN, ARCHANA AITHAL ROSE, AND AMANDA MCCOY PHOTOS

BY TOM ZAPCIC, ERIC COLEMAN, AND AMESSE PHOTOGRAPHY

Lou Padula
Owner, Padula Builders Inc. / padulabuilders.com
After learning the business from the ground up, Lou Padula founded Padula Builders in 1985. His philosophy was simple yet earnest: to provide quality craftsmanship with superb customer service. Since then, the Manasquan based builder has established a solid reputation throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties for high-end construction, renovation, and design build projects.
Padula said he’s proud of the team of craftsmen he’s assembled over the years, and he has long-standing relationships with many of the field’s top professionals, from tradesmen to interior designers. e reason his business has been successful for 35 years, noted the owner, is because it’s rooted in his commitment to “provide quality and exceptional service.” He continued: “With my dedicated and talented staff, along with a team of highly qualified, professional sub-contractors, every project is a success.”

The builder also takes the lead on many design build projects, an aspect of his business that’s rapidly growing in popularity. “Our design build service is very attractive to our clients,” he explained. “It’s an option that simplifies the process and keeps the project running smoothly. Choosing this option alleviates the stress of finding the appropriate architect and team best suited for your project, and I’m involved throughout the design process to ensure no detail is overlooked.”

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENT?
Earning the reputation for providing quality and excellent customer service.

DESCRIBE YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN STYLE IN A FEW WORDS.
Every project is unique. Our goal is to provide each client with a finely crafted home that suits their lifestyle, design aesthetic, and needs.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPRINGTIME ACTIVITY?
Fishing and boating. In my spare time I enjoy boating and fishing for striped bass and tuna.

Justin Freedman
President, GPS / generalplumbingsupply.net
This year marks 111 years since Freedman’s great grandfather opened a small general hardware store in Bayonne, and GPS (then Goldberg Plumbing Supply) has since become one of the largest plumbing supply distributors on the East Coast. Today, the company president represents the fourth generation of leadership in the family business, following in the footsteps of his great grandfather, grandfather, and uncle. Freedman took over the reins of day-to-day management after serving in several roles within the company, from technology and marketing to general management of the overall sales and operations. For him, it’s a source of pride to carry on the family legacy, but he laughs today that if asked his career aspirations in college, he would’ve given a very different response.

“I was on a path to work in sports sponsorship, and it was only after going to business school that I began to appreciate the opportunity to contribute and help grow this successful business,” said Freedman.

And the key to lasting success for over a century? That’s simple: “ e strength of our business has always been focusing on the details, being accessible, and adapting quickly to customer needs,” he explained. “We are always available to our employees and customers so when a change is needed, we can pivot quickly without much of the proverbial corporate red tape.”

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENT?
I take a lot of pride in our growth with Kohler over the last few years, including opening two Kohler Signature Stores in New Jersey (Paramus & Eatontown), as well as our other ten GPS branded showrooms. But navigating the last 12 months with our team has also been a huge task, and while we are still dealing with the impact of COVID, I am proud of the way we managed through chaos and extreme uncertainty.

DESCRIBE YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN STYLE IN A FEW WORDS.
I would say that I have traditional taste that can stretch into modern, especially with the trend of matte black. I am a big believer in a clean white kitchen, but can appreciate the trend for a gray island or vanity for an impact piece.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPRINGTIME ACTIVITY?
Seeing a Yankees game at the stadium with family and friends, which hopefully we can start to do again soon.

Lisa Poggi
Broker of Record, The Lisa Poggi Team, Douglas Elliman Hoboken / thelisapoggiteam.elliman.com
One doesn’t build a successful multidecade career in any industry without learning to adapt, and for real estate broker Lisa Poggi, who entered the trade in 1986 and has since closed $1.6 billion in sales, reacting positively to change is one of the keys to celebrating 35 years in business. So when the pandemic rippled across the Garden State cooling the real estate market for a mere six weeks before demand skyrocketed she saw an opportunity to learn and grow.

“The initial fear of the virus led to increased web traffic,” said Poggi. “Luckily we always provided strong marketing assets, but this has reinforced that the money we spend upfront can drastically reduce the time to close a home. Overall, we’ve learned to be more structured and efficient in the way we show and sell real estate.”

And looking ahead: “I’m excited about the new ways we’ve learned to sell throughout this pandemic, and to see how this business navigates the changes and elevates our level of professionalism.”

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENT?
The fact that I’m still here! This June will be 35 years since I started and I’m still learning and loving it…and making new friends along the way!

DESCRIBE YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN STYLE IN A FEW WORDS.
I tend to gravitate to farmhouse pieces with warm tones with a more modern, clean feel.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPRINGTIME ACTIVITY?
Shopping for all the flowers for the front of our house and our deck. I can’t honestly say that I plant them but I can bribe my fiancé with a good steak and a beer!

Brad Domenico
Partner, Progress Capital / progresscapital.com
Following an early introduction to commercial real estate finance, thanks to his mother who was in the business, Brad Domenico developed a keen interest in his current line of work. “After graduating, I went to work on Wall Street shortly before the financial crisis and was fortunate enough to build a lot of very broad relationships in doing so,” he explained of his origins in the real estate business. “Real estate has always been interesting to me because no one deal or building is ever the same,” he added. Armed with a wealth of knowledge regarding how to best leverage a client’s real estate holdings, the self-proclaimed deal junkie doubles as a Division-1 athlete, adding: “Chasing a deal is extremely competitive and allows me to flex the hardworking, athlete-minded muscle that’s an integral part of me. I also get to change neighborhoods. Arranging capital to improve communities is very rewarding.”

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENT?
I’ve been fortunate to have many, but the one that comes to mind is closing over $1 billion of transactions over a 12-month period. What makes it even more of an accomplishment is that I got to do it while seeing my family every day.

DESCRIBE YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN STYLE IN A FEW WORDS
I live near the beach and recently designed a new house. The interior design style can best be described as “Hamptons chic” lots of white and very crisp.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPRINGTIME ACTIVITY?
Playing golf and doing outdoor activities with my wife and son. We love going to the zoo, the park, and the beach. Any time I get to spend with them is perfect

Alan Robinson
Co-Owner of Woodhaven Lumber & Millwork woodhavenlumber.com
Geared by a deep commitment to its customers and constantly evolving as needs and wants change, Woodhaven Lumber & Millwork has grown tri-fold since its inception in 1977. Alan Robinson, along with his brother David, inherited the business from their father James T. Robinson, and attributes the stupendous success of his multigenerational business to, “Our customer first approach. We have long-standing relationships with our customers based on trust, expertise, and unequaled service.”

And in the ever-changing landscape of construction and home design, where new innovations emerge nearly by the minute, Robinson makes sure he stays on top of things “by attending trade shows, involving ourselves in local industry groups, and working closely with our supply partners.”
With eyes set on the future, Robinson also spends much of his time mentoring his son for the next generation of leadership. “I’m grooming him to take over the business and continue Woodhaven’s legacy.”

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENT?
When we took over the business from my father, it was a third of what it is today, so most definitely the expansion feels like an accomplishment. That and also maneuvering the great recession of 2008.

DESCRIBE YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN STYLE IN A FEW WORDS.
Modern, clean, straight lines with maybe some pops of color.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SPRINGTIME ACTIVITY?
Golfing, taking a trip out to Florida and spending time on the beach, fishing these are what come to mind.

Steven Denholtz
CEO, Denholtz Properties / denholtz.com
Responsible for the strategic direction of Denholtz Properties and an instrumental force in its growth trajectory for nearly 40 years, Steven Denholtz has focused much of his career on spearheading new business development. Since taking over in 1983, Denholtz has grown the company substantially, doubling its portfolio and transforming the organization from a small, family-owned operation into a privately held, vertically integrated commercial real estate investment and development company. His leadership revolves around the simple idea that a real estate investor and developer can responsibly improve the communities in which they work and do so pro-tably. Denholtz’s approach not only consistently delivers strong risk-adjusted returns to his investors (no matter the business climate), but brings invaluable and meaningful projects.

The company has received various awards with Denholtz at the helm, including NAIOP’s Developer of Year and NJBIZ’s Best Places to Work. The CEO also received NJBIZ’s ICON Honors Award for his outstanding business achievements in New Jersey and has been recognized on NJBIZ’s Real Estate Power 50 list and ROI-NJ’s Real Estate Influencers List. In his spare time, Denholtz is committed to giving back to the community he calls home, volunteering at Count Basie Center for the Arts and other Red Bank based organizations. He serves on the Advisory Council at Monmouth University (his alma mater) and is a member of the faculty at the Kislak Real Estate Institute. In addition, Denholtz works closely with University Students for Sober Living, where he recently helped organize a lounge space for students in recovery to gather.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENT?
Like every business, last year was among the most challenging in our history. However, it was with great pride that I watched our company’s resiliency and perseverance shine through as we successfully navigated some of the most difficult challenges that could be faced by a real estate business. From our executive team down, our entire team showed why they are the best in the business, and I am honored to have played an important part in building the team and company into what it is today.

DESCRIBE YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN STYLE IN A FEW WORDS.
In any project, whether an industrial building or a custom home, I strive to balance a modern and clean feel with timeless elements that ensure it not only stands out today but for decades to come.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPRINGTIME ACTIVITY?
Having lived in Monmouth County most of my life, springtime means getting back to enjoying all that the area has to offer. Whether it’s a round of golf at one of the area’s beautiful courses, spending time on the water, or exploring the downtown areas, I look forward to springtime every year!

Peter Berryman
Owner, Patriot Mortgage / patriotmortgage4u.com
For this Freehold native, a successful three decade career in the local mortgage industry was built on the guiding principles of honesty and client focused customization. is was his ethos when he launched Kastle Mortgage, where he originated more than $1 billion in loans over 20 years, and when opening Patriot Mortgage in 2014. With its highly experienced team and agile business model, Patriot Mortgage provides an individualized experience for each client, specializing in a variety of home financing services: Conventional, FHA, VA, Reverse Mortgages, and more.

Outside of the office, Berryman is an active member of his hometown community. He played rugby for ten years with the Monmouth Rugby Club. The father of two served as Saint Rose of Lima’s athletic director, where he coached the boys’ soccer team, and was the president of the Freehold Soccer League, where he also served as a girls’ soccer coach. Now, he’s “eagerly awaiting getting more involved in local sports with my two grandsons.”

Berryman is also involved with numerous charitable organizations, including Autism NJ, Marty’s Place (senior dog sanctuary), Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal & Northern NJ, Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh of the Jersey Shore, the Daniel P. Ryan Foundation, and Big Hearts 2 Little Hearts. Berryman prides himself on being an avid member of the community, both professionally and personally.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENT?
The relationships I’ve built with my clients, my team, and being a small business owner.

DESCRIBE YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN STYLE IN A FEW WORDS.
Change is constant, so your style has to evolve and change over time.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPRINGTIME ACTIVITY?
Hosting gatherings with family and friends, golf, tequila, and a Corona Light.

Sotiris Sergiou
Owner, Nicholas Pools / nicholaspools.com
Despite hailing from an IT background a complete departure from the swimming pool business Sotiris Sergiou didn’t just make a seamless transition into his new career, taking over his father-in-law’s 40-year-old family-owned brand Nicholas Pools, but also managed to expand the business threefold. “I grew up in a small family business myself, that helped me understand the dynamics, and my experience in corporate America strengthened my skillset, helping me map out a plan in succeeding in a competitive environment,” said Sergiou of his learning curve. But even with all the tools in his arsenal plus his father in-law’s valuable insights, Sergiou’s entrepreneurial ethos echoes an emotional sentiment that has helped personalize each client experience. He added, “Like most people, I believe the most memorable pool gatherings center around family members and special occasions like birthdays, graduations, proms, engagements, and weddings. I have lost count of how many pools we have had to prepare over the years, turning them from green to crystal clear in time for a landmark occasion.”

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENT?
My greatest business accomplishment has been for all of my investments to have survived a couple of recessions, to have weathered Super storm Sandy and ultimately the current COVID-19 crisis.

DESCRIBE YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN STYLE IN A FEW WORDS.
I like the fresh, clean, modern look with symmetrical lines and bold colors.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPRINGTIME ACTIVITY?
I go to the gym at 6 a.m. every morning all year long, but as the weather warms up, I open up my pool early, and that way I get to enjoy my morning cup of coffee on the patio watching the water spill over into the pool with the sun’s reflection. It’s a moment of simple abundance and peace.