GARDEN STATE LEADERS IN BUSINESS, CULTURE, AND THE ARTS SHARE ALL-TIME FAVORITE ACTION STARS, TOP TRAVEL DESTINATIONS, AND THEIR STRONGEST TRAITS FOR SUCCESS
BY ZACHARY WEG, JACKLYN PELLEGRINO, AND AMANDA McCOY • PHOTOS BY TOM ZAPCIC.
Eddie Shapiro
Founder and CEO, Nest Seekers / nestseekers.com
In the 1990s, while working as an agent at a small firm in Manhattan, Eddie Shapiro noticed an overlooked resource in the real estate industry. The internet was still in its infancy, and while most legacy firms were still relying on traditional methods of marketing and outreach, Shapiro saw potential in the digital landscape. At the turn of the new millennium, the young but tenacious entrepreneur went all in on his vision, launching his firm, Nest Seekers, in 2001, utilizing digital media strategies and partnerships to reach an entirely new segment of high net-worth clientele. Today, the ultra-luxury brokerage has grown into a global powerhouse, logging over $100 billion in transactions to date and operating from 50 offices across North America, Canada, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the UAE. And according to its founder, Nest Seekers will only continue to grow and thrive.
“It’s always been my life mission to expand, always and in all ways,” noted Shapiro, whose firm employs more than 2,000 agents around the world.
In recent years, Nest Seekers has expanded to serve client needs beyond real estate, steering a suite of high-value asset trading firms including Nest Yachts, Nest Jets, and Nest Fine Arts. Shapiro is also a rising star in TV and streaming media; his production arm, Nest Media, has produced several reality hits like Million Dollar Beach House, Million Dollar Listing New York, and Selling the Hamptons, with more in the pipeline.
WHAT IS YOUR STRONGEST TRAIT FOR SUCCESS IN BUSINESS?
I believe that the greatest businesses are built over time. They get better, more effective, and more successful with the years as long as you continue to do the work. Consistency, tenacity, repetition, and never giving up is fundamental. Discipline and hard work, day in and day out, is most of the battle.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE ACTION STAR OF ALL TIME?
I’m a Bond films fan.
WHAT IS THE TOP LOCATION ON YOUR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL LIST?
That’s a tough question. My work takes me everywhere around the world. There is so much beauty and so much opportunity everywhere. Europe, however, has so much to offer. You are 1-2 hours away from everywhere and anywhere. It is the birthplace of so much culture, design, history, and beauty.
Bianca Evans
Marketing Manager, Ferrari of Central New Jersey ferrariofcentralnj.com
When Bianca Evans was studying psychology at Rutgers University, she began working part-time as a receptionist at a car dealership to help pay for her education. Upon graduation, she continued working in the automotive industry, quickly finding her niche in the corporate division of Ferrari of North America.
“I spent five years specializing in design,” Evans said. “My main role was working with clients from all over North America designing ultra-bespoke Ferraris – basically creating the customer’s dream car.”
She said those five years were fundamental to her career growth and catapulted her into the world of luxury automobiles. “I trained at the Ferrari factory in Maranello, Italy, for four months, which was such a unique experience. I learned about the heritage and tradition of this global company. I felt very blessed to be working for such an iconic luxury brand.”
In 2021, when a marketing manager role opened up at Ferrari of Central NJ, the Garden State native jumped at the opportunity to return to her New Jersey roots. She currently manages all marketing activities and handles client relations at the sole Ferrari dealership in the Garden State. “I apply my past corporate experience to this role and still design vehicles with clients so it is the best of both worlds,” she said. “We plan a lot of events so I’m always thinking of ways to elevate the client experience.”
Her long-term dream? To be part-owner of a Ferrari dealership. “That is one of my ultimate goals,” she said. “I am fortunate to be part of a thriving company, Murgado Automotive Group, and feel blessed to come to work and do what I love.”
WHAT IS YOUR STRONGEST TRAIT FOR SUCCESS IN BUSINESS?
Interpersonal skills. I make it a priority to build rapport and consistently connect with people from a wide range of backgrounds. It’s my job to create an intimate and tailored experience for every client, and community building is an important part of that role.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE ACTION STAR OF ALL TIME?
Mark Wahlberg. I like his versatility because he can play both serious and comedic roles. I also like Christian Bale because he truly immerses himself into every character he plays.
WHAT IS THE TOP LOCATION ON YOUR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL LIST?
Italy is close to my heart, having family there on my mom’s side and also the connection with work. Each time I visit there are more beautiful places to discover.
Michael Evangelist
Senior Vice President, Clinical Services, JAG Physical Therapy jagpt.com
Michael Evangelist, senior vice president of clinical services at JAG Physical Therapy, has been with the practice for almost two decades. He started as a staff physical therapist under CEO and founder John Gallucci Jr., when there was only a single clinic in West Orange, long before JAG became one of the largest physical therapy practices in the Northeast. In his current role, Evangelist oversees all clinical operations, but he is still a treating physical therapist as well. “My day-to-day revolves around running the clinical operations for all 156 clinics of JAG Physical Therapy,” he said.
As Evangelist explained, JAG Physical Therapy provides a sweeping variety of physical, occupational therapy services including hand therapy, vestibular therapy, and PT at home. Patients range from age five to 105 and present with the entire spectrum of orthopedic and neurological conditions, from post-op to sports and soft tissue injuries. JAG Physical Therapy also treats athletes of all ages and levels, from middle and high school to division 1 collegiate and professional, across a variety of sports like lacrosse, soccer, basketball, and baseball. Additionally, the JAG team provides injury prevention programs for these athletes.
“The most important thing we teach our clinicians is that we want to make sure every single patient is treated as if they were a family member,” he said. “We strive to not only provide the best quality of care, but to go the extra mile to provide the kind of customer service that ensures everyone feels welcome and has our attention. At the end of the day, our job is to help our patients reach their goals and return to function for a pain-free life.”
WHAT IS YOUR STRONGEST TRAIT FOR SUCCESS IN BUSINESS?
I believe my strongest trait is my ability to remain even keeled in all situations, communicating with people but also bringing people together, having trust in my team, and giving them the autonomy to get their jobs done effectively.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE ACTION STAR OF ALL TIME?
This is a good question because I like action movies so I’d like to give two answers. My favorite ‘90s action star is Steven Seagal, but my favorite current action star is The Rock.
WHAT IS THE TOP LOCATION ON YOUR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL LIST?
I would say Turks and Caicos is my top location. It is my happy place; it’s an absolutely beautiful island with beautiful beaches and the most blue water I’ve ever seen. My family and I love to spend time there and just relax as a family.
Michael Evangelist
Senior Vice President, Clinical Services, JAG Physical Therapy jagpt.com
Michael Evangelist, senior vice president of clinical services at JAG Physical Therapy, has been with the practice for almost two decades. He started as a staff physical therapist under CEO and founder John Gallucci Jr., when there was only a single clinic in West Orange, long before JAG became one of the largest physical therapy practices in the Northeast. In his current role, Evangelist oversees all clinical operations, but he is still a treating physical therapist as well. “My day-to-day revolves around running the clinical operations for all 156 clinics of JAG Physical Therapy,” he said.
As Evangelist explained, JAG Physical Therapy provides a sweeping variety of physical, occupational therapy services including hand therapy, vestibular therapy, and PT at home. Patients range from age five to 105 and present with the entire spectrum of orthopedic and neurological conditions, from post-op to sports and soft tissue injuries. JAG Physical Therapy also treats athletes of all ages and levels, from middle and high school to division 1 collegiate and professional, across a variety of sports like lacrosse, soccer, basketball, and baseball. Additionally, the JAG team provides injury prevention programs for these athletes.
“The most important thing we teach our clinicians is that we want to make sure every single patient is treated as if they were a family member,” he said. “We strive to not only provide the best quality of care, but to go the extra mile to provide the kind of customer service that ensures everyone feels welcome and has our attention. At the end of the day, our job is to help our patients reach their goals and return to function for a pain-free life.”
WHAT IS YOUR STRONGEST TRAIT FOR SUCCESS IN BUSINESS?
I believe my strongest trait is my ability to remain evenkeeled in all situations, communicating with people but also bringing people together, having trust in my team, and giving them the autonomy to get their jobs done effectively.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE ACTION STAR OF ALL TIME?
This is a good question because I like action movies so I’d like to give two answers. My favorite ‘90s action star is Steven Seagal, but my favorite current action star is The Rock.
WHAT IS THE TOP LOCATION ON YOUR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL LIST?
I would say Turks and Caicos is my top location. It is my happy place; it’s an absolutely beautiful island with beautiful beaches and the most blue water I’ve ever seen. My family and I love to spend time there and just relax as a family.
Ashley Ferreira
Intellectual Property and Litigation Counsel, Blick Law LLC blicklaw.com
Attorney Ashley Ferreira leads Blick Law’s intellectual property practice and handles complex litigation for the firm. Ferreira has a vast background in intellectual property, spanning trademarks, copyrights, brand protection, and protecting a person’s likeness. She also focuses on corporate matters, helping companies to protect and enforce their intellectual property rights and resolve disputes.
Ferreira said that her favorite aspect of practicing in these areas of law is the opportunity to meet and work with highly creative people. “I love working with people who are passionate about what they do,” she explained. “I think sometimes we get so involved in our work that we lose the passion that brought us to it in the first place. I believe people who create – whether it be a brand, a company, or a product – don’t lose that passion. Their creation is their baby and that excitement translates to what they do.”
This fervor, she said, rubs off on her as the lawyer, galvanizing her own passion for the client’s business.
“I really want to make sure my clients are protected on every front,” she said. “No one should be shy about reaching out to our firm, even if it’s just to speak with us and get a general idea of what they might need. We are a very open firm when communicating with our clients. We absolutely love getting to know people for the simple fact of getting to know them. Business doesn’t always have to come out of it; we simply love building relationships with people.”
WHAT IS YOUR STRONGEST TRAIT FOR SUCCESS IN BUSINESS?
I am confident. When you are confident, your clients feel a sense of comfort that you know what you’re doing and it portrays an air of competence and capability to your opposing counsel or anyone you are dealing with in business. This really pushes what you are communicating and people tend to listen and value what you have to say when it is said with confidence.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE ACTION STAR OF ALL TIME?
I’m not a big action movie kind of girl, but if I had to pick, I’d say The Rock, Dwayne Johnson.
WHAT IS THE TOP LOCATION ON YOUR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL LIST?
I’d love to visit South Africa. My dad is South African and he was born and raised there. I’ve never been, and I’d love to get to know South Africa a little bit better.
Mike Malloy
Chief Financial Officer, Manasquan Bank / manasquan.bank
As senior executive vice president and chief financial officer of Manasquan Bank, Michael Malloy’s primary job is to direct all financial activities and bolster the bank’s executive leadership team. It’s a skillset he’s been practicing for more than 20 years.
“When I first started in this industry, I worked for KPMG in the public accounting space, handling two very different types of clients: local New Jersey banks and non-profits,” Malloy noted. “Two or three years in, the partners came to me and asked which industry I’d like to focus on. I really liked finance and had met so many influential bankers along the way, so I knew this was where I was supposed to be.”
Malloy, who earned a B.S. in accounting from Rutgers University and a master’s in accounting and professional consultancy from Villanova University, moved on to serve as director of financial reporting at Northfield Bank and senior vice president and chief financial officer at Colonial American Bank before returning to KPMG – all opportunities which he said prepared him for his current role at Manasquan Bank.
“I joined the team here in 2018 and I’ve witnessed the bank really take off from an organic growth perspective,” he said. “The culture of the bank itself from top to bottom is unparalleled, and I always tell people this is hopefully the last organization I work for. I know I want to retire here as CFO or otherwise.”
WHAT IS YOUR STRONGEST TRAIT FOR SUCCESS IN BUSINESS?
I think my strongest trait is my ability to forge strong positive relationships with my colleagues. I think I have a down-to-earth approach and calm demeanor, which allows for interactions that are based on trust.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE ACTION STAR OF ALL TIME?
I’m a Philly sports fan so it has to be Sylvester Stallone. I love movies like Rocky, Rambo, and Over the Top.
WHAT IS THE TOP LOCATION ON YOUR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL LIST?
Ireland. I hope to visit in the near future, see the sites and play a few rounds of golf.
Matt Cascello
Assistant Service Manager at Porsche of Monmouth porschemonmouth.com
Matt Cascello is the portrait of an all-American man. A former baseball player in his native Staten Island, Cascello pivoted to the automotive industry after he sustained an injury. “I was always into cars growing up,” he said. “I always loved being around them.”
Getting his start in the field as a valet attendant, the self-described people person found fast success. As he explained, he enjoyed interacting with others and worked his way up in the business. Today, after eight years with luxury dealership Porsche of Monmouth, Cascello has risen to the role of assistant service manager.
“Every car is special,” he said of the German automaker’s fleet of vehicles, from the ever-iconic 911 to the trailblazing performance EV, the Taycan. For Cascello, building a career with a legacy brand like Porsche, and getting the opportunity to create lasting relationships with his clients, feels like hitting a home run.
WHAT IS YOUR STRONGEST TRAIT FOR SUCCESS IN BUSINESS?
Building and maintaining relationships. That’s where I believe a lot of success comes from, especially on the hospitality and service side. We build trust with our customers, and then they see you as someone they can depend on.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE ACTION STAR OF ALL TIME?
I’m terrible with names; I remember people by cars (laughs). I’d have to say Vin Diesel from the Fast & Furious franchise
WHAT IS THE TOP LOCATION ON YOUR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL LIST?
My last pick was Greece, which luckily I was able to visit before COVID for my wife’s and my babymoon. For Porsche, we just got to go to Switzerland. That was one of my top choices, too. The next one? I’d like to try the Amalfi Coast.