Real Estate Vision
MACALLAN PARTNERS operates as a boutique investment banking firm specializing in the real estate sector. With a wealth of experience, we excel in crafting tailored financial solutions across the entire capital spectrum for real estate ventures.
meet our team
James Tseng, Partner
Mr. Tseng is a respected intellectual and model of leadership. With his extensive background in Financial Assurance & Auditing, Corporate Financing, Real Estate Development & Construction, Asset Management, and Capital Market, James brings a high level of intuition and strategy to all of Macallan’s projects. He began his career as a CPA for PricewaterhouseCoopers where the majority of his clients were in real estate development and construction. Subsequently, he worked for Bank SinoPac, one of the largest banks in Taiwan, as the Relationship Manager in Corporate Financing and Planning. During his tenure at Friendwell Group he acted as CFO overseeing their broad real estate portfolio. Mr. Tseng also dedicated several years as the CEO of Enburg Group USA, successfully managing their entire real estate portfolio. He has a Bachelor of Science in marketing and minor in finance from University of San Franscisco and a master’s degree in accounting from Golden Gate University in San Francisco.
Laurent Ronald Gray, CEO/Co-Founder
Laurent Ronald Gray is a seasoned Investment Banker with over four decades of experience navigating the ever-shifting landscape of global finance in both real estate and non-real estate sectors. After honing his expertise at the Bond House of Salomon Brothers in the mortgage-backed securities section, he went on to establish his own successful boutique firm. Throughout his career, Laurent has demonstrated a keen ability to adapt to changing financial landscapes, from witnessing the tail end of the Bretton Woods system to the rise of deregulation. His skills in deal structuring and navigating complex regulations have been instrumental in major financial events such as the dot-com boom, the 2008 financial crisis, and the subsequent recovery. Laurent has a proven track record of connecting companies with capital, facilitating acquisitions, and assisting businesses in raising capital for growth. His long tenure in the industry speaks volumes about his ability to build and sustain relationships in an ever-changing landscape. Laurent‘s educational background includes studies at the University of Michigan and executive studies at Harvard Business School. Outside of his professional achievements, Laurent is a proud father and a grandfather
Tom Pierson, Partner
Mr. Pierson is highly regarded as an analytical thinker and strategic planner who thrives in a fast-paced environment. He is adept at understanding, seeking out, and exceeding customer requirements with the intention of building long-term relationships. Mr. Pierson coordinates and oversees each project, and acts as the interface between clients, the Macallan Team, and external organizations. With 40 years of experience in a professional corporate setting, Mr. Pierson has a solid knowledge of commercial construction and, real estate development projects. He attended Seton Hall University and is a Certified Project Manager. Tom enjoys the outdoors, is an avid golfer and exceptionally good cook, and spends time with his three adult children.
Marco Howington, Partner
Mr. Howington provides guidance and viability, governmental and public relations, and assists with strategic planning, with regard to projects undertaken by our clients. He further serves as a development consultant to assist in the planning and applications process, securing local municipal and state approvals to construct commercial and residential properties. Mr. Howington assists in managing and overseeing the application process, expediting permits in both local and state, as well as providing strategic advice. He has worked directly with major banks and developers over the course of 10 years along the East Coast and the NY Metropolitan area.
our Associates
Kevin Clark, VP of Business Development
Kevin Clark brings over three decades of expertise in private and hard money lending for real estate investors and commercial property owners. Earlier in his career, Kevin served as Director of Marketing for one of the nation's largest private lending commercial mortgage lending firms, playing a pivotal role in elevating the company's national profile. Kevin was instrumental in originating billions of dollars in non-conforming commercial real estate loans for that company. He is also the founder of LinkedIn's largest group dedicated to Hard Money/Private Money professionals. It’s called the Hard Money /Private Money Network and has over 12,800 members. Holding real estate, title, and life insurance licenses in the state of New Jersey, Kevin is committed to delivering innovative financing solutions to clients. Kevin earned his degree from Western New England University and resides in Westwood, New Jersey. In his leisure time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching college & professional basketball, and is a fitness enthusiast.
Peter Feltman, Business Development
Peter Feltman has over 35 years of private investment, portfolio management and credit underwriting experience, across multiple industries and asset classes such as aviation, life insurance, telecommunications and real estate. Clients and transactions have involved portfolio management of aircraft leverage and operating lease transactions for each of GPA Group plc and Airbus Industries, credit underwriting of over $2 Billion of telecommunication commitments on behalf of Barclays Capital and GE Capital, and the underwriting/portfolio management for a $900MM Life Settlements portfolio for SageCrest, a private debt fund in Greenwich, CT. Peter also managed, credit underwritten, and prepared for sale over $100MM of student housing assets on behalf of private investors. Peter has a BA in American History from the University of Wisconsin and an MBA in Finance from New York University-Leonard N Stern School of Business.
Richard Wickline, Business Development
Mr. Wickline is an entrepreneurial real estate principal and marketing executive with 45+ years of experience in a broad range of real estate and business competencies. He has commercial and industrial development experience that includes design, construction, acquisition, due diligence, project and property management, builder relations, financial budgeting and entitlement. After nearly a decade of developing green energy projects in various industries and with major utility companies he brings strategic advice that can often make projects more viable in this energy aware climate. His hands on concept to completion experience is varied and extensive. An innovative problem solver and detail oriented, analytical organizer who can often improve project performance. He can help plan how best to bring a vision to life and maximize capital effectiveness for diverse projects and organizations. His experience as an advertising executive and software developer can often add meaningful analytics and insights for ongoing performance optimization of projects. His contribution to the Macallan Team’s integrated end to end development optimization perspective complements the overall value add of Macallan Partners. He has great passion for golf, pickleball, and has been a mental skills coach for numerous world class athletes.
Rick Thurman, Business Development
Rick’s business philosophy is derived from 45 years of experience in regional and national sales and senior management. Experience in radio, television, newspaper, healthcare and sports marketing have given Rick insight into diverse business segments. This insight provides clients with his unique perspective on how to best develop and maximize their business. Armed with a degree in Broadcasting from Eastern Kentucky University, Rick began his career in Pittsburgh where he learned the radio business from the ground up at station KDKA. After a number of years in radio and TV, he moved to Connecticut and began a long career in print media as sales manager and eventually publisher of a group of newspapers. As new opportunities and warm weather beckoned, Rick landed positions at the Sarasota Herald Tribune and Sarasota Magazine as National Accounts Manager. When an opportunity arose at the Sarasota Open to provide revenue through sponsorship sales, Rick moved to the sports marketing field. Rick currently serves on the board for NAMI of Manatee and Sarasota Counties and has served on the Board of the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization in Sarasota. He has also served on the Boards of United Way Massachusetts and the Players Theater in Sarasota. Rick has been an adjunct professor at Duquesne University and more recently an instructor for Dale Carnegie and State College of Florida.
Dennis J Quaranta, Business Development
Dennis Quaranta is an experienced entrepreneur with a diverse background spanning the restaurant, renewable energy, and real estate industries. As the owner and operator of five restaurants, he also purchased the real estate for three of the properties. He is the founder of Deepwater Wind, a pioneering renewable energy company that was the first in the U.S. to deploy offshore wind turbines for electricity generation. In addition, he has served as a restaurant consultant, successfully opening six locations for a startup bagel operation. His experience extends to commercial and residential real estate as a mortgage broker in South Carolina, providing clients with expert guidance in both sectors.
Kyle Forsbrey, Business Development
Kyle Forsbrey kicked off his career in the corporate world as a technician for an environmental remediation firm. After several years of success and growth he shifted to construction development with a focus on sales and business management. Kyle’s key skills in client relations and administration, in addition to his extensive knowledge of development work from the ground up, have built the basis of his networking success and allows him to work hand in hand with clients and assure each project is completed with timeliness and accuracy. Kyle enjoys spending time with close friends and family in his free time. He is also an avid golfer and from what most say, better than Tom.
Jeffery Liu, Analyst
Jeffery Liu is a dedicated professional with a strong background in business and technology, bringing a strategic mindset and innovative problem-solving skills to his work. He has experience working closely with investors and stakeholders to enhance relationship management and drive business growth. During his time in the Blackstone Internship Program, Jeff developed valuable professional relationships with peers and industry experts, gaining exposure to key aspects of real estate finance and investment. He refined essential skills such as critical thinking, leadership, creativity, and strategic decision-making, all while working in high-pressure environments.