We are all-around real estate experts who specialize in property management and Affordable Housing in New York with extensive experience, skill sets, and partnerships.
Cornell Pace Inc. was originally the result of an affiliation between Joel Gendels and Len Shendell. They then were joined by Bill Stanley, Mike Rogers and Nicholas Lindsay-Jones. Between them there are some 100 years of experience in the acquisition, syndication, financing, rehabilitation and management of various types of real estate properties. The purpose of this affiliation was to create an efficient management organization with state of the art accounting and back office management systems as well as a highly trained staff.
MANAGEMENT
Joel M. Gendels
Co-Founder and CEO
Joel M. Gendels is a graduate of Cornell University and is a second generation property manager. He has over 40 years of hands on experience in the management of multi-family and commercial real estate in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Florida. Mr. Gendels was a Federal Receiver for the United States Southern District of New York and New Jersey and worked with such judges as the Honorable Sonia Sotomayor (who is now currently serving as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States), the Honorable Kimba M. Wood, John F. Keenan, Robert W. Sweet and Joel Pisano. He is a member of the Bronx-Manhattan Association of Realtors and is a licensed Real Estate Broker in New York State.
William R. Stanley
Chief Operating Officer
William R. Stanley has over 25 years of real estate experience in the acquisition, management and ownership of multifamily, office, industrial and retail properties. Previously he worked for U.S. Realty Advisors, Inc., an institutional real estate advisor where he participated in acquiring over $100 million in real estate properties. He also served as an investment banker at Bear Stearns & Co. Inc. where he worked on numerous mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Stanley has an A.B. in Economics from Harvard College and an M.B.A. in Real Estate from Columbia Business School.
Nicholas P. Lindsay-Jones
Chief Commercial Officer
Nicholas joined the Cornell Pace team in 2007. Prior to working with Cornell Pace Inc. Nicholas was a special education math teacher in Spanish Harlem. Nicholas’ undergraduate education was in Economics and Political Science from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He received a Master’s Degree from the Bank Street Graduate School of Education. While at Bank Street, Nicholas was the recipient of the Jill Iscol Scholarship which he earned through his dedication and hard work in the field of Urban Education.Nicholas continues to practice that dedication to helping better underserved neighborhoods through his work in CPI’s Affordable Housing department.
Celeste Vasquez
Senior V. P. Operations
In June 1994, Celeste Vasquez commenced her career with Cornell Pace Inc. as a clerical employee. Throughout her years of employment, she worked in many of the firms’ departments, which gave her, a broad hands-on experience in many aspects of property management. During this period, she took advantage of the company’s liberal education support policy. As a result, Celeste has successfully completed various courses which resulted in her achieving certifications as Certified Apartment Manager and Certified Occupancy Specialist. In addition, she is a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson in New York State. Ms. Vasquez has taken the lead on special projects in conjunction with the Third-Party Transfer Program and the Participating Loan Program offered by the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. In that capacity she was responsible for coordinating contractors, engineers, city inspectors, appraisers, insurance providers, environmental specialists, and financial institutions. In addition, she implemented a voluntarily lead testing program of all vacant apartment units before re-rental to provide a safer environment, complete transparency and to comply with local and Federal regulations. She is responsible for all property management activities relating to the physical aspects of the properties, which includes building oversight and maintenance, compliance, insurance, rentals, and violations. As such, she is constantly training and administering a staff of some 20 individuals who report directly to her.
Samuel Acheampong
Director of Finance
Samuel joined Cornell Pace in 2016. Sam possesses expertise within public fund, corporate and real estate management accounting. Prior to joining Cornell Pace, he worked as an Accounting/Finance Manager at ONE World Sports, the New York Cosmos, and Senior Fund Administrator at State Street Corporation. Samuel spent two years at Buchbinder Tunick & Company, a mid-size public accounting firm, immediately after graduating from Fordham University. Samuel is certified as a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit + Blended Compliance Specialist as well as holding an active license with New York State as a Real Estate Salesperson. Outside the accounting world, Samuel holds a USSF A-Youth License and currently serving as an Academy Head Coach with New York Soccer Club - a position that allows him to provide a positive learning environment for all youth at all levels who want to play the game of soccer. He also serves on the board for New Rochelle Young Coaches Program.
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Cornell Pace Inc. does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, familial status, age (18 and older), sexual orientation, marital status, military status, lawful source of income (including housing voucher programs), gender identity or expression, arrest records, veteran status, and domestic violence victim status.