Unlocking Real Estate Insights: A Panel Discussion by Four Seasoned Experts

In the world of finance and investment, while many follow conventional paths to success, there are exceptional individuals like Pietro Savvides who’s carved a unique path to financial success. His story is one of diversification, resilience, and a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Starting with a background in electronics and serving in the Canadian Army Reserves, Pietro’s journey evolved into a vision of endless possibilities.

Pietro made a lasting impact in the construction industry as a general contractor, gaining valuable experience. He then ventured into real estate, building a substantial commercial portfolio with consistent cash flow and growth. This laid the foundation for his global investments in various industries, including real estate, equity, and alternative investments.

Today, Pietro is a successful businessman with a focus on deals and investments. He partners with local entrepreneurs, offering financial support to elevate their ventures. He also seeks joint venture opportunities with operators in their local markets for buy-fix-and-flip projects in Canada and the USA. But Pietro’s success isn’t just about wealth; it’s about investing in people and aligning with ethical entrepreneurs who share his vision.

Pietro believes in sharing knowledge and success openly, collaborating with high-net-worth individuals who share his values. Trustworthy partnerships are the key to fruitful deals in his book.

As a self-made millionaire, Pietro now uses his wealth and wisdom to guide promising entrepreneurs on their journey to success. His commitment to investing in people and serving as a reliable partner has made him a luminary in real estate and investment. If you’re looking for a steadfast ally to stand by your side in your financial journey, Pietro is the dependable partner you’ve been searching for.

Josh Gattuso is the Managing Partner/Co-Founder of Star Quality Finance, a Commercial Mortgage Brokerage Firm comprised of a network of Brokers across the country.

The firm was founded in 2009 with the purpose of guiding, informing, and empowering Commercial Real Estate clients with the best available financing options and establishing/expanding their real estate portfolios.

To date Star Quality Finance has provided over 1.5 billion in loans for clients across the US and abroad.

Josh was born and raised in Rochester, NY and began working for a close family friend in the construction industry at 13 and continued to work in construction until completion of his BS of Finance from SUNY New Paltz in 2001. Upon graduation Josh began his career in the Mortgage industry working for Ameriquest providing residential mortgages for clients. Josh then went on to manage a branch of residential/commercial brokers for CPA Mortgage in Atlanta until the collapse of the real estate market in 2008.

Josh realized in 2008 after the collapse that there was a tremendous lack of knowledge/information available to Commercial Real Estate clients and began the formation of Star Quality Finance. Throughout 2008 Josh traveled the country meeting with contacts in the industry to find out what were the issues they were having with clients that made financing unobtainable. After a year of traveling Star Quality was created to address these issues and provide a more streamlined and informative loan process.

In his spare time Josh spends a good deal of his time with his wife Charlene and family as they are a major reason for the success he has obtained. When he is not with them you will find him on the golf course or out on the water enjoying some bass fishing.

Paulie Kazanofski is one of the top real estate investors in the U.S. as well as a highly successful entrepreneur, author, speaker, and TV personality.

He is the owner and CEO of Revision Homes, LLC. He was featured on A&E’s Bid, Build and Design and he was also the subject of a documentary called The 24-hour Entrepreneur.

Paulie’s passion and intensity carries right over into his work when he coaches others on how to become successful real estate investors and entrepreneurs.

Paulie grew up in Montreal, Canada and moved to the United States when he was 19. He pursued his many talents to include being a drummer in a rock band and audio equipment sales. His passion for sales led him to the real estate business. He learned for free from his uncle and early mentor, and that set the stage for the successful career that he has today.

Paulie states “I knew I wanted to be successful from a really young age. I came up in a really tough neighborhood and I promised myself I would do whatever it took to live a better life than what I saw people living when I was growing up.” It’s this mentality that has led him to do over 600 real estate deals and create a demand from others for him to show them how he did it.

From humble beginnings, Paulie has achieved so much more than he ever imagined and that is exactly why he believes in helping others as much as possible.

Kazanofski states “the reality is that my people are my family. I make sure that everyone that works for me or with me is happy and that they are in an environment where they can thrive and be successful. I want to give back in a way that enables one’s success to go as far as you want in life,” Paulie lives in Nashville, TN with his wife Beki and sons Ryan and Jack.

Peter is the founder of a New York/New Jersey-based value-add real estate investment firm has managed to accumulate an impressive $1 billion in assets under management (AUM).

With a diversified portfolio spanning various industries and capital stack segments, the firm has consistently outperformed, delivering above-average returns to investors. It has also established itself as a market leader in transactions ranging from $2 million to $100 million in New York City, New Jersey, and the tri-state area.

Specializing in value-add multi-family assets in these regions, as well as commercial and industrial properties requiring strategic value-added business plans and execution, the firm also manages and owns residential units in New York City, New Jersey, Texas, Florida, and Colorado.

Backed by a solid educational background in real estate finance, including a B.S./B.A. and M.B.A., the founder’s achievements have earned recognition in prestigious media outlets like Forbes, CNN, and Fox 5.

Ziad K. Abdelnour is Founder, President & CEO of Blackhawk Partners, Inc. a private “family office” in the business of originating, structuring & acting as equity investor in strategic corporate investments Founder & Chairman of the Board of the Financial Policy Council ; a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization designed to give its select group of supporters the opportunity to have direct face-to-face dialogue with the nation’s quintessential power brokers and policymakers

Author of the bestselling book “Economic Warfare: Secrets of Wealth Creation in the Age of Welfare Politics” and of the upcoming book ” Startup Saboteurs: How Incompetence, Ego, and Small Thinking Prevent True Wealth Creation” to be published in Summer 2019.

Mr. Abdelnour has over 30 year experience on Wall Street backing over 125 companies & serial entrepreneurs worth in aggregate over 20 billion dollars in the private equity, high yield bond and distressed debt markets.

He holds a MBA in Finance Summa Cum Laude from the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania & BS in Economics, Summa Cum Laude, from the American University of Beirut

Today, Mr. Abdelnour continues to be featured in hundreds of media channels and publications every year and is widely seen as one of the top business leaders by millions around the world.

He was just recently been featured as one of the 500 Most Influential CEOs in the World.  Source: Top 500 Most Influential CEOs Powerlist (2015)”. Richtopia. 24 December 2015 along with one of the Top 10 Disruptors to Watch Out for in 2023 by LA Weekly.