Author: marjorie

Published by: Facility Rockstars Podcast

Michael Bernabei, Chief Facilities Engineering Manager for Life Sciences at Hobbs Brook Real Estate. Michael shares his core philosophy, “prepare for the worst and hope for the best,” illustrated by a harrowing story of an arctic chill event that tested his team’s emergency preparedness. The discussion centers on the “soft skills” that create a high-performing facilities department, particularly Michael’s emphasis on building a team with a “growth mindset”. He explains why he values “hungry” engineers willing to learn over those who are more knowledgeable but “stuck in their ways”.

To listen to the podcast visit: Facility Rockstars

Published by: NEREJ

What has been the most rewarding project or deal you’ve worked on in your career, and why? The most rewarding aspects of my career have been and continue to be the small, meaningful interactions that collectively enhance the campus experience for everyone. It’s about listening to people and making thoughtful improvements that transform our spaces into welcoming environments. Since people spend a significant part of their lives at work, it’s our responsibility to make coming to the office worthwhile. Seeing these efforts positively impact the community is what truly motivates me. Everyone brings their own perspective; you just have to listen.

What advice would you give to a woman considering a career in commercial real estate? Embrace your strengths and don’t feel obligated to step back to protect others’ feelings. Your dedication, competence, and commitment to your colleagues and peers are what truly matter. As you navigate your career, you’ll naturally meet people who will become valuable connections in the future. Focus on doing the right thing and building genuine relationships. Most importantly, don’t let outdated expectations limit you simply because you’re a woman. Stand firm in your abilities and let your work speak for itself.

For full article visit: NEREJ 

Published by: Beyond Built: The Future of Facilities and Asset Management

Faron Brazis, Tenant Engagement Lead at Hobbs Brook Real Estate, shares how workplace analytics and data-driven strategies are transforming real estate decisions and tenant engagement. She shares how she’s optimized building operations, amenities, and events, ensuring that spaces are used efficiently and meet tenant needs.

To listen to the podcast visit: Beyond Built (available wherever you listen to your podcasts)

Published by GlobeSt:

As president and CEO of Hobbs Brook Real Estate, Peter Gottlieb has steered the company through a period of transformation, overseeing a 4.5-million-square-foot portfolio across 28 properties and leading a team of nearly 200 employees. Since joining in 2022, Gottlieb has leveraged his background in real estate, private equity, and finance to drive strategic growth and operational excellence. Amidst challenging market conditions—particularly in the office sector—HBRE under Gottlieb’s leadership executed 683,000 square feet of leases in 2024, including two of the largest new office deals in Greater Boston suburbs.

For full article visit: GlobeSt. 

Publication: NEREJ

“Faron has redefined tenant engagement at the firm, strengthening our programming through a powerful blend of innovation, personalization, and community- building. Her forward- thinking approach, which combines data- driven strategies with meaningful human connection, has deepened our tenant partner relationships and created a more vibrant, connected workplace experience across the portfolio that continues to set new standards across the industry.” – Peter Gottlieb, President and CEO, Hobbs Brook Real Estate.”

What recent professional milestone or project are you most proud of, and why? I’m incredibly proud of leading HBRE’s tenant engagement evolution by creating a dynamic, community- driven workplace experience that’s personalized and data-informed. By leveraging insights into tenant behavior, we introduced initiatives like our custom tenant app, on-demand wellness services, and unique experiential events. These efforts have deepened tenant relationships, increased amenity engagement by 50%, and wellness participation by 15%, transforming our spaces into vibrant communities where tenants feel connected, valued and invested-making the office a place people look forward to.

What’s one challenge you’ve overcome in your career so far, and what did it teach you? One of the most rewarding challenges I faced was adapting our tenant engagement strategy post-pandemic as expectations evolved. We treated the surrounding area as an extension of the property, partnering locally to build community, and brought WFH- style conveniences to campus to ease the return-to-office. We also streamlined internal processes through tech, saving our legal and accounting teams hours and freeing them to focus on higher- value work. This taught me that embracing change and using data drives stronger, more connected communities.

For the full article visit: NEREJ