Brian M. Stolar - Founder, President, and CEO

THE TEAM

The Pinnacle team is an extraordinary group of specialists with backgrounds from diverse industries. They bring a wide range of experience, disciplines, and talents that has Pinnacle leading the way with concepts, technology, and operations. From identifying prime properties and developing the best construction techniques, to researching consumer trends and pioneering technology for the home. These are the special skills that produce the unrivaled excellence for which Pinnacle has gained a reputation over the years.

MANAGEMENT TEAM

Brian M. Stolar is the Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of The Pinnacle Companies and he has led the upscale builder/developer’s growth from a start-up in 1984 to its present position with 50 full-time professionals operating in New Jersey, New York, Florida, and Connecticut. Brian’s steadfast focus on technology, design, quality, and cost control has greatly contributed to the company’s continued expansion in the marketplace. 

As a co-founder of The Briad Group, Brian was responsible for growing this organization into one of the largest restaurant and hotel developers and operators in the industry. The $125 million company’s operation includes Wendys, Friday’s, and On The Border restaurants as well as Marriott Hotels in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, employing over three thousand employees.

Brian also founded Builder Revenue, Inc., a consortium that provides builders and developers with the opportunity to capture revenues from service providers by offering customers real estate services. Additionally, Builder Revenue offers business-to-business products that generate significant revenues, as well as increased efficiencies and cost savings for consortium members.

 

Thomas A. Berkenkamp is Chief Operating Officer. He is an integral member of the executive team and acts as a central team player working with the CEO and the heads of the three operating divisions. He oversees the operations function with respect to all investments and private holdings to ensure that investment objectives are met and returns are maximized. With 24 years of real estate experience, Berkenkamp has expertise in the acquisition and disposition of properties and mortgage loans, the repositioning of properties, loan work-outs, finance, construction, and asset management. His experience includes most property types on a national basis.

Berkenkamp came to Pinnacle from Credit Lyonnais where he served as Director and Head of Real Estate Syndications. Prior to joining Credit Lyonnais, he served in senior positions for a number of prestigious institutions and firms including Emmes Capital, ORIX USA Corporation, Eastdil Realty, and Continental Illinois National Bank.

 

Mary Boorman is Senior Vice President-Marketing and Strategic Planning for The Pinnacle Companies, with over 21 years of experience in sales, marketing, product research, and development for masterplanned communities throughout the East Coast. Her strategic and analytical skills focus on product development, price segmentation, and creative branding to drive revenues and unit absorption. Boorman has a track record for implementing successful “turn around” programs at distressed properties and has worked with investment partners that include Blackstone, William Simons, and DKM. She has led the sales and marketing operations at the following high profile properties:

Boorman currently oversees marketing operations generating $100,000,000 in sales revenues. A proactive participant in the building industry, Boorman has served for many years on various sales and marketing councils, has helped provide promotional support for the industry’s platform on state planning policy and is a frequent speaker at both national and state builders’ conventions. Recognized by her industry peers, she has been awarded “Sales and Marketing Director of the Year” at the national level in 1994 and by New Jersey in 1996. Prior to joining Pinnacle Communities, Boorman was Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Gale, Wentworth and Dillon.

 

Charles Applebaum serves as Pinnacle’s General Counsel. Mr. Applebaum brings more than 25 years experience to Pinnacle.  He manages the company’s legal affairs including, among other things, drafting and negotiating agreements, coordinating due diligence investigations, managing the approval process and handling all legal issues arising from the acquisition and development of the many properties under Pinnacle’s control.

Mr. Applebaum came to Pinnacle from Kara Homes where he was General Counsel for four years. He was responsible for the management of an 11 person legal department consisting of five lawyers, two paralegals, two closers and two administrative assistants. He was previously General Counsel to M. Alfieri Co., Inc. which is a privately-held commercial real estate owner, developer and manager active in New Jersey. Prior to that he was with the firm of Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith, Ravin Davis & Himmel for 15 years during which he was a partner for the last 10.

His expertise in real property, land use and environmental law along with his strong organizational, managerial and litigation experience is a significant asset to the Pinnacle Team.

 

Steve Klenk serves as Pinnacle's Vice President of Construction, where he manages the design and development of Pinnacle's residential properties.

Steven's breadth of construction experience ranges from multi-family residential dwellings to heavy civil construction. Over a 16 year period with Pinnacle, he has managed the development of over $450 million of residential real estate. His expertise spans the development of large multi-home communities to exquisite, award-winning custom homes some of which have valued in excess of $12 million. Steven has an architectural background and is a licensed professional engineer in New Jersey and Delaware. His analytical skill set results in the delivery of product on time, on budget and with the highest degree of quality.