Real Estate Development and Investment Forum

Ralph Zucker is President of Somerset Development, one of the New York Metropolitan area's foremost real estate companies specializing in New Urbanism and Traditional Neighborhood Design development. Zucker is responsible for spearheading his firm's focus on creating sustainable, close-knit communities that promote pedestrian-friendly “live-work-play” experiences.

During his career, Zucker has worked hands-on in every facet of the building and development process and has demonstrated diligence and a commitment to working with municipalities to create innovative communities based on the principles of New Urbanism. Zucker has emerged as one of the nation’s leading visionaries in the redevelopment and adaptive reuse of large-scale vacant industrial and office spaces.

Under Zucker’s leadership, Somerset and its projects have earned numerous industry awards and recognition for their contributions to furthering responsible development practices, including the New Jersey Future Smart Growth Award for Westmont Station, Somerset's 70-acre, transit-oriented, mixed-use redevelopment project located in Wood-Ridge, N.J. and the New Jersey Chapter of NAIOP’s Chairman’s Award for Bell Works, the redevelopment of the former Bell Labs property in Holmdel, N.J. Zucker has been recognized in the top ten of New Jersey’s 50 Most Influential People in the Real Estate Industry by NJBiz and as one of New Jersey’s 100 Most Influential People: Business and Real Estate by NJ.com.

Robert Scharf is the Executive Vice President of Real Estate for Edison Properties, a real estate development and operating company headquartered in Newark, NJ. Mr. Scharf is responsible for overseeing real estate acquisitions and dispositions and strategic planning for Edison’s portfolio of properties in New York and New Jersey. Prior to joining Edison, Mr. Scharf was the Vice President of Acquisitions and Development at Extell Development Company for nine years.

Mr. Scharf holds a BA in Economics from Yeshiva University and an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business. He lives in Teaneck, NJ with his wife and four children.

Soly Halabi began his career as a commercial real estate broker at a young retail leasing company. Spurred by his appetite for challenge, he quickly rose through the ranks, and was soon one of the firm’s most successful brokers. In 2005 Soly Halabi joined Ralph Gindi as a principal to launch the Gindi Group.

Mr. Halabi oversaw all strategic operations of the Gindi Group, a New York City-based real estate development and acquisitions company dedicated to revolutionizing the standards of luxury living. As executive vice president, Mr. Halabi was responsible for the Gindi Group’s daily adherence to the company’s own strict standards of quality and luxury. His meticulous attention to detail in the management, leasing, sales, design, construction, finance, and marketing of every project ensures that each Gindi Group building is executed to the highest standards from conception to completion.

In April 2008, Mr. Halabi joined Venture Capital Properties, a New York City based real estate Brokerage firm. He served as the architect of many institutional real estate transactions, highlighted by the sale of 417 Fifth Avenue and1009 Fifth Avenue to the Carlos Slim Organization; the sale of 104 West 40thStreet from Savanna Fund to Princeton International Properties as well as the sale of 426 West 52nd St from the Chetrit Group to Gaia Real Estate.

Mr. Halabi has also built an extensive track record as a principal, executing joint ventures with many top firms in the Manhattan market. He was named one of Forbes 30 Under 30 in Real Estate.

His dedication, passion, diverse experience & his ability to speak Arabic, Hebrew & Spanish has earned Mr. Halabi a positive reputation in New York City Real Estate. He is married, lives in Brooklyn and is an active volunteer with several local charities.