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Rick Kaplan Host of the NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews Toni Dupell of EQUANS Services Inc.  www.equensservices.com       https://www.linkedin.com/in/toni-dupell/

Toni talks about what EQUANS delivers a comprehensive suite of solutions that support mission‑critical environments. Our expertise includes Integrated Facilities Management, technical operations, asset management, building automation, and energy optimization. In the life science space, we help organizations maintain compliant, high‑performance facilities that enable research, development, and production without operational risk. We're here to fill the technical gaps traditional FM firms may miss in these highly technical environments.
Sustainability is also a major focus for us. EQUANS partners with clients to reduce carbon footprints, improve building efficiency, and implement long‑term strategies that align with environmental goals while lowering operational costs. 

Thank you again for having me on the New England Real Estate Podcast today. I truly enjoyed our conversation and appreciated the opportunity to highlight my story, Women in Bio - Greater Boston, and the work we’re doing at EQUANS Services Inc., especially within the life sciences sector.

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Rick Kaplan Host of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews Matthew Fornaro, P A'
www.fornarolegal.com
 As a business law attorney with over two decades of experience navigating commercial litigation, contract disputes, construction law, and real estate matters here in Florida, I’ve seen firsthand how legal strategy shapes the success and growth of companies, large and small.

Since founding my practice, I’ve been passionate about supporting entrepreneurs as they launch new ventures, guiding them through regulatory challenges and helping them draft all the documents necessary for a strong start. My years in both regional and national law firms gave me a deep perspective on everything from intellectual property to homeowner association representation, and I actively mentor new attorneys and business owners through programs like the Kaufman Foundation’s FastTrac.

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Rick Kaplan Host of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews Michelle Hamilton of Answer Rocket.   www.answerrocket.com   Michelle spent 30 years as a strategic leader in Commercial Real Estate and the AEC sector before pivoting to solve one of the biggest problems in enterprise technology: the gap between AI investment and workforce adoption. She founded Spark AI Strategy and AI Class Lab to close that gap in the built environment, and was recently recruited by AnswerRocket, an enterprise AI transformation firm that partners with mid-market and Fortune 2000 companies across industries including Construction and Real Estate, to design and lead their new change management and AI implementation division."

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Rick Kaplan host of the NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast Interviews Jay Pateakos Taunton Economic & Community Development.  Jay discusses how the City of Taunton is transforming to become a great place to live, to own a business and enjoy entertainment. I’ve been in Taunton for 2.9 years. We have helped to transform the downtown into a restaurant and performing arts destination, have worked to redevelop our largest apartment project from the ashes of our biggest rundown site at the former Whittenton Mills 42-acre site and more.  For information contact Jay:  [email protected]    (774) 406-9707  or find out more  https://www.taunton-ma.gov/

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Rick Kaplan Host of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews Luis Mendonca of Elite Wellness Amenity Group.  www.elitewellnessamenitygroup.com  

Luis CEO of Elite Wellness Amenity Group, and my work is very hands-on. I spend my time inside buildings, talking to residents, working with property teams, and figuring out what actually gets people to use amenities and stay longer. We’re taking underused gyms and turning them into active, supported wellness spaces that create real value for owners and residents, without asking for new construction or big capital spend.

I also wrote The Elite Playbook, which came directly out of that experience and my own journey. The book is about what really drives resident retention, leadership under pressure, and building environments that put people first. I think your audience would appreciate an honest, operator-level conversation about what’s working, what isn’t, and where this space is actually headed.

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Rick Kaplan host of the NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviewsTallal Bhutta of BDB Construction Enterprises.  www.bdbenterprises.com   

 To raise awareness of the benefits of investing in conversions of hotels to student housing, as well as offer methods for faster project delivery in New York City, including methods similar to design-build approaches. It is also a chance to talk about how to overcome the challenges of Local Law 11 projects

With academic degrees in construction management, structural and civil engineering and valuable experience with all aspects of building construction, Tallal Bhutta is founder and CEO of BDB Construction Enterprise LLC, a construction provider based on Staten Island and operating throughout the region. Steeped in his uncle's waterproofing and construction business in the late 1990s, Bhutta launched BDB in 2011 as a masonry and roofing contractor, and the company has progressively grown into a general contracting (GC) enterprise handling complex, multimillion-dollar renovation works. Recent projects by BDB include the transformation of a factory and warehouse building into a mixed-use church in the South Bronx, the 150-unit Brooklyn Watchtower housing development, renovations of a Manhattan building for Baruch College and New York University, the exterior restoration of the Renwick Hotel, as well as a 53-unit commercial conversion creating residences leased by Hunter College as student housing.

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Rick Kaplan Host of the NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews Jon Hilley of 1031
Specialists  www.1301Specialsits   631-438-1031.

Jon Hilley started his career at Goldman Sachs. 3 years ago, he founded 1031 Specialists, a Qualified Intermediary that facilitates 1031 exchanges for real estate investors across the country. They are growing rapidly and are already a top 10 firm in the industry.

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Rick Kaplan host of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews past co host Eric Wilson of Wallpen  www.walpen.com   Eric talks about the Wallpen system and and how it works,  making a mural on the side of a building or the lobby of an office and many other similar applications.

I am someone who strives to do better today than yesterday and I continue that model in my everyday walk of life. I am the President of the New England Flying Disc Associaiton as well, it is 40 year old 501 c3 that has helped in funding in course installation across new England and New York.

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Rick Kaplan host of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews Clay Lehman of Lehman Strategic Partners.
www.imclaylehman.com
Clay talks about how he is  lifelong learner and serial entrepreneur.  I have been in real estate for 20 years as a Realtor, broker, property manager, title agent, and investor.  About 2 years ago, I started learning as much as I could about AI.  I started Lehman Strategic Partners to help real estate professionals evaluate and improve their business development strategy as well as implement operational improvements. Clay also tells how he uses AI in his business to save time and money.

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Rick Kaplan host of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews Tom Sullivan Jr. of Sullivan Construction.  www.sullivanconstruction.com   Tom  talks about how he enjoys learning from others and contributing where I can, whether through experience, lessons learned, or simply asking the right questions. Being on a podcast feels like sitting down at a table with others who care, and that’s always worth doing.

Volunteer activities: Board member of Meals on Wheels;  
Board Member of the Mary and John Elliot Charitable Foundation (Elliot Hospital); board member of Associated Builders and Contractors of NH/VT, Board Member of the Business & Industry Association

On the personal side, getting married this past fall! On the business side, rising to the role of president for Sullivan Construction this January.