Founder Richard Brunelli becomes Chairman, Ron DeLuca named CEO,

Danielle Brunelli appointed President

OLD BRIDGE, N.J. (9/8/15)—Moving to position itself for accelerated long-term growth, R.J. Brunelli

& Co., LLC today announced the appointments of founder Richard Brunelli as Chairman of the Board,

Ron DeLuca as Chief Executive Officer, Danielle Brunelli as President. All four have been principals of the Old Bridge-based retail real

estate brokerage since the time it became an LLC in 2010.

In the newly created role of CEO, Mr. DeLuca will work with Ms. Brunelli on strategic

planning, while also directing R.J. Brunelli’s day-to-day operations, including review and approval of all

representation agreements, and other legal documents; hiring of new staff; and oversight of all trade show

activities. He will also continue to supervise the firm’s annual retail vacancy study, as well as ensure that

the sales team conforms to the company’s standards on landlord representation accounts.

 

Prior to joining R.J. Brunelli as a VP in 2003, the Holmdel, N.J. resident spent 10 years as founder and

President of Bristol Business Group, an Eatontown, N.J.-based firm providing business and technology

consulting services to Fortune 100 and start-up companies. This followed 17 years as a marketing

executive in the technology industry, beginning with 10 years at Perkin Elmer Corp., West Long Branch,

N.J. In his role as the Fortune 100 company’s Director of Marketing, Mr. DeLuca was part of the team

that facilitated the spin-off of a $250 million division into a separate publicly traded company, Concurrent

Computer Corp., where he subsequently spent seven years as Senior Director of Marketing. Mr. DeLuca,

who began his career at AT&T Bell Laboratories, holds a Masters Degree in Computer Science from

Stevens Institute and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Penn State University.

In assuming the reins from her father as President, Ms. Brunelli will be responsible for the

overall management of the firm’s team of sales associates; recruitment of new sales associates; ensuring

that the sales team conforms to the company’s standards on tenant representation assignments; and

oversight of all advertising and public relations activities. As spokesperson for the firm, she will also

continue to appear on various retail real estate industry panels.

Ms. Brunelli began her career at R.J. Brunelli when she was 16 as a part-time marketing

assistant. In 1999, at the age of just 18, she earned her real estate license while attending Monmouth

University, from which she graduated in 2003 with a Bachelors degree in Marketing. While attending

classes and captaining Monmouth’s Division 1 women’s tennis team, she began making her first deals for

retailer Sally Beauty Supply. She soon landed the chain’s tenant representation account and continues to

exclusively represent the company in central and northern New Jersey. This was followed by tenant

representation agreements with Zales and Tuesday Morning, as well as long-term preferred broker

assignments for Massage Envy and European Wax Center in central New Jersey. The Holmdel, N.J.

resident has also completed multiple deals for such chains as Toys ‘R’ Us, Sonic, ULTA, Muscle Maker

Grill, Burger Fi, and Corner Bakery Café. In 2010, Ms. Brunelli added Dollar Tree to the firm’s

client list, and subsequently completed nearly 50 deals throughout New Jersey as the chain’s exclusive

representative for the entire state. She was named a Senior VP in 2006.

on significant new retail development projects, consult and mentor the firm’s sales staff in development

areas, as well as uncover new areas for investment for consideration by the R.J. These have included such notable central New

Jersey projects as The Commons at

Holmdel and Summerhill Square in East Brunswick, both featuring multiple national anchors and, more

recently, the Whole Foods-anchored Marlboro Commons.

“I am very pleased that Ron and Danielle will be assuming the responsibilities of CEO,

President, and Executive V.P respectively,” said Mr. Brunelli. “At a time when we are looking to

aggressively expand our footprint in the retail real estate industry, their appointments represent an

important step in a senior management transition that began when we formed our LLC in 2010. Their

combined energy, experience and dedication to exceeding our clients’ expectations through best-in-class

tenant and landlord services will ensure the company’s continued success for another 40 years.”

Mr. Brunelli, who founded the firm in 1975, will remain active in the business, focusing on special

projects, while stepping away from day-to-day operations.

“On a personal note,” Mr. Brunelli continued, “I’m especially proud to be passing the presidency of my

‘business baby’ on to the very capable hands of my oldest child. As a person who literally grew up in the

business, Danielle rapidly emerged as one of our top deal-makers and later earned her seat on our senior

leadership team. Meanwhile, Ron, a successful deal-maker in his own right, complements Danielle’s

leadership abilities by bringing critical skill-sets in corporate management, strategic planning, marketing

and technology. As our company’s new leadership looks

to build our team, all recognize the high importance of having experienced salespeople to service

accounts and supporting them with state-of-the-art marketing and canvassing tools.”