Meet the Team
R.E.M.’s team consists of bright, spirited and experienced professionals. As a result of teamwork, motivation and flexibility, we have developed a vibrant working atmosphere and outstanding collaboration. Due to the changing nature of the business, our staff frequently attend seminars and continuing education classes to ensure that we are always knowledgeable and operate effectively for our clients.
R.E.M. understands the importance of great staff, and the stability that having long term dedicated staff members brings to an organization. We treat our staff like family, providing them with the environment they need to succeed, whether that is time off to rejuvenate, support in time of need, or assistance with difficult projects. Our staff are happy to be with R.E.M. and their happiness and commitment is evident in every client and tenant experience.
Our Executive Staff
R Rick Elezi
President and Founder
Rick Elezi
President and Founder
Rick Elezi is the president and founder of R.E.M. Residential. He has extensive experience in the real estate business with a concentration in the residential real estate management sector in New York City. He began R.E.M. Residential to put the knowledge he gained from his uniquely diverse background into practice.
Why is he so driven to succeed? Rick believes it comes from his roots. Arriving from Albania when he was two years old, he recalls how he grew up in the South Bronx as the child of working class parents. Both parents worked several jobs to support their family. Rick’s father instilled in him the strong work ethic that has driven him where he is today: running a thriving company based in a 5000 square foot, newly renovated Midtown Manhattan office. Managing his business keeps Rick working 60 hours a week, but he wouldn’t have it any other way. He thrives on multitasking and the constant action that rental management demands. Rick is the story of the American Dream personified.
He began his career as a porter, handyman and doorman at several luxury Manhattan buildings throughout his high school and college years, where he developed a great interest and awareness of the immense and exciting opportunities that the real estate world had to offer. He earned a B.A. degree in Finance and Business Management from Iona College.
Rick’s ascent in the real estate industry started when he was merely 18 years old. He worked as a doorman at a luxury building and was quickly promoted to concierge. Finally, he was offered the position of an on-site manager. Accepting the position was a risk because it came with a drop in his salary, but he decided to take the leap. From there, he held senior property management positions at Lawrence Properties and several other well-respected firms, where he efficiently managed a diverse portfolio of real estate assets including Residential, Retail and Co-op properties. The hands-on experience was invaluable. It fed his love for the industry and was key to his career in residential management. A career during which he has mastered the art of balancing compliance, cost-cutting and income-producing strategies. Rick is dynamic, positive and operates with a can-do attitude. His integrity, determination and competence are well known in the industry.
Mr. Elezi is an active member of numerous professional organizations including CHIP, NYARM, SABMG and REBNY. In 2004, he was recognized by his peers in the industry and named Property Manager of the Year by the Scandinavian-American Building Managers Guild. In that same year, REM received the Trailblazer of the Year Award from NYARM. REM Residential went on to be named NYARM’s 2016 Property Management Company of the Year, and receive the 2017 SiteCompli Pioneer Award, which is given to companies who spearhead innovation across their organization, including the use of technology. He received the 2019 NYBMA award for the Property Management Company of the Year
Rick Elezi lives in New York together with his wife and daughter.
S Shpresa Elezi
Director of Resident Relations
Shpresa Elezi
Director of Resident Relations
Born and raised on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, Shpresa witnessed the ins and outs of apartment real estate from an early age, as her father was a resident manager of some of the most high-profile buildings along Park Avenue and the Museum Mile. It was then that she developed a profound appreciation for the real estate world. She later lived in the West Village and acquired her taste for cozy, intimate spaces and sense of community that guides her business practice today.
Shpresa Elezi has been a licensed real estate broker in New York City since 2001. Shpresa’s organizational skills and assertiveness are some of the necessary traits she brings to Julianna Realty (her Real Estate Brokerage Firm), but it is her energetic and nurturing nature and her remarkable interpersonal skills that set up a wholehearted and welcoming atmosphere. It is this cheerful personality that not only puts a smile on everyone’s face but it is that very nature that also forms longstanding relationships with clients, owners and tenants, whom she likes to keep in touch with long after they have moved out, easing renters through life’s little transitions.
As the proverb goes, behind every successful man, there is a great woman. This has never been truer than in the case of Rick’s wife, Shpresa, who balances out her husband’s serious business mindset by instilling an equally important feeling of personal attention to the staff, residents and clients. Where else can a client be greeted with candy, flowers and music generating a warm and caring atmosphere as soon as one steps inside? “I have worked with Rick since 2000” says Shpresa, “together we present a supportive family environment that our clients, residents and staff say they have never before experienced.” Shpresa’s unflappable nature and her warm welcoming spirit make everyone in her presence feel relaxed and cared for.
M Mergim Elezi
CFO / Controller
Mergim Elezi
CFO / Controller
He worked for some of the major Investment Management and Banking institutions, which include 15 years at Goldman Sachs, 9 years at Citi Prime Finance, and 6 years in total at BlackRock, AIG, and JP Morgan. He held diverse roles, including Senior Investment Advisor, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Head of Middle Office and Infrastructure. Mergim has extensive experience in building support and property management as well, initially having worked full time, through High School and college as a building doorman, porter, and part-time superintendent. With over 30 years banking experience under his belt, he decided to start his own business, and founded a RIA (Registered Investment Advisory Firm). Mergim helped start up REM Residential back in 2000 and then went back into Financial Services, and has recently rejoined REM Residential. He lives in Norwalk, CT, with his wife and 2 daughters.
M Michael Besse
Director of Operations
Michael Besse
Director of Operations
Michael’s knowledge in property management ranges from asset management of residential properties, construction management, to working with property owners and boards on preparations of financial budgeting capital projects to improve the quality preservation of the properties managed. Michael's understanding of city and state housing regulations have protected property owners from city issued violations and maintained all R.E.M. properties managed consistently under full compliance saving property owners money. Michael has maximized profits for properties under his management while guiding property owners and boards in the financial structure for current and future capital projects to modernize the appearances of distressed properties to gain property value.
While serving as the organizations as Director of Operations to ensure all companywide operations are running efficiently and managing a portfolio of properties of his own, Michael has generated a solid management streamline process while educating and mentoring incoming talent of property managers to introduce them the R.E.M. way of Property Management.
Michael works closely with all managers, owners, and boards to meet their goals and ensures business relations are continously positive and progressive. His leadership and vision on effective property management, time management, strategic planning and modernizing our operations via technology has led the way for our team to become a stronger force in the property management business.
Michael graduated from CUNY John Jay, with a Bachelor's in Criminology and has merit with Lean Sigma Six Management training. Michael is also certified by CUNY in Gas Safety Training & Building Energy efficiency Operations Training.
J Julia Bohush
Director of Sales & Rentals
Julia Bohush
Director of Sales & Rentals
Julia is originally from Belarus where she taught Information Technologies and Programming to college students. She moved to New York in 2004.
Prior to joining R.E.M. Residential, Julia had vast and varied experience in many aspects of the Real Estate industry. She began her career as a project manager at a software development company specializing in 3D laser technology for surveyors, architects and contractors. This role offered her an opportunity to spend time on construction sites, learning about the construction process, terminology, and requirements. Her experience includes project costing based on Autodesk AutoCad for the construction industry, budget planning, coordinating project workflows with different construction trades, and managing client expectations on active projects.
Julia moved on to work as a Real Estate Development Consultant, where she gained invaluable experience in all aspects of development and property ownership. She performed ongoing analysis of the real estate market, performed project and site due diligence for new projects, prepared cash flow projections and rent rolls, projected return on invested capital and capitalization rates, worked with 1031 tax deferred exchanges, searched for residential developments sites, conversions, residential investments, researched zoning regulations, prepared condo and coop packages for rentals and sales and negotiated with rent-stabilized tenants as well as residential and retail lease negotiations. Her experience has enabled her to substantially assist our clients with all aspects of their properties.
Julia is Organized, punctual and focused. She genuinely cares about her clients and truly enjoys helping them. She knows that New York City offers a lot of choices and it is easy to get lost in the process of looking for that special place to call home. Her clients value her patience and ability to explain real estate jargon and helping them find the perfect home tailored to their needs. Julia makes the process a seamless and pleasant experience.
Julia is fluent in Russian and has a working knowledge of Polish. She keeps an active lifestyle and has traveled throughout Europe and the US
R Rashaad Middleton
Director of Property Management
Rashaad Middleton
Director of Property Management
Rashaad Middleton has a well-rounded experience of more than 15 years. He has a degree in Sociology and holds a Real Estate license from NYU. Rashaad traveled the world extensively for almost a year, and this is when he developed his skill and love of working with people from all walks of life.
His career path has been in the Real Estate and Customer Service Industry. He spent ten years working in Customer Service Management and five years as a Real Estate Salesperson in New York City. During this time he was able to further his talents and cultivate the necessary skills and qualifications to succeed.
Rashaad’s ability to efficiently handle any situation and his warm yet direct and hands-on approach has been very well received. He is a very hands-on manager, and effectively oversaw the installation of solar panels at two of our largest buildings. Rashaad has proven himself as a knowledgeable leader, winning the respect of his tenants and building staff and our clients. He hopes to one day use these talents in the management of this own properties.
Rashaad’s divers and well-rounded background has added to his ability to develop close relationships with tenants and staff has contributed to him being such a well-liked and top performing Property Manager.
S Shpresa Nela
Director of Insurance
Shpresa Nela
Director of Insurance
Shpresa Nela’s background spans almost three decades of Insurance, Marketing and Customer Relations experience. She joined R.E.M. in 2019 as the Director of Insurance as an added value to our customers. Her experience as an Insurance Underwriter will help us become proactive in ensuring the safety requirements and controls expected from Insured Companies as well as the adequate Insurance premiums that today’s market demands.
Shpresa has 10 years of marketing experience, and has managed a staff of over 15 employees. She has a strong background in sales that includes closing deals and maintaining long term relationships. She is an innovative thinker – her work ethic and ability to solve problems as they arise will prove valuable to R.E.M. and our clients.
Shpresa’s knowledge of the Insurance underwriting, building violation codes and structural aspects of a building makes her invaluable, especially when improvements are necessary towards safety and loss prevention. She provides peace of mind that our customers need to ensure that they are adequately covered and are not paying above market premiums for their buildings.
Shpresa is very professional, knowledgeable, driven and personable which are a great recipe for a successful career at REM.
J Julianna Elezi
Director of Leasing
Julianna Elezi
Director of Leasing
With her background in the New York Real Estate industry (both her parents and her grandfather), there is no mystery as to why Julianna has followed suit.
After college, Julianna joined the family business and has worked in and knows all aspects of R.E.M. Residential. She is a take-charge self-starter, and is happy to take the lead to things get done. Combined with her self-confessed almost OCD-like attention to detail, Julianna not only ensures that things get done, but that they get done right.
Julianna is personable and well liked, and an intrinsic member of the R.E.M. Residential team.
A Albina Piroli
Director of Transfer Department