People

Thomas Samuels is the founder and Principal of Thomas Samuels Enterprises. The professional and leadership skills and experience built as a leader in the architecture and the real estate industries and the academic community over the last four decades form the basis and foundation for the services provided by TSE. Mr. Samuels brings his practical, hands-on approach to every project undertaken by the company. To extend TSE's reach and ability to serve the company's clients as efficiently and comprehensively as possible, Mr. Samuels is joined by a group of senior advisors and a proven group of professional consultants on an as-needed basis.

Thomas Samuels, FAIA

Thomas Samuels is the founder and Principal of Thomas Samuels Enterprises (TSE). Mr. Samuels founded TSE to provide comprehensive Development Management, Project Management, Owner's Representation, and Strategic Advisory Services to the design and construction industry and to pursue opportunistic real estate development. TSE is positioned to assist private and public sector organizations, institutions, condominium associations, and public/private partnerships to achieve their development objectives.

Mr. Samuels, a real estate developer with more than thirty-five years in the industry as well as a registered architect and planner, brings a unique mix of skills and broad hands-on experience to every assignment undertaken by the company. Mr. Samuels has served as a visiting lecturer at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY teaching core courses in the Masters Degree in Real Estate Project. Mr. Samuels has also served as an Adjunct Faculty Member of the John Marshall School of Law in Chicago, IL.

Prior to founding TSE, Mr. Samuels was Executive Vice President of Higgins Development Partners (HDP) and a Member of its affiliated investment entities. Mr. Samuels joined HDP in 1990 and led the company's Public Sector and Institutional Development Division. Mr. Samuels was responsible for all public, institutional, public/private partnerships, hospitality, and life sciences projects undertaken by the company. Prior to joining HD, Mr. Samuels was Executive Vice President and a Managing Principal at Lohan Associates. Lohan Associates was the successor firm to the Office of Mies Van der Rohe, a national architecture firm that grew to 125 employees with over $12 million in annual sales during Mr. Samuels' tenure. Mr. Samuels received an MBA and a Master’s Degree in City Planning from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from Cornell University. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects

Richard K. Mersmen

Senior Advisor, Collaborator and Co-developer

Mr. Mersman, a lawyer, is a Partner in the law firm, Spencer, Fane, Brit & Brow LLP. Mr. Mersman has a national practice including real estate projects in 20 states. His real estate practice includes the acquisition, disposition, leasing, financing, construction, and management of commercial, retail, residential, industrial, and hotel development as well as support of a range of institutional clients. His practice includes the organization of ownership entities, land use law, public subsidies, and other real estate development and financing matters. Mr. Samuels and Mr. Mersman have collaborated on a number of public/private partnership and institutional asset management assignments.

Barbara S. Pollack

Senior Advisor and Collaborator

Ms. Pollack is an educational and facilities specifier and planner with more than 35 years in the interior design and furniture, fixture, and specification fields. In addition, Ms. Pollack's marketing and development expertise has facilitated beneficial strategic partnerships and collaboration with vendors and sponsors alike. Ms. Pollack is the Principal of Barbara S. Pollack & Associates. Barbara S. Pollack & Associates specializes in creating state-of-the-art teaching and learning interactive environments for elementary through higher education and specialty school clients and high tech organizations. The company provides a full range of services including strategic planning and partnership cultivation, team building, design management, interior design, product specification, and owner's representation.

Benjamin R. Samuels

Advisor and Collaborator

Mr. Samuels is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design and is an interior designer and furniture maker and a licensed residential real estate broker and developer. Mr. Samuels advises TSE on interior design, furniture, equipment technology, information technology and residential marketing and development.