About GFI

As manager of GFI Partners, Steve directs strategy, acquisitions, development, deal sourcing, and operations. Steve has over 30 years of successful experience in development, investment, construction and real estate operations. Since founding GFI Partners in 1997, Steve has completed over 20 million square feet of real estate development and over $4 billion in commercial real estate transactions across the nation. Steve is best known for redeveloping, developing, and repositioning challenging commercial and residential properties. In 2016, Steve was awarded on behalf of GFI Partners the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce Richard B. Kennedy Business of the Year award for his redevelopment of a 630,000 square foot, former US Steel facility in Worcester, MA. Currently, Steve is developing over 5 million square feet of industrial real estate across New England and over 1500 residential units in the City of Boston. Steve earned a BS in Finance from University of Denver, a JD from Boston College Law School, as well as a master’s degree in real estate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

As Chief Operating Officer, Will manages all property, leasing, asset management, and construction operations of the portfolio. With over $750 million in real estate transactions to date, Will has completed over 20 million square feet of commercial leases, over $150 million in construction activity, and has led the development and permitting of over 2 million square feet of commercial projects. Will earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Suffolk University, is a member of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) and The Urban Land Institute (ULI).

Rich is responsible for all accounting, financing, tax, budgeting and forecasting for an 88-property portfolio of over 15 million square feet. Rich also oversees the firm’s corporate financial planning function and all financial reporting to lenders, investors and service providers. Rich has over 15 years of experience in real estate accounting and finance. Prior to GFI Partners, Rich began as an analyst with Investor’s Bank & Trust. Rich earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Business Administration from Salve Regina University.

Brian directs the capital markets, investor relations, and portfolio operations for GFI. He brings over twenty years of commercial real estate, investment management, and business management experience. Most recently, Brian was President and CIO at Waldorf Capital Management, a value-add investment manager based in Providence, RI. Prior to Waldorf, Brian was an Executive Director and founding member of Calare Properties, one of the largest industrial real estate investment managers in the Northeast. Brian has completed over $1 billion and 20 million square feet of industrial, office and multifamily real estate transactions. Brian holds a BS in Engineering from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

As Managing Director, Jon works across GFI’s businesses to develop strategies and improve operations in the non-real estate portfolio. Specifically, Jon is responsible for the execution of the business strategy, through improving revenue generation, lowering operational risk, and driving down cost to maximize value. Prior to GFI Partners, Jon spent twelve years with EMC where he held various management roles, left to exercise his expertise in more diverse and intimate business opportunities. He has successfully helped run start-ups, carve-outs, turn arounds, and been instrumental in getting small to medium sized companies acquired. Jon earned his MBA from University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business with a concentration in Operations

Kristin Bell brings over 10+ years of operational experience to GFI Partners. She joined GFI in 2014 and today as Vice President of Operations, Kristin oversees the day to day operations of the company’s portfolio of over 15 million square feet of real estate. It is her attention to detail, work ethic and ability to improve work efficiencies that make her such a crucial member of the team. Early in her career, Kristin worked at Investors Bank and Trust, managed back office operations and participated in standard operating procedure implementation and software conversions. Kristin earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a minor in Finance and a minor in Psychology from Roger Williams University and holds a Master’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurship from Simmons University.

Leif Ronaldson joined GFI Partners in 2005 and brings over 30 years of construction experience. Leif is responsible for managing and overseeing all construction services within the company, including estimating, scheduling, budget preparation, bidding, development and oversight of general conditions costs. He not only serves as the owner’s representative but manages projects through completion. Leif is actively building over three million square feet across multiple assets classes including large scale multifamily developments to brand new high bay industrial distribution facilities. His experience allows him a vast knowledge base for the various projects he oversees. As a construction supervisor, general contractor and GFI’s Vice President of Construction, he values a high standard for both his company and tenants.

Hayley began her career with GFI Partners back in 2014 where she directed and managed all the firms marketing efforts, tenant relations, and provided extensive support to the firm’s executives. She has assisted in the development of over 4 million square feet of commercial space, 2 million square feet of leasing, and over $500 million in real estate transactions. Today Hayley is permitting over 4 million square feet of commercial space in New England, across multiple asset classes and oversees the firm’s permitting and entitlement efforts and political outreach. Hayley earned her BS in finance from Metropolitan State University of Denver and received a certificate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Real Estate Development and Finance. She is also a member of NAIOP’s developing leader’s organization.

Will Duffy began his career at GFI Partners in 2021, first as a Project Manager assisting in the development of several projects within the firm’s portfolio. More recently, Will is a Vice President actively managing over 1.5M SF of the firm’s ground-up commercial developments while providing oversight for development opportunities within the firm’s existing healthcare portfolio. Prior to joining GFI, Will worked for multiple large general contractors holding roles in project management, estimation, and field engineering supporting teams on large-scale commercial projects. Will has worked on a wide variety of projects ranging from a large scale $450 Million hospital project, to high end office fit outs & cap-ex landlord renovations, to multiple Class A GMP Manufacturing facilities. Will holds a BS in Civil Engineering from Bucknell University.

Bill joined GFI in 2021 with a base of knowledge and experience in permitting and development from both the public and private sectors.  Most recently, Bill served as the Director of Planning & Development in the City of Methuen, MA and has prior experience in Methuen and the City of Lynn, MA from a 20-year career in municipal government.  In Methuen, he attracted more than $750 million in housing and economic development investment to the community and managed all aspects of the entitlement and construction oversight process through occupancy.  Bill also spent a decade managing a private real estate development and management firm resulting in the permitting and construction of 400 multi-family housing units, the creation of an award-winning hospitality group and the development of 100,000s of square feet of commercial and industrial space.  Bill is a graduate of Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT.

Hannah began her career at GFI Partners in 2022, as the Director of Human Resources, as well as a Project Manager assisting in the development and permitting of several commercial and residential projects. More recently Hannah has become the Director of Leasing, overseeing the leasing operations of our new ground-up construction, as well as the existing portfolio.

Prior to joining GFI, Hannah worked for a large Architectural firm in Boston, where she was the Director of Human Resources as well as the Director of Project Management.

Hannah holds a BA in Journalism and minor in Business Administration from Colorado State University.

Bio Coming Soon