The Kislak Company, announced the recipients of its 2023 sales awards at the firm’s annual awards ceremony, which was held in January at the Publick House in Mountainside, New Jersey.
Executive vice president Barry Waisbrod received the Jay I. Kislak Producer of the Year award and the Sima Kislak Jelin Salesperson of the Year award, executive vice president Joni Sweetwood received the Sales Transactions award and executive vice president Peter Wisniewski received the Lease Transactions award.
“Last year presented many challenges in the real estate market with sales down significantly since the recent market peaks of 2021 and 2022 yet our awards recipients overcame those challenges and excelled,” said CEO Jason Pucci. “They and our sales team completed 120 transactions throughout 2023 and I celebrate them for their tremendous perseverance, resilience and accomplishments.”
The Jay I. Kislak Producer of the Year award is presented to the individual who generated the highest sales during the past year and is named after the Kislak Organization’s late chairman who was an inspiring entrepreneur, real estate pioneer, and philanthropist.
Barry Waisbrod had a strong 2023 closing eight market rate, affordable and age-restricted multifamily sales throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania for nearly $50 million. His 2023 transactions include the $9.75 million sale of Virgina Court Apartments in Long Branch, New Jersey, which to date is the largest multifamily sale in Monmouth County, New Jersey since 2022.
Mr. Waisbrod joined Kislak in 2001 and is consistently among the firm’s leading salespeople. He specializes in the sale of multifamily and other investment properties throughout New Jersey and its neighboring states. Mr. Waisbrod’s investment sales total more than $1.6 billion and he previously received this award in 2021.
The Sima Kislak Jelin Salesperson of the Year award is presented to the individual whose performance and professionalism during the past year demonstrated the highest standards of excellence for which Kislak is known. The recipient is chosen by a vote of the sales and management teams, and the award is named after the late Mrs. Jelin, who was an executive, key mentor, and motivator to countless salespeople; and the daughter of the firm’s founder.
Barry Waisbrod was the recipient of this award for the fourth time following prior recognitions in 2019, 2015 and 2013.
The Sales Transactions award is presented to the individual who closed the highest number of sales transactions during the past year. Joni Sweetwood also had a strong 2023 closing 13 multifamily sales in New Jersey for $45 million, and this was Ms. Sweetwood’s third consecutive recognition. Her 2023 sales include a seven-property multifamily portfolio with 184 residential units and six retail spaces in Irvington, New Jersey, which to date is the largest multifamily sale in Essex County, New Jersey since 2022.
Joni Sweetwood joined Kislak in 1996 and is one of the firm’s all-time leading salespeople consistently ranking as a top producer each year. She has also won numerous other sales awards, including the Sima Kislak Jelin Salesperson of the Year award and the Jay I. Kislak Producer of the Year award five times. Ms. Sweetwood has also been recognized repeatedly as one of New Jersey’s Commercial Broker All Stars and the Mid Atlantic Real Estate Journal’s Executive Women in Business. Her career investment sales total more than $1.3 billion.
The Lease Transactions award is presented to the individual who completed the highest number of commercial leases during the past year. Peter Wisniewski also had a strong 2023 completing 30 commercial leases and several commercial sales in New Jersey for more than $10 million. His 2023 transactions include the sale of a large parcel in downtown Flemington for a planned 100-unit luxury apartment complex. He also noted a long-term lease with Inclusion Pathways in downtown Red Bank. This unique company will be opening a café for the community while training and employing individuals with special needs for independent living and working.
Mr. Wisniewski joined Kislak in 2015 and leads the firm’s commercial sales and leasing affiliate, Kislak Commercial Real Estate Services, Inc. Throughout his career, Wisniewski has leased or sold more than eight million square feet of commercial space and well over 1,500 acres of land and is actively growing Kislak’s presence in the New Jersey commercial real estate market. This award marked his seventh consecutive recognition.
About The Kislak Company, Inc.
The Kislak Company, Inc., which is headquartered in Woodbridge, New Jersey, is a leading commercial real estate brokerage firm consistently recognized for its investment sales success. Established in 1906, Kislak’s market leadership position and longevity are due to its ability to offer clients a personalized, hands-on approach, coupled with the unrivaled expertise of its long-tenured team of professionals. Kislak’s prestigious client base includes individual investors and owners, partnerships, financial institutions, and REITs. The firm’s professionals provide comprehensive market coverage throughout New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Florida.
Now in its 118th year, Kislak was among a select group of firms recognized as a 2022 Power Broker by CoStar Group, Inc. and this was the firm’s 16th consecutive recognition.
