Leadership

 

Martin J. DelleBovi, Executive Vice President, Director of Real Estate

Martin DelleBovi joined The Benchmark Group in 1984 as leasing manager and special projects coordinator. He now directs all commercial real estate activities within Benchmark and oversees the Commercial Property Management Division, which manages and leases over 50 properties totaling 2.7 million square feet. Mr. DelleBovi also leads Benchmark’s Commercial Development Division, which develops power centers for national home improvement centers, regional grocery chains and discount retailers throughout the eastern United States.

Mr. DelleBovi is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science Degree in business administration. He is a past board member of the Building Owners and Managers Association and is an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers. Prior to joining Benchmark, he worked as a property/construction manager and leasing agent.

Steven J. Longo, COO

Steve Longo joined Benchmark in 1994 as controller. In 1998, he was promoted to Chief Financial Officer and made Chief Operating Officer in 2004. Mr. Longo acts as a liaison between executive management and ownership, chairs the firms’ management committee, and his responsibilities include strategic planning, MIS, tax and accounting.

Mr. Longo is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of New York and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He is a graduate of Canisius College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in accounting and earned his Masters of Business Administration Degree at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Prior to joining Benchmark, he was a senior manager at KPMG Peat Marwick. Mr. Longo is treasurer of the local chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and is on the Board of St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation.

John F. Rehak Jr, Director – Acquisitions & Development

John Rehak Jr. joined the Benchmark Group in 1998. Drawing on his extensive experience in commercial real estate, Mr. Rehak is responsible for identifying, evaluating, negotiating and closing on quality commercial and multi-family residential properties throughout the eastern United States. Mr. Rehak also originates debt financing with respect to new acquisitions, development transactions, and refinancing of portfolio properties.

Mr. Rehak is a graduate of the University of Virginia where he majored in history and was a member of the varsity golf team. For the five previous years prior to joining Benchmark, he was senior director at the mortgage banking firm Holliday Fenoglio Fowler. Previously, he held positions with Fleet Bank’s commercial real estate group and the Empire of America Realty Funding Corporation.

Eric Kager, Executive Vice President

Eric Kager was chosen to join Benchmark in 2023 and became Executive Vice President of the real estate firm’s property management pillar 2024. Mr. Kager is responsible for the strategic management and high-level operations of Benchmark’s residential investments, which stretch throughout the Eastern Unites States.

Prior to Benchmark, Mr. Kager has been at the forefront of residential & commercial leasing, business operations, acquisitions & dispositions, project management and construction & new development. He entered the real estate and property management industry in 2008 and since, has spent time in leadership roles with AIMCO, Clover Group Inc and Gold Wynn.

Jared Lemankiewicz, Sr Vice President of Benchmark Construction Services

After years of being in the field, Jared Lemankiewicz joined Benchmark in 2014 as a construction project manager. His knowledge and expertise resulted in assuming the role of Senior Vice President of Benchmark Construction Services in 2023. In this capacity, Mr. Lemankiewicz works closely with all aspects of Benchmark’s organization. He is responsible for oversight of all development projects in the commercial and residential sectors, in additional to leading various sized value-add and capital improvements projects to existing assets.

Mr. Lemankiewicz earned his Associate degree in Construction Management & Engineering Technology from the Community College of Erie County and his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University at Buffalo.