Alexander J. Gross – Principal
Alexander J. Gross is a Principal of Advantage Properties, Inc.
For property acquisitions, Alex has raised over $100MM in equity from a variety of sources which have included institutional public and private investment funds, private capital family offices and from friends and family. Alex is currently a controlling partner in 12 commercial real estate properties valued over $300MM located in the Washington, DC, Virginia and Baltimore, MD metropolitan areas, South Carolina and in Gainesville, Georgia. For the existing portfolio, Alex provides asset management services as well as financial underwriting and valuation analysis for potential dispositions and/or debt restructuring. For potential acquisitions, Alex actively engages the broker community and other relationships to source attractive deals and works with lenders and equity partners to structure the transactions. In addition to his asset management responsibilities, Alex provides strategic real estate tax advice to clients with properties located throughout the mid-Atlantic region of the United States.
Prior to joining Advantage Properties, Inc., Alex worked in Strategic Planning for AT&T where he analyzed business results and supported the Executive Leadership Team. Previously, he worked at Goldman Sachs in its emerging markets research group where he covered Brazil. He also worked at the Americas Society where he developed specialized programs that addressed investment issues facing the Americas.
Alex is an Adjunct Professor at George Mason University where he teaches real estate investments in their Masters in Real Estate Program. Alex has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Latin American Studies from the University of Michigan and Masters Degrees in International Economics from Columbia University and in International Real Estate from Johns Hopkins University. He lives in Bethesda, Maryland with his wife and three children.
Aaron J. Singer – Principal
Aaron J. Singer is a Principal of Advantage Properties, Inc.
Aaron brings over 20 years of experience in the real estate industry. As a controlling partner in numerous assets, he focuses on expanding the firm’s portfolio while driving operational efficiency across existing properties. He has extensive transactional experience in the acquisition, disposition, ground-up development, and management of Class A multifamily real estate, including the structuring of complex joint venture partnerships for investment and ownership purposes. Aaron also has significant experience with borrower-side financing and in negotiating with local, state, and federal agencies in connection with all facets of real estate ownership, financing, and development.
Before joining Advantage Properties in 2020, Aaron served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Lalezarian Developers, Inc., a New York-based real estate development, construction, and property management firm with a diverse portfolio in the New York and Miami metropolitan areas. During his tenure beginning in 2013, he was a senior executive involved in all commercial real estate matters, including acquisitions, financing, development, leasing, management, and dispositions across multifamily, office, retail, and mixed-use properties. Prior to Lalezarian, Aaron practiced at a global law firm headquartered in New York, then known as Bingham McCutchen LLP, for approximately ten years, where he represented owners in the development and financing of affordable housing projects.
Aaron earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law. He is an avid golfer, skier, and scuba diver and has been a lifelong fan of the Giants, Knicks, and Wolverines. He lives on Long Island, New York with his wife, three children, and their Australian Labradoodle, Andy.
Eliane Bartholazzi – Director of Operations
Eliane Bartholazzi joined Advantage Properties in April 2010 and is currently the Director of Operations. Ms. Bartholazzi manages all aspects of financial reporting for both Advantage Properties and the properties within the portfolio. This responsibility includes overseeing all banking relationships and reviewing property financial statements and construction draw requests to ensure properties perform in line with annual budgets. Ms. Bartholazzi also manages investor correspondence where she evaluates cash distribution levels and produces quarterly property performance updates.
Prior to joining Advantage Properties, Ms. Bartholazzi worked as an Assistant Manager for Chevy Chase Bank, currently Capital One Bank. As an assistant manager, Ms. Bartholazzi worked directly with the branch manager and regional managers assisting in daily branch operations, personnel management, record keeping for auditing purposes, and client banking assistance. Ms. Bartholazzi has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting with a minor in Business Administration from the University of Maryland. She lives in Germantown, Maryland with her husband and two daughters.
Kristin Messner – Director of Asset Management
Kristin Messner has 14+ years of experience honing a unique skill set including tax, accounting, and finance expertise specifically within the real estate industry. From 2015-2016, through Cross Country Consulting, she served as the sole tax function for a real estate asset management firm creating their tax processes and establishing their tax department. Prior to this, Ms. Messner served as a Vice President of Fund Tax at The Carlyle Group from 2014-2015. At The Carlyle Group, she oversaw the tax function for five US Real Estate funds where she worked closely with the deal teams to structure both investments and exits to optimize tax benefits and ensure minimal tax leakage to the investors as well as managed the process of filing over 3,500 federal and state tax returns.
From 2004-2007, Ms. Messner was a Vice President of Tax at iStar Financial Inc. where she created and managed the 4-person internal tax department and worked very closely with the CEO and CFO, legal and investment teams creating tax-efficient investment structures for each acquisition and disposition. She also worked for Ernst & Young LLP before and after obtaining her business degree where she was promoted to the role of Tax Senior Manager. At E&Y, Ms. Messner performed transactional services for large real estate clients.
She also has accounting experience she obtained while at Vornado Realty Trust. She started her career at Arthur Andersen and has an active CPA license. Ms. Messner has an MBA with an emphasis in finance from NYU Stern School of Business and a BS in Accounting from Muhlenberg College.
Michael Gross – Founder and Chairman Emeritus
Michael B. Gross was the Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Advantage Properties, Inc. Michael dedicated more than three decades to real estate investment and operations, building Advantage Properties into the firm it is today. Prior to his real estate career, Mr. Gross practiced law and was a founder and principal of the law firm Grove Engelberg and Gross from 1976 to 1985.
Mr. Gross earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor degree from New York University Law School, where he was a member of the Law Review. In addition to his professional achievements, he was an accomplished painter and printmaker.
Michael passed away in October 2024. He is survived by his wife, children, stepchildren, and ten grandchildren. His vision, values, and leadership continue to shape Advantage Properties.