Meet our key executives

Paul Ciminelli - Chief Executive Officer

Paul provides strategic leadership and long‑term guidance, drawing on decades of experience and more than $2 billion in real estate development and investment expertise.

Role & Scope

Paul serves as Chief Executive Officer of Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation, providing strategic leadership across the firm’s development, investment, and property management platforms. Under his direction, the company operates across multiple states, delivering integrated real estate solutions to public- and private‑sector clients.

Impact & Experience

Over the course of his career, Paul has completed more than $2 billion in real estate transactions through acquisition and development, playing a defining role in shaping commercial and mixed‑use real estate throughout Western New York and beyond. Since founding the company, he has grown Ciminelli from a five‑person organization into a multidisciplinary firm of more than 200 professionals, while expanding the property management portfolio from approximately 200,000 square feet to more than 27 million square feet across seven states.

Paul’s development portfolio spans decades and includes both foundational and transformative projects. Early milestones include the development of a 220,000‑square‑foot distribution center for Tops Markets, the Cornell and Ithaca Commons developments, and the formation of Ciminelli Real Estate Services. He later led the development of prominent suburban office parks throughout Western New York, including Village Park, Audubon, Centerpointe, and Colvin Woods. More recent landmark projects include Conventus, 201 Ellicott, 716 Health, and the Roswell Park Scott Bieler Amherst Center, along with major healthcare, office, and adaptive‑reuse developments that continue to shape the region’s growth.

Education & Credentials

Paul holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University at Buffalo and has completed executive education programs at the MIT Sloan School of Management and Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, including the Running a Private Real Estate Company program.

Community & Interests

Paul is deeply engaged in civic, professional, and nonprofit leadership throughout the Buffalo Niagara region and has served on numerous boards focused on economic development, education, and community advancement. Outside of work, he enjoys kayaking, skiing out west, spending time with his grandchildren, and exploring the Adirondacks.

Kyle Ciminelli - President

Kyle sets Ciminelli’s vision and drives forward looking growth, leading the company’s business development efforts across its integrated service lines.

Role & Scope

Kyle serves as President of Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation and Newmark Ciminelli, setting the company’s forward looking vision and leading strategy across brokerage, development & acquisitions, property management and investments. In this role, he partners closely with executive leadership to identify growth opportunities, shape long term direction, and ensure the organization continues to evolve alongside changing markets and client needs.

Impact & Experience

Kyle brings deep experience across local and national commercial real estate markets, combining big picture thinking with hands on execution. Prior to returning to Buffalo, he spent more than a decade with Newmark at its headquarters in in New York City, where he advised institutional owners and occupiers on high profile projects including Chelsea Market, Industry City Brooklyn, and the redevelopment of Hudson Square on behalf of Hines. In addition, Kyle represented several high-profile tenants within the tech, legal, financial and education sectors with their real estate requirements. In Western New York, Kyle has led or supported transformative transactions such as the initial lease up of Seneca One, including a 100,000 square foot lease with Highmark, the relocation of Five Star Bank’s Buffalo headquarters, and Nixon Peabody’s Rochester headquarters relocation.

Kyle’s leadership and dealmaking excellence have been recognized throughout the industry, including, Newmark’s Managing Director of the Year and Aaron Gural Award (voted on by his peers), SL Green’s Green Deal Award for largest transaction, multiple appearances on Buffalo Business First’s Power 250 (2024, 2025) and recognition as a “40 Under 40” honoree and a New York Real Estate Journal “Ones to Watch” recipient.

Education & Credentials

Kyle is a graduate of St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute and Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business. He also holds a Master’s degree in Real Estate, Finance, and Development from New York University’s School of Professional Studies.

Community & Interests

Kyle serves on the boards of St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute, the Buffalo Renaissance Foundation, the Amherst Chamber of Commerce, and Downtown 2030. Outside of work, he enjoys being a dad, following Buffalo sports, and spending time outdoors golfing, skiing, and hiking.

Zach Melas - Senior Vice President, Operations

Zach leads Ciminelli’s operations, driving organizational alignment and company wide performance.

Role & Scope

Zach serves as Senior Vice President of Operations, leading Ciminelli’s Corporate Services department and overseeing all functions across the organization. In this role, he also acts as the company’s EOS Integrator, facilitating the leadership team’s Level 10 meetings and driving alignment and execution across the enterprise.

Impact & Experience

Zach began his career at Ciminelli as a Property Manager in 2007, following an internship with the company in 2005. Over the course of his tenure, he has led complex operational initiatives, including coordinating the transition of more than 500 bank branches through multiple client mergers and acquisitions. He has driven significant cost savings through a comprehensive insurance bid process, resulting in over $500,000 in annual savings, and led a companywide systems evaluation that culminated in the adoption of Yardi. Zach also oversaw the evaluation and successful insourcing of the company’s IT and HR functions, helped establish the Procurement and Corporate Services teams, and serves as the founding Chair of Ciminelli’s Corporate Stewardship initiative.

Education & Credentials

Zach holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Case Western Reserve University and is a LEED Accredited Professional.

Community & Interests

Zach has served six years on the BOMA board and currently serves on the board of Persistence Preparatory Academy. A lifelong Western New Yorker, he lives in Kenmore-Tonawanda with his spouse, Trish, and their two children, Henry and Elliott. While proudly rooted in Buffalo, Zach is also a shareholder of the Green Bay Packers; America’s only publicly owned professional sports franchise.

Jim Gottstine - Chief Financial Officer

Jim leads Ciminelli’s financial strategy, supporting growth through disciplined capital planning and investment oversight.

Role & Scope

Jim serves as Chief Financial Officer of Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation, overseeing the company’s financial strategy, capital planning, and performance across its development, investment, and real estate services platforms. In this role, he collaborates closely with executive leadership to support long‑term growth, financial discipline, and strategic decision‑making across the organization.

Impact & Experience

Throughout his tenure at Ciminelli, Jim has worked across nearly every facet of the commercial real estate lifecycle, bringing a comprehensive understanding of finance, operations, and asset performance. He has closed more than $750 million in real estate transactions, including mezzanine debt, construction financing, and permanent loans with both national and international lenders. Jim has played a key role in expanding Ciminelli’s owned, managed, and developed portfolio by more than 15 million square feet, while helping grow company revenues by over 40 percent.

Under his financial leadership, the company has scaled its operations significantly, including the addition of nearly 150 employees, management of accounting functions for more than 500 entities, and support of high‑volume operational activity across property management and construction services. Jim also serves as a key member of Ciminelli’s internal investment review group, evaluating the financial viability of development and investment opportunities across the firm’s multi‑state footprint.

Education & Credentials

Jim holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University at Buffalo and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Canisius College. He is a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM).

Community & Interests

Jim serves on the Real Estate Advisory Committee of the New York State Common Retirement Fund and the Mercy Hospital Foundation Board. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, including his two children, and traveling with friends and family.

Matthew Caldiero - Controller

Matt oversees Ciminelli’s accounting and financial controls, supporting complex projects with disciplined financial leadership.

Role & Scope

Matt serves as Controller at Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation, overseeing corporate accounting and financial reporting functions across the organization. In this role, he leads accounting operations, financial controls, audit coordination, and compliance efforts, supporting the company’s development, investment, and property management platforms.

Impact & Experience

Matt brings deep financial and operational expertise to Ciminelli, with a strong focus on risk management, capital strategy, and process improvement. He played a key role in securing permanent debt conversion for the 201 Ellicott Residential project, successfully navigating a complex, multi‑year process involving state agency operating, financial, and occupancy benchmarks. Matt has also led multiple New York State Brownfield Tax Credit audits, ensuring the full realization of tax credits for Ciminelli‑associated properties. In addition, he successfully managed the transition of the company’s 401(k) plan to Morgan Stanley, delivering enhanced fiduciary oversight, expanded financial‑wellness resources for employees, and a more cost‑effective fee structure.

Prior to joining Ciminelli, Matt held senior accounting and finance roles across public accounting, financial services, and private enterprise, bringing a well‑rounded perspective to complex financial environments.

Education & Credentials

Matt is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in New York State. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting Information Systems from Canisius College’s Richard J. Wehle School of Business.

Community & Interests

Matt is actively involved in the local community, volunteering with Saint Mark School’s Home School Association and participating annually in the Ride for Roswell. He previously served on the Board of Directors for Lexington Co‑operative Market, including as Treasurer.

Chris Keenan - Senior Vice President, Property Management

Chris leads Ciminelli’s Property Management operations, driving long‑term growth and expanding services across the Northeast.

Role & Scope

Chris serves as a senior leader within Ciminelli’s Property Management group, providing strategic direction and operational oversight for the department. In this role, he leads long‑term planning, team development, and service delivery to ensure consistent performance and scalable growth across the portfolio.

Impact & Experience

With a strong focus on performance and expansion, Chris has grown the Property Management department’s revenue and profitability for ten consecutive years. Under his leadership, the service footprint expanded from Western New York into the broader Northeast, including New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts, West Virginia, and Maryland. He also played a key role in launching new business lines, including Bank Equipment services, Specialty Crew operations, and HVAC offerings.

Education & Credentials

Chris holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Illinois. He is a BOMA‑certified Real Property Administrator (RPA) and Facilities Management Administrator (FMA), and a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP).

Community & Interests

Outside of work, Chris enjoys staying active through physical fitness and road cycling, coaching youth sports, custom knife making, and spending time outdoors.

Ryan Zebro - Vice President, Investments

Ryan leads Ciminelli’s investment strategy, structuring partnerships and driving growth across the company’s core markets.

Role & Scope

Ryan serves as Vice President of Investments, leading equity sourcing and investment strategy for Ciminelli’s real estate platform. In this role, he structures equity partnerships with institutional and high‑net‑worth investors, sources and underwrites investment opportunities, oversees investor reporting and communications, and serves as a member of the Ciminelli Investment Committee.

Impact & Experience

With more than 25 years of real estate experience, Ryan has played a central role in expanding Ciminelli’s investment capabilities and geographic reach. He created the company’s first diversified real estate investment fund, enabling high‑net‑worth investors to invest alongside Ciminelli across its core markets in Buffalo, Massachusetts, and Florida. Ryan also led the establishment of Ciminelli’s Boston office, overseeing more than $160 million in investments across approximately 800,000 square feet of real estate in Massachusetts. In addition, he supports clients through sale‑leaseback opportunities that align capital strategy with long‑term operational needs.

Education & Credentials

Ryan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Miami University’s Richard T. Farmer School of Business.

Community & Interests

Ryan is deeply involved in industry and community leadership, having served as Past President of the NAIOP Upstate New York Chapter and currently serving on the NAIOP National Board. He is also the current Board Chair of Hospice Buffalo Palliative Care and a Past Board Chair of the Hospice Buffalo Foundation. Outside of work, Ryan enjoys running, skiing, and traveling.

Jenna Steinwachs - Director, Human Resources

Jenna leads Ciminelli’s human resources strategy, aligning talent, culture, and operations to support organizational growth.

Role & Scope

Jenna serves as Director of Human Resources, leading Ciminelli’s people strategy and overseeing the full employee lifecycle across the organization. In this role, she guides talent management, HR operations, and organizational development initiatives that support both employee experience and business performance.

Impact & Experience

Jenna brings a diverse background across both publicly traded and privately held organizations, with experience spanning entrepreneurial consulting, a mid‑sized community bank, and a global insurance provider. This range of experience enables her to take a well‑balanced, practical approach to Human Resources, blending strategic insight with operational execution.

Known for her strong partnership with business leaders, Jenna focuses on aligning people strategies with organizational goals to drive engagement, performance, and long‑term success. She is particularly drawn to Ciminelli’s ability to combine the professionalism and scale of a larger organization with the culture, accessibility, and community impact of a close‑knit team.

Education & Credentials

Jenna holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from SUNY Fredonia and a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Medaille College. She is SHRM‑CP certified and holds additional certifications in WorkPlace Big Five and DiSC assessment tools.

Community & Interests

Jenna lives in Lancaster with her family and enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters. She has previously been involved with several community and professional organizations, including the American Cancer Society of Western New York, Leadership Buffalo, Be in Buffalo, Gateway Longview, and the Buffalo Niagara Human Resources Association.