A B O U T
Based in Los Angeles, California, Koss Real Estate is a well-respected, private investment company with vertically-integrated asset management and financing capabilities. The firm has built a successful track record of actively acquiring, building, financing and managing commercial real estate investments for more than 50 years.
Koss Real Estate owns high-quality properties, primarily in infill locations in 10 major U.S. cities. Included in the firm’s portfolio are the Laguna Lumberyard, a unique village of boutique shops and cafes in Laguna Beach, Calif., and the Malibu Country Mart in Malibu, one of the most prominent and iconic outdoor shopping destinations in America.
Koss Real Estate has consistently taken advantage of new opportunities in both optimal and challenging market conditions. As an owner-operator with a long term “buy and hold” strategy, the firm maintains a significant equity level in each project. By securing conservative and competitive financing, the firm is able to preserve its fiscal strength even through volatile times.
MICHAEL KOSS
PRINCIPAL
MichaelKoss@kossfinancial.com
Michael Koss established Koss Real Estate Investments in 1971, specializing in the development and acquisition of commercial property. His portfolio currently consists of shopping centers and retail property investments in 10 states, including Laguna Lumberyard, the largest shopping center in downtown Laguna, and the Malibu Country Mart, a world-renowned iconic upscale retail village located in the heart of Malibu, Calif., which he developed in 1985.
For decades, Michael has been actively involved in civic and charitable organizations, taking on leadership and fundraising roles. He recently received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the Jewish Federation Los Angeles, which recognizes members of the community who set the highest standard for philanthropy, leadership, and involvement. Michael and his wife Corie also received the annual Torch of Learning Award by the American Friends of the Hebrew University. Previously, Michael was the co-founder and chair of the Jewish Federation Centennial Endowment Campaign, which raised over $100 million, served a five-year term on the Board of Regents of Brandeis University, and served as Chairman of the Board of the Jewish Federation Los Angeles. In 2004, he was selected by the Jewish Federation as the annual Real Estate and Construction Division honoree. In 1991, he served as president of the Jewish National Fund LA Ambassador Campaign and received the illustrious Tree of Life Award. Michael is past Chairman of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Western Region and a past General Chair of the Jewish Federation Los Angeles Campaign.
Michael is also a past president of the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles, the second largest apartment association in the Western United States, and a past director of the California State Restaurant Association and the Los Angeles Commercial Property Owners Association.
JAY GILBERG
PRESIDENT & PARTNER
JayGilberg@kossfinancial.com
Jay Gilberg joined Koss Real Estate in 1996. He is charged with a wide variety of responsibilities including day-to-day operations, the sourcing and financing of potential acquisitions, general business strategy and the maximization of Koss Real Estate’s long-term financial performance and planning.
Jay has extensive knowledge in nearly all aspects of the commercial real estate industry with particular emphasis on commercial real estate financing and management. Prior to joining the firm, Jay successfully developed and syndicated single-family and multi-family projects in California, Arizona and Oregon.
Jay holds a B.A. from Connecticut College and received a Master of Real Estate Development degree from the University of Southern California School of Urban and Regional Planning. He is a licensed California Real Estate Broker.
ZANE KOSS
PARTNER
ZaneKoss@kossfinancial.com
Zane Koss started his business career in 1992, became the General Manager of the Italy’s Little Kitchen restaurant chain in 1995 and in 1999 acquired the business and became the sole principal. He continues to own and operate this business today. Zane established Zane’s in 1997, one of Hermosa Beach’s most popular restaurants and bars. He also operates one of Malibu’s most successful and beloved restaurants, Taverna Tony, specializing in Greek eats and sweets.
Zane became active in Koss Real Estate Investments in 2011. He has been involved in acquisitions and strategic management.
Zane has been active in the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles for many years and is a past Chair of Super Sunday. He served as co-President of the Guardians of the Los Angeles Jewish Home for three years, from 2019-22.
PAUL LABIN
PARTNER
PaulLabin@kossfinancial.com
Paul Labin joined Koss Real Estate in 1985 and has been actively involved in the acquisition and financing of commercial real estate projects for more than 40 years.
Before Koss Real Estate, he was the Executive Vice President of the mortgage-banking firm, Hollingsworth & Lord. Paul is a graduate of UCLA with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and a graduate of Harvard Law School. He was admitted to the Bar of the State of California in 1970.
BLAKE POMEROY
LEASING
BlakePomeroy@kossfinancial.com
Blake Pomeroy joined Koss Real Estate in 2012 as Director of Retail Leasing. He is responsible for the marketing and leasing of all Koss properties and is actively involved in property management efforts.
Prior to joining Koss Real Estate, Blake worked as the Operations Manager at Rockdyne Enterprises, a Los Angeles based commercial real estate investment and management firm. He was also an investment broker at Marcus & Millichap, focusing on retail properties sales in Southern California. Blake holds a B.S. in Regional Development from the University of Arizona.
DAN FRYSH
GENERAL COUNSEL
DanFrysh@kossfinancial.com
Dan Frysh serves as the firm’s in-house legal counsel and is responsible for the oversight and coordination of Koss Real Estate’s legal affairs. Since joining in 2006, he has actively been involved in lease negotiations, acquisitions, dispositions, and other day-to-day matters.
Dan holds a B.S. from University of Southern California Marshall School of Business and is a graduate from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. He is a licensed California Real Estate Broker and a member of the State Bar of California.
STU McNELIS
OPERATIONS
StuMcNelis@kossfinancial.com
Stu McNelis has been responsible for general property management, leasing and environmental services, since joining Koss Real Estate in 1992. He is responsible for maintaining the highest safety and health standards for all environmental matters relating to the Koss Real Estate portfolio.
Prior to joining the firm, Stu McNelis worked for Bank of America’s Real Estate Risk Assessment Department, quantifying environmental risk for commercial and industrial properties. He holds a B.A. from Rutgers University School of Environmental and Urban Planning.
MATT MORRIS
CONSTRUCTION
MattMorris@kossfinancial.com
Matt Morris is responsible for the management and implementation of construction and rehabilitation projects undertaken by Koss Real Estate. He supports the company in a variety of ways, including property management and overseeing construction and maintenance crews throughout the firm’s portfolio.
Matt has more than 30 years of industry experience in Southern California. Prior to joining Koss Real Estate in 2004, he spent 16 years with John T. Malloy, Inc., an L.A.-based general engineering and construction firm serving the public and private sectors of the construction industry.
JEREMY FEIGEN
CONTROLLER
JeremyFeigen@kossfinancial.com
Jeremy Feigen has served as the Controller at Koss Real Estate since 2017. Before starting at Koss, he worked as a Certified Public Accountant (specializing in tax) in Portland, Ore. at two different firms; Aldrich Advisors and TKW.
Jeremy holds a B.A. in Business Administration, focusing on Management and Operations, from Washington State University.
MIKE FEIGEN
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
MikeFeigen@kossfinancial.com
Mike Feigen joined the Koss Real Estate team in 2019, serving first as a Business Development Strategist before taking on the Director of Marketing role in 2020. He primarily works with the Malibu Country Mart, focusing on brand development, public relations, social media, graphic design and property events. Additionally, he serves as the General Manager of the Laguna Lumberyard Mall.
Prior to joining the Koss team, Mike spent nearly 10 years working in professional baseball.
Mike earned a B.A. in Communication and a Master of Education with a Sport Management emphasis, both from Washington State University.