Leeds Holdings Southeast

Our Team

HOWARD B. LEFKOWITZ
President and CEO

Howard B. Lefkowitz has been in the development and construction business since 1975, with the founding of Florida Residential Communities, Inc. (FRC), a 350+ units per-year home building company. In 1986, Mr. Lefkowitz sold FRC to his co-founding partner, together with the related subsidiary of Longwood Utilities, Inc.. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Lefkowitz created Greenstreet Homes, Inc. and Green Street Development Company, both of which were sold in 1993 to a national builder. Together, the FRC and Greenstreet companies approved and constructed 25 communities, delivering over 4,500 homes and lots. Additionally, during this period, three commercial and industrial projects totaling 43 acres were also developed.
With the 1993 founding of Leeds Holdings Southeast, Inc., Mr. Lefkowitz created his first company dedicated exclusively to the acquisition and horizontal development of mixed-use residential and commercial properties. Since inception, over 1,600 acres have been acquired and entitled for 12 communities, providing 5,000 building lots and 68 acres of commercial use properties. Community sizes range from 95 to 1,200 dwelling units. Residential building product uses include a variety of detached single-family, townhouse and villa concepts.

RYAN J. LEFKOWITZ
Vice President
Business Operations

Ryan Lefkowitz is a graduate of the University of Michigan with Bachelors of Art in both History and Economics. After Graduation, Mr. Lefkowitz worked as a project manager for customer relation software company before moving into banking, with New York’s Banco Santander’s securities department and Chicago’s Bank One Commercial Banking Group. Mr. Lefkowitz has been with Leeds Holdings for the past three years, and is responsible for managing financial, banking, project operations, and corporate business activities for the company.

JAY V. DICEGLIE
Vice President
Land Development

Jay Diceglie graduated with honors from the University of Central Florida’s College of Civil and Environmental Engineering with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering. Mr. Diceglie is a registered professional engineer and spent 10 years in professional consulting, working for civil engineering firms including Dyer Riddle, Mills & Precourt, Inc., and Hartman & Associates, Inc. Mr. Diceglie’s responsibilities included design, permitting and construction management for numerous public and private water and wastewater facilities, statewide. In 2001, Mr. Diceglie became Vice President of Land Development for Leeds Holdings where he manages all development activities, ranging from due diligence and project concepts, to site and amenity design and permitting, to construction of site improvements and amenity facilities for all of Leeds Developments.

JAMES M. HOFFORD
President
Republic Homes of Florida

   Spanning over 15 years, Jim Hofford has been charged as division president and or general manager for some of Florida’s largest and most successful home building companies. With responsibilities including land acquisition through development, product architecture and final construction, Hofford has been instrumental in the successful implementation and management of several of Florida’s most recognized communities, including: Centerline Homes Condominiums @ Baldwin Park in Orlando; The Villas @ Lake Butler Sound by Transeastern Homes in Windermere; Windermere Ridge & Weston Reserve by Transeastern Homes; The Jupiter Yacht Club by WCI Communities in Jupiter; Keys Gate by Florida Design Communities in Homestead, Terra Ceia Golf & Tennis Club by Fru-Con Development in Palmetto, and many more across the State
  Mr. Hofford is licensed and certified by the State of Florida, as both a Residential and Commercial Building Contractor. Mr. Hofford is charged with the Design, Development, and Construction of common facilities, amenities, and commercial components for the Leeds Holdings communities.
  Republic Homes, founded by Mr. Hofford in 2005, will build the initial 317 units for Leeds in its upcoming Allen Plantation Community.

TAMMY L. SOREM
Controller

Tammy Sorem brings to the Leeds organization over 15 years of progressive and comprehensive experience in public accounting. Her in-depth experience in real estate development accounting, financial reporting, and budget control maintenance, provides invaluable management assessment tools. Mrs. Sorem is responsible for all revenue, expense, and cost controlling. Mrs. Sorem coordinates and interfaces with the Leeds Holdings accountants for the preparation of periodic reporting to corporate partners, lenders, and investors.

NANCY C. POTVIN
Director of Administration

Nancy Potvin began her professional career as a stenographer and personal secretary within a New England-based public company. In 1979, she moved to Sanford, Florida where she became a legal secretary for the well established Stenstrom Law Firm. Since 1982, Ms. Potvin has dedicated her organizational and professional skills to Mr. Lefkowitz’s companies in various capacities, from office operations to construction/development support.

BENJAMIN JACOBSON
Analyst

Ben Jacobson earned his Bachelor of Business in Real Estate from the University of Georgia’s Terry College in 2005. Mr. Jacobson’s special training in market and financial assessment has positioned him as an invaluable asset to the Leeds Holdings organization. Mr. Jacobson is responsible for preliminary market analysis, assessment of project feasibility, as well as solving initial land development issues. Prior to working with Leeds Holdings, Mr. Jacobson worked with the securities firm of UBS.