A Great Team
Armado Carbot | Project Superintendent
Amado Carbot was born in Havana, Cuba. He's a graduate of the Naval Engineering School in Havana. Amado loves fishing and boating. When is not hard at work, you will find him shooting the breeze on his boat, fishing rod in hand in the Florida Keys. Amado has more than 10 years of experience in new construction and has worked with various developers in the field of new construction of single family homes, estate homes and townhouses in planned communities. Prior to joining New Urban Communities, he worked with Arvida/JMB Partners in the construction and development of the Town of Weston. He also worked with WCI Communities in the development and construction of million dollar estate homes in Parkland.
David Elliott | Production Manager
David was born and raised in Iron Mountain, Michigan and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Construction Management from Northern Michigan University. David has been with New Urban Communities since we opened our doors in 2000 and has completed several communities throughout South Florida as one of our project managers. His building practice is simple, quality over quantity. David enjoys golf, kayaking, darts and is an eligible bachelor.
Christi French | Controller
Before joining New Urban Communities, Christi worked as Accounting Supervisor for Caribbean Properties Group. Prior to Caribbean Properties Group, she worked in the Assurance and Advisory Business Services Group of Ernst & Young. Ms. French has a Masters and BS in Accounting from the University of Florida. In addition, Ms. French is a Certified Public Accountant.
Sue Griffin | Contract Administrator
Sue Griffin is the Contract Administrator for New Urban Communities. Ms. Griffin comes to us from Legend Properties, Vero Beach, FL - where she was the Purchasing Assistant/Coordinator and was responsible for buying out homes ranging in price from $300,000 to over $4,000,000. Ms. Griffin also worked for Issa Homes Southern while they were building in Weston, FL. Sue is a South Florida Native and enjoys spending time with her two grandchildren.
Brian Grossberg | Director of Finance
Brian Grossberg is Director of Finance for New Urban Communities. Prior to joining New Urban, he was an Investment Professional at GE Equity, the private equity arm of General Electric where he was responsible for the management of over $70 million of invested capital. During his tenure with GE Equity he served on the Board of Directors of numerous companies and as an Advisory Board member to several venture capital firms. Prior to GE Equity, he worked in the Financial Advisory Services Group of PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he consulted on mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Grossberg also worked in the Real Estate Tax Consulting Practice for Price Waterhouse in Atlanta, GA. Mr. Grossberg holds an MBA from Duke University, where he graduated second in his class and was a Fuqua Scholar. He also holds a Masters and BS in Accounting from the University of Florida, where he graduated with highest honors. In addition, Mr. Grossberg is a Certified Public Accountant.
Chuck Kaufman | Sales Manager
Chuck brings years of real estate sales experience both in new home sales and in general real estate. Chuck Kaufman earned his Florida Real Estate Broker License in 1974, since then he has owned two real estate brokerage firms where he actively participated in the business. Over the last 20 years he has worked for three major South Florida Developers/Builders and always achieved high accolades. Chuck has been associated with New Urban Communities since the Fall of 2008.
Penny Marks | Sales Manager
Penny Marks always knew she had a future in Florida. She fell in love with Florida as a college sophomore during a Spring Break visit to Miami Beach. During Break she cancelled the return flight and transferred from her home town college in northern Minnesota to FIU in Miami Dade County. First Penny learned the building business from the inside - out. She spent three years as marketing director for B.I.S., a full service, pre-closing inspection company of residential and commercial properties in south Florida. Since 1989 Penny has worked in real estate development sales in Broward and Palm Beach counties.
She has sold a wide variety of homes ranging from entry level suburban developments, move-up communities and luxury ocean front condominiums. Prior to joining New Urban Communities, she sold for national/builder developers and high-profile regional developers including Lennar Homes, Regency Homes, K. Hovnanian Corporation, Pulte Home Corporation. "When I sell a home, I want a customer for life. Customer service and relationship building has kept buyers returning for another home and referring friends and family to me." Penny is a licensed Florida Real Estate Broker and Licensed Mortgage Broker. She is a member of the Economic Development Committee for Wilton Manors Main Street. She participates as a sponsor and pageant judge for the Miss America Scholarship Pageants of Florida. Penny also runs in 5k and 10k races for corporate and charitable events.
Jeff Mueller | Project Superintendent
Jeff Mueller joined the New Urban Communities team in 2003. With over 15 years experience in the construction field, the role of customer service manager as well as OSHA regulations safety director were an immediate fit for this Project Superintendent. New Urban Communities has excelled in production in the South Florida residential and mixed use market. Jeff has been a vital part of production for the New Urban Communities in Palm Beach and Broward counties.
Growing up in South Florida, Jeff has a real appreciation for this volatile real estate market. Being a part of this growth and development is a vital part of everyday life for this family man.
Gabrielle Ortner | Operations Manager
Gabrielle Ortner is Operations Manager for New Urban Communities. Ms. Ortner spent ten years at Pulte Home Corporation in a variety of positions, including A/P Manager, Land Coordinator, Office Manager and Community Development Manager. Before coming to Pulte, she worked for the Kidder Peabody securities firm. Ms. Ortner has a degree in International Affairs from the Institute des Sacres Coeurs in Waterloo, Belgium. She is fluent in the languages of Portuguese and French.
Milena Panzica | Sales Manager
Milena Panzica has been a Sales Manager for New Urban Communities since December 2008. Prior to joining New Urban communities she worked for Lennar as a Sales Manager where she won several awards as the top sales producer from 2005-2008. Raised in Europe and South America, she moved to Florida in 2003 to finish her education; she has a BA degree in International Business from Lynn University and is currently finishing her MBA in Marketing and Import and Export.
Yvonne Portilla | Sales Manager
Yvonne - a second generation Miami native - has been licensed in real estate for 24 years and brings a wide variety of sales experience to New Urban Communities including being a part of the sales team for one of the nations' largest builders. Yvonne has been recognized for outstanding sales throughout the years as she loves what she does. She is bilingual (Spanish) by choice and finds working with the diverse communities of South Florida especially enjoyable. It is very rewarding to help people own a home and Yvonne is always there to guide them through the process.
Oscar Sugranes | Director of Construction
Oscar Sugranes is Director of Construction for New Urban Communities. Prior to joining New Urban, he spent five years with Pulte Home Corporation as a Construction Manager and Director of Purchasing. Before Pulte, he was Director of Purchasing for Weitzer Homes. Mr. Sugranes has a BS Degree in Construction Management from Texas A&M University and is fluent in Spanish.
Steve Robbins | Sales Manager
Steve Robbins is sales manager for New Urban Communities. For the past 23 years he has held various management postions for national homebuilders in south Florida. A Brooklyn native he spent his first 10 years in paradise working for the Palm Beach County School Board as a guidance counselor and assistant principal. A graduate of CW Post College and Nova University he holds a Ed.S. in administration/supervision, M.A. in guidance couseling and B.A. in biology
Tom Arndt | Division Manager, Chicago Division
Tom Arndt is Division Manager for New Urban Communities' Chicago Division. He joins the company with 20 years of experience in the homebuilding industry in multiple markets across the country. Before joining New Urban, Tom was Vice President of Operations for Polygon Homes, a Pacific Northwest builder, based in the Seattle area. His career has included positions with Pulte Home Corporation, in Illinois and California, and with DR Horton/Cambridge Homes, based in Chicago. As VP of Operations, Tom was responsible for all land development, construction, purchasing, warranty, and architecture. His portfolio includes a series of high-profile projects including an urban renewal development with the Seattle Housing Authority, and an infill project at the former Glenview Naval Air Station. Tom has a special interest in the development of building systems and in the design of energy and resource efficient homes.
A graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign, Tom holds a BS degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences. He is a member of the National Homebuilders Association, a licensed contractor in the state of California and a trainer and speaker who has taught courses covering many aspects of the homebuilding industry. Tom is married with two daughters and lives in the Chicago area.
