About AVGI

Meet the team driving innovative strategies, combining expertise and vision to deliver exiting investment opportunities and lasting values for the investors.

The AVGI team is the driving force behind our mission to create lasting value and meaningful impact. Each member brings unique expertise, insight, and a commitment to excellence that defines AVGI. Together, we foster a culture of collaboration, integrity, and innovation, ensuring that every project we undertake is guided by our shared values. Meet the dedicated professionals who lead our efforts and contribute to the growth and success of our partners and communities.

Leadership Profiles

Allon Avgi

Chief Executive Officer

Christopher Catalano

Chief Operating Officer

Christopher Wraback

Chief Investment Officer

Shimon Ohana

Chief Accounting Officer

Raffael Avgi

Chief Construction Officer

Matthew Heyman

Investor Relations Manager

Michael Genovese

Investor Relations Manager

Robby Pietofere

Head of Content

Ariel Shitrit

Head of Capital Markets

Joy Avgi

Senior Asset Manager

Rachel Avgi

Property Manager

Andrea Hemphill

Senior Property Manager

Austin Mandell

Asset Manager

Spotlight Stories

I’m proud to be part of a team where innovation and collaboration drive everything we do. The opportunities to grow, lead, and make a real impact in the real estate industry are endless, and I feel empowered to bring my best ideas forward every day.

Joy Avgi

Senior Asset Manager

Allon Avgi

Chief Executive Officer

 

Allon Avgi is the Founder and CEO of AVGI. Mr. Avgi started AVGI at 21 years old when he acquired his first real estate investment.

Mr. Avgi has since developed a diverse real estate holdings company that has reached $50,000,000 in AUM within only 4 years using his own capital and that of a select few individuals. As he starts to open the firm’s investments to outside capital and build strategic partnerships, he has ambitiously set a target to acquire and manage a $1 billion real estate portfolio over the next 5 years.

In his free time Allon loves reading, creating content for his social profiles, finding new art for his collection and envisioning the future. Allon is a strong believer in giving back, both to his alma mater, Hofstra University & Chabad Lubavitch.

Christopher Catalano

Chief Operating Officer

Chris manages full service property & asset management. With a customer-centric approach, Chris is committed to providing the best services to both properties owners and tenants. Currently, Chris and his team have over 300 units under management since formation in early 2020. Chris and his team members also manage leasing, accounting, property manager and landlord relations, and the in-house construction and maintenance staff.

Christopher Wraback

Chief Investment Officer

Chris Wraback serves as the Director of Investments at AVGI. In this role, Mr. Wraback works jointly with the Acquisitions and Asset Management teams to oversee underwriting and due diligence guidelines, business plan preparation and execution, and communications with new and existing investors. Mr. Wraback is co-chair of the firm’s Investment Committee along with Mr. Avgi.

Prior to joining AVGI, Mr. Wraback was an investment associate for Besen Partners’ Principal Investments Team, where he underwrote and completed due diligence on more than $750 million of prospective acquisitions and advisory assignments. Prior to Besen, Mr. Wraback was an investment analyst at a family office based in Manhattan.

Mr. Wraback graduated from the Peter J. Tobin College of Business at St. John’s University with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and a minor in Accounting. He was recently elected to the school’s Young Alumni Advisory Board

Shimon Ohana

Chief Accounting Officer

Shimon Ohana, raised in Rockland County, NY, has been serving as the VP of Property & Asset Management for the AVGI Organization over the past three years. Graduating from the Sy Syms School of Business with a major in Accounting and a minor in Finance, has allowed him to be involved in transacting over 200 Million Dollars of real estate transactions on behalf of AVGI. Through his expertise in accounting and business management Mr. Ohana has been a direct contributor to the company’s success and exponential growth over his time at AVGI. As he continues to grow AVGI’s Accounting, Property Management, and Asset Management divisions he is a proud member of the AVGI family.

Raffael Avgi

Chief Construction Officer

 

Raffi is an experienced construction and project manager overseeing a wide range of construction projects within AVGI.

With a strong background in construction management, he is skilled in coordinating boots on the ground, managing budgets and ensuring projects are finished on time. Due to AVGI’s variety of projects over time, Raffi has experience ranging from single family development, retail development, medical office, consistently repositioning portfolios of apartments, professional offices and industrial development.

Levering his deep construction expertise, Raffis insights help ensure that the companies investments align with both financial and construction goals, driving successful project outcomes.

Matthew Heyman

Investor Relations Manager

Former college football player at Minnesota and William Paterson University, after graduating in 2014, Matthew transitioned into the business world through medical device sales before moving to Pre-IPO marketing. He currently leads Investor Relations in private equity real estate, focusing on both maintaining strong relationships with current investors and expanding new partnerships. His role has also grown to include heading the Athletes and Entertainment Division, where he bridges connections with prominent figures in sports and entertainment. This blend of experiences allows Matthew to offer investors both strategic insights and access to exclusive opportunities in real estate. He is dedicated to building a solid investment foundation that maximizes value and strengthens long-term partnerships.

Michael Genovese

Investor Relations Manager

Michael brings a unique blend of leadership and service to his role as Investor Relations Manager in the real estate sector. With a solid background as a retired police officer, he managed treasury operations for his department’s Police Benevolent Association (PBA), demonstrating his financial awareness and integrity. Prior to his law enforcement career, Michael served in the U.S. Army, where he developed a deep sense of discipline and commitment. In addition to his service background, Michael led athletic divisions in two corporate fitness facilities, where he refined his management, operations, and client relations skills. His experience in these diverse fields makes him especially adept at fostering strong, trust-based relationships with investors, guiding them through opportunities with transparency and dedication. A devoted family man, Michael balances his professional pursuits with a commitment to his loved ones, aiming to create a meaningful legacy both at home and in his career.

 

Robby Pietofere

Head of Content

Robby Pietrofere is the skilled and experienced Head of Content for AVGI. His passion for film and photography began at the young age of 17, and he has been honing his craft ever since. Initially drawn to car photography, Rob has continuously elevated his skills, expanding his expertise to include real estate content in recent years. As Head of Content for AVGI, Rob is responsible for capturing the essence of our team and properties, ensuring each project reflects AVGI’s vision and values. He brings a keen eye for detail and a commitment to excellence in every image, showcasing both candid moments of our team and the beauty of our properties. Rob’s dedication to his craft is evident in his work, helping to convey AVGI’s story with clarity and professionalism.

Ariel Shitrit

Head of Capital Markets

Ariel Shitrit is responsible for sourcing attractive financing and equity options for our core real estate investment business. He works alongside the investment team ensuring pro forma debt projections are accurate. Prior to joining AVGI, Ariel was a Commercial Mortgage Broker handling 100s of millions worth of financing opportunities across the U.S.

Joy Avgi

Senior Asset Manager

 

 

Rachel Avgi

Property Manager

Rachel Avgi is an integral member of the AVGI team, specializing in leasing and property management. Rachel is highly proactive in identifying and addressing challenges that arise in property level areas, always seeking the most effective solutions and moving with speed. With over 20 years of experience in the retail industry, Rachel has developed a deep understanding of customer needs and preferences, this has become the cornerstone of her professional identity. Rachel believes that successful retail is not just about transactions, it’s about building relationships. Rachel‘s dedication and exceptional customer Service drives her to excel in every interaction, making her a trusted resource and a valuable asset for both our customers and the Avgi team.

Andrea Hemphill

Senior Property Manager

 

Andrea Hemphill brings over a decade of dynamic experience to our team, seamlessly transitioning between key roles such as Regional Property Manager and Project Manager. With a proven track record of optimizing property portfolios and elevating asset performance, Andrea consistently implements strategic initiatives that deliver outstanding results.

Her exceptional leadership skills drive operational efficiency, consistently exceeding industry benchmarks. Andrea is highly proficient in financial management, achieving and surpassing budgetary goals year after year. Her dedication to customer-centric strategies has led to a notable increase in customer satisfaction, underscoring her commitment to excellence in every aspect of property management.

Andrea’s expertise and unwavering dedication make her an invaluable asset to our Houston operations and a key driver of our success.