Staff Biographies
Ben Edgar, President – Broker, ben@seawatchrealty.com
Ben Edgar joined the Sea Watch Realty team in 1998. Over the first five years, Ben became a top producing broker. He was named President of Sea Watch Realty, Inc. in November 2002 and became the owner of the company in January 2004. Since then, Ben has more than doubled the size of the business in terms of people, deals and income. Ben has sold and leased commercial property and businesses, averaging over 30 deals per year. He has completed deals with many national and local companies, and investors. He is an expert with 1031’s and Bargain Sales/Leases. Ben’s previous work experience includes: Project Manager for an Environmental Consulting Company conducting investigations and remediation throughout New England and an Applications Engineer for a Geophysical Instrument Company marketing the systems worldwide. Ben has an MBA from University of Houston and a B.S. in Geophysical Engineering from Colorado School of Mines.
Steve Stressenger, Broker, steve@seawatchrealty.com
Steve Stressenger began his career in commercial real estate with Sea Watch Realty, Inc., in 1995. He has earned a reputation for integrity and client service while being involved in all facets of brokering the sale and leasing of commercial buildings and space, commercially zoned land and the sale of various businesses. He has completed deals with CVS, Brooks Pharmacy, The Simon Property Group, TD Bank, Fleet Bank, First Federal Savings and Loan, Aubuchon Hardware, Adelphia Cable, H&R Block, Hospice Association of Cape Cod, a land sale to the Town of Mashpee and one of the largest land sales to the Town of Falmouth. Steve spent his early and middle business years involved in division management, international marketing, plastic recycling and as co-owner of an international commodity business.
Jim Gill, Broker, jim@seawatchrealty.com
Jim Gill started with Sea Watch Realty, Inc., in 1996 when he opened the Hyannis office. He provides great personal service to his clients and has negotiated deals for the sale and leasing of many commercial properties in the Mid-Cape area. He has completed deals with Brooks Pharmacy, Fleet Bank, Rockland Trust Bank, Shield’s MRI, and Cape Cod Healthcare. Jim’s previous experience includes owning a residential development company and working in the banking industry for 17 years, including 6 years as the President of a local bank. Jim has served on the Board of Governors of the National Institute of Financial Education. He has an MBA from Boston College and an AB from Providence College.
Doug Munro, Broker, doug@seawatchrealty.com
Doug Munro has been an associate of Sea Watch Realty since 1997, when he was involved in the expansion and promotion Sea Watch Realty presence off Cape Cod. In 1998, Doug was instrumental in the opening of the Sea Watch Realty office located in South Easton and the development of the company’s growth in the greater Brockton region. Presently assuming daily operations in the Sea Watch Realty Marion office, Doug focuses his primary efforts in the sale and leasing of diverse commercial properties. He has completed deals with CVS, Toyota, Fleet Bank, Walgreens, Gatehouse Development Corp., and various private investors and developers. Doug’s business experience includes international sales and marketing and extensive overseas travel associated with the textile industries. A US veteran, Doug served six years in the United States Coast Guard prior to his business endeavors.
Dick Schwartz , Broker, richard@seawatchrealty.com
Richard Schwartz works out of Sea Watch Realty's Falmouth office. He has experienced great success with business sales as well as business sale/lease backs. He was previously the President of a high tech company on Cape Cod. The company he ran provided professional services to the computer industry and employed, at one time, more than 55 computer engineers, software programmers and designers. Richard is also active in the Cape Cod community. He has served on the boards of the Cape Cod Technology Council, Falmouth Yacht Club, Computers for Seniors and the Community Leadership Institute of Cape Cod. Richard also was on the UMass Dartmouth Technology Advisory Board and on the Governing Board of the Alumni Association at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). Richard has a Masters of Science degree in Computer Science and also possesses a Law degree.
Stephen H. Kauffman, shk@seawatchrealty.com
Steve Kauffman has joined Sea Watch Realty in 2007 to open our Plymouth office. He brings deep business industry experience and has held his real estate license since 1996. Prior experiences have included a twenty plus year career as the Chief Operating Officer for the Massachusetts General Hospital, where part of his responsibilities was the acquisitions of buildings, facilities development, property management and off campus leasing. In addition Steve has ten years in the hospitality industry as the owner of the Spring Garden Inn, and worked as an independent business consultant specializing in strategic markets and the adoption of emerging technologies for business. As a consultant he has worked with numerous startups emerging from MIT and the 128 beltway on business valuation and with investors to identify alternative funding strategies. Steve is a Director with the Cape Cod Technology Council, a Fellow in the American College of Health Care Executives. He holds a BS degree from Widener University and Masters from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Mark Sobel, mark@seawatchrealty.com
Mark Sobel began his real estate career with the development of 60 apartment units in Adams, Massachusetts. Using programs available from both The Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency and the FHA he constructed multifamily housing developments from Western MA to the east coast. His firm’s track record drew the attention of a local bank who invited him to acquire and complete a number of previously failed developments ranging from 30 the 70 acres. During this time he pioneered energy efficient construction techniques including the use of mixed insulation types to achieve reduced heat transfer and successfully experimented with defensible space techniques while developing townhouse condominiums. His building types ranged from elevated low rise buildings to traditional flats. His familiarity with construction and housing markets fostered the development of his lending other builders funds to complete their projects and close on their takeout commitments. Short term bridge loans and stop gap financing quickly became 75% of his firms lending portfolio.
In 1994 Mark organized another firm that capitalized on his real estate knowledge. This company, Sea Watch Realty, was founded upon the belief that the public’s unfortunate perception of commercial real estate brokers was often correct and that a broker must have an extensive business background coupled with an unshakable sense of decency. Ten years later Mark sold Sea Watch to one of his successful associates. After selling Sea Watch Realty, Mark sailed over 25,000 miles during a seven year period. Upon returning to the United States, Mark joined the firm once more and now only sails occasionally.
George Gamache, george@seawatchrealty.com
George Gamache has been a licensed real estate broker since 1994. He was most recently Principal and Owner of ADAM Associates, a real estate, construction management firm providing development services to the real estate and financial community. His firm has completed over 100 Walgreens Drugstore developments, multiple supermarket developments and led the expansion of Best Buy stores completing 145 stores nationally. His background also includes the development of multiple distribution/ warehouse facilities and residential condominium projects in the greater Boston area. George has a Masters Degree and Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and has served on the alumni board of WPI. His background, knowledge of our market and his recognized professionalism is ideally suited to our unique approach of bringing an array of experience to our clients.
Ellen Murphy, ellen@seawatchrealty.com
Ellen Murphy joined Sea Watch Realty as an associate in January 2010. Her previous career in public sector management included many years with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as an area director in Barnstable and Plymouth counties. She has collaborated with numerous nonprofit agencies on workforce development issues and was actively involved in the creation of the Department of Labor career center in Hyannis. Ellen holds an MS in Management from Lesley College and a BA in Sociology from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth.