Our team
Eric Shalek - Principal
Eric is primarily responsible for maintaining strong capital markets relationships with Ridgecut Road’s investors and leverage providers, performing detailed due diligence on prospective new acquisitions, and executing the day-to-day operations of Ridgecut’s projects. Prior to co-founding Ridgecut Road, Eric was a member of the debt investments team at Brookfield Asset Management, a $219 billion AUM real estate fund manager.
While at Brookfield, he was responsible for the underwriting, origination, and execution of more than 25 transactions with a total capitalization in excess of $2 billion across industrial, office, and multifamily real estate. Prior to Brookfield, Eric was a member of the development team at JDS Development Group and the capital markets team at Hodges Ward Elliott.
Eric is a graduate of Northwestern University, where he was an enforcer for the Men’s Club Hockey Team before retiring after two and a half seasons and finding solace coupling his yoga practice with insufferable athletic endeavors.
Scott Shalek - Principal
Scott is primarily responsible for overseeing the firm’s investment, development, and asset management activities. Prior to co-founding Ridgecut Road, Scott was a member of the development team at Valyrian Capital, a middle market developer & owner/operator of residential & mixed-use properties in NY, NJ, and CT.
While at Valyrian, he was responsible for overseeing the acquisition, development, & management of single-family, multi-family, residential condominium & mixed-use transactions with a total capitalization in excess of $500 million. Prior to Valyrian, Scott was a member of Tishman Realty Partners office acquisitions team in New York with a co-GP fund mandate to acquire and redevelop value-added Manhattan office assets & responsible for the operations of Tishman’s existing office holdings. Scott is a graduate of both Northwestern University and NYU where he received his Masters in Real Estate Development from the Schack Institute of Real Estate.
Outside of work, Scott enjoys hiking, backpacking, cycling, skiing, & mentoring – if he was not developing warehouses, you might be able to find him hugging trees in the White Mountains of NH.
Kevin Reilly - Director of Asset Management
Kevin is responsible for the firm’s asset management function, including portfolio management, investor relations, and leasing. He also partners closely with the accounting and construction teams to execute business plans and deliver strong returns for investors. Kevin works with partners, tenants, lenders, and brokers to ensure efficient operations across all of the firm’s investments.
Prior to joining Ridgecut Road, Kevin was a member of the asset management team at Brookfield Properties. While at Brookfield, he was primarily focused on leasing and asset management activities for Class A/Trophy office and mixed-use assets across Manhattan and Brooklyn. Prior to Brookfield, Kevin started his career at KPMG with a focus on tax and valuation work for a variety of private equity clients.
Kevin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Accounting from the University of South Carolina. He enjoys supporting the Gamecocks football team through all of their unsuccessful seasons. In addition, he likes to spend time with friends and family, golf, ski, and enjoy the outdoors.
Steve Venuto - Director of Construction
Steve oversees all construction and development execution for Ridgecut Road’s industrial and logistics portfolio, leading projects from initial underwriting and due diligence through completion and stabilization. He plays a key role in aligning construction strategy with the firm’s investment objectives, focusing on cost efficiency, schedule certainty, and value creation across each asset.
Steve brings a fully integrated perspective to development, with experience spanning the ownership, pre-construction, and field execution sides of the business. He is responsible for driving procurement strategy, managing design teams and general contractors, and implementing disciplined project controls that enhance performance and mitigate risk across Ridgecut’s growing pipeline throughout the Tri-State area. Over the course of his career, Steve has led the delivery of more than $500 million in ground-up construction and fit-out projects totaling several million square feet of industrial and commercial space. He is recognized for his ability to translate high-level business plans into executable construction strategies, consistently identifying opportunities to improve returns through value engineering, efficient design, and proactive problem-solving.
Steve holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Outside of work, Steve enjoys playing volleyball, softball, coaching youth sports, and spending time with his family.
Bhavik “Bhav” Rana – Director of Acquisitions
Bhav is involved in the sourcing, underwriting, and execution of industrial outdoor storage (IOS) and ground-up development opportunities for Ridgecut Road’s platform. He supports the full acquisition lifecycle, including financial modeling, due diligence, and transaction execution, working closely with brokers, operators, and capital partners to evaluate opportunities, structure investments and drive disciplined investment decisions across the firm’s growing portfolio.
Previously, Bhav was a member of the Northeast Industrial Real Estate Advisory group at JLL, where he contributed to over $400 million of successful dispositions and more than two million square feet of leasing activity.
Bhav holds an MBA in Finance & Financial Technology from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Outside of work, he enjoys strength training and running, following financial markets, and spending time with family.
Nicolette Matarazzo – Property Accountant
Nicolette oversees the firm’s property‑level accounting function, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting, cash flow management and day‑to‑day financial operations across Ridgecut Road’s portfolio. She plays a key role in supporting smooth operations and partnering with the asset management, acquisitions and construction teams to maintain strong financial discipline.
Before joining Ridgecut Road, Nicolette served as a core member of a privately held investment and development firm specializing in industrial outdoor storage (IOS) and shallow‑bay industrial assets. She managed full‑cycle accounting for a substantial portfolio of industrial properties and played an integral role in the firm’s investor relations activities.
Nicolette holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Entrepreneurship from East Carolina University. Outside of work, she enjoys running, lounging at the beach and spending time with her loved ones.