Peter Berman, CEO
Peter Berman personifies an entrepreneur spirit. He applied the skills he learned as a third generation builder and project manager, to grow the family business to the expansive group that it is today. By broadening the company's focus and fine tuning the expertise, The Ruby Group has delved into new business ventures, developing top line business growth while driving bottom line value as a hands on investor and operator.
Recognized for this business savvy and leadership, Peter spends much time educating others. For Violand Management he presents seminars on best practices for small businesses. As a faculty member of the NAHB University of Housing and course instructor for American Institute of Architects (AIA), his teaches business management and green building skills. A published author, and lifelong learner himself, Peter graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in Public Affairs, received his MBA from Mount St Mary with a concentration in business management, and was selected to be in the Leadership Orange Class of 2008.
Active in his community, Peter serves on the Board of Directors for the Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Orange, and the Builder’s Association of the Hudson Valley. He has received the Excellence Award for an Entrepreneurial Company by the Orange County Chamber of Commerce and the “Shaker Award” as one of Hudson Valley’s Top Forty Under 40. In addition, for his professional success and dedication to the community he received the Orange County “Rising Star Award” and was an inaugural inductee to the Leadership Orange Hall of Fame.
Pete lives in Warwick with his two daughters. As regular participants in the ACS Breast Cancer Walk, attending Honor Flight send offs and fundraisers, biking the Heritage Trail and hiking the Appalachian Trail, they actively support and enjoy their local community.
Howie Berman, COO
In the 20+ years Howie Berman has been involved in the Construction, Development and Business Operations, he has amassed extensive knowledge and practice in the building process from the ground up, literally and figuratively. Whether a residential, commercial or development project, Howie excels at maintaining open communications between all parties – architects, contractors, laborers and property owners/buyers – ensuring a seamless construction process. He regularly translates these skills over to the Business Operations of companies that TRG invests in and operates.
A third-generation builder/business owner with a focus on the tri-state area, Howie is co-founder and principal of The Ruby Group, construction management and consulting company, where he is responsible for managing field operations and construction to ensure the high level of excellence that his customers and partners have come to expect. In addition, Howie is a certified LEED® (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design)
Green Associate, focusing on implementing environmentally-friendly strategies within properties that result in energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction and improved indoor environmental quality, among others. He has garnered experience with LEED® for Homes Platinum, Energy Star and NGBS Gold certified homes in Georgia and New York. Whether it is managing infrastructure development and installation, performing numerous residential and commercial inspections or assisting with LEED® projects nationwide, Howie's colleagues and clients agree that his passion and professionalism for the homebuilding industry is genuine and palpable. His well-earned reputation for turning houses into homes with an eye for detail, craftsmanship and quality is clearly evident in every property – over 150 to-date – he's been involved with.
Howie serves on the National Association of Home Builders, Construction, Codes and Standards Committee, which plays a role in the development of the Building Code nationwide. In addition, Howie is a member of the American Society of Home Inspectors, National Association of Home Builders, New York State Builders Association and the Builders Association of Hudson Valley (the latter of which he sits on the Education Committee). Howie is certified from American Home Inspectors Training Institute; Certified Graduate Builder (NAHB); New York State Home Inspector License #16000009436; New York State Approved Home Inspector Instructor; New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commercial Pesticide Applicator (Termite Inspections); Disaster Housing Inspector. He’s also the recipient of the 40 under 40 award from Professional Builder Magazine (2012).
Howie is a graduate of University of Michigan and currently lives in Westfield, NJ with his wife and 4 boys. He spends his spare time running after his super active kids...