The mission of 407 Associates is to design, build, develop, finance and manage real estate projects throughout the Continental United States.
We enable our mission while building a wholly-owned and managed family of companies that create a synergy to enable us to develop the most efficient and cost effective “one point” of contact design/build/manage system. We will incubate, mentor and enable the next generation of real estate builders, developers and contractors by having created an interactive environment to share the turn-key process across all of our companies. This sharing of “the process” enables an idea to not be buried in a specific discipline but to be discussed and nurtured across the whole realm of real estate professionals, thus creating the best possible project at the best possible price.
Team
Each principal of 407 Associates has over 30 years of experience in his or her particular field or fields of expertise that ties into the development, construction, operation, financing, ownership and operation/management of commercial and residential real estate projects. Our team consists of engineers, designers, architects, developers, builders, real estate attorneys and property managers. The 407 Associates’ team’s experience is deeply routed in the design and construction of major commercial/residential properties, with extensive completed projects in the senior care, faith community, hospitality, food service, retail shopping center and industrial sectors.
Team
Jeff Kozero, PE
Founder and CEO
Jeff graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with an engineering degree and is a licensed Professional Engineer. Over the course of his career, Jeff has started and grown an architectural/engineering firm from a local DMV presence to a National Footprint. In addition, Jeff has started and managed various real estate development companies that have provided development, design and construction related services. These projects resulted in over 12 million constructed square feet and valued at over $2.9Billion. Jeff has now created 407 Associates to become a complete design/development/management company.
Thomas Fore
CFO
A graduate of Towson University, Thomas is a real estate developer and entrepreneur based in Baltimore, Maryland. As a developer, he has more than 26 years of experience in historic renovations, land development projects for NVR Ryan Homes, in-fill condominium developments, assisted living, student housing and in-fill mixed use projects. From 2007-2014, Thomas was a principal and lead executive master developer for the award winning $300 million dollar Rowan Boulevard project in Glassboro, NJ which included the assemblage of 90 parcels without eminent domain. Thomas also led the master development team for the University Center at Rock Hill, South Carolina, a 22-acre mixed-use development from 2015-2017. His core strength is public-private partnerships and he joined the company in 2020.
Aaron L. Belcher
Vice President of Administration
Aaron is a native Washingtonian and father of 1. He brings more than 25 years of leadership, administrative and office management expertise to the 407 Associates Team. His past positions have included Assistant to the Headmaster at St. John’s Episcopal School, Director of the Andrews Development Center in Takoma Park, MD, and Office Manager and Bookkeeper at Sher, Cummings and Ellis, Law Firm in Clarendon, VA. Aaron joined 407 Management in 2020 as the office manager.
Joseph A. Boggs, FAIA, NCARB
Director of Design
Joe is an undergraduate of Virginia Tech and has a Master of Architecture degree from Harvard University Graduate School of Design. The diversity of his work has been the subject of lectures at several universities as well as being the G.T. Ward visiting professor at Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University. Mr. Boggs is a frequent presenter at AlA Symposiums and community functions. He has won numerous awards and has been published in national and international publications, as well as being elected to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects in 1995. The firm’s work has been the recipient of numerous architectural design awards. Mr. Boggs was a presenter at the 2016 AIA Convention in Philadelphia on an International Practice workshop. His work was recently published in. ‘Honor’, a hardcover book commemorating and documenting the Uriah P. Levy Center and Jewish Chapel.
Board of Directors
Jeff Kozero, PE
Chairman
Jeff graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with an engineering degree and is a licensed Professional Engineer. Over the course of his career, Jeff has started and grown an architectural/engineering firm from a local DMV presence to a National Footprint. In addition, Jeff has started and managed various real estate development companies that have provided development, design and construction related services. These projects resulted in over 12 million constructed square feet and valued at over $2.9Billion. Jeff has now created 407 Associates to become a complete design/development/management company.
William F. Keller
Board of Advisors
Billy joined 407 Associates in 2019 after almost thirty years serving as State Representative for South Philadelphia. A South Philly native and La Salle University graduate, Bill was a member of the International Longshoreman Association, Local 1291 when he was elected to the Pennsylvania State House as a Democrat representing the 184th District. During his public service career, Bill gained a reputation as a legislator who fought fiercely to bring jobs to his district and who was able to successfully work with colleagues across the aisle to do so. Bill was so respected for his bipartisan work ethic that he was asked by Republican Governor Tom Corbett to lead House negotiations on the statewide Workman’s Compensation Reform package. Bill served on numerous committees during his legislative career, including serving as Minority Chairman for the Committee on Transportation and the Committee on Labor. The foundation of Bill’s practice is his close relationships developed during his time in the state legislator. Whether it’s reaching out to an elected official or cutting through bureaucratic red tape, Bill’s extensive network and thirty years of Harrisburg experience ensure that client issues are resolved in a timely and effective manner.
Steve Balwin
Board of Advisors
Steve is an experienced CEO and CFO with over 40 years of management and successful business growth in the “not for profit “arena. His latest engagement was as the President and COE of The Children’s Guild, where he received a 2016 Executive Management Award from SmartCEO magazine. The award recognizes leaders who work behind the scenes to build companies in the region. Steve was recognized for finding creative ways to finance growth, while maintaining integrity and efficiency. He restructured The Children’s Guild’s staffing model and created reductions in indirect support services to improve cash flow and allow the organization to expand by opening charter schools. Steve will oversee our interfaith, school initiatives and senior housing development.
Gary Kellner
Board of Advisors
Gary’s most recent position was at The Children’s Guild, a nonprofit organization serving children and families throughout Maryland as chief development officer, a position that oversees fundraising and includes the mission advancement department and National Children’s Guild Fund. He brings 40 years of experience in politics, higher education administration, graduate-level teaching, public relations, institutional fundraising and event planning. He has led the fundraising efforts for capital campaigns for charitable and educational institutions. Gary also brings experience in politics. He won as a progressive candidate in Springfield, Missouri, where he sat on the board of education for six years, passed three tax initiatives for the school district and served as legislative liaison. He also led political campaigns in other countries, including Ukraine and Jamaica.
Robert Vricella
Board of Advisors
Robert Vricella recently joined the 407 Associates team in 2020 as a member of the Board. Rob is a independent Real Estate professional in the Washington D.C. suburbs. For the past 15 years, he has developed and invested in a diverse portfolio of properties. Prior to becoming independent, he was in charge of real estate acquisitions for Toll Brothers for southern Maryland. Rob brings a wealth of real estate knowledge to the 407 Associates team.