The Success-driven Career of Massachusetts Building Executive Kevin Craffey

As CEO and owner of Craffey & Co., Builders Inc., since 1995, Kevin Craffey heads a Plymouth, Massachusetts contracting firm that has completed diverse retail and commercial projects spanning the country. He directs the efforts of approximately 150 employees in undertaking additions and renovations of high-profile mall tenants and big box retailers. Mr. Craffey also leads the regionally focused KJ Realty Trust Corporation / Court Street Trust, which had pursued office, commercial, and residential development projects in communities such as Avon and Hanover. Among his additional ventures is K & J Interiors, Inc., which has provided highest quality carpentry sub-contracting services since the late 1980s.

Kevin Craffey’s entrepreneurial background includes six years engaged with Mountain View Development as owner and president. Beginning in the late 1990s, he led an enterprise that undertook a major hotel restoration project in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Leading a team of 300 employees, he restored a renowned 200-room grand hotel. The project required the coordinated financing support from than a dozen federal and state agencies. Within a period of two years, he had successfully brought the property to preeminent four-diamond and AAA four-diamond status. Kevin Craffey additionally collaborated with the Whitefield school system in the development of Mountain View Academy, a pioneering public-private hospitality internship program. His leadership in the project ended with the successful sale of Mountain View Development to the Great American Corporation in 2005.

Mr. Craffey holds a degree in Business administration earned at Massasoit Community College. He undertook a four-year apprenticeship through the Massachusetts Carpenters Training Center in  Allston and ultimately earned his Carpentry Journeyman Certificate through the Associated General Contractors of America.

Ori Tal: Leading Property Investment-focused ESO Equity Group

An experienced entrepreneur, Ori Tal leads ESO Equity Group as Owner and Chief Executive Officer. He has led in excess of 750 condo conversion projects in the past seven years, with commercial and residential property investments totaling more than 1 million square feet.

A hallmark of Ori Tal’s entrepreneurial approach involves adding value to all projects undertaken. His firm has undertaken substantial renovation and restoration on numerous condominium properties. These efforts have added significantly to the market value of many units. Within a timeframe of two years, his firm has notably brought properties from 20 percent to 80 percent occupancy.

A major past ESO Equity Group project involves the transformation of an established Cocoa Beach retail center into a Class A Mediterranean-style office and retail space, the Executive Tower & Plaza. In July, 2011, the firm acquired Fairway Apartments in Daytona Beach. With full renovations completed, the units today maintain occupancy rates of 90 percent.

Prior to launching his business career, Ori Tal completed Bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Law in Israel at Haifa University. Earning honors in an academy course for Israeli officers, he held responsibilities as Lieutenant in the Navy reserves. Mr. Tal still has membership in the Israeli Bar, with his legal expertise giving him a unique perspective on the transactional aspects of real estate.

Ori Tal’s oversight responsibilities with ESO Equity Group extend to management of projects and forming investment partnerships that guide initiatives to successful completion. He maintains a highly experienced executive team, including a project manager with a background in central Florida hospitality real estate development. His firm’s financial advisor has specialized knowledge of accountancy rules and regulations.

Like many entrepreneurial leaders, Ori Tal maintains a commitment to giving back to the community. He supports a number of health-focused nonprofits, including Ezer Mizion in Israel and the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. Preferred free time activities include swimming and fitness, as well as spending quality time with family.