Joel Wertzberger

Blending a highly creative mind with an ability to solve problems, Joel Wertzberger takes a multi-pronged approach to his role as the CEO of Hamilton Eastman, the Brooklyn-based holding real estate company. Hamilton Eastman manages subsidiary companies with diversified asset portfolios that include real estate assets, mortgage note investments, third-party litigation funding, and secondary market life insurance policies. A native of Brooklyn, Joel got his entrepreneurial start at 19 years old. While assisting his mother with the purchase of a property in upstate New York, he connected with a neighbor who needed help structuring a complicated 99-year lease deal on a 100-studio property. One thing led to another, and he ended up selling the large contract for $250,000 and earning his very first commission.

His first venture, Joyland Group, oversees several entities, including Joyland Management, a property management company. He also started a successful mail-order business, Talmu Inc., which he sold in 2014. He later decided to pursue a career in secondary market life insurance, where he eventually met his business partner and Hamilton Eastman Chief Operating Officer Jack Wolcowitz.

Joel takes a value-added approach when evaluating potential real estate deals. His clients value his vast experience and honesty; his ability to mitigate risk is one of his strong suits, and his understanding of client needs have led him to much success. He likes to gets involved in the structure and review of all contracts, and brings an understanding of legal documents and strategy that his clients appreciate.

Under the Hamilton Eastman umbrella, other entities include Prospect Developers II, a real estate development company; Angels of Fire, a burgeoning technology angel investing firm; and Bridge City Capital, a real estate financing platform.

When Joel isn’t busy running his business ventures, he loves spending time with his wife and five children. Inspired by luminaries such as scholar Louis Finkelstein and singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen, he also enjoys music, watching movies, and skiing. He resides in Brooklyn.