Signature Gives Back Board of Directors
Ben G. Schachter
LCAM, GRI
President
(561) 302-9099
Ben G. Schachter is the Real Estate Broker and President of Boca Raton-based The Signature Real Estate Companies. Ben’s role is critical to Signature’s day-to-day operations and long range goals and his unique and extremely effective hands-on management style ensures top down quality control and proper delegation of tasks for an extremely diverse organization.
As an undergraduate at The University of Florida, Ben majored in Political Science and gained valuable experience working part-time at a Gainesville real estate brokerage. He quickly concluded that real estate was his passion. Upon graduation in 2000, Ben relocated to South Florida, where he became an integral part of his family’s mortgage banking business. He continued his real estate career, concentrating on the luxury and ultra-luxury real estate markets as well as commercial real estate development, which allowed him to develop valuable experience working hands-on with sophisticated customers from around the world. In 2006, Ben joined The Signature Real Estate Companies and soon became President and one of the firm’s owners. Under Ben’s leadership, Signature has grown to 16 residential and commercial real estate brokerage offices with over 1,500+ Real Estate Professionals! Signature’s exponential growth is evidenced by its approximately 5,000 annual resale and rental transactions, which ranked Signature as the #1 Real Estate Brokerage in Boca Raton for transaction volume, #2 in all of Palm Beach County for transaction volume, and #4 in all of South Florida for transaction volume according to the 2022 Real Trends 500 Report.
With Ben’s guiding hand, Signature has also successfully ventured into several other real estate related industries, including Signature Title Group, LLC, an attorney-owned and operated title insurance company, Signature Gives Back, a 501(c)(3) which organizes a myriad of volunteer and fundraising events for the local communities, Signature Choice Mortgage Group, LLC, providing homeowners with the best real estate financing programs available, Signature School of Real Estate, LLC, a fully-accredited real estate licensing and educational school, Signature Photography, LLC, , your one-stop-shop real estate marketing and creative company, offering premium quality photography, videos, Virtual Tours, and much more, Signature Commission Advance, LLC, allowing agents to get same day funds on transactions,Signature Insurance Advisors, LLC, a full-service insurance agency, Signature Moving & Storage, LLC, a privately owned and operated company that has been helping families and businesses with their moving needs, throughout Florida, since 2009, Signature Background & Screening, LLC, offers all of the parties to a real estate rental transaction the ease of determining the best fit between person and home, Signature Home Warranty, LLC, lowering your risk when it comes to surprise appliance and system breakdowns, Signature Construction Company, LLC, your source for quality construction with over a decade of experience serving Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties, and Signature Senior Placement, LLC, a senior community placement service, .
Ben is a Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker, Real Estate Instructor and Property Manager and has earned the prestigious Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI)® designation. With unrivaled passion, a constant hunger for success, an unmatched support for his co-workers and an aggressive plan for growth, Ben is taking Signature in a very positive direction by focusing on the firm’s industry-first, “Agent Centric” culture that can be seen throughout the organization.
Ben is a loving husband and proud father and lives in Boynton Beach with his wife Jodi, two sons, Max and Brody, daughter, Sloane and the family’s two dogs, London and Aspen.
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Jack Jaiven
CPA
Executive Vice President, SGB Committee Co-Chair
(561) 271-8166
Jack Jaiven, a Florida Certified Public Accountant since 1975, served as Chief Financial Officer, or in other high-level financial capacities, for more than 30 years with several publicly-traded companies, including real estate development companies which constructed more than 35,000 condominium apartments in South Florida active adult retirement communities.
Since 2006, Jack’s business focus has been as an owner and Executive Vice President of Boca Raton-based The Signature Real Estate Companies, which owns and operates a highly successful and rapidly-expanding family of South Florida real estate brokerage firms with more than 1,000 Real Estate Professionals in 16 residential and commercial real estate brokerage offices in Palm Beach & Broward Counties as well as Naples, Orlando and Spokane, Washington. Signature brokers approximately 5,000 sales and rental transactions annually and in 2020, Signature was ranked as the 33rd largest Real Estate Brokerage in Florida and #2 in Boca Raton in the 2020 Real Trends 500 Report Ranking for Transaction Sides. Signature also owns and operates a fully-accredited real estate licensing and educational school, Signature School of Real Estate, and a senior community placement service, Signature Senior Placement. In addition, Signature is one of the owners of an attorney-operated title insurance company, Signature Title Group, and a full-service insurance agency, Signature Insurance Services.
Since 2003, Jack has served on the Board of Directors and as Treasurer of Boca Helping Hands, Inc., a not-for-profit organization which “provides food, medical and financial assistance to meet basic human needs as well as education, job training and guidance to create self-sufficiency”. Jack is also a Director and Executive Vice President of Signature Gives Back, the not-for-profit corporation which serves as the charitable arm of The Signature Real Estate Companies. SGB’s mission is “to inspire members of the Real Estate community to support various charities and worthwhile causes through selfless volunteerism and financial contributions.” Previously, Jack served as an officer and Trustee of Temple Beth El of Boca Raton.
Jack has a B.B.A. degree from the City University of New York and served 2 ½ years in the U.S. Army. He and his wife, Grace, have been happily married since 1973, residing in South Florida since 1975. They have 2 sons: Ron, who earned his MBA from UCLA , enjoys a high-level position with eBay in San Francisco, and Eric, Signature’s Director of Agent Services, who earned his MBA from the University of Miami and resides in Ft Lauderdale. Eric's wife, Kristen, serves as Signature's General Counsel. Jack and Grace ‘boast’ three adorable grandchildren; Chloe and Lucas (courtesy of Ron) & Julian (courtesy of Kristen & Eric).
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Wendy Pressner
CLHMS,RSPS
Vice President, SGB Committee Co-Chair
(561) 414-7147
Many of today’s most successful Real Estate practitioners bring to the table a lengthy history of productivity and achievement from prior business ventures. Expertise as a successful negotiator, adhering to detail and the ability to communicate clearly with her clients is what makes Wendy Pressner a truly valuable member of the Signature family.
Prior to relocating to South Florida from her native New York, Wendy was an accomplished Merchandise Manager in the fashion industry who traveled the world overseeing quality control and product marketing for major corporations from Mitsubishi to Lands’ End.
Her commitment to organizing, coordinating, fund raising, and chairing major events including the Maccabi Games, Jewish and Women’s Federation activities and Signature’s Give Back Program with ties to Habitat for Humanity has earned Wendy accolades and praise throughout Palm Beach County.
This proven ability to understand and focus on the needs and concerns of her clientele from different cultural, geographic and monetary backgrounds makes Wendy Pressner an outstanding choice for today’s South Florida buyer or seller.
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Kristen King Jaiven
Esq.
Secretary
(407) 590-9686
Kristen joined The Signature Real Estate Companies in 2016. Kristen has diverse corporate and real estate experience, including working for three international companies. While attending law school at night, Kristen worked for Hilton’s timeshare brand, Hilton Grand Vacations, in the areas of regulatory compliance and later as a corporate paralegal. After law school, Kristen went to work for Global Tower Partners, which later merged into American Tower Corporation. As in-house counsel for American Tower Corporation, she focused on commercial real estate transactions that protected company assets. Most recently, Kristen worked with a non-profit food bank, Farm Share, where she tackled the field of food insecurity in South Florida.
Kristen is co-author of The Value of South Florida Real Estate when A1A is Under Water: Sea Level Rise and Private Property Rights (Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar’s Spring 2015 ActionLine Issue), and co-author of a chapter on factory farming in WHAT CAN ANIMAL LAW LEARN FROM ENVIRONMENTAL LAW? (Randall S. Abate, ed., ELI Press, Sept. 2015). Kristen holds a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies from the University of Central Florida, a J.D. from St. Thomas University School of Law with a Certificate in Environmental Justice, and an LL.M. in Environmental Law from Vermont Law School with a Certificate in Food and Agriculture Law. In Kristen’s free time, she enjoys hiking with her husband, Eric, spending time with her Australian shepherd, Sebastian, and doing yoga.
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Barbara Cohen
Assistant Secretary
(561) 302-4950
Barbara brings a diverse background and experience to Signature Gives Back. She is a graduate of St. John’s University School of Law, and worked as the General Counsel of a manufacturing and distribution company. Her strengths are in transactional law and compliance.
Barbara relocated to South Florida in 2018, and obtained her real estate license. She has been with Signature International Real Estate for just over a year, and with Signature Gives Back for a year as well.
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Ivan M Benjamin Jr.
CAM
(347) 489-7587
Ivan Benjamin is both a REALTOR® and Licensed Community Association Manager (CAM). Most successful real estate practitioners have experienced a variety of personal and business related endeavors. Ivan’s multi-talented and caring approach to his work has made him one of Signature International Real Estate’s (SIRE’s) most accomplished REALTORS®. He brings over 25 years of banking and investment management experience to SIRE. Following his successful transition from the financial service sector, where he held several senior positions, Ivan started his own small business here in South Florida and served as the CEO for several years. His entrepreneurial expertise as a CEO and business owner further reflects the knowledge, leadership, and drive so important to be successful in the real estate industry. Establishing, as well as earning trust & respect is a challenge that Ivan has met with great distinction, enthusiasm, and commitment. Ivan is also passionate about his community and he has served on the Board of Directors and/or Committees of numerous non-profit organizations from New York to Florida; and, currently he volunteers at the Wayne Barton Study Center, Boca Raton, FL.
Ivan is a graduate of Pace University and holds a BBA in Marketing. Ivan and his spouse have been residing in South Florida for over a decade.
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Gayle Elliott
SRES
Assistant Secretary
(561) 573-3583
“I am originally from Maryland and came to Florida via a job relocation. My career has encompassed real estate in four states and executive sales in the hotel industry.
I live in Boca Raton. My areas of expertise are from West Palm Beach to Fort Lauderdale and west to Wellington and Parkland. I am with Signature Real Estate Companies, LLC in Boca Raton and associated with Signature Paradise Realty International, LLC.
My passion is assisting buyers and sellers with any of their real estate needs; ie: whether it be a single family home, townhouse, condo, second or vacation home.
By educating them along the way of each step of the transaction they are always in the know and feel comfortable working with me. I am laid back and easy to work
with. I am very motivated to do an outstanding job for my buyers and sellers!
I sincerely hope I get to work for you. “
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Catherine A Lewis
(561) 302-9866
Cathy is originally from Staten Island, New York and has been living, working, and loving South Florida since 1979. She is a Realtor with Signature International Premier Properties and specializes in South and Central Palm Beach County but is always delighted to help her customers wherever they need her.
She holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University. Prior to going into real estate, in 2002 Cathy held management positions in industrial training, sales, and customer service. Her strong background and commitment to customer service is evident in the relationships she establishes with her customers. Most of her business comes from referrals and repeat customers.
Whether they want to buy or sell a home or investment property, Cathy always strives to go above and beyond to help her clients meet their goals.
Her passion for working with the 55+ population inspired her to achieve the Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) designation from the National Association of Realtors. SRES designees are trained to help those over the age of 50 to meet their real estate goals. Cathy has the skills, knowledge, and patience to get the job done with care and consideration.
Cathy also holds the Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) and the Performance Management Network (PMN) designations from the National Association of Realtors®.
She was the 2017 President of the Women’s Council of Realtors Greater Palm Beach network and the 2018 Member of the Year.
Cathy is married to Jim Lewis. They have two sons, Michael and Patrick. Cathy and Jim enjoy ballroom dancing, playing cards with the family, cruising with friends, vacations at the beach and walking their 9-pound Morkie, Maxx.
Cathy feels that giving back to the community is everyone’s civic responsibility and is proud to be a Signature Gives Back Director.
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Michelle Martinez
(561) 901-5412
Michelle Martinez sets herself apart from the vast majority of South Florida REALTORS® by blending a perfect balance of objective consideration and professionalism with her customers’ dream requests. Ms. Martinez is part of a select group of REALTORS® representing the best white-glove service available to Signature customers. She is trilingual (English, Spanish and Portuguese). Described by Signature’s Broker-President Ben G. Schachter as “vivacious, friendly and very bright,” it’s easy to see your first contact with Michelle will be an enjoyable start to any real estate interest you might have. Continually studying the market via continuing education and professional development, Michelle advises sellers and buyers about competitive pricing and negotiations. A volunteer of several community organizations, Michelle has a nurturing heart and fully understands that many real estate transactions are the result of an aging parent requiring a change of residence, a divorce, the blending of families, and other life-changing events.
Michelle grew up in the melting pot of Manhattan’s Upper West Side within a family whose medical and property management business taught her from age 12 about the medical profession, residential and business construction and renovations. A mother of three and a current resident of Boca Raton, she previously applied the corporate skill set learned while employed by PricewaterhouseCoopers, and built and controlled a private business in the medical field for 13+ years while living in New York. Her transferable skills are robust for today’s REALTOR®.
Michelle has volunteered with Signature Gives Back since 2018 and has enjoyed chairing various events throughout the years. She is delighted and honored to take the next step with the organization and serve on Signature Gives Back Board of Directors.
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Barbara Lofaro
SRES SENIOR REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST
(561) 302-5420
As a Signature International Premier Properties independent sales associate, it is my business to know as much as possible about Real Estate. Working in a unique brokerage like Signature International constantly provides me with those skills, constant support and more. I am proud to hold a SRES designation from the National Association of Realtors and I am educated to help those over 50 with their real estate needs. For me, one of the biggest bonuses for working at Signature International Real Estate is to be a part of Signature Gives Back, our charitable arm which provides me with the resources and satisfaction in giving back to my community. I am dedicated to providing all of my clients with a rewarding real estate experience.
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Eliana Blech
(516) 967-2636
As a happy Floridian, Eliana was amazed at the many opportunities that life in Sunny South Florida presented. As the daughter of two REALTORS, she grew up understanding the value of providing customers with excellent service. As an attendee of The World Journalism Preparatory School, Eliana has always enjoyed the art of reading and writing. This has enhanced her real estate skillset by allowing her to review critical documents with a close attention to detail. Since becoming licensed at the age of eighteen, she has been working hard to share her knowledge and expertise of the Florida Real Estate market with others, in order to list and close many successful deals in a timely manner. Currently, Eliana serves on the Florida REALTORS Emerging Technology Committee, as well as the Young Professional Network Committee on both the local and state level. Her upbeat, friendly, and enthusiastic personality has made it evident that she is ready, willing, and able to further serve her community, as well as others seeking to join her in paradise.
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