Team

Tarak Patolia Founder and Managing Principal

Tarak Patolia is the founder and managing principal of BanyanTree Group. Tarak is responsible for the firm’s overall strategy, finances, operations and

Tarak Patolia is the founder and managing principal of BanyanTree Group. Tarak is responsible for the firm’s overall strategy, finances, operations and culture. Prior to starting BanyanTree Group, from 1994 to 2016, Tarak served as Chief Investment Officer at Sterling Equities, Inc., the family office of the Wilpon and Katz families the owners of the NY Mets. At Sterling, Tarak was involved in the formation, capitalization and administration of five real estate investment funds. He spearheaded the negotiation, acquisition, asset management and disposition of over $4 billion of real estate and real estate related assets. Prior to Sterling, he was a technical analyst in New York and a practicing architect and a real estate developer for companies he founded in his native India. Tarak serves on the Board of Directors for National Multi-Housing Council and is an active member of National Association of Industrial and Office Properties serving on the Capital Markets Forum. He has been a frequent speaker at the International Management Network's Opportunity Fund Conferences, National Multi-Housing Council conferences as well as several other industry events. Tarak received a Master in Business Administration degree in Finance from Pace University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture from the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology University in Ahmedabad, India.

James M Schwartz Managing Director – Acquisitions - Florida

Jim serves BanyanTree Group as Managing Director and is responsible for sourcing, analyzing and acquiring multifamily properties in Florida. He brings mor

Jim serves BanyanTree Group as Managing Director and is responsible for sourcing, analyzing and acquiring multifamily properties in Florida. He brings more than 30 years’ experience in real estate to the firm. Prior to joining BanyanTree, Jim was the Principal of JMS Consulting Associates, Inc., and arranged for the purchase and financing of more than 10,000 apartment units nationwide, including more than 2,000 units in Florida. He was previously employed by Waterston Associates, LLC, where he served as Executive Vice President specializing in multifamily acquisitions and financing. Earlier in his career, he worked at the Balcor Company, a subsidiary of Merrill Lynch specializing in real estate investments on behalf of large corporate and public pension funds, and with the New York State Common Retirement Fund. Jim holds a Bachelor’s Degree with Honors from New York University and a J.D. Degree from the University of Michigan Law School.

Paula Newton Asset Management

Paula Newton is a partner of BanyanTree Group, prior to joining BanyanTree, Paula was Chief Operating Officer of Sterling’s Southwest office in Houston,

Paula Newton is a partner of BanyanTree Group, prior to joining BanyanTree, Paula was Chief Operating Officer of Sterling’s Southwest office in Houston, Texas. She was responsible for the asset management of over 4,000 multifamily apartments for the Sterling American Funds. Prior to her affiliation with Sterling, she was the co-owner and manager of a residential and commercial real estate company and a regional vice president of a large national management company. Paula earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from North-eastern Illinois University.

Sriram Parthasarathy Financial Analyst

Sriram Parthasarathy works as a financial analyst for BanyanTree Group. Sriram has over 10 years experience of underwriting of real estate and investment

Sriram Parthasarathy works as a financial analyst for BanyanTree Group. Sriram has over 10 years experience of underwriting of real estate and investment properties across all product types as well as underwriting mortgage loans and debt instruments. Prior to joining BanyanTree, he worked as an analyst for Fitch Ratings and was involved in rating debt instruments of infrastructure and project finance transactions. His prior experience includes work as a financial consultant at a software company to provide mobile solutions for financial institutions. Sriram received a Bachelor of Business degree from St. Xavier’s College in Tamil Nadu, India.

Maria Guevara Research Analyst

Maria Guevara is a Research Analyst for BanyanTree Group. She joined BanyanTree Group at its inception in 2016 as Executive Assistant to Tarak Patolia, su

Maria Guevara is a Research Analyst for BanyanTree Group. She joined BanyanTree Group at its inception in 2016 as Executive Assistant to Tarak Patolia, supporting the company in its initial development. She is responsible for market research for underwriting of selected potential investments and preparation of investment recommendations memorandums. She is also responsible for coordinating functions of various participants for due-diligence purposes. Prior to BanyanTree Group, Maria worked for different companies gaining experience in areas of customer service and support, social networking, logistics operations and bookkeeping. Maria studied Psychology at Universidad Jose Matias Delgado in El Salvador.

Michael Katz Advisor

Michael Katz is a Senior Partner of Sterling Equities and the Co-Chief Executive Officer of Sterling American Funds, with responsibility for the day-to-da

Michael Katz is a Senior Partner of Sterling Equities and the Co-Chief Executive Officer of Sterling American Funds, with responsibility for the day-to-day management of its real estate investments. He is a director on the board of the New York Mets and serves as a trustee of the Northwell Health System, Inc. and the Jewish Child Care Association. Mr. Katz is a Certified Public Accountant and received a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Bernard M. Baruch College.

Mark Kasson Advisor

Mr. Kasson is a Co-founder of SIG Management, a real estate private equity investor which owns and operates multifamily and commercial properties, as well

Mr. Kasson is a Co-founder of SIG Management, a real estate private equity investor which owns and operates multifamily and commercial properties, as well as 20,000 acres of land in Pennsylvania and Bonaire (in the Caribbean). He is also a Co-founder of Docsmit.com, an internet based print and mail service which serves a variety of sectors. He earned an MBA in Finance from the Stern School of NYU and a B.S. in Computer Science from Lehigh University.

Our Team