Meet Our Team
M. Leon Moore
Owner/Broker
Leon has been a licensed real estate broker in the State of Washington (Seattle) from 1976 to 1997 and in the State of Florida from 1995 to the present. With 40 years of experience as a commercial real estate broker, Leon has developed a deep expertise in the market.
His specialization includes commercial marina properties and apartment buildings, where he has demonstrated a keen ability to leverage the highest and best use of income-generating properties. Leon’s extensive experience enables him to maximize property value and optimize revenue potential through strategic analysis and effective market positioning.
M. Leon Moore's Full Resume
REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE HISTORY
Capretto & Clark, Inc. – 1976 – 1981 – Multi-Family, Retail & Ofc Sales (Sales Mgr – 1978-1981)
Ivest Associates Inc – 1981 – 2000 – Multi-Family, Retail & Ofc Sales & Ptshp Synd (Owner/Broker)
MLM Properties – 1995 – now – Marina Property Management & Marina Sales – (Owner/Broker)
His companies, IVEST ASSOCIATES, INC. (Washington), MLM PROPERTIES (Florida) and MOORAGE ASSOCIATES LLC have specialized in the sale, management and ownership of Marinas and Boatyards.
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT HISTORY:
Mr. Moore began his real estate career in 1969 with the purchase of several small income properties and apartments in Seattle, Wa. Larger apartment complexes, office, mobile home parks and marinas were subsequently added to his investment portfolio. He has continuously owned and managed Income Properties – including Marinas in Washington State and Florida since that date.
MARINA INVESTMENT HISTORY
Mr. Moore acquired his first Marina in 1979 (Totem Marina, Tacoma, Wa. – 450 wet slips). He purchased Quartermaster Harbor Marina, Vashon Island, Wa. (120 slips) in 1989. In February, 1995 he purchased Jonathan’s Landing Marina, Jupiter, Fl. (375 Boat Dry Storage) and in 1996, Waterways Marina, Aventura, Fl. (99 Wet Slips). In 2010- 2014 he operated Northlake Marina, North Palm Beach, Fl. (75 Boat Dry Storage, Boatyard & 12,000 sf Boat Sales Showroom). Currently – 2016-present, Skull Creek Marina, Hilton Head Island, SC (177 Wet Slips + Boatyard) and (in Closing) Niantic Bay Boat Valet, Waterford, CT (160 Boat Dry Storage).
He has converted and (successfully) sold out two wet slip marinas to “dockominiums” – Jonathan’s Landing Marina (Jupiter, Fl.) and The Waterways Marina (Aventura, Fl.) – and an “Equity Membership” program for a Dry Storage – Marina Club at Jonathan’s Landing (Jupiter, Fl.). In addition to the Marina Operations he has built and operated a 500 Member Yacht Club known as The Marina Club at Jonathan’s Landing Marina from 1999 – 2009 and a 300 Member Boat Club known as The Boat Fleet Club from 2003 – 2013.
Rebecca Rescigno
Marketing Director
Rebecca Rescigno joined our team in 2020 and brings over 20 years of expertise in sales and marketing within the Marina Industry. With a strong focus on business development, Rebecca has led numerous private marina and club projects throughout her distinguished career. Her recognition stems from her ability to develop and execute strategic marketing campaigns, identify emerging market trends, and leverage CRM systems to achieve sales success.
Rebecca Rescigno's Full Resume
Marc Bellantone
Accounting Systems Director
Marc joined MLM Properties in 2017 as the onsite accountant for Skull Creek Marina. In this role, he manages daily operations and oversees remote accounting functions for our other businesses. Marc’s extensive background and experience are invaluable in analyzing pro-forma statements and financials, contributing significantly to company valuation and financial strategy.
Marc Bellantone's Full Resume
Marc Bellantone,
M.S. Accounting and Finance
Born and raised in New England, Marc and his wife moved to Hilton Head Island, SC in 2012 to enjoy the lowcountry lifestyle, where they could pursue their hobbies and the boating season is year-round.
After running successful real estate finance companies in New Hampshire and Maine, he worked for a property management company handling the finances for 30 condominium associations and several marinas. Responsibilities included daily accounting functions as well as preparing monthly financial statements, annual budgets and working with the association boards to develop long term facility management plans.
Chris Ruhling
Marina & Boatyards Operations Director
Text
Chris Ruhling's Full Resume
Employment History
1989 - 1991 Assistant Manager, Brewer Yacht Yard at Cowesett
1991 - 1992 Assistant Manager, Brewer Yacht Yard at Mystic
1992 - 2005 General Manager and Vice President, Brewer Yacht Yard at Cowesett
2005 - 2016 General Manager and Vice President, Brewer Yacht Yard at Cowesett and
Brewer Greenwich Bay Marinas
Brewer Cowesett is a 250 slip 3 acre site and full service facility. It employs 20+/- full time
employees annually. It incorporates a ship’s store, an onsite pool, 15,000’ of indoor service and
storage, as well as four tenants. The Boatyard services approximately 400 boats annually,
utilizing industry trained technicians.
Brewer Greenwich Bay Marinas consists of three separate full service facilities on a combined
total of 24 acres. The Greenwich Bay properties are comprised of 1100 floating dock wet slips,
a combined 30,000’ of storage and shop space, two restaurants, a Marinemax Dealership, a
Jeanneau Dealership, as well as five additional tenants. Each facility has a pool and fuel dock
on site, while servicing over 1500 boats annually.
During my tenure with the Brewer Yacht Yard group, I was solely responsible for each
company’s development, growth, and successful operation simultaneously.
I have worked directly with engineers, architects, surveyors and insurance companies to erect
buildings, renovate existing buildings, and mitigate insurance claims. I can evaluate properties
for any and all potential growth, increased market share, and develop service offerings based
on each. I developed a separate service team that included full mechanical, paint and refit
capabilities, carpentry, fiberglass fabrication and repair, as well as hauling and launching
services catering to boats 80’+. I have proven success in maintaining market share in a
declining market, and building a strong service team, all while keeping costs down. I have been
successful in increasing profits with labor, materials and outside contractors, as well as reducing
waste and keeping Workers Compensation Claims to a minimum. My core is in fostering honest,
long term relationships with customers, team members, industry partners, regulators, and our
competition.
Advertising/Marketing
● Responsible for Newsprint, direct mailing, Radio/TV Commercial, Boat show Marketing
● Developed marketing plan for five Rhode Island based Brewer Yacht Yard Group
Marinas and Boatyards.
● Assist Brewer Yacht Yard Group advertising committee in developing company branding
and marketing strategy.
● Negotiated rates for various advertising/marketing efforts and/or the development of the
commercials themselves, etc.
● Identified target market for each facility utilizing existing and historical customer base
data for successful growth and ROI.
Environmental Stewardship
● Board member for the Development of the Clean Marina Program for the state of Rhode
Island
● Committee member to rewrite the “Red Book” for the Rhode Island Coastal Resources
Management Council. The Red Book is the regulatory guidelines (“code book”)
document for all marinas and boatyards for the state of Rhode Island.
● Board Member at the request of the Director of the Rhode Island Department of
Environmental Management to assist Cleanbays.org with regaining its business and
successful operation in New England.
● Committee member to develop the shrink wrap recycling program for the state of
Rhode Island
● Committee member of the Greenwich Bay SAMP (special area management plan) for
the Greenwich Bay watershed.
Professional Affiliations
● Developed, fostered and maintained long term honest and trustworthy relationships with
all regulators, industry partners, customers, employees and our competition.
● Board member Rhode Island Marine Trades Association 22 years
● Past President Rhode Island Marine Trades Association 3 years
● Member National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) 28 years
● Member American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) 28 years
● East Greenwich Yacht Club House committee 5 years member 16 years
Regulatory
● Developed State OSHA Alliance program for the Rhode Island Marine Trades
association.
● Maintained compliance for quarterly, biannual, and annual reporting and record keeping
to all agencies: Department of Environmental Management (DEM), Coastal Resources
Management Council (CRMC), Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), EPA, OSHA, local
building and fire departments, etc.
● Procured permits from all necessary agencies to erect buildings, replace existing and/or
maintain docks and/or in water infrastructure, erect wave attenuators etc.
● Negotiated alternative measures in order to achieve success in procuring permits for
various projects.
● Challenged regulation and argued/negotiated thru hurdles to achieve success in
procurement of desired outcome.
Projects
● Full phased replacement of an entire marina 28,000’ of floating docks ranging from
20’-60’ including replacement of all utilities, piling and ramps, project cost $1.8M
● Phased dredging projects for four facility’s, cost 3.6M
● 450’ fixed wave attenuator, cost 2.4M
● 160’ extension of fixed wave fence, cost $400K
● Electric service replacement/upgrade, cost $350K
● Various dock replacements/reconfigurations, fuel dock installation
● Mooring field development
● Additional upon request
Education
Northeastern University
Boston, MA
Business Administration
Maine Maritime Academy
Castine, ME
Yacht Operations and Boatyard Management.
References; Employer, Industry Professionals, Regulators, Customers upon request