Owner

Eugene P. O’Connell, a practicing lawyer since 1973, specializes in the real estate development of commercial and residential properties, municipal law, tax abatement, and zoning.

Eugene joined Cara Squared in 2010 and has developed over 1,200 affordable housing units in New Jersey, including the Ocean Green Senior Apartments, a 44 unit building housing senior citizens and clients with special needs.

A graduate of Saint Peter’s College and Seton Hall University School of Law, Eugene has served as the Law Director for the City of Hoboken, the Assistant Corporate Counsel for the City of Jersey City, and the Assistant Prosecutor for the County of Hudson.

Owner

Max Benjamin has developed over 1,200 housing units for low- and moderate-income families, Seniors, and special needs populations. He has successfully acquired and implemented $100 million in public and private financing across 38 development projects.

Mr. Benjamin excels in collaborating with non-profit service providers and government entities to create community-integrated Supportive Housing. His skills encompass the preparation of development budgets, crafting operating pro-forma projections, and navigating various public and private financial resources while meeting lender underwriting and due diligence requirements.

He holds an MS in Urban Environmental Planning Systems from Pratt Institute and a BA in Political Science from Colgate University.

Owner

Richard Greenspan is an accomplished construction professional with extensive experience in the execution of real estate development projects. With a notable track record of delivering projects on time and within budget, he brings strong leadership, relationship-building, and conflict-resolution skills to the table.

His recent projects include Comunilife’s El Rio, a 65-unit multifamily affordable and supportive housing project in the Bronx, Ocean Green Senior Apartments, a 44-unit senior residential building, and a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit building in Jersey City.

Project Manager

Odra Rodas brings over two decades of development experience, and is skilled at serving as a liaison between developers, the construction team, and municipal, state, and federal agencies.

She has effectively served in a variety of roles, including legal secretary, administrator, construction phase assistant, post-construction support, marketing coordinator, supportive housing coordinator, and asset management assistant.

She holds a BA in Sociology from Rutgers University.

Marketing and Media Relations Director

Melida Rodas is an award winning artist and writer recognized by the City of Jersey City, The State of New Jersey, and Hudson County.

Fluent in Spanish and English, Melida’s areas of expertise include: web and digital media management; real estate photography; interior design; promotional campaign execution; event management; administrative support for real estate development; and affirmative fair housing marketing.

She was appointed Poet Laureate of Jersey City in 2024.

Associate

Sarah Allen-Cheng recently joined Cara Squared, where she has assisted in the preparation of both Federal and State grant applications to secure critical funding for developments. In addition to her work on grants, Sarah is actively involved in the digital marketing efforts for the various units that Cara Squared builds. Her creative approach to marketing helps to elevate the visibility of these projects.

Sarah graduated from McGill University, where she majored in Sociology. This academic background has provided her with a strong understanding of social dynamics and community needs, which she leverages in her current role to promote the organization’s mission.