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OUR

History

Vanguard Real Estate Group was founded in the wake of the Great Recession that began in 2007. In December 2006, the partners believed that the bursting of the housing bubble and the dislocation of the credit markets provided an unprecedented opportunity to create a unique, fully integrated service platform.

Vanguard Real Estate

Our

Expertise

Vanguard Real Estate Group is a high-caliber, entrepreneurial and experienced real estate brokerage and development firm. Our company provides an array of acquisition, entitlement, brokerage, and land development services throughout Southeast Michigan. Since its inception in 2006, Vanguard has successfully initiated the close of real estate transactions valued at over $500 million, including vacant land, multi-family properties, fractured condominium developments, non-performing CRE debt, and single-family residential communities.

Leadership

Vanguard Real Estate

Michael A.

DiNello

Co-Founder & Managing Partner

Vanguard Real Estate

Frank A.

Lalama

Co-Founder & Managing Partner

Vanguard Real Estate

Sabrina

Cusumano

Director of Operations

Vanguard Real Estate

Nicole

Ulewicz

Senior Associate, Vice President of Builder Sales

Vanguard Real Estate

Chris

Rayner

Senior Associate, Vice President of Acquisitions

OUR

CAREERS

Vanguard Real Estate Group pursues excellence within an environment that promotes collaboration, communication, a sense of urgency, innovation, and value creation. We offer a range of fulfilling and challenging careers, and pride ourselves on attracting and retaining the best minds in the industry.

CONTACT US

Michael A.

DiNello

Partner | Chief Operating Officer

Michael DiNello, Founding Partner and Chief Operating Officer of Vanguard Real Estate Group, shapes the firm’s vision while leading its development and brokerage operations. With decades of proven expertise and active brokerage licenses in Michigan, Ohio, and Florida, he has directed nearly $500 million in real estate transactions, spanning vacant land, multifamily assets, fractured condominium developments, non-performing commercial real estate debt, and single-family residential communities.

Michael commands deep expertise in land acquisition, site development, bank-owned property disposition, and complex commercial debt assignments. His strategic leadership and operational discipline are central to Vanguard’s scalable growth and sustained market leadership.

Frank A.

Lalama

Partner | Chief Financial Officer

Frank LaLama, Founding Partner and Chief Financial Officer of Vanguard Real Estate Group, is the strategic architect behind the firm’s financial strength and operational discipline. He oversees finance, investor relations, tax strategy, and fiscal management across Vanguard’s diverse operating entities. Additionally, Frank leads Vanguard’s wholly owned private investment platform, Forefront Capital—driving growth and expanding market presence.

With nearly two decades of comprehensive experience in real estate finance, acquisition, development, and capital markets, Frank combines deep industry expertise, extensive relationships, and precise execution. He maintains strong, long-standing partnerships with regional and national homebuilders operating throughout the Midwest, Florida, and Texas. His leadership is pivotal to Vanguard’s sustained success and evolving position in the market.

Frank holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Corporate Finance from Wayne State University. Beyond his executive responsibilities, he actively contributes to the real estate community through memberships with the Detroit Economic Club, Urban Land Institute, and the National Association of Home Builders. He also supports emerging talent as a sponsor of the Wayne State University Baseball Program.

Sabrina

Cusumano

Director of Operations

Sabrina Cusumano is at the forefront of Vanguard Real Estate Group’s dynamic landscape as our Director of Operations. In her multifaceted role, Ms. Cusumano oversees critical facets of our operations, including agent recruitment, providing expert support for the continuous growth of our Builder Division, and the efficient management of front-office operations, including the adoption of innovative technologies.

Ms. Cusumano also leads the charge in shaping Vanguard’s marketing, communication, and branding strategies across all channels. Her strategic insights and creativity play a pivotal role in enhancing our brand’s presence and influence in the industry.

As a vital member of our Leadership Team, Ms. Cusumano actively contributes to the strategic planning and direction of our organization’s short-term and long-term goals. With over 7 years of corporate marketing experience and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Walsh College, Sabrina brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our team, ensuring that Vanguard Real Estate Group continues to flourish.

Nicole

Ulewicz

Senior Associate, Vice President of Builder Sales

Nicole Ulewicz, an accomplished Associate Broker, has devoted 25 years to assisting individuals in their real estate endeavors, including buying, constructing, and selling properties. Her impressive career spans a full-time commitment as a top-producing agent in Macomb and Oakland County, along with her management of nearly 20 new housing developments, showcasing her expertise in the field of new construction.

Nicole takes pride in her sustained success in the real estate industry, primarily driven by her exceptional ability to swiftly discern clients’ needs and devise customized plans to ensure the best possible outcomes. Under her guidance, the journey to harmonious homeownership becomes a seamless experience. She recognizes that the new construction process demands patience and impeccable organization, given the multitude of decisions to navigate and the inherent uncertainties to address. Nicole is well-prepared to handle the inevitable variables that arise during this process.

With a dedicated mission to create an exceptional customer experience that extends “Beyond The Sale,” Nicole ensures that her clients receive not only top-notch service but also a genuine commitment to their satisfaction.

Chris

Rayner

Senior Associate, Vice President of Acquisitions

Chris Rayner joined the Vanguard Real Estate Group in September 2018 as its Land Acquisition Manager. In 2020, he was promoted to Vice President of Acquisitions. He is responsible for sourcing, analyzing and underwriting acquisition opportunities across Metropolitan Detroit, that fit within the organization’s investment strategy as well as sourcing transactions and managing a large network of real estate contacts. 

During his tenure, Mr. Rayner has successfully closed a series of complex real estate acquisitions including raw land, improved residential lots, commercial redevelopment properties, and fractured condominium projects resulting in more than $50M of investment on behalf of Vanguard Real Estate Group, its affiliated entities, and strategic partners. 

During his career, Chris has worked in all facets of the sales industry including five years as a top producing outside sales agent for one of the nation’s leading real estate sales teams and ten years as a corporate software sales executive.