Andy Kushner - President
akushner@spinngroup.com
Andy has 20 years experience in real estate marketing and advertising and has marketed or sold 70 different residential real estate projects, over 3,000 units of housing throughout New England. Additionally, Andy has sold over $80 million in land tracts and commercial property since founding Spinnaker Group, Inc.
Prior to forming Spinnaker Group, Andy was Managing Partner at Carlson Communications, a real estate marketing firm based in Northboro, MA. At Carlson Communications, Andy specialized in developing and implementing strategic marketing programs for clients throughout New England. He also worked closely with several large developers in the location and analysis of new property acquisitions.
In the late 80's, Andy worked in the commercial real estate brokerage business, based in Boston. He specialized in the marketing of REO and distressed property located in the Southwest United States and was responsible for the sale of large apartment complexes and condo projects.
Before moving into the real estate marketing, Andy was employed by two of Massachusetts' largest advertising agencies where he designed and built marketing communications programs for Fortune 500 clients including AT&T, American Express, Polaroid, Miller Brewing Company, Sony, Nikon, National Car Rental and Continental Airlines. These marketing programs included extensive direct mail and print advertising, telemarketing system design, and the development and building of marketing databases. Andy earned a Bachelors Degree in Marketing from Providence College and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Clarkson University.
Kathy has a diverse background with over 15 years experience in residential home construction, sales/marketing and human resources and holds a Rhode Island real estate salesperson license. She joined Spinnaker Group in August, 2002.
Prior to coming to Spinnaker, Kathy worked at Pulte Home Corporation, NE Division as Sales Administrator & Closing Coordinator. She gained experience in purchase & sales administration, coordinated all closings for multiple communities in RI and CT, provided full administrative support to field sales managers and construction managers, conducted market research for feasibility studies and served as a customer service liaison to homeowners.
Kathy is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island with a BA Degree in Sociology & Communications. She also holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Troy State University, as well as a Certificate in Human Resource Management from Bryant College.

Carol Knapp - Broker Associate, Land Specialist
carolknapp@spinngroup.com
Cell: 508-527-5274
Carol has over 29 years of full time real estate experience allowing her the benefit of knowledge, skill, expertise, and savvy to evaluate and sell property. Her background in real estate management, recruiting and sales, offers a self disciplined, goal oriented professional who works closely with landowners, builders, and developers to seek land availability for purchase, development, and new construction sales. Her goal is to have her client's property sold in a time frame that meets their needs at a sales price at or above fair market value.
Carol is a member of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board, Massachusetts Association of Realtors, and the National Association of Realtors; has achieved numerous sales awards, enjoys hiking, snowshoeing, and wine tasting.
Steve Bloom - Sales Associate
Steve has over 40 years of diversified experience in commercial real estate sales, business brokerage, small business ownership and a very strong background in financial management. Steve earned a Bachelors Degree in Accounting & Finance from Bentley College.
In 2006, Steve moved to Westerly, RI from Massachusetts where he had been very successful with Re/Max Landmark Commercial Division earning several Presidential awards. Steve demonstrated success in all facets of commercial real estate. His knowledge of the market, personal integrity, professionalism and hard work combined with excellent communication and negotiation skills earned him the respect of buyers, sellers, bankers and lawyers and the commercial real estate community.
In 2007, Steve joined with Real Estate Equities, Inc. owned by Sandy Bilsky which was subsequently merged into Spinnaker Group, Inc. in 2008. Steve's understanding of the Rhode Island business climate has enabled buyers and sellers to resolve issues quickly and move forward to beneficial closings.
Tony Grello - Broker Associate
spinsouth@tpsc.necoxmail.com
Tony is licensed in RI and brings 30 years of new home sales experience to Spinnaker Group. He has a wealth of knowledge of the construction industry and provides a level of expertise for new home buyers. He has successfully managed 20 new home sale sites for Spinnaker Group.
Tony has taught school and coached sports for 20 years and has twice been Rhode Island's Coach of the Year.
Tom Zahar - Broker Associate
Great Woods, Cumberland, RI, Mattapoisett Cove, Mattapoisett, MA
tzahar@spinngroup.com
Tom has been a licensed Real Estate Broker since 1985 and has been a consistent top producer with over 600 homes sold. Previously, he was a Sales Manager for 8 years with Modern Continental.
Tom joined the Spinnaker Group Sales team in 2004 and recently sold out our Steeplechase Preserve community in Raynham. Tom resides in Lakeville with his wife and is actively involved in his Church, charity, food and Evangelical Missions.
Fran Silva - Broker Associate
fsilva@spinngroup.com
Fran is an accomplished and results driven Entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in new home sales. She has successfully sold hundreds of single family homes and condominiums throughout Massachusetts & RhodeIsland. Her new home projects have ranged from small to very large new construction developments and condominium conversions. Fran is skilled in customer relation building and believes strongly in getting to know unique needs and expectations of customers in order to maximize sales.
(508) 208-9371
Alex Murshteyn - Commercial Sales Associate
amurshteyn@spinngroup.com
Aleksander M. Murshteyn brings nearly 10 years of diverse real estate experience to Spinnaker Group, including brokerage, marketing and asset management. Most recently he advised Greater Boston area landlords with property management and brokerage matters. Prior to that, at Boston Capital, he managed a 16-state portfolio that included both residential and commercial properties.
Alex joined Spinnaker Group Commercial in 2010 in order to continue the brokerage work that began his career in Boston, and to expand his reach beyond his home town. Alex earned his BA in Social Thought and Political Economy, with Commonwealth College honors, at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, along with the Five-College International Relations Certificates.
Christine Kane - Sales Associate
cdk2003@cox.net
Christine Kane is A.B.R. & S.R.E.S. certified. Kent Washington Board of Realtors Circle of Excellence 2003,2004,2005 & 2006. RE/MAX 100% Club. Licensed in RI & CT. Prior to joining Spinnaker Group, Inc. in September 2007, Christine was a principal partner in the Tri-State Group with RE/MAX and The Kane-Pelletier Team of Coldwell Banker.
Currently, Christine represents our new home sales community. Additionally, she works with existing home sales, land and commercial sales. Christine has over 20 years of sales experience in addition to owning her own restaurant in Tampa FL. She has a BA in Clinical Psychology from the University of Rhode Island.
Karen Martin - Sales Associate - Due Diligence
kmartin@spinngroup.com
Karen J. Martin joins Spinnaker Group as a sales agent with 15 years of nationwide retail, industrial, commercial, and agricultural real estate consulting experience. Her advanced degrees in Urban Planning have allowed her to assist clients in determining highest and best use for properties from small commercial and residential to large scale agricultue and mining. In addition to working on a pipeline of retail and industrial projects, Karen has provided consulting services for large public agencies including towns and utility companies.
Ellen Krafchick - Accounting
Ellen has over 15 years of varied experience in accounting and finance. Prior to joining Spinnaker Group in 1996, Ellen worked for New England Mutual Life Insurance Company as a Supervisor-Senior Accountant for the Securities Accounting Department of the Controllers Division.
Ellen earned her Bachelors Degree in Communication Disorders with a minor in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She has also completed classes towards a Master in Business Administration at Babson College and has completed all the required classes to become a State Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser at Stonehill College.
Felice Katz - Graphic Design and Production Artist
Felice has been a graphic artist for the past 20 years. Her expertise lies in producing highly effective, yet cost efficient design work. She is fully Mac literate and provides us with the ability to stay on the technological cutting edge. She has worked with a variety of real estate related clients producing newspaper advertising, billboard designs, newsletters, direct mail, and brochures.
Felice brings a strong advertising and marketing background to the Spinnaker Group. Before entering the graphics world, Felice was the Advertising Manager for Frye Boots. She has worked in large Boston ad agencies and is able to bring a strategic focus to her creative work.