CRG - Key Persons


Alan Schechtman

Job Titles:
  • Transportation Assets Advisement

Barbara Levi

Job Titles:
  • OFFICE MANAGER
With a background in Sales Administration, Accounting and IT management, Barbara joined CRG in 2006. She has been uniquely helpful to the development and operation of almost every office-related aspect of the company. Barbara's focus on sales administration expands to include proposals, contract reviews and case studies. She also oversees IT including maintaining the integrity of the new CRM system.

Bill Firestone - President

Job Titles:
  • President

Edward Michaels

Job Titles:
  • LENDING SOLUTIONS
  • Structured Financial Solutions
Ed is the President of Toria Truck Rental & Leasing, Inc., a full-service auto and truck leasing company that he founded in 1999. He brings his expertise to the CRG team where he joined in 2012 to oversee the appraisal and disposition of all makes and models of rolling stock in order to maximize liquidity. Ed also applies his skills to the evaluation of asset-backed loans to maximize return for the lenders in the event of a default. He is on the Board of Directors of Motor Transport of Connecticut and an active member of Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Gary Katz - EVP

Job Titles:
  • EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

Ismael Pinho - CFO

Job Titles:
  • CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Ish joined the team in 2015 and has over 30 years of finance and accounting experience. He has served as Chief Financial Officer at several companies in the telecommunications, retail and heavy equipment industries. He has been involved in the start-up of various companies and has worked mainly for small privately held companies. He is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Ken Katz

Job Titles:
  • Vice President of Valuations

Marion Illouz - CMO

Job Titles:
  • Marketing Director

Samuel Curry

Job Titles:
  • Director Business Development
  • BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Sam comes from a diverse professional background that combines customer service with account management, copywriting, and data analysis. He worked multiple jobs while studying at UConn, including a part time position as client manager and marketing copywriter for a top producing CT real estate agent, as well as a content creator for an online research publication. After graduation, he worked as an Engineering Recruiter for companies like United Technologies, where he successfully hired engineers to work on NASA projects. He then opted to move into a full-time role in residential real estate, where he continued to gain knowledge and experience through client management, copywriting and residential market research. Sam joined CRG to expand his horizons and challenge himself further through the complex nature of CRG's business. The variety of cases, the caliber of execution, and the day-to-day variety and excitement drew him in and continues to drive him forward today. Sam acts as a data analyst for ongoing operations and researcher for new business development, using his background in real estate and data analysis as a basis. He also works with clients on the front end to develop relationships and gain understanding of their needs prior to a purchase or partnership. He enjoys his work as much as his hobbies, which include music production, mountain biking, boxing, and live concerts.