At Y-Centers, our team is the driving force behind our success. With decades of combined experience in commercial real estate, we bring expertise, passion, and a shared commitment to transforming properties and creating value. Each member of our team plays a vital role in our mission to acquire, renovate, and manage shopping centers that benefit businesses and communities alike.
Meet the people behind Y-Centers—your trusted partners in commercial real estate.
Ariel served in the IDF special forces from 2005-2008. After the army Ariel started his journey in residential and multifamily . By 2016 Ariel saw the opportunity to grow in commercial real estate, purchased a distressed shopping center and turned it around. Since then Ariel has been purchasing, renovating, renting and managing commercial real estate.
Today Ariel oversees the entire operation including management, acquisitions, renovations, financing and day to day operations.
Ariel’s goal is to continue growing the portfolio while managing Y-Centers Group of companies.
Lipaz has served in the IDF from 2001-2003. Lipaz has worked in real estate management and has over 20 years of experience in the field. Lipaz joined Y-Centers as the head of management and operations in 2010 and has since managed the entire operation with her team.
Today Lipaz is the head of the management team and is responsible for tenant management, renovations and finance reporting.
Ron has served in the IDF special forces from 2016-2023. Ron served as an officer in the IDF and lead many soldiers under his command.
Ron joined the team as the young leasing intern and is now the head of the leasing department. Since then Ron has successfully leased units both for corporate and local tenants.
Today Ron is the head leasing manager in the office and is responsible for leasing, advertising, tenant relations and new tenant orientation.
Elyse earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and International Business in 2024. She then joined THE YISRAELIAN GROUP as an assistant manager. Today, she leads the company's management department, overseeing hundreds of tenants and shopping centers.
Brooke Thompson, is the Head of Collections at Y-Centers, based in Daytona Beach. In her role, she oversees all aspects of collections and account management, ensuring smooth financial operations across the company’s portfolio. Known for her sharp attention to detail and problem-solving skills, Brooke plays a central role in maintaining strong client relationships while driving efficiency in Y-Centers’ business processes.
Passionate about leadership and professional growth, Brooke combines a disciplined, results-driven approach with an ability to foster collaboration across teams. Her work supports Y-Centers’ broader mission of building thriving commercial spaces, and she continues to develop innovative practices that strengthen both the company and the communities it serves.
Gretchen joined Y-Centers as an Administrative Assistant in September 2025.
A lifelong resident of the Daytona Beach area, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Supervision and Management from Daytona State College in 2017.
Driven by a commitment to continuous improvement and a passion for supporting others, Gretchen consistently looks for ways to streamline processes and enhance team efficiency. Before joining Y-Centers, she excelled in leadership roles at Macy’s and Buc-ee’s, where she built a reputation as a results-driven and motivating team leader.
Gretchen brings strong organizational skills, creativity, and boundless energy to her role. Outside of work, she enjoys Bible studies and spending time at the beach with her fiancé.
Alexis holds a degree in Industrial Engineering and leads Y-Centers’ Utility Department with a strong technical and operational foundation. He brings extensive experience navigating permit expediting processes across multiple municipalities, including the City of Miami, Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami Gardens, Miami-Dade County, and Jacksonville.
He is also a certified Private Provider, offering alternative plan review and inspection services that streamline permitting by operating independently of city departments.
In addition to his professional work, Alexis owns an investment property and enjoys seeking out new experiences that broaden his perspective and skill set.
Ariel served as an officer in an elite IDF unit from 2011 to 2021. Following his military service, he began his career in the U.S. real estate industry, successfully overseeing numerous residential and commercial transactions. Today, as Head of Projects Department at Y-Centers, Ariel leads the company’s projects, bringing strategic insight, discipline, and hands-on experience to every new development initiative.
Maurice has worked in the field of construction for over 30 years both in residential and commercial projects. Today Maurice is the head of the construction team and is responsible for construction coordination and completions. Maurice overseeing 25 of the company construction employees and over 100 contractors that are working with the company. Maurice has successfully completed many projects over the years and gained the highest level of experience in the field of construction.
Asaf is a marketing executive and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in customer acquisition, product marketing, branding, and campaign management. He has built and managed marketing, product, and design teams, consistently meeting business objectives.
Asaf has managed large-scale international campaigns, significantly improving revenues and brand recognition. His approach combines thorough market research, compelling narratives, data-driven decisions, clear communication and understanding customer psychology to deliver impactful results.
Meir served in the Israeli Special Forces from 2018 to 2023. Since then, he has focused on commercial leasing and joined the Y-Centers team in 2024.
Meir has experience conducting market outreach, qualifying prospects, coordinating tours, and managing the leasing process from first contact to signed agreement. He works closely with tenants to understand their operational needs and helps match them with the right spaces to ensure long-term success.
Shay served in the IDF as a combat warrior from 2012-2015. After discharging in honors from the army, Shay got his law degree from the university of Management in Rishon Lesion, Israel. After getting his law degree, Shay joined The Y-Centers as a project manager and coordinator. He has since then joined the Acquisitions Department and helps underwriting deals for the company and seeking new deals to grow our company's portfolio of real estate properties.
Octavia originally joined the team as an executive assistant. Through hard work and persistence, she has become the leading office manager, coordinating operations at our Daytona Beach office.
Jonathan has served in the IDF from 2020-2023. Jonathan joined the team as a young intern learning the trades of the business.
Jonathan is professionalizing in real estate financing and is assisting with the financial aspect of the operation. Professionalizing in new acquisitions, refinancing and underwriting.
In the future Jonathan is planning to take over more responsibilities in operations such as team management and construction management.
Our employees are the backbone of our operation, bringing decades of expertise in the construction field — some with over 40 years of experience. Many have been with YISRAELIAN MANAGEMENT LLC for over a decade, helping build the company block by block. Over the years, we have employed over 100 individuals, providing equal opportunities to those eager to grow and build a career. We honor the dedication, knowledge, and trust of our team, whose hard work has made our success possible.
Looking for the perfect space for your business? At Y-Centers, we prioritize our tenants by offering well-maintained shopping centers in prime locations. Whether you’re searching for a new retail space, need assistance with leasing, or want to explore our properties, our team is here to support you every step of the way.
