Philip Wachtler
Co-Founder and Principal
Since founding Wachtler Knopf Equities LLC in 2005, Philip Wachtler has assumed an active and influential role in Long Island’s real estate community. Wachtler is a board member of the Long Island Real Estate Group, the Association for a Better Long Island, and the Institute of Real Estate at Hofstra University. He also graduated from the Energeia Partnership – The Academy for Regional Stewardship at Molloy College. Prior to establishing WKE, Wachtler served as Director of Leasing and Development for the Tilles Investment Company, overseeing 2.1 million square feet of commercial space.
He also was a senior vice president at CLK/Houlihan Parnes, overseeing the same portfolio. In 2002, Long Island Business News recognized him as one of the 40 most influential business people under the age of 40. Wachtler is a graduate of Skidmore College and the Gemological Institute of America in New York. He was a gemologist for Walker Jewelry Co. in Manhattan before joining Sterling/Carl Marks Capital Inc., a small business investment company. A former member of the North Hempstead Town Board and the Village of Sands Point Zoning Board of Appeals, Wachtler currently serves on the board of directors of the Tilles Center for the Arts and is an associate trustee of the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System. Wachtler also is active in the licensing of Little League Baseball products internationally with SloaneVision in New York.
Daniel Knopf
Co-Founder and Principal
Daniel Knopf has been a leading commercial real estate broker with a major firm in New York City for more than a decade. He has represented many of New York City’s most prestigious landlords and tenants. Knopf shared in the 2005 “Most Ingenious Deal of the Year” award presented annually by the Association for a Better Long Island. He is a trustee of the Development School for Youth.
Sandy Cohen
Vice President of Management
Sandy Cohen joined Farmingdale-based Wachtler Knopf Equities in 2008. He manages all of WKE's capital and tenant improvement projects as well as oversees the operation of the firm's Long Island portfolio. Cohen previously worked for Sterling Equities, where he assisted in the management of Sterling's Long Island commercial assets. Prior to that, he was a property manager with Blumenfeld Development Group, where he managed more than 1 million square feet of commercial/retail space in New York and New Jersey. Cohen has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Media Studies with a minor in business from Queens College.
MaryAnn Kawecki-Rutledge
Real Estate Manager
MaryAnn Kawecki-Rutledge joined Wachtler Knopf Equities in 2007. She is responsible for the lease and financial administration of the company’s portfolio of office and industrial properties. Prior to joining WKE, Kawecki-Rutledge was a lease administrator at American Home Mortgage, overseeing more than 500 leases. Previously, she worked for national real estate firms managing Class-A commercial properties, including EAB Plaza (now RexCorp Plaza) in Uniondale, NY. Kawecki-Rutledge has a degree in business management from St. John’s University.