Susan Guz and her beloved goldendoodle, Zsuzsa, are residents of 444 LOFTS since 2018.  In 2020, Susan became a member of the Executive Board of the 444 N. 4^th Street Condominium Association.

Since being elected to the Board, Susan has enjoyed participating in various projects, including the renovation of the lobby, the exterior painting, the addition of attractive planters, shrubs and flowers on the property, the acquisition of park benches….and the launch of Happy Hour!  In 2022, Susan, along with fellow resident Board member, Michael Briggs, formed a Focus Group comprised of volunteer residents who meet quarterly to chat about various building issues and then make recommendations to the Executive Board for further discussion or implementation.  All of the above projects were accomplished with helpful input from the Focus Group (currently Bill Templin, Margherita Abe, Sheila Mathias, Nancy Frazier, Michael Briggs and Susan).

Briefly, here’s Susan’s background:  She is a pianist and graduated from Rowan University in 1976 with a B.A. degree in Music.  She enjoyed a long, 25-year career at The New York Times in Manhattan on Times Square as the Executive Assistant to the CEO.  Her last employer was socialite-philanthropist Madame Lily Safra, and for almost 10 years, she traveled the world with Madame, managing her ultra-luxury residences, including her art, antique, jewelry and wine collections and her domestic staff.  Susan worked closely with specialist contractors, art and furniture restorers, decorators, fashion designers and auctioneers.  She became a capable Property Manager and draws on this knowledge and experience as a 444 Lofts Board member.

Susan is currently Vice-President and Choir Director of St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral, a 160-year-old historic house of worship located within walking distance of the 444 Lofts Building at 7^th and Brown Streets.  Having attended the Cathedral for more than 60 years gives Susan a unique perspective of the Northern Liberties neighborhood.  She has seen this area gentrify through the decades to become the popular and fashionable neighborhood it is today!

Originally from Iran, Mahyar Entezari grew up in Germany and California. In 2013, he moved to Philadelphia from Austin, Texas, and has lived at 444 Lofts since 2017. He began his career in education in 2004 as a Fulbright Teaching Assistant in Germany. Since then, he earned a Ph.D. and currently teaches Persian at the University of Pennsylvania, where he serves as the Coordinator of the Persian Language Program. Previously, he taught at the University of Texas at Austin and worked with International Studies Abroad as a liaison between American universities and their counterparts in the Arab world.

Mahyar’s volunteer work includes serving as an interpreter, participating in an accessibility task force at a local church, and working with school outreach programs and Meals on Wheels. With over 20 years of experience as a teacher, public speaker, and researcher, he is honored to use his expertise in communication to serve the 444 Lofts community that he calls home. In his free time, Mahyar enjoys hiking, working out, photography, studying (human and programming) languages, and spending time with his cat, Minette.

Jon graduated from Ursinus College with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He originally supervised construction and renovations to various developments; today, with the use of his real estate brokerage licenses in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, he heads the sales and rentals division of Orens Bros. Real Estate, Inc. He is responsible for developing and marketing effective and flexible strategies for both investment and owner-occupied properties. Jon sat on the Board of Directors of the Greater Philadelphia Association of Realtors (for 25 years.) He has received several awards and city council citations for his activity with the Association and currently has a GRI, SRES, CNE and AHWD designation. Since 1995 he has taught entry level real estate courses for aspiring real estate licensees at Temple Real Estate Institute and, as of 2003, mandatory ethics training for the Greater Philadelphia Association of Realtors. He is also a member of the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors Professional Standards Committee that settles disputes and ethical misconduct issues between Realtors and also the general public.

Michael Briggs purchased his unit at 444 LOFTS in 2007.  Following renovations, he rented his loft for several years.  Then in 2015, Mike moved in to become a full-time resident.  He was elected to the 444 N. 4^th Street Condo Association Board in 2019 and again, for a second term, in 2022.

Mike graduated from Rutgers University with a BA in Business Administration and Marketing.  After graduation, he attended the Electrical Technology adult education evening program at Camden County Vocational School.  A long, 30-year successful career in the electrical construction industry followed.  He has been a manufacture’s representative for the past 18 years.

Mike is a dedicated Board member and an enthusiastic participant in the residents’ Focus Group.  He is always eager to get a job underway and completed!  His first project with the Board was the design and installation of the exterior 444 LOFTS illuminated sign.  Mike is passionate about maintaining and making improvements to the 444 LOFTS building.  “It’s a wonderful place to live and enjoy Philadelphia, and I want everyone to feel the same way!”

Mike has two adult sons and loves spending time with them.  He also enjoys reading, traveling and relaxing at the Jersey shore.

Scott graduated from Muhlenberg College with a Bachelor of Science degree. As president of Orens Brothers development and construction companies, Scott is primarily responsible for investigating new developments and acquisitions of typically land or vacated buildings to keep the company growing and evolving. His day to day activities consist of construction management duties for current development projects, oversight of the general contracting division, and creating and cultivating a following of equity partners and investors. Scott is a licensed real estate broker in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He has been in the construction and development fields since the mid 1970’s and has general contracting, master plumbing and master electrician licenses in the City of Philadelphia.