Ari Abramson is a native Baltimorean who grew up in Pikesville and graduated from Pikesville High School.

He left his hometown to attend Muhlenberg College, then returned to Baltimore for a job after college at Legg Mason. Today, this investment professional, active member of The Associated’s Real Estate Industry Group (REIG) and father of two lives in Homeland with his wife, Sarah Manekin, and two young children, Eleanor, 5, and Henry, 3.

How did you get involved with The Associated? Growing up in Baltimore I always felt connected to The Associated and Jewish Baltimore. I took a high school trip to Israel with The Associated, then as a young professional, participated in Tel Aviv One, a young professional mission to Israel. I also graduated from the Associated Young Leadership Council program and now sit on the Board of the Real Estate Industry Group (REIG) and The Associated’s Real Estate Committee.

Tell me about REIG. I appreciate being active in The Associated’s REIG as it allows me to better understand and tour new local development projects.

At the same time, I enjoy the networking opportunities within this community. Last year, REIG held their annual event at Brown’s Wharf, a mixed used project in Fells Point, a project that I helped acquire. At this event we had an organized panel discussion that I participated on to celebrate the past, present and future of the neighborhood. Overall, I’ve made many professional contacts and personal friends through REIG and The Associated.

Such as? I got to know J.M. Shapiro, CEO of Continental Realty, the year he chaired The Associated’s Men’s Night Out event. I remember we spoke and then stayed in touch. Today, I work for the company as the vice president of acquisitions.

What’s the most interesting project in Baltimore today? I think the rise of Harbor East, Harbor Point and Fells Point are fascinating to watch and be a part of. These waterfront locations are certainly irreplaceable properties in Baltimore City and centrally located within an area that has been the recipient of a dramatic shift of energy over the past several years.

What’s great about Jewish Baltimore? I went to Hebrew school, had my bar mitzvah, was married and had my son’s bris at Chizuk Amuno Congregation. Now my daughter attends Krieger Schechter Day School there. It’s special to drop her off at the same place I went to.

Best advice? During college, I had interned at the White House in D.C. and for a Wall Street firm in New York and I thought I would end up in one of those cities. I then interviewed for a job in Baltimore and my father told me to take it. By the way, he also told me to go out with Sarah, who became my wife. So, the best advice I’ve had – I guess you could say – is I always should take my father’s advice.