Boston-based commercial real estate firm Richards Barry Joyce & Partners LLC (RBJ) recently promoted five brokers to senior vice president. The new VPs are Thomas Ashe, Ron Friedman, Paul Leone, James Lipscomb and Jay Nugent. 

"This is an extraordinary group of brokers and we are pleased to recognize each of them for their hard work, client focus and teamwork orientation," said Robert Richards, president, RBJ. "They work diligently each day to provide their clients with the best real estate counsel and market knowledge available in Greater Boston." 

Tom Ashe is on RBJ’s Downtown Boston leasing group. He joined RBJ in 2002 following a career in professional hockey and a year in technology consulting sales. 

Ron Friedman joined RBJ in 2001 and works on the firm’s suburban leasing group. Prior to joining RBJ, Friedman worked at MicroStrategy Inc., managing the New England region’s strategic partnerships for the company. 

Paul Leone is on RBJ’s suburban leasing group and has been with RBJ since 2004.  Previously he was a vice president at Trammell Crow Co. During his career, Leone has been recognized twice by CoStar as a "Top Power Broker" in Boston and received a "Platinum Level" distinction from the Commercial Brokers Association. 

James Lipscomb has been with RBJ since 2003, on the firm’s suburban leasing group.  Prior to joining RBJ, Lipscomb was with CB Richard Ellis/Whittier Partners and served four years as a combat engineer officer in the Army, stationed in Germany and Korea. He has been recognized by CoStar as a "Top Power Broker" in Boston and is a member of the Commercial Brokerage Association and the Greater Boston Real Estate Board.

Jay Nugent is on RBJ’s suburban leasing group. Prior to joining RBJ in 2007, he was with Jones Lang LaSalle and the Grubb & Ellis Co. He has been recognized as one of CoStar’s "Top Power Brokers" in Boston.