From an early age, Paul DeFruscio was inspired by his father’s and grandfather’s careers with the Korman family, developing a deep respect for the company’s reputation for quality, attention to detail, and innovation in multifamily real estate. That early exposure shaped a career driven by a strong work ethic and passion for elevating apartment living through thoughtful design, disciplined operations, and long-term partnerships.
Today, Paul serves as Executive Vice President of Asset Management & Operations at AVE, a Korman company, where he leads asset management, operations, and capital planning for a growing national portfolio of 19 Class A and AA communities across seven markets, with additional communities in various stages of development and lease-up. Over more than two decades with Korman, he has helped launch and grow the AVE brand, delivered new midrise developments in Northern New Jersey and Greater Philadelphia, and expanded the portfolio into markets including White Plains, Tampa, Dallas, Austin, Phoenix, and the East Bay of San Francisco.
Paul partners closely with development, construction, operations, sales, and marketing to create high-quality, flexible-stay and traditional apartments with durable, design-forward finishes and fixtures. He has built a national network of strategic partners and tier-one manufacturers, standardizing products and programs to deliver consistent quality at the best possible pricing while simplifying operations and maintenance across the portfolio.
His leadership philosophy centers on developing strong, accountable teams and empowering regional leaders with clear standards, tools, and support. He is known for being present in the field, coaching leaders directly, and using performance data, resident feedback, and property visits to drive continuous improvement in both resident experience and asset performance.