About
Ruben J. Menashe, Inc. has been active in Portland real estate development and construction for more than 60 years. Since its inception in 1962, the Ruben J. Menashe, Inc. name has been synonymous with quality and integrity. Through the years, attention to detail and concern for a quality product has produced hundreds of satisfied Ruben J. Menashe, Inc. customers. Ruben J. Menashe, Inc. is a solid company with experience and reputation earned through years of commitment to residential construction.
PRINCIPALS
Jack R. Menashe
President
JACK R. MENASHE was born and raised in Portland, where he attended Parkrose High School. After graduation from Parkrose, he moved to Claremont, California where he received a B.A. in Economics from Pomona College.
After college, Jack was hired by the Robert Randall Company (now the Randall Group) a Portland-based real estate development firm. Jack was immediately transferred back to Southern California where he gained valuable experience as a property manager for some of the company’s larger properties.
However, Jack wanted to return to Portland. During his management of a 448-unit property in Lancaster, California, Ruben asked if Jack would like to be a part of the development of a new apartment community. That was the impetus Jack needed, and soon he and Ruben were working closely on many new single-family, multi-family and commercial developments in the Portland area.
With more than 35 years of experience in the real estate development business, Jack is the company’s President, overseeing the Corporation’s daily operations; including development, construction and property management activities.
Ruben J. Menashe (1932-2022)
Founder
RUBEN J. MENASHE was born and raised in Portland. He attended Grant High School and Willamette University where he graduated with a B. A. degree in Economics. Ruben was active in student affairs and sports at both schools. At Grant, he was not only the Student Body President, but also played football on two State Championship teams and earned All City and All State awards. Ruben was also Student Body President at Willamette and earned All Conference honors while playing football, as well as a number of other honors and awards.
Upon graduating from Willamette University, Ruben served in the U.S. Air Force as an Intelligence Officer. After returning to the United States from a tour in Japan, Ruben and a close college friend formed a construction company in Gilroy, California. It was a very profitable and educational 2½ years, but Ruben missed Portland, his family, friends, the greenery and the rain. He returned in 1962 to start his own development company in Portland: Ruben J. Menashe, Inc. Over the years, the Corporation has earned a reputation for building quality residential communities and has been continuously active in single family, multi-family, land and investment property development for over 60 years.
While sadly, Ruben passed away In November of 2022. His strong leadership by example remains a touchstone for the company.
ADDITIONAL TEAM MEMBERS
Amy Reed – Portfolio Manager
Amy is a native Oregonian who has been in residential property management since 2007. She started as a leasing consultant at a 332-unit community in Corvallis, Oregon. After two years, Amy changed companies and was quickly promoted to Property Manager where she managed senior living, conventional living, student living, and lease-up of sites from 80 to 417 units, and teams of up to 15 people. In her personal life, Amy has a large family with a zoo of pets and her own side business selling her handmade candles and crafts. She rarely has a moment of quiet to herself; but at times prefers it this way! If she’s not busy crafting, at work, or with her family; you will find her on the beach.
Amy joined the Ruben J. Menashe, Inc team in September 2021, and has finally found what she feels is her permanent work family.
Melissa Marino – Office Manager
Melissa was born and raised in Wyoming. She obtained her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Accounting from Colorado Technical University. After graduation, she was employed by a large CPA firm where she gained experience in the tax and audit department and as a Staff Accountant. During the great recession she had time to add an MBA to her impressive list of degrees. In 2013, she moved to Vancouver Washington and in 2016 she joined our “sister” company, Surface. In 2022 she moved over to Ruben J. Menashe, Inc. to act as the new Office Manager.
In her spare time, Melissa likes to go bicycle riding, hiking, cross stitch and hang out with her dog.
Christopher Sochia — New Construction Customer Service and Property Maintenance
Chris was born in Newark, New York (40 miles East of Rochester, NY) and moved to Oklahoma after High School at the age of 19 to work first as a deckhand in the oil fields with his brother, and later worked as a pipeline worker. He also worked nightshift for the Enid News. Chris relocated to Portland in 1988 and was hired by Ruben J. Menashe Inc. that same year.
Chris’s almost 30 years of experience with the company makes him a Jack of all-trades, and important part of the operation.
Vera Foss — Office Manager (Emeritus)
Vera Foss was born in North Dakota, and moved to Washington to attend Walla Walla College. After two years, she moved to Portland where she worked as a secretary for eight years before moving to Alaska. Fourteen years later, she returned to Portland, and was the office manager for Ruben J. Menashe, Inc. from 1988 to 2022.
Vera is an integral component to the smooth daily operations of Ruben J. Menashe, Inc.