On this week of Long Island Legends, we are welcoming Eliot Lonardo!

Eliot R. Lonardo is a lifelong resident of the Town of Huntington and a proud 1996 graduate of Walt Whitman High School in South Huntington. He went on to earn a degree in Criminal Justice from LIU’s C.W. Post campus. A first-generation Italian American on his father’s side, Eliot comes from a family of entrepreneurs—his father worked in construction, and his mother is in the electronics industry. He credits his mother with instilling in him a strong work ethic, a clear moral compass, and a deep commitment to community service.

After graduating college, Eliot earned his real estate license in 2004 and began working full-time in 2005. In 2018, he joined the Huntington office of Signature Premier Properties. By 2024, Eliot had become the top-producing agent in his office and was ranked #9 company-wide out of nearly 1,800 agents.

Eliot is also a respected leader within the real estate community. In 2018, he served as Chairman of the Long Island Board of Realtors’ Fair Housing & Cultural Diversity Committee and has held leadership positions at both local and state levels.

His dedication to education is evident in his role as a trustee on the South Huntington Educational Foundation (SHEF). In 2019, he was honored by SHEF at its 2nd Annual Gala for his contributions to the school district. He also serves on the Walt Whitman Alumni Association, which recently helped celebrate the district’s 100th anniversary. In 2023, Eliot was inducted into the South Huntington Hall of Fame.

In local government, Eliot was appointed to the Town of Huntington’s Board of Assessment in 2018, elected Chairman in 2021, and continues to serve in that role through 2025. He also serves on the town’s Affordable Housing Advisory Board, helping address Long Island’s housing affordability challenges.

Eliot remains deeply involved in community service, supporting organizations such as TRI CYA (where he was honored in 2023), the Townwide Fund, Girl Scouts, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, South Huntington PTAs, and the Huntington Manor Fire Department.

On this week's episode of the Long Island Legends podcast, we are welcoming Matt Norman!

Matt is a part of Team Norman. He is an Online Bodybuilding and Fitness Coaching at Mitropoulos Coaching helping athletes and lifestyle clients of all levels build the body and confidence they’ve always wanted without sacrificing their busy lifestyle. Whether you’re looking to become a pro bodybuilder, level up your physique, get leaner, or just get healthy, he will tailor your program to meet your specific needs.

On this week of the Long Island Legends Podcast we are welcoming Mike Steinberg!

Michael Steinberg is the CEO of Hedgestone Business Advisors, one of the fastest-growing business brokerage firms in the country. Raised in a working-class family in New York, Michael developed a strong sense of grit and resilience early on—qualities that have defined his entrepreneurial journey. His career began with humble roots, from working in a pizzeria where he navigated the world of small business operations before transitioning into business advising, where he quickly found his calling.

Today, Michael leads Hedgestone with a sharp focus on client advocacy, strategic deal-making, and long-term value creation. Boasting a team of over 150 advisors and over 700 businesses sold. His ability to relate to business owners from all walks of life—because he’s been one—makes him a trusted business broker during the most pivotal moments of their lives. With a combination of street smarts, vision, and relentless execution, Michael has built a national platform that empowers entrepreneurs to exit on their terms and unlock their next chapter.

On this week of the Long Island Legends Podcast, we are welcoming Nick Orlando!

Nick is the owner of Gold’s Gym in East Northport and is a licensed associate real estate broker with Compass. His family has owned and operated the Gold’s Gym for over 35 years, and it is recognized as the very first Gold’s Gym in New York.

With a lifelong connection to the fitness industry and over 13 years of experience in real estate, Nick brings a unique blend of entrepreneurial drive and personal discipline to everything he does. A firm believer in prioritizing self-care, Nick credits his commitment to health and wellness as the foundation that fuels his success across multiple industries.
Listen to this episode to learn more about him and his journey as a business owner.

Meet this week's Long Island Legends guest, Greg Helbeck!

Greg Helbeck is a real estate entrepreneur and the founder of Velocity House Buyers, a 7-figure investment company operating with a small, efficient team of four. Since 2015, Greg has flipped and wholesaled over 350 deals across New York, Delaware, and Seattle, establishing himself as one of the top investors in the Hudson Valley region.

Originally from Orange County, NY, Greg began his real estate career at age 20 after pursuing his early ambitions of playing in the NHL. He now resides in Seattle, where he continues to grow his portfolio and expand into new markets. Outside of real estate, Greg enjoys traveling, playing golf and pickleball, and exploring unique destinations.

On this week of the Long Island Legends Podcast, we are welcoming Christopher Ferrari!

Based on Long Island, New York, Christopher is a seasoned direct private money lender and residential mortgage broker with a strong focus on delivering fast, flexible financing solutions.

He specializes in helping real estate investors, homebuyers, and property owners secure the funding they need — whether for purchases, refinances, or investment opportunities. With a client-first approach, deep market knowledge, and a network of trusted resources, he is committed to making the lending process efficient, transparent, and tailored to each unique scenario.

Listen to this episode to learn more about him and his journey as a private lender.

On this week of the Long Island Legends Podcast we are welcoming Joseph Buquicchio!

Joseph Buquicchio is a Mortgage Loan Officer with CrossCountry Mortgage, serving clients throughout New York and several neighboring states. Known for his straightforward approach and deep industry knowledge, Joseph takes pride in helping people navigate one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives—buying a home.

Whether it’s a first-time buyer or a seasoned investor, Joe focuses on making the process clear, stress-free, and tailored to each client’s goals. His clients consistently mention how responsive, patient, and genuinely helpful he is throughout the entire loan journey. With access to a wide range of mortgage products and a true passion for customer service, Joseph has built his business on trust and results.

Listen to this episode to learn more about him and his journey as a loan officer.

On this week of the Long Island Legends Podcast we are welcoming Zach Scher!

Zachary Scher, Lead of Team Scher at Signature Premier Properties in East Setauket – the #1 Overall Team for the past 5 years – brings a mix of industry expertise, enthusiasm, and a deep commitment to client service. A top 1% agent nationwide (Realtrends), Zach is known for fast, top-dollar sales and has led his team to over 1,200 homes sold since 2017.

Before real estate, Zach launched several businesses, consulted in marketing and branding, and taught at multiple universities. His 25-agent team shares his client-first mindset, and their success is driven by strong repeat and referral business.

Zach’s marketing approach includes professional photography, virtual tours, expert staging, and broad digital and print exposure. Outside of work, he enjoys family time, traveling, football, and giving back through various professional and philanthropic roles.

Listen to the episode to learn more about him and his journey in real estate.