Ryan Acone, managing partner at EVO Real Estate Group, gained invaluable sales experience in his previous career as a logistics broker, working in an industry he describes as extremely demanding and cutthroat. “It was a tremendous experience to start my career,” he says. “I not only learned critical sales techniques, but also how to run my own book of business.”

After investing in a project with a friend, Acone became hooked and decided to pursue a career in real estate. Diving in full time, he founded ROCK Development, spearheading acquisitions, marketing and sales for the firm. After successfully completing dozens of projects, he developed a knack for identifying off-market opportunities and shifted his focus toward brokering deals.

Acone assists builders, developers, investors and first-time buyers in the Greater Boston area. His competitive edge is thinking like a developer and an investor rather than an agent. “When working with my developer clients, I understand what they want and need because I’ve been in their shoes,” he says. “I have a thorough understanding of the costs, materials, timelines and other nuances involved in the zoning and construction processes.” When assisting buyers, he views properties with a critical lens from an investment perspective. “Understanding the long-term trajectory of values can position a client for financial freedom,” he comments.

As managing partner of EVO, Acone provides leadership and support to everyone at the company. The business, he notes, is truly collaborative. “As Phil Jackson said, ‘The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.’”

Applying that philosophy outside of work, Acone is vice chair of the East Boston YMCA board and president of The Jim Acone Foundation, a nonprofit that provides scholarships in the fields of electrical, engineering, HVAC and plumbing studies.