5 Shocking Facts About Thomas N. Staub: From RHONJ Ex-Husband To Real Estate CEO
Thomas N. Staub, a name that briefly became synonymous with the early drama of reality television, has successfully redefined his career far from the cameras. As of December 22, 2025, Staub is recognized not for his past marital ties, but as a dynamic and successful entrepreneur, real estate executive, and venture capitalist.
The public's curiosity about Thomas N. Staub often begins with his connection to *The Real Housewives of New Jersey* (RHONJ), yet his professional journey is a far more compelling story of business acumen and strategic pivots. He has leveraged decades of experience in diverse sectors, transitioning from a family legacy in fitness equipment to becoming the visionary CEO of a major development group.
The Complete Biography and Career Trajectory of Thomas N. Staub
Thomas N. Staub’s career is marked by a deep foundation in corporate management, a successful run in the fitness industry, and a dramatic pivot to real estate and venture capital. His professional life demonstrates a consistent pattern of leadership and entrepreneurial drive.
- Full Name: Thomas N. Staub
- Known For: Businessman, Entrepreneur, CEO, and former husband of reality star Danielle Staub.
- Early Career: Began his professional life at the corporate giant Johnson & Johnson, where he held various positions across several key divisions, including Ethicon, Ethicon Endo Surgery, Wound Management/Bio-Surgery, and Women's Health and Urology.
- Family Business: He and his brother, Gerald Staub, took over PaceMaster, a pioneering company in the fitness equipment industry, from their father, Bill Staub, in the mid-1990s.
- Executive Roles: Served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and a senior executive at Gym Source, one of the largest specialty fitness retailers in the United States.
- Marriage and Divorce: Married Danielle Staub in 1993 and divorced in 2007, before the debut of *The Real Housewives of New Jersey*. They share two daughters, Christine and Jillian.
- Current Role: CEO of Red Oak Development Group and RedOakVC, focusing on real estate, land deals, and venture capital.
- Net Worth (Estimated): $2 Million (primarily from his long career in the fitness equipment industry).
From Fitness Equipment to Real Estate Mogul: The Entrepreneurial Pivot
Staub's career is a masterclass in adapting an entrepreneurial spirit across different industries. His initial success was built on a family legacy in the fitness world, a sector he helped modernize and grow.
The Staub family name is deeply intertwined with the history of American fitness. His father, Bill Staub, was an engineer who founded Aerobics Inc., the company behind the popular PaceMaster line of treadmills and exercise machines. Thomas N. Staub and his brother Gerald took the reins, steering the company through the competitive landscape of the 1990s and 2000s. This experience provided an invaluable foundation in manufacturing, retail, and executive management.
Following the eventual bankruptcy of the private equity-owned PaceMaster in 2010, Staub was undeterred. He spent a significant portion of his later career in senior executive roles at Gym Source, a leading specialty fitness retailer, where he applied his financial and leadership expertise to a large-scale retail operation.
This long tenure in the fitness industry, which involved managing complex supply chains, retail strategy, and financial planning, became the springboard for his dramatic pivot into the world of real estate and venture capital. The move demonstrated a keen understanding of market opportunities and a willingness to embrace new business ventures.
Red Oak Development Group and the Current Focus on Land Deals
The most current and significant chapter of Thomas N. Staub's professional life is his leadership role at Red Oak Development Group, operating under the venture capital arm RedOakVC. This is where the bulk of his recent professional activity and topical authority lies. The transition from selling treadmills to brokering multi-million dollar land deals showcases a profound shift in his business focus.
As the CEO of Red Oak, Thomas N. Staub oversees the company's entire vision, mission, expansion strategy, and financial planning. His business model centers on identifying and capitalizing on lucrative land development opportunities. He is a recognized expert in building wealth through strategic land deals, a topic on which he is frequently invited to speak.
His impressive track record includes sponsoring over 140 separate real estate land deals and owning and successfully operating four separate companies throughout his career. This focus on real estate development, venture capital, and wealth building has established him as a serious figure in the corporate finance and development sector, far removed from the sensationalism of reality television.
The entities and sectors that define his current professional landscape include:
- Real Estate Development
- Venture Capital (RedOakVC)
- Land Acquisition and Deals
- Financial Underwriting
- Strategic Business Expansion
- Corporate Leadership and Management
This shift emphasizes a move towards high-level financial strategy and large-scale asset management, confirming his status as a successful entrepreneur whose career continues to evolve and generate significant wealth.
Family Life and Legacy Beyond Reality Television
While Thomas N. Staub’s professional life has taken center stage in recent years, his family life remains a key component of his public identity, primarily through his two daughters with ex-wife Danielle Staub: Christine and Jillian.
The marriage between Thomas and Danielle lasted 14 years, from 1993 to 2007. Despite the public scrutiny that followed their divorce due to the RHONJ series, Thomas has largely maintained a private life, focusing on his business endeavors. The family dynamic, however, has been a recurring topic for fans of the show, who have watched his daughters grow up.
Christine Staub and Jillian Staub have both pursued their own paths, with Christine focusing on a career in modeling and Jillian on her academic and professional goals. Their father's commitment to a life of business and privacy has provided a stark contrast to the public life of their mother.
The enduring legacy of Thomas N. Staub is not one of celebrity, but of quiet, consistent professional success. His journey from a corporate start at Johnson & Johnson to inheriting a fitness equipment empire, and finally to becoming a real estate mogul and venture capitalist, serves as a powerful testament to his adaptability and enduring entrepreneurial spirit. His current work with Red Oak Development Group confirms that Thomas N. Staub is a figure whose most significant achievements are happening in the boardroom, not on the small screen.
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