New York Restaurant Development Forum

Jay Stein is Chief Executive Officer at Dream Hotel Group, responsible for the successful evolution, growth and expansion efforts of the Company and its portfolio of brands: Dream Hotels, The Chatwal, Unscripted Hotels and new By Dream Hotel Group collection. With over four decades of experience and nearly 30 years with Dream Hotel Group, Stein has worked in a variety of property and corporate roles at some of the world’s leading hospitality groups and boutique lifestyle brands, including Hilton Worldwide, Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Doral Hotels. Jay Stein began his career in 1983 with Hilton Worldwide at the Vista International Hotel in the World Trade Center in New York City. A veteran of food and beverage management, Stein turned his sights to hotel operations in 1987 and quickly rose through the ranks to become Managing Director for three Doral Hotels in New York City. In 1995, after taking two of those properties through the transition to Starwood, Stein stayed on as Area General Manager for almost three years with Starwood. He joined Dream Hotel Group as Executive Vice President of Operations in 1997 and was promoted to Chief Operating Officer soon thereafter overseeing all new and existing hotel operations and playing a vital role in the company’s global expansion efforts. Stein was named Chief Executive Officer in 2015. An engaged professional dedicated to making a difference, Stein is a true ambassador for the industry, having spoken on numerous panels at conferences worldwide and having served as adjunct professor for the Hospitality programs at NYC College of Technology and New York University.

Bill is a seasoned hospitality industry executive with over 30 years of industry experience. He has been involved with the TAO Group for over five years and is responsible for leadership development of the senior management team. As COO, Bill is the gatekeeper of the Guest Experience and the groups' profitability. He is responsible for the adherence to all standards and acts as the steward of the TAO Group culture. Bill's focus is on operational excellence, incremental improvement of profitability and the continued development of the senior management team. Prior to joining the TAO Group, Bill was a managing partner in the Carmine's restaurant group and came up through the ranks in management at The '21' Club and Elio's restaurant. Bill studied art and literature at Bennington College from 1979-1981 and completed the Executive Training Program at Cornell University in 1991.

Bruce Bronster, Partner with Windels Marx, represents prominent restaurants, investors, night clubs, celebrity chefs, prominent food purveyors and distributors, industry personalities, fashion designers and supermodels, actors and others on hospitality projects and legal concerns. Follow Bruce on Instagram @brucebronster for pictorial insights on his world of travel, flavor and noteworthy friends.

Andrew Rigie is the Executive Director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance, a trade association formed in 2012 to foster the growth and vitality of the industry that has made New York City the Hospitality Capital of the World. Growing up working at his family’s fourth generation bakery & cafe in Queens, NY, Andrew was destined for a career in the hospitality industry. He later “got his apron dirty” by working multiple positions within the industry, before joining the New York State Restaurant Association (NYSRA) in 2004. At NYSRA he recruited and served members by providing a myriad of resources and consulting services to NYC’s restaurant operators, chefs and industry providers. In 2009, Andrew took the helm as Executive Vice President of the New York City operations for the 75+ year old organization. In 2012, Rigie accepted a position to launch the independent NYC Hospitality Alliance, which is quickly growing into the premier organization representing all facets of this diverse industry: restaurants, bars, lounges, destination hotels and major industry suppliers. In addition to his executive duties, he serves on multiple committees relating to hospitality, he is a vocal industry advocate and recognized commentator for local, national and international media inquiries relating to New York City’s hospitality industry. Later in 2012, City & State listed Rigie on their 40 Under 40 list of Rising Stars “New York City’s Next Generation of Political Leaders”. Andrew Rigie is a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY

Cristin Burtis has a rich history in government, serving under three NYC Mayors, including current Mayor Bill De Blasio. Most recently, Cristin served as the Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Citywide Event Coordination and Management, where she was responsible for advising and assisting the Mayor and Deputy Mayors in Logistics and Operations, including special operations such as the Five Borough commodities distribution plan during Hurricane Sandy and assisting in the creation of the operation plan for visitor access to the 9/11 Memorial. During her tenure, Cristin also served as the Mayor’s liaison for Super Bowl XLVIII as well as other notable major events such as 2013/2008 Major League Baseball AllStar Games; Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade; New Year’s Eve in Times Square; 9/11 Memorial Ceremony’s; various Central Park concerts; Military Events – Fleet Week, Air Force Week, Army Week and Tatzu Nishi at Columbus Circle. Cristin has a proven track record of being able to navigate the city agencies and has built her success on a direct approach to problem solving. As such, Cristin was recognized by being named to City & State’s Third Annual “Influential’s” in 2012, which recognizes New York’s most influential people in the fields of business, journalism, politics and government. In addition, she was also the 2013 Recipient of the Macy’s Legend Award. Prior to her appointment, Cristin served as CECM’s Deputy Executive Director (2007 to 2010), as well as the Deputy Director of the NYC Department of Transportation’s Office of Special Events (2001-2005) where she served as the agency’s liaison for several high-profile events including the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Republican National Convention, and the 2004 Athens Olympic Torch Relay. From 2005-2007, Cristin was President of multi-faceted event company CDB Productions, where she liaised between clients and City agencies in all areas of proposal review and advisement; permit expediting and logistics and operations to successfully plan and execute New York City based event productions including The Next Food Network Star, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the New Year’s Eve Celebration in Times Square and various CBS commercial shoots. From 1999 to 2001, Cristin served as event manager in the Mayor’s Office for the Millennium (NYC2000) where she was implemented the NYC2000 banner campaign as well as several unique events including the NYC2000 Fashion Show in Times Square. Ms. Burtis is a graduate of St. John’s University and holds both a Masters and Bachelors of Science Degree in Secondary Education and Athletic Administration

Christopher Jaskiewicz is Chief Operating Officer of Gotham Organization, Inc. Gotham develops, builds, owns and operates distinctive real estate properties and also owns Gotham Construction Company, one of the oldest and largest builders in the northeast. Chris joined Gotham in 2003. Chris is responsible for the operations and management of Gotham’s portfolio of approximately 3 million square feet of residential, office and retail properties. His additional corporate responsibilities include leading corporate human resources, risk management, contracts, legal, dispute resolution and crisis control. Chris also heads the company’s retail and commercial portfolio. He was the executive in charge of developing and the 2013 launch of Gotham West Market, a first-of-its-kind day-and-night market featuring 9 restaurants which is named "one of America's best food halls" by Travel & Leisure, Food & Wine, and more. Chris continues to oversee the operations and marketing of Gotham West Market, and as a leader in the emerging gourmet food hall industry, he is frequently called upon as an expert source for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Bon Appetit and more. Chris previously represented Gotham as an associate in the New York office of Proskauer Rose LLP where he worked from 1999 to 2003 on mergers, acquisitions and transactions in the technology, hospitality, and real estate industries. He also litigated matters involving entertainment, franchises, employee raiding, trade secrets, and professional sports issues. Prior to law school, he worked two years as a PepsiCo District Sales Manager. Chris is currently Co-Chairman of the Greater New York City Construction Users Council, has been named a New York Real Estate "Executive of the Month," served as president of the Florida State University Alumni Association of New York, and founder of its 9/11 Scholarship.

He has a national practice and possesses a unique understanding of the core business needs of his clients. David consistently receives high praise from both his clients and opposing counsel for his breadth of knowledge and ability to navigate complex negotiations. His client base includes developers, landlords, tenants, entrepreneurs, investors, and other parties, whom he represents in a variety of real estate related matters including shopping center, office and residential development, sales, acquisitions and leasing, including underlying corporate work pertaining to partnerships and joint ventures. He also has extensive experience in the real estate matters of restaurants, bars and nightclubs, including signature restaurants of several of the top chefs in the world. David is long standing member of the International Council of Shopping Centers. He is a frequent continuing legal education presenter on a variety of real estate topics, including sustainable initiatives and in-depth analysis of specific developments, the issues encountered and the impact on surrounding areas.

Chief Executive Officer for emerging restaurant brand. Currently, we have six stores, with locations in NYC, Boston and Miami Beach.

Matt Levine (born February 17, 1982) is an American entrepreneur and restaurateur known for his ventures in branding and hospitality. Matt Levine is the owner of SoHo market to table restaurant, Chalk Point Kitchen and classic cocktail lounge and piano bar The Handy Liquor Bar, Levine owns a leading downtown New York City inspired food and beverage company, indieFORK. Known as one of the forerunners of New York City progression, Matt Levine has led some of the most popular restaurants in Manhattan to success over the last decade. Previously, Levine was the owner of the Lower East Side Manhattan lounge, The Eldridge, and creator of Steelo', a high-end men's clothing collection. Levine's hospitality portfolio also includes NYC restaurant Sons of Essex. Acclaimed Food & Beverage website Culintro praised Levine commenting “Levine’s restaurants are high-profile and highly creative in both concept and execution.” His other venture, Brandsway Creative, is a branding & marketing firm based out of Manhattan, New York.

Jordan Fisch counsels buyers and sellers in merger and acquisition transactions, issuers and investors in debt and equity offerings, and lenders and borrowers on both secured and asset-based credit facilities. He also counsels closely held and family-owned businesses, providing them with general corporate advice. Jordan has developed a niche practice in the representation of restauranteurs and restaurant groups in connection with structuring and organizational matters, the acquisition, financing and wind-down of restaurants, and employment matters.