Westchester State of the Market

Megan manages Simone Development’s ground-up and redevelopment projects as well as new acquisitions. She is responsible for executing investment strategy and overseeing all aspects of the acquisition, land use, design, construction, and marketing phases of development projects. Prior to joining Simone Development Companies, Megan served on the development team at The Related Companies and the investment sales team at HFF. Megan began her career at Duff & Phelps after graduating from The George Washington University.

Joan McDonald is an experienced executive in public management, transportation, economic and community development, public finance and public policy. After serving as Westchester County Director of Operations since 2018, County Executive Kenneth W. Jenkins appointed Joan Deputy County Executive on February 1, 2026 and she was unanimously approved by the Board of Legislators on February 9. As second-in-command for the County, Joan is responsible for setting all public policies and she has direct responsibility for overseeing the $2.5 billion budget. Joan has also served as Chair of the Westchester County Industrial Development Agency and Local Development Corporation boards since 2018. Some of the initiatives which Joan spearheaded for the County include the creation of the Downtown Investment Grant (DIG) program, the housing Flex Fund, the Landlord Tenant Assistance Program (LTAP) program, and overseeing the improvements and restructuring of the Capital Program. Joan managed the County COVID-19 response including the $20 million small business and not-for-profit grant program, the $10 million food insecurity program and the $5 million remote learning centers program. Joan provided strategy and guidance to the County Executive as they restored stability to the County finances, which lead to the restoration of Westchester’s Triple-A bond rating from both Fitch and Standard and Poors. In August 2020, Joan was appointed Chair of the New York State Bridge Authority Board of Commissioners. In April 2024, Governor Hochul appointed her to the Thruway Authority Board of Directors. Joan Co-Chaired the transportation group of the NYSERDA New York State Climate Impacts Assessment. She is also on the Board of Directors of NY CREATES. Joan served as Commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation from 2011 - 2015, overseeing 8,300 employees with an annual budget of $4 billion. Under Joan's leadership NYSDOT implemented 30 design/build, best value contracts, including the $550 million Koscziusko Bridge, the Department's largest contract. As Commissioner, Joan chaired the Northeast Corridor Commission; served on the Tappan Zee Bridge Blue Ribbon Selection Panel; co-chaired the Tappan Zee Bridge Mass Transit Task Force and served on the Executive Committee of the Transportation Research Board. As Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development from 2007 to 2010 Joan led CT's economic development efforts through the "Great Recession". During her tenure, Joan chaired Connecticut Innovations, investing funds in various start-up companies in the biotechnical, aviation and IT sectors. Under her leadership, the State developed its first ever strategic economic development plan; negotiated agreements with several Fortune 500 companies and initiated transit oriented development in all of Connecticut’s major cities. Joan has served in senior management positions for the City of New York, Metro-North Railroad and the New York State Assembly. From August 2015 through December 2020, Joan served on the National Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIAC), where she participated in studies related to water resiliency and cyber security on a national level. From September 2016 through December 2020 she was on the TRB policy committee to evaluate the future of the Interstate Highway System, including the impact of climate change. Joan received her Bachelor of Arts from LeMoyne College and her Masters of Public Administration from Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government.

James (Jim) Moran is a civil engineer with more than 30 years of experience in municipal management. His experience includes leading major projects for the City of New Rochelle, City of Yonkers, New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP), and Verizon. Prior to joining H2M, Mr. Moran served as the Commissioner of the City of New Rochelle DPW, where he was responsible for managing an operating annual budget of $25 million, a $44 million capital budget, and staff of approximately 125 employees. He served as administrator of all public works functions and operations, including engineering, street maintenance, storm and sanitary sewer systems, public buildings, sanitation collection, city vehicle fleet maintenance, traffic services, and right- of-way permitting.

Andrew Dansker is the CEO and founder of Dansker Capital Group, a national mortgage brokerage firm with six U.S. offices and one international office. He oversees a team of 30 professionals originating commercial mortgage debt across all major asset types, with a particular focus on retail and multifamily properties. The firm primarily arranges bank and credit union financing while also executing agency, CMBS, life company, and bridge loan transactions as appropriate. Since its establishment as an independent company in 2020, Dansker Capital Group has placed well over $3 billion in commercial real estate loans nationwide. Andrew believes the middle-market debt marketplace is under-served by professional, high-quality national firms and sees a significant opportunity for an enterprising company to fill that gap. His leadership vision is to build an organization that delivers institutional-quality service, execution, and results to the national middle-market debt space. Andrew is a published industry commentator whose writing on the real estate lending market has appeared in The Commercial Observer, Real Estate Weekly, and New York Real Estate Journal. He is also a frequent industry speaker and contributor at conferences and events organized by Bisnow, GlobeSt, Interface, Commercial Observer, ConnectCRE, and other leading commercial real estate platforms. He has more than 15 years of experience in the real estate industry. Andrew earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Chicago and a Juris Doctor from New York University School of Law.

As Vice President and Preconstruction Manager, Sam oversees Turner’s estimating professionals, who provide a wide range of services for clients, including conceptual estimating, design development, value management, market studies, and facility diagnostics. In addition, Sam is directly involved in preparing Cost Guarantees and Design-Build contracts, working hand in hand with clients to turn visions into reality. Prior to his current position, Sam held various leadership positions at Turner, including Preconstruction Manager of the Interiors Division and Senior Cost Engineer. Sam joined Turner as a field engineer in 1994 after completing his Mechanical Engineering degree from Manhattan College. In addition to his day-to-day responsibilities, Sam is actively involved in supporting his local community. He is a member of the Westchester County Association, Business Council of Westchester, and New York Athletic Club.

Vincent Altieri is an audit partner with more than 20 years of experience. He serves clients in a broad array of industries, most notably in the real estate and real estate-related sectors. He also provides or has provided tax and accounting services to retail enterprises, night-club and restaurant management, not-for-profit organizations, foundations, wholesalers, insurance brokers, and professional service firms. He is highly skilled in all phases of audit and other attest engagements, including planning, program execution, and client relations and also prepares GAAP and income-tax basis financial statements and required disclosures for audits, reviews, and compilations. Vincent also has experience overseeing construction management and monthly requisition processes, including preparation, updating, and maintenance of monthly budgets, interfacing with vendors on various issues, and ensuring timely and accurate submission of reports to lenders to expedite funding. Vincent prepares domestic multistate corporation and partnership tax returns and income tax returns for tax-exempt organizations. He is extremely knowledgeable in analyzing partnership agreements, commercial and capital leases, financing agreements, insurance, and loan covenants. He conducts due diligence reviews and agreed-upon procedures and performs ratio and variance analysis. Vincent is skilled in evaluating clients’ internal control structures and assists in identifying potential fraud within a business. Vincent has helped to introduce new technology systems and firm-wide efficiency strategies, time and billing, and other accounting software in addition to participating in implementation of firm-wide financial statement software, including template design, training, and policy development. Prior to joining Citrin Cooperman, Vincent was an audit partner at Berdon LLP, which joined the firm in 2023.

As Vice President at Lessard Design, Christopher leverages over 25 years of proven leadership in architecture and construction, guiding projects through every phase of development-from visionary concepts to successful execution. His expertise spans a wide range of sectors, including commercial, mixed-use, and multi-family residential, where he has consistently delivered transformative designs that balance creativity with functionality. Renowned for his ability to meet demanding deadlines and exceed client expectations, Christopher is committed to shaping vibrant, sustainable communities through innovative solutions. On a national scale, he has played a pivotal role in managing complex, high-profile developments, with budgets reaching up to $400 million-demonstrating his strategic oversight and unwavering focus on excellence.