Fireside Chat: Planning and Executing Major Infrastructure Upgrades to Advance New York

Projects to Advance the Future of The City & Tri-State Area

• Former Mayor of Jersey City

  Steven Fulop

  President & CEO

  Partnership for New York City

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  Hope Knight

  President & CEO

  Empire State Development

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  Michael Capasso

  President & CEO

  C.A.C. Industries

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  Joe Charczenko

  Joe Charczenko serves as the Construction Practice President at The Baldwin Group. His primary focus is the expansion and integration of the organizations cultural, technical and geographic capabilities. Joe brings a deep understanding of the construction industry, along with a strong intellect for customization and innovation, to effectively match insurance products and risk transfer solutions to meet the unique needs of construction clients. In addition to product solutions, an integral part of Joe’s role at The Baldwin Group involves building out the Construction Practice by bringing on key additions to the team, particularly colleagues who align with the “Best Team Wins” culture. Joe built the foundation for a thriving and inclusive work environment within the Construction Practice, where colleagues feel valued, collaboration is encouraged, and every idea holds significance. He inspires colleagues to rise to their potential daily and advocates for all to play a part in scripting the team’s shared success story. Joe joined Construction Risk Partners, now The Baldwin Group, in 2010 as a Partner to help spearhead the company's expansion. During that time, Joe played a pivotal role in the successful development of groundbreaking and intricate insurance solutions, such as wrap-ups, captive programs, Subguard®, collateral, and other distinctive programs. Joe's in- depth comprehension of construction risk, coupled with his proficiency in fostering client relationships and cultivating team dynamics, unequivocally positioned him as a strategic linchpin for Construction Risk Partners and now The Baldwin Group. Before joining Construction Risk Partners, Joe served as an Assistant Vice President and Northeast Regional Construction Manager for Zurich, managing a vast construction insurance portfolio. He also worked with Peter Kiewit Construction Company, contributing significantly to the Boston Central Artery Project as an Estimator, Project Engineer, and Superintendent. This combined experience, navigating diverse roles encompassing underwriting and on-site project management, has provided him with invaluable insights that he leverages in his current role to benefit clients and the broader organization. Honoring his remarkable contributions, Business Insurance recognized Joe as one of the “Top 40 Under 40 Brokers” in the United States of America in October 2015. He continues to invest in the future of the construction industry as a board member of the Associated General Contractors of America Education and Research Foundation and is an active member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO). Joe holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering (Structural Design and Construction Project Management) with Honors from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

  The Baldwin Group

  Partner

  Moderator

  Joe Charczenko

  Partner

  The Baldwin Group

Transit Oriented Development: Trains, Airports, Ports & Modernizing New York’s Gateways

Leveraging Transportation Partnerships to Advance the Real Estate Community

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  Miriam Harris

  SVP, Transit Oriented Development

  MTA Construction & Development

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  David Garten

  Senior Advisor

  RXR & Red Oak Street

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  Anton Fredriksson

  SVP, Ports, Waterfront and Transportation

  New York City Economic Development Corporation

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  Teddy Kalaboukas

  Teddy Kalaboukas’ passion for the construction industry began during his studies in Architectural Technology when developed an interest in every facet of construction, from blueprint interpretation to project management. Prior to joining Clune, Teddy's career followed a similar path of exploration. Beginning with a focus on estimating, and later transitioning into a Project Management role. Eager to gain valuable field experience he worked as a Superintendent, overseeing projects from inception to completion and honing his expertise in construction coordination. In 2017, Teddy joined Clune's New York office as a Project Manager. Over the years, he has risen steadily to assume his current position as Senior Project Manager, Team Leader, Vice President. Beyond his project management role, Teddy finds fulfillment in collaborating with Clune's leadership team in New York, engaging in strategic discussions, and addressing operational challenges. His professional strengths lie in his extensive field experience, which enables him to assess project timelines and costs with precision from a project management perspective. Teddy is recognized for his meticulous communication style and composed demeanor, particularly during demanding situations. He is known for his attentive listening and thoughtful responses, traits that have earned him high regard within the industry. Outside of work, Teddy is actively involved in charitable initiatives, including Xavier Mission Food Drives and One Sandwich at a Time in New York City.

  Clune Construction

  Senior Project Manager & Vice President

  Teddy Kalaboukas

  Senior Project Manager & Vice President

  Clune Construction

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  Rebecca Karp

  Rebecca is an urban planning and economic development strategist who helps cities, developers, and institutions turn complex challenges into actionable, place-based solutions. Rebecca Karp is the Founding Principal + CEO of Karp Strategies, a leading women-owned community economic development, urban planning and real estate strategy consultancy in New York. Dedicated to building thriving, resilient communities and economies, her firm has supported many of the most important and challenging community economic development and transportation projects along the East Coast – from delivering strategy towards NYC’s Blue Highway system to shift goods movement back to the water; to working with the Northeast Corridor Commission (Amtrak) to develop a strategic vision for the Northeast Corridor transportation network to inform about the economic and social benefits of rail investments; to advising the city of Middletown, Connecticut on the economic and real estate development opportunities that stem from reconnecting waterfront assets previously separated by a federal highway; to helping Bridge Street Development Corporation in Brooklyn understand funding and building stabilization opportunities. Rebecca’s professional practice is grounded in her experiences working in-house at both transportation and real estate agencies, as well as over a decade of consulting. She is an unabashed advocate for equitable procurement policies. Rebecca uses a data-driven, people-centered, and place-based approach to help clients navigate the intersection of transportation, real estate, and economic development. Drawing on experience with port authorities, developers, energy, companies, community organizations, and government agencies, she knows that strong cross-sector partnerships are essential to turning complex challenges into implementable solutions. Since launching her firm in 2015, Rebecca’s team has grown from a one-person organization to a staff of nearly 20 with a national client base. Previously Rebecca served in planning, strategy, and operations roles at the NYC Economic Development Corporation, NYC Department of Small Business Services and the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. She is a member of the Regional Plan Association NYS Committee, the Urban Land Institute, the Coro Leadership NY Board, and the American Planning Association. Rebecca lives in Brooklyn with her family.

  Karp Strategies

  Founding Principal + CEO

  Rebecca Karp

  Founding Principal + CEO

  Karp Strategies

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  Patrick O’Sullivan

  Patrick O’Sullivan is a partner in Herrick's Real Estate Department.Patrick represents owners, developers, investors, governmental entities and not-for-profit institutions on a range of real estate matters with a focus on development issues, particularly those that arise in public-private transactions. He has represented clients on a range of complex transactions for properties across the U.S., including acquisitions and dispositions, large-scale developments, joint ventures, construction projects, ground leases, and public and private financings. Patrick also navigates clients through the multi-step process of applying for and utilizing tax incentive programs at the local and federal level. He advises clients on the tax incentives available for investors in Qualified Opportunity Zones and on how to structure those investments given the evolving regulatory framework. Patrick is a former Executive Vice President and Head of the Real Estate Transactions Group at the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). While at NYCEDC, Patrick worked with leading real estate developers to successfully executing complex public-private transactions throughout the City. He led New York City’s acquisition of Brooklyn Bridge Park and Governors Island from New York State, and subsequently oversaw the negotiations for two Brooklyn Bridge Park development sites. He also directed the City’s negotiations for New York University’s applied sciences school in Downtown Brooklyn. During his time at NYCEDC, Patrick worked closely with the New York City Industrial Development Agency, the Empire State Development Corporation, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and other agencies. Patrick has been recognized by Legal 500 for his excellence in Real Estate. In 2022, Patrick was named to City & State's Economic Development Power 100 listing. This list identifies the policymakers who are driving economic development strategies in New York and positioning the state for a post-pandemic recovery. Development Patrick has extensive experience advising clients on an array of development projects from the planning stages through transaction execution and construction completion. He also understands client needs and development timelines in many industry specific areas such as healthcare, higher education, not-for-profits, transportation and aviation. Given his significant public-sector experience, Patrick guides his clients throughout the life cycle of a development advising them on matters such as land acquisition, assemblage and development rights; land use and public approvals; and development and construction-related agreements. Patrick regularly counsels public and private sector clients with ground lease negotiations on both the landlord and tenant sides and represents clients responding to requests for proposals (RFPs). Structuring and Finance Patrick regularly advises clients on how to optimally structure their participation in real estate transactions. For clients entering into a joint venture, Patrick leverages the breadth of his experience to assist them in structuring their relationship at the term sheet stage and often collaborates with his tax colleagues to devise an efficient structure for the venture. Clients appreciate Patrick’s ability to counsel them on matters ranging from proper allocation of risk to management and control issues. Patrick also represents borrowers on their acquisition and construction financing transactions calling on his development experience to guide borrowers through intricacies of the process. Memberships & Associations Board of Directors, New York City Economic Development Corporation Real Estate and Finance Committee Real Estate Board of New York Economic Development Committee Association of the Bar of the City of New York Housing and Urban Development Committee Urban Land Institute, ULINY Mixed-Use Green Council New York State Association for Affordable Housing (NYSAFAH) Patrick is a former Executive Vice President and Head of the Real Estate Transactions Group at the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). While at NYCEDC, Patrick worked with leading real estate developers to successfully executing complex public-private transactions throughout the City. He led New York City’s acquisition of Brooklyn Bridge Park and Governors Island from New York State, and subsequently oversaw the negotiations for two Brooklyn Bridge Park development sites. He also directed the City’s negotiations for New York University’s applied sciences school in Downtown Brooklyn. During his time at NYCEDC, Patrick worked closely with the New York City Industrial Development Agency, the Empire State Development Corporation, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and other agencies.

  Herrick

  Partner

  Moderator

  Patrick O’Sullivan

  Partner

  Herrick

Policy, Incentives and Shaping Public-Private Real Estate Partnerships

Keys to Public Private Partnerships: Investment, Development and Policy

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  Noreen Doyle

  President & CEO

  Hudson River Park Trust

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  Angela Pinsky

  Head of Community Engagement for NY, NJ & PA

  Amazon

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  Joshua Plourde

  Director

  NYSERDA

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  Wajdi Atallah

  “For more than 30 years, Wajdi Atallah has collaborated on complex projects in the public and private sectors across the United States, Canada and the Middle East. His portfolio includes transportation hubs, hotels, multi-use buildings, cultural institutions, historic landmarks and state-of-the-art research and health care facilities. In 1998, Wajdi established SBI Consultants, a strategic advisory firm of engineers, planners and construction management professionals, to help developers manage cost, mitigate risk and successfully achieve their goals. Today, Wajdi’s expertise is regularly sought by project owners, investors, mediators and colleagues who need to ensure that a project is delivered on time and within budget. Wajdi’s deep understanding of the field, and his highly focused style of evaluation, was established prior to SBI, while he worked for a world-renowned construction leader as a Project Engineer, Scheduler, Cost Engineer, Project Manager, and Superintendent. In these early roles, Wajdi developed a rigorous approach to problem-solving that considers the totality of the project lifecycle, and the myriad ways that precise details connect with the big picture. Wajdi holds advanced and undergraduate degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Columbia University and is a licensed Professional Engineer. He serves on the External Advisory Board to the Mechanical Engineering Department of Columbia University and has been a member of AACE International, the Urban Land Institute, the Grant Monument Association and other civic organizations. Notable projects include Hudson Yards National September 11 Memorial Museum La Guardia Airport JFK Airport East Side Access

  SBI Consultants LLC

  President

  Wajdi Atallah

  President

  SBI Consultants LLC

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  Suzanne St. Pierre

  Suzanne St. Pierre’s practice is focused on real estate development, construction, and real estate investment. A creative problem solver, Suzanne is known for her work representing nonprofit, governmental, and quasi-governmental clients in the formation of public-private partnerships (P3) for the development of major infrastructure and mixed-use projects. In the area of real estate development, Suzanne represents the New York City Economic Development Corporation, Amtrak, The Trust for Governors Island, Long Island University, and other entities in the negotiation of agreements for third-party construction of complex projects, including infrastructure, housing, academic facilities, cultural facilities, and mixed-use facilities. Suzanne’s decades of experience in both real estate and construction inform her transaction strategy and approach to negotiations. In the area of construction, she represents private, nonprofit, and quasi-governmental clients in the negotiation of design and construction agreements, and advises clients throughout the construction process, for projects ranging from academic and cultural facilities to rail infrastructure, utilities, and shipping facilities. In the area of real estate investment, Suzanne represents for-profit and governmental clients in the formation and restructuring of partnerships, limited liability companies, private real estate investment trusts (REITs) and other vehicles for real estate investment; the negotiation of limited partner investments in real estate funds; and the exercise of liquidity rights, and provides advice in connection with disputes and governance issues. Suzanne has represented clients to effectuate investment vehicles for a broad range of property types, including residential, office, multifamily build-to-rent, and distribution facilities. Suzanne is a member of the board of directors of Venable, a director of the Venable Foundation, and an active member of Women Attorneys at Venable (WAVe). Suzanne is also active in WX, an organization of senior female real estate executives in New York City. She was formerly president of the organization, as well as a long-serving board member. In addition, Suzanne created the WX mentoring program, which provides support to junior women real estate professionals in New York City. Suzanne currently serves on WX’s scholarship committee, which provides resources to talented young women pursuing careers in real estate and related professions in the New York metropolitan area.

  Venable

  Partner

  Suzanne St. Pierre

  Partner

  Venable

• Moderator

  Carl Oliveri

  Partner, Construction Practice Leader

  Grassi