Opening Keynote

Inside the Mayor's Green Plan

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  Nilda Mesa

  Leads climate, energy and sustainability policy and strategy for NYC's Mayor's Office. Appointed by Mayor De Blasio. Works with City Council on energy and environmental legislation, federal and state energy and environmental agencies. Led OneNYC, the long-term sustainability plan for NYC, published 2015. (www.nyc.gov/onenyc) Produced plan in 3 1/2 months leading development with over 70 agencies and 200 staff. Launched a series of pathbreaking initiatives to cut carbon emissions in NYC. Key initiative received international award from C40 for best urban building efficiency initiative worldwide. Areas of responsibility include energy, developing the plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050, renewables, waste, electric grid and power supply, transportation, buildings, green construction and design, financing energy retrofits and energy efficient design for new construction, energy efficiency, air quality, environmental justice, environmental reviews and planning, parks, environmental technology, natural resources, marine resources, watershed and water quality. For more information, see www.nyc.gov/sustainability.

  NYC Mayor's Office of Sustainability

  Director

  KEYNOTE SPEAKER

  Nilda Mesa

  Director

  NYC Mayor's Office of Sustainability

Innovation Update

A Private Perspective

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  Nathan Taft

  Nathan joined Jonathan Rose Companies in 2004 where he oversees the acquisition and preservation of affordable, mixed and middle income multifamily housing nationally. He has lead the investment of six equity funds, helping Rose grown into one of the country’s leading developers and investors in the field with a portfolio of 15,000 units. As a mission-driven firm, Rose acquires multifamily housing in transit-oriented or walkable locations, preserves its affordability, improves its economic and environmental performance, and works to enhance the lives of its residents. We acquire properties directly or in joint venture with local partners who share our vision and commitment to making an impact. Last year, Nathan and his team were recognized as the top acquirer of affordable housing in the country, and he is passionate about doing his part to create more vibrant and resilient communities for low-income families and seniors. Nathan lives with his wife and two kids in New York City.

  Jonathan Rose Companies

  Partner/Managing Director Acquisitions

  Nathan Taft

  Partner/Managing Director Acquisitions

  Jonathan Rose Companies

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  Chris Cayten

  Mr. Cayten is a Principal at CodeGreen Solutions, a leading sustainability and energy efficiency consulting firm based in New York City. CodeGreen is currently helping over 250 million square feet of commercial property nationwide to reduce energy use, lower operating expenses and improve environmental performance. CodeGreen has helped over 45 million square feet of property achieve LEED certification and over 130 million square feet of property comply with New York City’s Greener Greater Buildings laws. CodeGreen is working on some of the most exciting green building projects in New York City, including 425 Park Avenue, and is working with the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability to create a roadmap to reducing the city’s carbon footprint by 80% by 2050 - shaping the future of buildings across the city. Mr. Cayten holds a master’s degree from the Yale School of Architecture and is a frequent speaker on sustainability and energy efficiency, addressing events hosted by BOMA, NYC DOB, NAIOP, Urban Green Council, GRI and BuildingsNY. He is an active member of Urban Green, and serves on the sustainability committees of BOMA-NY and REBNY as well as the boards of the Urban Air Foundation and ScaleAfrica.

  Code Green Solutions

  Principal

  Chris Cayten

  Principal

  Code Green Solutions

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  Sara Fay

  Senior Director

  L&L Holding Company

• Moderator

  Ted Gunther

  Partner

  CohnReznick

Looking Ahead

Turning Policy Into Action

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  John Gilbert

  Executive Chair

  Prescriptive Data

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  Russell Unger

  Executive Director

  Urban Green Council

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  David Pospisil

  David is a sales and marketing professional in the field of critical energy infrastructure and energy efficiency. In his current position with Con Edison, as Business Development Manager of Commercial and Industrial Energy Efficiency Programs, he is responsible for helping customers meet energy efficiency improvements within the commercial portfolio which is supported by a network of over 700 market partners. David, who has been with Con Edison since 2008, worked in a variety of business development, sales management, marketing and external affairs positions for Johnson Controls, Public Service Enterprise Group, Pennsylvania Power & Light and the Trane Company. His major focus has been on clients with critical energy needs in the fields of commercial real estate, healthcare and data center operations. David has a BS in Marketing and an MBA in Finance, both from Montclair State University. He is a Certified Energy Manager, and an active member of the Association of Energy Engineers, the New York Building Congress, the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce Green Business committee, American Institute of Architects (AIANY) and Urban Green Council. David is an officer of the New York City chapter of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating & Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

  Con Edison Energy Efficiency Team

  Manager

  David Pospisil

  Manager

  Con Edison Energy Efficiency Team

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  Gina Bocra

  Chief Sustainability Officer

  NYC Department of Buildings

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  Robert LiMandri

  Mr. LiMandri joined Vidaris in 2014, bringing with him strategic leadership experience and innovation. Currently Mr. LiMandri oversees operations and the company’s Code Advisory division. The newly formed group can deliver comprehensive solutions based on a deep understanding of building code and NYC zoning. He also explores strategic service offerings that can bridge current gaps within the complex real estate and construction market in New York City and other metropolitan markets around the country. Mr. LiMandri also serves as a member of the Management Committee. Before joining Vidaris, Mr. LiMandri served as New York City Department of Buildings Commissioner. He is an operational executive with a history of leadership in commercial real estate, construction, development standards, and oversight—with a tenure punctuated by widespread changes in building safety standards, technology initiatives, green building innovation, and code updates. Drawing on his background in fiscal oversight and P&L management, he has managed budgets exceeding $200M, in addition to a team of 1,100 attorneys, engineers, inspectors, and architects. His leadership impact can be felt throughout the city’s real estate industry with enhanced safety awareness, stringent mandates for construction, and quality and advances in sustainability. In addition, his innovative approach to technology utilization has saved his customers millions in staff time, while boosting customer satisfaction with the launch of cutting-edge online collaboration tools such as the paperless virtual approval of plans at the HUB, 3D site safety review, and a smart phone app. Mr. LiMandri has also held positions at Realfoundations as a management consultant, Jones Lang LaSalle managing Class A office, Columbia University, and Honeywell Corporation.

  Vidaris

  Senior Principal

  Moderator

  Robert LiMandri

  Senior Principal

  Vidaris