Power Players in Residential Real Estate

Aaron Koffman is president of The Hudson Companies. He manages the firm’s day-to-day operations, corporate strategy, and affordable housing portfolio. Aaron is committed to building partnerships with public, private, and non-profit organizations and has been instrumental in leading the rezoning of nearly five million square feet of newly constructed affordable homes and much-needed community space.

Gary LaBarbera has served since 2009 as president of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, an organization comprising local affiliates of 15 national and international unions representing 100,000 working people in NYC. In 2021, Mr. LaBarbera was elected President of the NYS Building and Construction Trades Council, which is comprised of 15 local building trades councils, 12 district councils and state associations, and 135 local unions and represents 200,000 tradespeople.

Jesse Lazar is the Interim Executive Director of AIA New York, the oldest and largest chapter of the AIA representing nearly 5,000 members. He also directs the Center for Architecture, the leading cultural venue for the built environment in New York City. He has been with both organizations since 2014. Jesse holds an MBA from the University of Michigan and a B.A. from George Washington University, and lives in Brooklyn with his husband.

What led you to get involved in the real estate industry?
As both the son and grandson of union steamfitters in Philadelphia, I’ve always had a special interest in buildings and respect for the people who transform them from an idea into a reality, which is why I’ve worked with architects, planners, engineers, and related professionals to make New York’s built environment more dynamic, more sustainable, and more equitable throughout my career.

What’s your favorite neighborhood in NYC?
Even though I’ve lived in and truly loved Brooklyn since I first came to New York City sixteen years ago, my favorite neighborhood is Jackson Heights, Queens. It’s a perfect encapsulation of everything that’s special about New York: it’s dense and transit-oriented, with lively and exciting streets, an almost unimaginable diversity of people, incredible food, raucous nightlife, and beautiful and interesting buildings. And Queens Pride is one of my favorite annual events!

Describe a recent project you’ve enjoyed working on.
In May 2022 the Center for Architecture hosted an affordable housing conference, bringing together developers, officials, journalists, activists, and experts on a vital issue facing all New Yorkers. I’m proud that we are continuing to push this issue, from supporting the governor’s housing compact, to developing programs about supportive housing, to convening a wide variety of stakeholders who know we need more housing with a focus on equity, affordability, and good design.

Jeffrey Levine is the founding principal and chairman of The Douglaston Companies, consisting of Douglaston Development, Levine Builders, and Clinton Management. Since 1979, Mr. Levine has directed the new construction or rehabilitation of thousands of residential units, including both affordable and market rate housing, student housing, hotels, senior living, healthcare facilities, and millions of square feet of commercial retail, office, and institutional spaces.

What led you to get involved in the real estate industry?
As a high school student, during the summers, I worked for construction trades in New York and continued that work through college at the School of Architecture at City College. During that time, I found I had an affinity for building, which led me to establish my own construction company, Levine Builders, in 1979 at the age of 25. That has now grown into an organization that develops, builds, and manages properties in the five boroughs.

What’s your favorite neighborhood in NYC?
Life is about balancing both living and working. I very much enjoy living in the West Village because it has the feeling of a true neighborhood and community. Simultaneously, I enjoy working within Penn Plaza due to its connectivity and access to the rest of New York City.

Describe a recent project you’ve enjoyed working on.
We recently completed our largest project to date, 3Eleven, the largest new multifamily building in Manhattan. It comprises 938 units, 30% of which are affordable, and over 60,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenities. It is exciting to continue growing our footprint in the West Chelsea neighborhood, where we’ve seen tremendous success with Ohm, located across the street.

A seasoned brokerage manager, Diane Levine is respected and admired in the industry for creating a work environment that is professional, high-achieving, caring, and ethical. She mentors, encourages, brainstorms, and inspires each agent to develop his or her business and rise to new heights. Diane is proud to say she has managed some of the most talented and high-performing brokers in the New York City area since joining Sotheby’s International Realty in 1999.

Mark Levine is the Manhattan Borough President. Previously, he was the council member representing West Harlem/Hamilton Heights, Morningside Heights, and parts of the Upper West Side and Washington Heights. On the council, Mark was a leading voice for tenants’ rights and housing – passing the first-in-the-nation Right to Counsel law for New Yorkers facing eviction. Prior to the council, Mark founded a community credit union in Washington Heights and was a PS middle school teacher.

What led you to get involved in the real estate industry?
As a teacher in the South Bronx, an organizer in the Heights, and a city council member, I saw how it was tough for New Yorkers to find an apartment they could afford. And then how quickly they could lose it to an eviction. I was motivated by the precarity that too many of our neighbors face, unsure if they’ll be able to fight unjust eviction cases.

What’s your favorite neighborhood in NYC?
Washington Heights – I’ve lived there for more than two decades, and I’ve never left because I love all that it has to offer, from a tight-knit community, to amazing food, to great views of the Hudson. It was a wonderful place to raise my two kids and holds so many wonderful memories.

Describe a recent project you’ve enjoyed working on.
Housing Manhattanites, a new report from my office, gives me so much hope for the future of our borough. We identified 170+ vacant or underbuilt lots and nine neighborhoods where we could update zoning. Collectively, these sites could produce more than 73,000 new apartments, and 30,000+ of them would be affordable. Investing in these developments would mean that low-income and working-class Manhattanites would finally have a shot at securing an apartment they can actually afford.

John F. Marino leads Marino’s day-to-day operations and a combined staff of 60 team members. His reputation is unsurpassed among Fortune 100 C-Suite executives, founders at emerging technology/innovation companies, corporate principals of leading real estate companies, and directors at prestigious nonprofits. John has overseen business growth of 20% over the last year, with Marino now considered among the mid-sized agency elite nationwide. Under his leadership, Marino’s work within the real estate innovation space has also grown exponentially.

What led you to get involved in the real estate industry?
With my father’s background spearheading the city’s efforts to promote key economic development opportunities, Marino was built with real estate in its DNA. I joined Marino in 2002 and, together with our award-winning team, developed and executed results-oriented comprehensive strategies for our roster of clients, playing an integral role in shaping the narrative surrounding some of the most dynamic names in the industry. Our expertise spans various sectors, including commercial, residential, financial, PropTech, FinTech, and construction.

What’s your favorite neighborhood in NYC?
I have always really liked the Union Square area in NYC, it feels like a gateway to downtown where many districts come together. Union Square is a true gathering place for business, entertainment, recreation and just living. And working on the development and ultimately the promotion of the park and the district was one of my first assignments in agency life.

Describe a recent project you’ve enjoyed working on.
It’s been exciting to work with our team and Jamestown on promoting the redevelopment of One Times Square. Jamestown is building a state-of-the art modern observation deck, revamping the building’s facades to allow for new digital billboards and revitalizing the building’s interior which has been largely empty since the 1970s. It’s the home of the NYE ball drop and one of NY’s most iconic buildings.The building will also set the standard for hybrid physical-digital experiences.

Frank Marino has built and scaled Marino’s real estate and property innovation practice over the last 30 years, playing an integral role in shaping the narrative surrounding some of the most iconic names in the industry. Together with the firm’s award-winning team, Frank – a member of REBNY’s Board of Governors – has developed and executed results-oriented, comprehensive communications strategies for a dynamic roster of clients, and has worked on some of the city’s most consequential projects.

What led you to get involved in the real estate industry?
Before launching Marino in 1993, I served in the administration of NYC Mayor Ed Koch as senior vice president for Public Affairs, Media Relations and Marketing for what is now the New York Economic Development Corporation. I also previously served as a senior manager in the New York State Assembly and a political campaign consultant. When I started Marino, it was only natural that much of our work was focused in the real estate industry.

What’s your favorite neighborhood in NYC?
Thanks to my work in city government, I had a chance to work in many neighborhoods across the five boroughs. As a Bronx boy growing up, my heart remains with Throgs Neck as the city’s best neighborhood, which stems from my love of the beach. It also has a small-town feel in a big city, a vibrant commercial district along East Tremont Avenue, and provides great access to the rest of the tri-state region.

Describe a recent project you’ve enjoyed working on.
Through our work with developer LCOR, I had the opportunity to work with our team to promote the launch of 1515 Surf Avenue, the largest geothermal project to date in NYC history. Upon completion, the development reduces carbon emissions by over 60%, and brings market rate and affordable housing – with great views of the Atlantic – as well as ground-floor retail space to the Brooklyn community, serving as a model for residential developments across the country.

Jay Martin is executive director of CHIP, an association of about 4,000 owners and managers of over 400,000 rent-stabilized rental properties across all five boroughs in New York City. Martin spent 12 years in the New York State Senate as chief of staff to David Carlucci and director of operations for the Senate Independent Democratic Conference.

Alexis McSween is the founder and CEO of Bottom Line Construction & Development, LLC. A 100% minority and woman-owned construction and development company, BLCD embodies the grit and grace that characterizes Alexis’ life. Alexis brings over eighteen years of professional experience – twelve in real estate development and construction, including public works – to building communities. She combines human-centric community development, problem-solving, real estate development, and construction management. In doing so, BLCD can make an impact.

What led you to get involved in the real estate industry?
As a youth, I experienced bouts of homelessness and having a secure place to sleep was a daily obstacle to overcome. With a background as an EMT and nursing, I knew I could help more people from our communities in so many different ways. Housing, education, confidence, and health are all connected to wealth building. I started my own company, Bottom Line Construction & Development, and recently a non-profit, to serve youth from underserved communities.

What’s your favorite neighborhood in NYC?
Harlem.

Describe a recent project you’ve enjoyed working on.
My most recent and accomplished single project would be The Baldwin Park; a 10,000 square foot Boutique Condominium located in the fifth largest zip-code in the country, on 148th Street in Harlem across the street from the historic Jackie Robinson Park. It was named after one of Harlem’s greats, James Baldwin, a poet, and writer of social change impacting people of color.