CNAA Board of Directors, 2007-2009
Leadership New York XVI, New York City, 2004-2005
ING Clarion Partners, Vice President

BA, University of Massachusetts Amherst
MBA, NYU Stern School of Business

Tell us a little bit about what you do. What are your job responsibilities? What Coro tools (if any) do you apply in your work? 
 
I work in real estate private equity, and I spend most of my time looking for real estate development opportunities to invest my firm's equity capital in the hopes of achieving above-market financial returns.  In English, I look for developers who need an equity partner.  Coro tools that involve negotiation and interviewing techniques have come in handy from time to time.  
 
How has your career path led you to this point? 
 
A friend once remarked to me to "be prepared for luck" and I was lucky, but I was prepared for it.  I have been moving towards this position my whole professional life - starting with working in affordable housing for a local developer in NYC, then being recruited to work for the City after 9/11 to rebuild lower Manhattan, and then back to the private sector at ING through a series of coincidental meetings.
 
What impact did the Coro experience have on your personal and/or career path? 
 
Coro has been immeasurably helpful in giving me a broader understanding of how things get built in this City, which is critical for my job.  The connections and the experiences I had were a part of my success in getting the job, and my success IN the job.

If you could only use three words to describe your Coro experience, what would they be?
 
Insightful, challenging, delicious
 
What is your favorite Coro memory? (If Fellow, favorite placement, training, etc.) What is your least favorite Coro memory? 
 
Best : the LNY retreat weekend, when I met 50 incredible people interested in the same sort of experience I was hoping to have.  Least: the sudden unexpected loss of the wife of one of my Coro classmates.
 
What was the last time you communicated with one of your Coro classmates?  How often are you in contact with your classmates?  How do you stay in touch (e.g. phone, e-mail, in-person socializing)?

Last time?  About 5 minutes ago.  I am in contact with my classmates CONSTANTLY, we still get together every month or so, some of them I see more frequently, and a few have become some of my close friends.
 
Are you involved with Coro alumni in your area?  What events have you participated or helped organize?  What types of Coro alumni events would you like to see more of?

Yes, I am involved with Coro alumni as the Chair of the NY alumni association.  We have a full season of events, about 8-10 a year.  If we want to see more events, we organize them.  One thing - more interaction with CNAA would be nice:  we're family - let's hang.
 
In your opinion, what should be the role of the Coro National Alumni Association in the lives of Coro alumni?  What should be Coro National Alumni Association goal(s) for the coming year?

CNAA should help connect us together across the country, and serve as a way for us to connect, network, and reconnect on a national scale.  Plus serve as an excuse to throw an occasional raging party.
 
What are the qualities of an effective leader and why? 
 
Listening.  Patience.  Sense of humor.    Have to be able to listen, and sometimes you need patience to listen.   Sometimes it is easier to convey your point through humor than any other way. 
 
In your opinion, who are the top three key public figures in the U.S. today? For what reasons? 
 
Hillary Clinton because I believe she is our next President.  Bill Gates and his ginormous foundation are going to have a huge impact on health policy in the new administration, and lastly, Hannah Montana, because she's trendy.
 
If you could change or alter any one domestic or international public policy or program today, what would it be and for what reasons? 
 
Shift subsidies from roads to rail.  Fewer cars + more trains = healthier planet.  Plus, I get a headache when I read in a car.  
 
 If you were to run for public office, which one would it be and why? 
 
City Council. It is a short commute downtown to City Hall. I even almost ran a few years ago.  Gotta start somewhere, and running for Assembly means going to Albany, and they just don't have decent Chinese food up there, so what's the point?
 
If you were to write a book about your life up to this point, what would be the title?

"Almost time for a mid-life crisis"
 
You open your favority newspaper tomorrow morning to find the best news ever on the front page.  The headline reads:

"Bush resigns, Cheney incapacitated and unable to serve, Speaker Nancy Pelosi sworn in as President"
 
Who inspires you and why? (Or, who do you inspire or want to inspire?) 
 
My folks.  They have both in their own way found their purpose and have spent their lives refining it each day.   Love them.

What is your favority Coro tool?  For what reasons?

The Hand of Five is SO cool.  Just learned that.  I like the way it can show nuance in support, or lack thereof, for a decision.

Is there anything else you would like to share with Coro alumni?

I am on a never-ending search for superior barbecue.  Decent barbecue places throughout the country are always welcome.