LEADERSHIP
Barry Alton, Chair
Managing Director and Global Head of Corporate Real Estate and Services, Jefferies & Company, Inc.
In his current role at Jefferies & Company, Inc., a full service Investment Bank with a real estate portfolio of over 1 million SF distributed across more than 30 cities through the US, Europe and Asia, Barry Alton is responsible for strategic planning, real estate transactions, project design and build, critical infrastructure and on-going maintenance of all sites within the company’s portfolio. Previously, Mr. Alton was a Vice President and Manager of Premises and Logistics at BNP Paribas. His early career as a Mechanical Engineer led him into corporate real estate while working closely with landlords and tenants on creative infrastructure projects.
Jason Aster, President
Vice President KBA Lease Services
Jason Aster is Vice President at KBA Lease Services where his duties include business development and client relations, with a primary focus on the New York market. Mr. Aster has coupled his legal background with experience in corporate communication to develop and implement strategies for KBA’s lease audit services. Prior to joining KBA, Mr. Aster practiced general corporate law and litigation in New York, representing major international banks and private lenders with a focus on real estate and structured finance. Mr. Aster attended both the University of Virginia School of Law and University of Virginia School of Arts and Sciences, where he obtained a degree in History, Sociology and a Juris Doctor.
Sheena Gohil, Vice President
Managing Director, Colliers International
Sheena Gohil is a Director based in Colliers International's Midtown New York office. She focuses on providing brokerage and transaction management services to corporate/institutional clientele as well as small ad medium sized professional service firms in varying industries. Prior to joining Colliers International, Ms. Gohil worked in Boston, where she was concentrated on both tenant and landlord representation. Ms. Gohil graduated from Boston University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Business administration with dual concentrations in Accounting and Finance.
Sara Francini, Secretary
Senior Director of Business Development, Skanska USA Building Inc.
Dino Piccini, Treasurer
Cushman & Wakefield
As a Partner at Transwestern’s New York office Dino Piccini is responsible for managing and expanding brokerage services for corporate accounts based in the Northeast region, including New York, New Jersey, Boston and Connecticut. Prior to joining Transwestern, Dino was with DTZ (merged with C&W) since 2000 managing global occupier services accounts. Dino gained significant corporate real estate experience at Air Products, PepsiCo, and JP Morgan Chase before joining leading real estate advisory firms Richard Ellis in 1990 and CBRE in 1997. Mr. Piccini served on the Board of CoreNet Global as it’s Treasurer and is a Boardroom Executive Affiliate of the National Association of Corporate Directors. He earned his Bachelor of Engineering degree from Stevens Institute of Technology.
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Jennifer Abbattista, Special Events
Strategic Account Manager, Innovant
Jennifer is responsible for establishing and managing strategic relationships for Innovant with corporate end users, architects & designers, project managers, and construction managers. She has over 20 years of experience working within the industry. Prior to joining Innovant, Jennifer worked for a furniture dealership and a major furniture manufacturer. Her responsibilities included sales and marketing and the development of workplace strategies and solutions to support the ever changing workplace. Jennifer is a graduate of Syracuse University, School of Visual & Performing Arts, with a BFA in Interior Design.
Vito Bacarella, Special Interest Groups
Managing Director, UBS
Vito Bacarella joined UBS in May of 2006 as Managing Director of Branch Real Estate for Wealthy Management Americas. In his role, Vito oversees a 4.5 million sq-ft real estate portfolio spread over 400 locations in the US, spanning coast-to-coast, as well as South America. One of Vito's most recent initiatives is the roll-out of the Private Wealth Management Ultra High Net Worth offices for UBS.
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Debra Cole, Women's Group
Associate Principal/Client Relations Director of New York, HLW International LLP
As Client Relations Director for the New York Office of HLW International, Debra builds industry relationships with a diverse range of clients including broadcast and media, financial corporations, technology, academic institutions and residential buildings. The New York industry face of HLW, Debra is a skilled business development executive and has more than 30 years of experience connecting clients, architects and consultants. Prior to joining HLW International, Debra led business development efforts at Perkins+Will and prior to that at SOSH Architects. Debra currently serves on the Board of Directors for the New York City Chapter of CoreNet, as well as the Board of Directors for both CREW NY & the Women’s Builders Council and is an active member of IFMA, & New York Building Congress. She serves on the leadership event committee of SHARE (Self Help for Women with Breast or Ovarian Cancer) and the event committee for the Special Olympics Real Estate and Construction Gala.
Kelley Douglass, Membership
Director, Regional Sales, Oldcastle Inc.
Kelley Douglass is currently a Regional Sales Director for Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope and has over 25 years of experience helping clients optimize their workplace. Her current role is focused on an exciting new interior wall solution initiative while continuing to engage with the New York City Real Estate community to establish strategic relationship with distribution partners, end users, architects and designers, contractors and project managers. Prior to joining Oldcastle Kelley worked for another leader in interior office construction, Dormakaba.
Gus Field, Programs
Gus Field started his career with Cushman & Wakefield on Wall Street in February 1988. Fast forward 30 years, he is one of a very few in real estate who have remained with just one firm, and notably with the same business partners, John Cefaly and Rob Lowe, with whom he became partners in 1989. His business focus is fundamental: in no particular order – to build and maintain an excellent reputation; execute professionally at the highest level on behalf of clients; continuously raise the bar; be a lifelong learner; and work to help people, in and outside of the office, every day.
He is a board member of Education Through Music in New York City, and is deeply into music, playing guitar and frequenting live performances in New York and throughout the country. He is a three time Ironman distance triathlete, a non-active private pilot, avid skier, a student of golf, and life. He is a graduate of Harvard University and Deerfield Academy.
Alison Kwiatkowski, Young Leaders Group
American Lead of Strategic Planning, Deutsche Bank for JLL
As the JLL Pojects and Strategy Lead for the Deutsche Bank Account, Alison oversees the Bank's project work, portfoloio strategy, and workplace strategy for the Americaa Region. Alison studied architecture at University of Pennsylvania and has a Master of Science (MS) in Real Estate Development from New York University.
Karen Lalli, Workshop
Director, Global Workplace and Facilities, Gerson Lehrman Group
Ted Moudis, AIA, Sponsorship
Senior Principal, Ted Moudis Associates
Ted Moudis, AIA, has a distinguished 30-year career. In 1990, he founded Ted Moudis Associates. Mr. Moudis’ business acumen and leadership have propelled his firm to be a widely recognizable and respected presence in the industry, consistently ranked in the top 10 design firms in New York and top 50 nationwide. Mr. Moudis’ diverse and extensive experience in architecture and interior design ranges from corporate headquarters for financial firms, insurance and media companies to luxury retailers, with projects spanning the globe. He inspires the best in design and performance, delivers beyond what is expected and endeavors to achieve the highest standards for every client. Mr. Moudis is also leading the way towards efficient, environmentally responsible design and is committed to helping clients reach sustainable (LEED) goals. He has earned the respect of his colleagues and the steadfast loyalty of many clients through his day-to-day involvement, quality control and conviction of providing superior services and technical expertise with high quality design.
Thomas J. O’Halloran, Communities
Vice President, Structure Tone
In Tom’s role as Vice President in the NY Headquarters of Structure Tone, he drives the strategic direction of the firm’s client relations on the local and global levels. For the last 10 years he has driven new business and maintained relationships with the firm’s clients, inclusive of high profile commercial landlords and tenants. During this time, he had been responsible for the procurement of over $250 million in new revenue streams. Prior to joining Structure Tone, he was an Associate Director and licensed NYS Real Estate broker in the Midtown office of Cushman & Wakefield. A graduate of Manhattan College with a BS in Political Science, Tom is an active volunteer in his local and professional communities, serving charitable causes such as the Inner City Scholarship Fund and The Boy Scots of America, among others.
Cindy Quan, External Relations & University Relations
Vice President of the Infrastructure Planning Group, Corporate Services and Real Estate, Goldman, Sachs & Co.
As Vice President in the Infrastructure Planning Group in Corporate Services and Real Estate, Cindy Quan oversees Goldman, Sachs & Co.’s global environmental initiatives including the green building portfolio and the firm’s carbon reduction strategy. She was responsible for the LEED Gold Certification of the World Headquarters building located in Downtown Manhattan at 200 West Street. Ms. Quan graduated with a BS in Facilities Management and Policy Analysis from Cornell University.
ADVISORS
Paul Darrah, Advisor
Lou D'Avanzo, Advisor
Vice Chairman, Cushman & Wakefield
Louis D’Avanzo is a Vice Chairman at Cushman & Wakefield, the world’s largest independent real estate services firm and is one of the firm’s leading brokerage professionals. After beginning his carreer there in 1991, Mr. D’Avanzo has advised many of the world’s largest financial institutions, hedge funds, private equity firms, law firms and telecommunications firms on their real estate occupancy requirements worldwide. He received his MBA in Real Estate and Corporate Finance from Columbia University.
Daniel Fishbein, SLCR, Advisor
Director, Global Real Estate, CIT
As the head of Global Real Estate at CIT, Dan is responsible for strategic real estate planning, transactions management, subleasing, and lease administration for CIT locations worldwide. This includes participation in business unit acquisitions and dispositions. Dan’s past experience includes seven years as Director of Real Estate at The Vanguard Group and asset management responsibilities for investment real estate at BNY Mellon and The Rubenstein Company. He began his career at Boston’s Economic Development Industrial Corporation rising to the position of Director, Real Estate and Planning. After graduating from Boston University, Dan received a Master of City Planning degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Dan has held leadership roles in CoreNet Global since 1994.
Lauren Nanna, Advisor
Director of Global Administration, General Atlantic
Ms. Nanna is Director of Global Administration of General Atlantic. She is responsible for managing all the Executive Assistants in the firm, as well as handling Real Estate, Travel and general Office Administration. Prior to joining General Atlantic, Ms. Nanna worked as a Senior Associate at VVA Project Managers & Consultants where she garnered her extensive experience in project management, engineering, construction and land development. Ms. Nanna has a BS from the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science.
Lou Nowikas, Advisor
Senior Director, Corporate Real Estate & Facilities Planning, Hearst Corporation
In his role as Senior Director of Corporate Real Estate & Facilities Planning, Lou Nowikas is responsible for the Hearst Real Estate Portfolio and all New York Operations including, but not limited to, Property and Facilities Management, Design and Construction and Food, Fitness and Wellness Services. In 2004, he joined Hearst to manage the Hearst Tower development project. Prior to his tenure at Hearst, Mr. Nowikas worked for Goldman Sachs, CUH2A Architects, Engineers and Planners and Warner-Lambert Company (now Pfizer). He holds a MS in Engineering Management from The New Jersey Institute of Technology and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Drexel University.
Marcus Rayner, Advisor
Vice Chairman New York region, Colliers International
With over 20 years experience providing corporate real estate advice to clients in the US and specializing in strategic planning and transaction services, Mr. Rayner previously served as the Managing Principal of Cresa’s New York office. Mr. Rayner is a former member of the firm's Board of Directors and is a qualified member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS) in the UK.
Gina Rizzo, Advisor
Global Client Relations, Herman Miller
Gina Rizzo is Global Client Relations for Herman Miller and has over 25 years of experience in providing solutions to the changing workplace environment. Gina is responsible for the marketing and new business efforts globally within the corporate real estate community and concentrates on building and maintaining relationships early in the process with top decision makers. To assure a strong partnership between Herman Miller and the client, Gina teams with Herman Miller’s global resources to bring an effective and long-term solution for the corporate environment.
Pay Wu, Advisor
Senior Vice President of North American Corporate Real Estate CRM, TD Bank
Pay is a seasoned executive as the Senior Vice President, Head of North American Corporate Real Estate Client Relationship Management and currently leads a North American team responsible for Lines of Business relationship and strategies for 11M square feet of leased and owned office properties (50% of the global portfolio). She is accountable for end to end Corporate client relationship experience of Enterprise Real Estate (ERE) strategy, planning, business decision, translation of business strategies into workplace strategies (TD FlexWorkPlace), projects and occupancy services. Pay is a frequent speaker in industry events and published author of numerous articles. She is an MCR.workplace instructor on the CoreNet MCR faculty and currently serves as a Senior Advisor to the Board of Directors for the NYC Chapter of CoreNet Global.