By Bill Parry
While Amazon’s decision to build its new HQ2 campus around Anable Basin along the East River has dominated the headlines, the neighborhood’s economic development organization has undergone a transition in leadership as it prepares for a new era in the nation’s fastest growing metro area.
During its annual meeting and legislative breakfast on Dec. 14, the Long Island City Partnership welcomed Rockrose Development Corporation’s senior vice president Patricia Dunphy was welcomed as its new chair of the board of directors. Dunphy replaces the retiring Gary Kesner who will assume the honorary role of chairman of the board emeritus.
“The transition of Board chair is a bittersweet moment,” LIC Partnership President Elizabeth Lusskin said. “Gary has dedicated so much of his time and energy to this organization which has positioned LIC as a role-model for urban centers across the country. Patricia has been a member of the Board for years and knows LIC from the inside out.”
Dunphy has been a driving force in New York City real estate for more than three decades and said she’s “crazy about Long Island City” where she is playing a major role in Rockrose’s $1 billion Court Square project which is in the process of bringing four major residential projects to the neighborhood.
“Patricia has been a very active member of the Board for many years and a true leader in LIC and we are fortunate to have her leading us into this next great chapter,” Lusskin said.
The University of Wisconsin graduate draws retail to Rockrose developments and is credited with New York City’s first Whole Foods to Manhattan in 2001.
“She is a perfect fit for helping the area reach new heights and I look forward to working with Patricia in her elevated role,” Lusskin said.
Other new officers on the LIC Partnership’s board include Charles Boyce of Boyce Technologies as the first vice chair, Elliot Park of Shine Electronics Incorporated as the new second vice chair and Michelle Adams of Tishman Speyer as a vice chair. Alvarez Symonette of Lady M Confections Co., Ltd., was also named as vice chair.
Among the new board members are John Hatfield of Socrates Sculpture Park, Andrew Chung of Innovo Property Group, Sara Cohen of Gotham Realty, Alan Harker of Vayner Media Group, Douglas Meyer of Bank Leumi, Kenneth Salzman of Lee & Associates, Irene Zoupaniotis of Farrell Fritz, P.C. and Frank Zuckerbrot of Sholom & Zuckerbrot Realty LLC.
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
