NY Affordable Housing

Spencer Orkus is a Partner and the President of Development at L+M Development Partners who has been with the company since 2007. He has developed over 5,000 affordable new construction units within various mixed-use new construction projects compiling over $2.5 billion in financing resources. Spencer leads L+M’s efforts to provide housing that is healthy, energy-efficient, and resilient to climate change. He is passionate about the intersection of housing, healthcare and food access, partnering with various healthcare providers, food-oriented social justice enterprises and other non-profits. He has led L+M’s venture into the new era of sustainable construction, having completed our first passive house project with geothermal heating/cooling and NYC’s first net-zero community in the pipeline. Prior to joining L+M, Spencer worked as a licensed structural engineer for DeSimone Consulting Engineers designing high-rise residential buildings and other structures. He has a BA and MA in Architectural Engineering from Penn State University and an MA in Real Estate from New York University’s Schack Institute of Real Estate. He is co-chair of the NYSAFAH policy committee, a board member of New York Passive House and serves on the Hastings on Hudson waterfront zoning committee.

John is a Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager within KeyBank Real Estate Capital’s Community Development Lending and Investment Group. He is a member of the Group’s management team tasked with expanding the Bank’s affordable housing platform from 12 to 50 states. Based in Manhattan, John focuses on establishing and expanding relationships with real estate investors and owners of affordable housing based in the eastern US. Throughout his tenure at the Bank John has served in many functions including working in the Bank’s Income Property Group, Asset Recovery Group, and Private Equity Group. Over his career, he has closed over $1.5 billion in multifamily housing loans throughout the nation. John has expertise in a wide variety of asset types, including Affordable Housing, Market Rate Apartments, Manufactured Housing, Student Housing, and Seniors Housing. Additionally, he is highly experienced in complex deal structures including acquisition/rehabs, tax exempt bonds, low income housing tax credits, new construction, and permanent financing options through Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and HUD. John is a 2006 graduate of Morehouse College by way of Houston, Texas. While at Morehouse he graduate Cum Laude with a Bachelors Degree in Finance and a minor in Economics. John currently serves as a Board Member of Bridge Street Development Corporation and serves on the Steering committee of the New York Chapter of the Real Estate Associates Program.

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.

Victor Sozio is one of the Founding Members of Ariel Property Advisors. Serving the company as Executive Vice President-Brokerage Services, Mr. Sozio is responsible for originating and executing the sale of commercial real estate transactions throughout the five boroughs. Since beginning his career, Mr. Sozio has participated in selling more than 550 properties valued at over $2 billion and has established himself as one of New York City’s leading commercial real estate brokers. Through his career Mr. Sozio has maintained a sharp focus on the multi-family asset class, selling both individual buildings and portfolios. He has developed a comprehensive understanding of properties subject to various city, state and federal regulatory agreements, including rent stabilization, Section 8 vouchers, HUD agreements and LIHTC. His expertise extends to the sale of development sites and commercial condos throughout New York City. In 2012, The Commercial Observer named Mr. Sozio one of the 20 to Watch, which recognized emerging commercial real estate professionals. In 2013 and 2014, Real Estate Forum named him and his partners as Top NY Brokers, as well as recognizing him as one of Tomorrow’s Leaders: New York. Mr. Sozio is an active participant and supporter of industry and non-profit organizations such as The Real Estate Board of New York, Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, Bronx-Manhattan North Association of Realtors and the New York State Association for Affordable Housing where he serves on the membership committee. Mr. Sozio began his real estate career at Massey Knakal Realty Services, now Cushman & Wakefield. He is a graduate of Manhattan College, where he received a B.S. with a concentration in marketing. He also is a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Real Estate; Jeanine represents developers in the construction and development of commercial, mixed-use and residential properties, including affordable and supportive housing projects and skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living facilities. Such representation includes all aspects of acquisition, development, construction and financing through the use of tax-exempt bond issuances, government subsidies and grants, construction loans and low-income housing tax credits. General Counsel; Ms. Margiano serves as general counsel to a number of for-profit and not-for-profit companies, ranging from small enterprises to large international companies, providing advice on myriad of matters such as: formation of business entities; intellectual property; corporate and regulatory compliance; real estate; licensing; financing; employment; privacy and compliance policies; non-disclosure arrangements; asset acquisitions and divestures; and vendor and service-related contracts. Lending; Ms. Margiano also practices in the areas of commercial and real estate lending and municipal finance transactions. She represents numerous institutional lenders on all aspects of secured and unsecured financings, including direct bond purchases in connection with tax-exempt bond issuances to developers, educational and not-for-profit entities, acquisition and construction loans, traditional financings, including lines of credit, participations, and asset-based loans secured by receivables and inventory.

Winell Belfonte is a partner in CohnReznick’s Affordable Housing and Not-for-Profit and Education Industry practices. She serves as the partner in charge of the Firm's New York office affordable housing practice. In this capacity, she is the lead service provider and business advisor to her clients and accountable for the dissemination and implementation of technical issues for affordable housing and not-for-profit clients. Winell has 30 years of experience providing services to a broad range of clients. Her extensive experience comes in the areas of audit, accounting, and tax for not-for-profit and for-profit clients including real estate developers, investors, syndicators, contractors, and property managers, as well as charities and foundations. Her business advisory expertise includes strategic planning, the design and implementation of internal control structures, financial analysis, budgets, regulatory compliance, and investor requirements. As a frequent speaker, Winell has become well known for her technical expertise. She has spoken to many not-for-profit and affordable housing audiences and graduated from a nine-month community leadership program with Leadership of Greater Washington in 2010.