Brooklyn State of the Market

Bonnie Campbell is a Principal at Two Trees Management Company, a development firm in Brooklyn, NY. Two Trees is known for its role in transforming the Brooklyn neighborhood of DUMBO where the company’s holdings include 3 million square feet of commercial, industrial and residential space. As a result of Two Trees’ efforts, DUMBO has grown from a neglected waterfront into a vibrant mixed-use community. Bonnie leads a team of planners, architects and development professionals on behalf of Two Trees and is involved in site acquisition, financing, construction, design, and leasing of Two Trees’ portfolio. Most recently, she and her team successfully rezoned the 11-acre Domino Sugar Refinery site acquired by Two Trees in 2012. The site is currently being redeveloped by Two Trees to include a 6-acre public park and 3 million sq. ft. of new development including residential, office, retail and community facility uses. Bonnie joined Two Trees over 15 years ago, after receiving masters degrees in Real Estate Development and City Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Bonnie received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Urban Planning from Stanford University.

Carlo A. Scissura, Esq. is President & CEO of the New York Building Congress, a position he has held since January 2017. The New York Building Congress is a broad-based membership association committed to promoting the growth and success of the construction industry in New York City and its environs. The organization – which includes members from across the building community – provides a unique forum to advance an industry-wide agenda focusing on economic and infrastructure investment, job creation, and professional exchange. Carlo and his team have spurred tremendous growth at the Building Congress. With record membership, increased visibility across the five boroughs and the entire region, and a focus on securing infrastructure investment from the city, state and federal levels of government, the Building Congress is stronger and more influential than ever. Prior to joining the Building Congress, Carlo was President & CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. Under Carlo’s leadership, the Chamber became one of New York’s largest business advocacy and economic development organizations, and its membership grew by more than 200 percent to over 2,200 members. During this historic period of growth, the Chamber’s efforts were widely recognized as creating national models for business development, outreach and technical assistance, and regional branding. Carlo served both as Chief of Staff and General Counsel to Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz for nearly five years before leading the Brooklyn Chamber. During his tenure, he restructured operations at Borough Hall and served as senior advisor to the Borough President. He focused on driving the borough’s economic development agenda, working closely with the Mayor’s Office, City Council, and Economic Development Corporation (EDC), and served on the Boards of EDC, the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation and Brooklyn Public Library. A graduate of both Pace University and Pace Law School, Carlo owned a thriving solo practice law firm in Dyker Heights prior to joining the Borough President’s Office. He previously served on the staffs of State Senator Vincent Gentile and Assemblyman Peter Abbate. Carlo is the President of the Federation of Italian-American Organizations, where he has spearheaded the building of the new Italian Cultural and Community Center in Brooklyn. He is a member of the Boards of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corp., The New York City Regional Economic Development Council, ACE Mentorship, Salvadori Center and the Friends of the BQX. Carlo is a former member of Community Board 11 in Brooklyn and the District 20 School Board and Community Education Council. Carlo is currently Chair of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway redevelopment panel, tasked with evaluating options for the replacement of the aging highway from the Atlantic Avenue interchange to Sands Street in Brooklyn. Carlo has also received numerous honors and awards for his work. Born and raised in Bensonhurst, Carlo is a lifelong Brooklyn resident. He currently lives in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn with his daughter, Teresa Rose.

Ty is the Senior Vice President of Investments at Lakevision Capital East, leading the acquisition of core and core plus multifamily assets on the east coast. Previously, he was the Vice President of Acquisitions at Taconic Investment Partners, where he was responsible for the acquisition of multifamily assets in New York City. While at Taconic, Ty led the acquisition of fifteen properties and his day-to-day activities included deal underwriting, debt placement, deal diligence, capital budget creation, and the strategic vision of acquired multifamily properties. His responsibilities also included community and public relations, and interfacing with government agencies and officials. Prior to Taconic, Ty was the Senior Acquisitions Manager at Related Companies. There, Ty was a subject matter expert in RAD Conversions, Project Based Section 8 and low-income housing tax credits deals—as well as local government (New York City and Boston) affordable housing initial lease-up lottery programs and procedures. Prior to that, he held Senior Portfolio and Asset Management positions with Winn Residential and MMC. Ty earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Colgate University and a master’s degree in real estate finance and investment from NYU’s Schack Institute of Real Estate. Lakevison Capital East: Lakevision Capital East team helps institutional investors and family offices buy core and core plus multifamily properties.

Karen Hu is Director at The Hudson Companies, where she leads the development of One Clinton and the redevelopment of Boulevard Houses. A lifelong New Yorker, Karen grew up on the Lower East Side. She is passionate about supporting institutions that make NYC such a wonderful place to live: the museums, the libraries, the parks and especially the Subway. She also believes that access to permanent housing can be a powerful, stabilizing force in people’s lives. Karen holds her Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Williams College and her Masters in City Planning and Masters in Real Estate Development from MIT.

Mitch Korbey is a partner, and chair of Herrick’s Land Use & Zoning Group. Mitch is an accomplished urban planner and land use attorney with more than 30 years of experience in private practice and government service. Mitch is a former Commissioner of the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA), a former director of the Department of City Planning's (DCP) Brooklyn office, and a former deputy director of DCP’s Staten Island office. Mitch has been recognized by Chambers USA as one of New York City’s leading zoning lawyers for the past seven years. He advises clients on a wide range of issues, including site acquisitions and assemblages, site development options, zoning lot mergers and development rights transfers, as well as applications for zoning variances, special permits and other discretionary approvals from the BSA, DCP, Department of Buildings, Landmarks Preservation Commission, and other agencies. Mitch also regularly counsels prominent developers, owners and lenders on the management of millions of square-feet of New York City real estate. In doing so, he navigates the complexities of the City’s byzantine zoning resolution – guiding clients to the most efficient intersection of their business goals and what the rules will allow. He also keeps clients abreast of political headwinds that could impact their properties or development plans. Mitch is an adjunct professor of law at Brooklyn Law School, and an adjunct with Hunter College's graduate program in urban planning.