Rick Kaplan Host of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews Mitchell Korbey of Herrick, Feinstein LLP. Mitchell Talks about why City of Yes is a timely piece of legislation that, if approved, will dramatically change the city's housing landscape and make a big dent in the issue of affordable housing. I think your audience would find it interesting to hear about the specifics impacts of the finalized version on the city, and how this can serve as a blueprint for similar initiatives to spur housing development. More broadly, I can also talk about how zoning can be a tool to make progress in on pressing problems that impact both the city's real estate market and the economy.
Tell us a little about yourself and some accomplishments: I'm 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.

Host Rick Kaplan of the NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast with Brett Mercer and Steven Chick of Greek Real Estate Partners. Brett talk about his believes that exploring the state of the industrial logistics market in the Northeast will provide valuable insight for members of the industry, from investors and developers to space occupiers. The industry finds itself at a critical moment, coming out of a restrictive rates environment and possibly moving into a period of greater investment and development activity with both existing and ground-up facilities. Discussing solutions to challenges faced by the industry is especially relevant as industry members seek to build and upgrade facilities to meet both the current and future demands of occupiers, preparing for new technology and an evolving landscape for power and distribution. Steven will provide detailed insight into the mechanics and processes that enable industrial real estate owners and developers to reimagine and reposition existing facilities that may benefit from upgrades to technology and layout that create greater efficiency and meet the specific needs of current industrial space occupiers. The design/build process provides a cost-effective approach to repositioning and to new developments and expansions, reducing time and delivering a product with greater utility and value to owners and occupiers.

Host Rick Kaplan of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews Aeran Doron of Suffolk Construction. Aeran brings a unique perspective on the New York City construction industry for NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast listeners to enjoy. Aeran discusses how Suffolk is redefining the way they build through investments in innovative technology, data solutions, and artificial intelligence. Aeran also talks about current trends for the market, including the public sector, and about the new technology and Suffolk mentorship programs that are available for younger people interested in the industry.

Rick Kaplan Host of NEREJ / NYREJ Podcast interviews Kevin Deabler of Rode Architects. Kevin is a design professional who has been immersed in Boston’s building and design community for nearly two decades, Kevin is eager to connect with the NEREJ’s audience about the current landscape. He has been at the forefront of major projects and innovation at the intersection of design and sustainability, in and around Boston, and can offer a unique perspective for your listeners. He brings a passion for talking about architecture, design, and the real estate scene in Boston, and the timing is wonderful for him to join as a guest, as RODE Architects is in the midst of growth momentum with the acquisition of a fellow Boston firm, McMahon Architects, earlier this month.

Rick Kaplan host of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews Randy Eckers of Reed Smith LLP. Randy has more than 20 years of experience as a real estate finance attorney, he represents large lending institutions, private equity funds, debt funds, banks, bond investors, C-PACE lenders and administrators, and property owners in a wide variety of commercial real estate financing, structured financing, and secondary market transactions. This past fall he was honored by the New York Real Estate Journal as visionary in the industry, and in February 2023 was named a top rainmaker in commercial real estate finance.

Rick Kaplan host of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews John Schultzel of Olympia Hospitality. John began his career working in hotels and restaurants after earning his B.A. from Wesleyan University in 1991 and a Master of Management in Hospitality from the Hotel School at Cornell University. After more than a decade in various operating roles, he migrated to asset management with Host Hotels and then joined Olympia in 2001. With a balanced understanding of owner and operator perspectives, John has guided Olympia’s new development and growth opportunities over the last 2 decades. In that time, Olympia Hospitality has distinguished itself as a leading operator of boutique hotels specializing in campus hospitality and leisure destinations.

Rick Kaplan Host of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews Fraidy Rapaport of Upscale Equities. Fraidy discusses her journey in the mortgage industry. I've been in the mortgage industry for more than two decades now, and let me tell you, it's been quite the journey. I've had the privilege of helping over 1,250 individuals/ clients and their families achieve the dream of homeownership, and there's nothing quite like the feeling of handing over the feeling of safety, security, and structure.

Some of my proudest accomplishments are the following:
- Closing over $130,000,000 worth of loans.
- Successfully overcoming the biggest financial crisis (08) and being able to be in business as long as I have.
- Being able to successfully help & guide multiple first-time homebuyers with unique and different situations.
- Being an amazing, loving, responsible, and caring mother of 8 wonderful children that never cease to amaze me.

Beyond that, I'm deeply passionate about educating others about the ins and outs of the mortgage process. Whether it's breaking down complex financial concepts or offering practical advice for first-time homebuyers, I'm always eager to share my knowledge and expertise.

Rick Kaplan Host of NEREJ / NYREJ Podcast interviews Yiannes Einhorn Principal of Grid Group. Grid Group offers a full suite of real estate development services. Our projects reflect a hands-on commitment to quality and craft with a meticulous attention to detail. We built 124 West 16th Street, the only Manhattan development to launch during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and completely sell out in less than a year, and 246 West 16th Street, which sold out in three weeks in 2021. Coming full circle and developing 601 Baltic, a boutique condominium near where I grew up. Also building our largest project to date: 145 Central Park, located directly on Central Park.