NEW YORK CONVENTION CENTER OPERATING - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Executive
- Chief Executive Officer of the New York Convention Center Operating Corporation
- President and CEO of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
- President and Chief Executive of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
Mr. Steel, 64, is the president and chief executive of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, which, along with the Hudson Yards redevelopment and a spurt of new hotels, is helping to redefine the underused Far West Side of Manhattan. The convention center is undergoing a $465 million renovation. Interview conducted and condensed by Vivian Marino...
Alan Steel is the Chief Executive Officer of the New York Convention Center Operating Corporation, which operates the Javits Center on Manhattan's West Side, in addition to serving as a board member with UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry. Under Mr. Steel 's leadership, the Javits Center recently completed an historic expansion project that added more than 1 million square feet of state-of-the-art space, including more exhibition and meeting room space, a rooftop pavilion and a one-acre rooftop farm. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Steel played a pivotal role in New York's response and recovery, overseeing the design, construction and operation of the nation's largest field hospital and vaccination center. Upon his appointment in 2012, Mr. Steel led the completion of a comprehensive renovation and operational overhaul at the Javits Center that included significant investments in energy efficiency, security and technology. As a result, the convention center has emerged as a nationwide model of sustainability, partnering with research institutions and community groups to study and reinforce the building's positive impact on the local environment. Prior to the Javits Center, Mr. Steel spent more than 30 years as an event management executive. He is the former President of George Little Management (GLM), a major producer of trade shows in the United States and Canada and was active in developing domestic and international markets for the company. Before joining GLM in 1982, Mr. Steel worked for more than 15 years with the British government in several trade-related positions at the Department of Trade and Industry in London, the British Consulate in Chicago and the British Trade Development Office in New York. Mr. Steel has received numerous awards for his accomplishments, including recognition from the International Association of Exhibitors and Events (IAEE), New York Society of Association Executives (NYSAE), American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS), Sing for Hope and New Yorkers for Parks. An avid environmentalist, Mr. Steel currently serves as chairperson of NYC & Company's Sustainability Committee, as well as on the Board of Directors for New York City Audubon and New Yorkers for Parks and the Board of Trustees for The Climate Museum.
Job Titles:
- Founder, Board Member, and President of Medallion Financial Corp
Andrew M. Murstein is a founder, Board Member, and President of Medallion Financial Corp., a publicly traded investment Company (NASDAQ:TAXI). His family is also the largest shareholder. Medallion's predecessor company was started in 1937 and has invested over $5 billion since its I.P.O. in 1996. Mr. Murstein and Medallion Financial Corp. have been featured in articles in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, American Banker, U.S. Banker, Forbes and many others. Mr. Murstein received a B.A. graduating cum laude from Tufts University and an M.B.A. from New York University.
Bradley Siciliano was appointed President of the Javits Center in April of 2022, having previously served as both Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel. Mr. Siciliano is responsible for overseeing the development, design, operation and improvement of all systems that create and deliver the services provided by the New York Convention Center Operating Corporation, including all financial, facilities and infrastructure, human resources, labor and sales and marketing operations. Prior to joining the Javits Center in 2014, Mr. Siciliano served as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary to Sharp Electronics. Mr. Siciliano has a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University and received his Juris Doctor degree from Hofstra University School of Law, where he served on the Law Review.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Governance Committee
- Counsel to O'Dwyer & Bernstien
Brian O'Dwyer serves Of Counsel to O'Dwyer & Bernstien, LLP, a law firm founded by his late father, Paul, where he specializes in immigration rights, personal injury, labor relations and general commercial litigation. As a strong advocate for immigrants' rights, Mr. O'Dwyer founded the Emerald Isle Immigration Center, the largest Irish immigrant center in the United States, and has served as chairman and counselor to the Asociacion Tepeyac de New York, which provides advocacy and services to the Mexican community. Mr. O'Dwyer is a graduate of The George Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish-American literature. He earned his Masters of Arts degree in Spanish-Language literature from Middlebury College in Madrid and received his Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University and a Masters in Law from The George Washington University.
Christy Ferer founded Vidicom a multi-media agency creating branded content and connecting consumers and brands through digital video communities. Its subsidiary, Citybuzz, is a travel channel that is broadcast on the web, in taxis, elevators and in NYC hotels. Ferer began her career as an Emmy award- winning political news reporter and as a lifestyle contributor for the network morning news shows. She also served as a special assistant to Mayor Bloomberg on the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site after the 9-11 attacks. Ferer served as a Commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for five year. She has served on boards of The World Trade Center Performing Arts Center and American Corporate Partners. She currently serves on the boards of American Corporate Partners, the 92nd Street Y and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in Lower Manhattan. In 2010 she was awarded the French Legion of Honor.
Job Titles:
- Sales and Marketing
- Senior Vice President / Labor Relations and Show Operations
Christine McMahon oversees Human Resources and Labor Solutions at the Javits Center, coordinating the scheduling and assignments for thousands of workers who construct some of the largest events in the United States. Christine manages the hiring of skilled labor for each trade show and special event, a critical component of operations at the Javits Center. Since joining the New York Convention Center Operating Corporation, she has implemented a new workforce management system designed to increase productivity and accountability among all employees. Prior to her current role, Christine served as Vice President of Human Resources/Integration Officer for Tops Friendly Markets and Vice President of Human Resources and Labor Relations for the Penn Traffic Company, two major supermarket operations in the Northeast. Christine has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business, Management and Economics from State University of New York Empire State College.
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President / Sales and Marketing
- Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the New York Convention Center Operating Corporation
Doreen Guerin serves as the Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the New York Convention Center Operating Corporation, overseeing the booking and event-related operations for more than 170 events at the Javits Center each year. With more than 20 years of experience in the events industry, Doreen manages experienced teams who work with event planners to coordinate and construct exhibits for nearly 40,000 exhibitors a year, including Sales and Marketing, Event Solutions, Exhibitor Solutions, Event Set-Up, Environmental Solutions, Security and Safety Solutions and Centerplate, the facility's exclusive caterer. Under Doreen's leadership, the Javits Center underwent a top-to-bottom renovation while maintaining day-to-day operations as the busiest convention center in the United States, and these infrastructure upgrades paved the way for an ongoing expansion project that is scheduled for completion in 2021. Before joining the Javits Center, Doreen served as an accomplished show manager, responsible for doubling the size of the North American International Toy Fair, now one of the largest trade show events at the Javits Center.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- President and CEO of New York City Tourism
Fred Dixon serves as the President and CEO of New York City Tourism + Conventions, New York City's official destination marketing organization. With more than 25 years of experience in the tourism and hospitality industries, Mr. Dixon oversees a global sales, marketing and promotional network, including 17 representative offices on five continents, designed to maximize travel, tourism convention and meeting opportunities throughout the City, build economic prosperity and spread the dynamic image of New York City around the world. Mr. Dixon serves on the Executive Committee of the United States Travel Association, as well as the United States Department of Commerce's Travel and Tourism Advisory Board and the Board of Directors for Tourism Cares. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and history.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Counsel to Bousquet Holstein PLLC
Gary J. Lavine is counsel to Bousquet Holstein PLLC on administrative law. Previously, Mr. Lavine was senior vice president & chief legal officer of Niagara Mohawk Holdings, Inc. and senior vice president, legal & corporate relations of Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation. He served in the U.S. Department of Energy as Deputy General Counsel for Environment & Nuclear Programs managing a portfolio including Assistant General Counsel for International & National Security Programs, Assistant General Counsel for Environment, and Assistant General Counsel for Civilian Nuclear Programs. Mr. Lavine served in a number of staff positions with the New York State Legislature, including Legislative Counsel to the Minority Leader of the Assembly, Counsel to the Senate Committee on Insurance, Executive Director of the Senate Committee on Corporations, Authorities & Commissions, and Assistant to the Chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Reapportionment.
Hugh L. Carey II serves as a public-sector restructuring and bankruptcy consultant for Alvarez & Marsal Public Sector Services, LLC, a consulting firm that specializes in advising financially troubled companies. He previously served as a trader at Samuel A. Ramirez & Co. He graduated from Union College in Schenectady, NY, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Senior Vice President of Real Estate and Property Management at the YMCA of Greater New York
Joseph Chan serves as the Senior Vice President of Real Estate and Property Management at the YMCA of Greater New York and has more than two decades of experience in community and economic development. Prior to the YMCA of Greater New York, Mr. Chan served for five years as Executive Vice President, Real Estate and Public/Private Partnerships at Empire State Development (ESD), New York State's chief economic development agency. During his tenure, he oversaw the agency's large-scale public/private development projects and priorities. From 2006 to 2011, Mr. Chan was the founding president of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, a nonprofit local development corporation. Under his leadership, the company promoted and advanced the growth of downtown Brooklyn, New York City's third largest central business district. Previously, he served for four years as a Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Economic Development in the New York City's Mayor Office during the Bloomberg administration. He also has held leadership positions in the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and Local Development Corporation of East New York. In 2008, Mr. Chan was named one of Crain's New York Business' "40 Under 40." The following year, he received the NYU Wagner School of Public Service Torch Award for Distinguished Young Alumni.
Job Titles:
- President and CEO of the Hotel Association of New York City, Inc
Joseph E. Spinnato is President and CEO of the Hotel Association of New York City, Inc., which represents over 200 hotels, employs over 30,000 people and generates billions of dollars in revenues for the City. He served as Fire Commissioner of New York City during the Koch administration, as First Assistant to the Special Prosecutor for Nursing Homes, and First Assistant to the District Attorney at the Nassau County District Attorney's Office. He is also a member of the Board of Advisors of City Harvest, the Cardinal's Committee for Charity, Board of Directors of Just One Break, Inc., Board of Directors of the Big Apple Greeters, Inc., and the Board of Trustees of St. Vincent's Hospital and Medical Center in Manhattan. A quintessential New Yorker, Mr. Spinnato was born in Queens and attended public schools there until he entered LaSalle Military Academy in Oakdale, NY. He graduated from St. John's University and received his law degree from the University of Miami Law School in Coral Gables, Florida.
Kenneth Dixon oversees security and safety operations at the Javits Center, working closely with event management and employees to ensure a safe environment for millions of visitors. With the installation of state-of-the-art equipment and software throughout the six-block campus, Mr. Dixon has led an overhaul of security systems and protocols that have enhanced public safety, reduced lost items and strengthened relationships with local law enforcement. Prior to joining the New York Convention Center Operating Corporation, Mr. Dixon served as the Vice President and Head of Security for Sotheby's, Inc. and was responsible for the security of $2 billion of art, jewelry and other valuable products. Mr. Dixon also served as Director of U.S. Operations for Brink's, Inc., where he managed a complex network of import, export and domestic transportation of valuables on a global scale. Not only did he oversee the security, transport, storage and logistics for the movement of commodities, but he also designed several Brink's facilities across the country. In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, Mr. Dixon oversaw the 72-hour removal of 1,100 metric tons of silver and 200 metric tons of other precious metals from beneath the ruins of 4 World Trade Center in a salvage mission for Scotia Bank. Kenneth received a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Economics from Pace University and has completed numerous American Management Association courses in human resources, advanced financial analysis, corporate investigations and employee behavioral studies. He is a member of the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS), Association for Threat Assessment Professionals(ATAP), Overseas Advisory Council (OSAC), Jeweler's Security Alliance (JSA), American Museum Association (AMA), NYPD Shield, JFK Cargo Association and a former gilded scholar member of the Gerson Lehrman Consulting Group.
Job Titles:
- Chief Sustainability Officer and Senior Vice President / Facilities Management
Kenneth Sanchez manages facility operations at the Javits Center, a 2.1 million square-foot property that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Mr. Sanchez oversees all construction projects designed to maintain and improve the building's operations, including daily engineering activities, sustainability improvements and customer-facing equipment. Before joining the New York Convention Center Operating Corporation, Mr. Sanchez served as Director of Engineering and Sustainability Champion, as well as an Owner Representative in Project Management for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. He also has served as Director of Operations and Facilities Management for SMG-Worldwide Entertainment & Convention Venue Management and Director of Engineering for Wyndham Worldwide. He has a Bachelors of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Turabo in Caguas, Puerto Rico, and a Masters degree in Hospitality Management from Cornell University.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Chairman of the New York Convention Center Operating Corporation
Lee H. Perlman has been designated as Chair of the New York Convention Center Operating Corporation. Mr. Perlman is a born-and-raised New Yorker who serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative and Financial Officer for the Greater New York Hospital Association (GNYHA). Before GNYHA sold its for-profit companies, Mr. Perlman managed its portfolio that included subsidiaries engaging in nearly $10 billion in commerce annually through group purchasing, management outsourcing, and health care consulting. Mr. Perlman also founded the GNYHA Summer Enrichment Program, which has placed more than 350 diverse student candidates into summer internships at hospitals and nursing homes. He is Chairman of New York's organ procurement organization LiveOnNY, Treasurer of the Entertainment Community Fund (previously known as the Actor's Fund), Vice Chair and Compliance Officer of the American Theatre Wing, a Board member of the Ronald McDonald House New York, and Treasurer of the social services agency Commonpoint Queens. Mr. Perlman is a proud Binghamton University graduate and holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from the Sloan Program at Cornell University.
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Senior Vice President
- Finance / MWBE
Mark Sims serves as the Javits Center's Chief Financial Officer, and he is responsible for the day-to-day planning, implementing, managing and controlling of all finance-related activities of the convention center. This includes the development of financial and operational strategies, metrics tied to these strategies and the ongoing development and monitoring of control systems designed to preserve company assets. He also is directly responsible for accounting, finance, procurement, financial statement development, forecasting, job costing, risk management, cash management, management information systems and electrical solutions. For more than nine years, Mr. Sims served as Chief Information Officer, leading a technological transformation at the Javits Center with a series of significant infrastructure improvements that allowed the facility to emerge as a leader among convention centers nationwide. Among several improvement projects, Mr. Sims managed the installation of a state-of-the-art technology system that provides bandwidth and wireless coverage for 140,000 users at any one time. Before joining the New York Convention Center Operating Corporation, Mr. Sims served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for Mitsui Foods, a publicly traded food and ingredient import/export company, and Vice President of Finance for U.S. Operations for Temco Service Industries, a publicly traded facility management company. Mr. Sims holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a Bachelor's of Science degree in Finance and Accounting from Salisbury State University.
Quenia Abreu serves as the President and CEO New York Women's Chamber of Commerce (NYWCC), the first such organization in New York State that she helped to create, along with other businesswoman and community leaders. Today, the NYWCC counts more than 7,000 members and has provided technical assistance and training to more than 20,000 entrepreneurs, assisted with the creation of 10,000+ new businesses and aided entrepreneurs in accessing $45 million in capital and $65 million in procurement contracts. It also has helped over 5,000 entrepreneurs apply for Minority/Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) certification through its M/WBE Center and Women's Microenterprise Institute. A highly respected advocate for equal opportunity for women and minority entrepreneurs, Ms. Abreu works closely with elected officials, business and community leaders to ensure the growth and success of small businesses in the City and State. In collaboration with elected officials and community leaders, she helped pass Local Law 129, now M/WBE Local Law 1, and Article 15-A which mandate M/WBE participation in City and State projects. Abreu is a member of the M/WBE Advisory Boards for Mayor Bill de Blasio, the NYC School Construction Authority and the Department of Education and serves on a New York State board guiding the State's reopening strategy. Ms. Abreu has received numerous awards, including the Business Leader Award for creating opportunities for immigrants to become economically empowered individuals given by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. In July 2021, she was awarded Crain's New York Business' first ever Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion Award in the Civic Diversity Heroes Category. Ms. Abreu holds a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Marketing and International Trade and is a graduate of the Executive Education Program at the Chicago Graduate School of Business.
Richard N. Gottfried served as a Member of the New York State Assembly for 52 years, elected in 1970 while still in law school. He retired in December 2022, making him the longest-serving member of the Legislature in New York State history. He was a Democrat representing a Manhattan district including Chelsea, Hell's Kitchen, Midtown, and part of the Upper West Side. In 1979, he was the Assembly sponsor of the legislation creating the New York Convention Center Development Corporation and the New York Convention Center Operating Corporation and was also the author of the law creating Hudson River Park. Since 1987, he had chaired the New York State Assembly Committee on Health and worked to protect funding for Medicaid, community health centers, school health clinics, and other safety net providers, and creating and expanding public health insurance programs in New York, including Child Health Plus and the Essential Plan. He sponsored the N.Y. Health Act to create a universal "improved Medicare for all" single-payer health plan for New York. He was a leading proponent of patient autonomy and reproductive freedom and was the sponsor of the law to allow medical use of marijuana in New York and the HIV Testing and Confidentiality Law. His other legislative work included promoting primary and preventive care; the Health Care Proxy Law; the Family Health Care Decisions Act; and expanding and strengthening the professional stature of nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and midwives. He introduced the first Assembly bill to recognize same-sex marriage and sponsored the bill to protect transgender rights under the state Human Rights Law. Mr. Gottfried is a graduate of Cornell University College of Arts and Sciences and Columbia Law School. He is a member of the New York Civil Liberties Union, the Art Students League and the China Institute.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Governance Committee
- Counsel With the Chicago
Ronald Goldstock is Of Counsel with the Chicago-based law firm, Pugh, Jones and Johnson, P.C. He provides Independent Private-Sector Inspector General (IPSIG), expert witness and investigative services for corporate, union and individual clients. For 10 years, Mr. Goldstock served as the New York State Commissioner of the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor and previously served for 13 years as Director of the New York State Organized Crime Task Force. He also has served as Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Labor, Director of the Cornell Institute on Organized Crime and Chief of the Rackets Bureau in the New York County District Attorney's office. He is a Past Chair of the ABA Criminal Justice Section, Past Chairs of the ABA Criminal Justice Standards Committee, the Investigative Function of the Prosecutor Task Force, the Fair Trial Free Press Task Force and is currently Chair of the Monitors Task Force. Mr. Goldstock is on the faculties of New York University, Cornell University and Columbia Law School and has recently served three Northern Ireland Secretaries of State as adviser on matters relating to international organized crime.
Job Titles:
- Vice President
- for All Media Inquiries, Contact
- Vice President of Guest Experiences
Shane Beardsley serves as the Vice President of Guest Experiences, overseeing the implementation of comprehensive and strategic programs designed to further enhance the customer experience throughout the Javits Center. In his role, Mr. Beardsley leads catering operations provided by Cultivated, an innovative collaboration among Levy, CxRA and the Javits Center, which has become a signature feature of the expanded convention center. With more than 20 years of experience in sales, marketing and operations in the New York region, Mr. Beardsley is redefining customer engagement with the creation of new projects and services at the Javits Center that will continue to set the event industry standard. Prior to joining the New York Convention Center Operating Corporation, Mr. Beardsley served as Director of Operations at the South Street Seaport and Rooftop at Pier 17 for the Howard Hughes Corporation and Senior Director of Operations and Events at the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, CT. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sports Management from the State University of New York College at Cortland and a Master of Science Degree from Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY, where he currently serves as an Associate Professor.
Sonia Low - Chief Legal Officer, Secretary, VP
Job Titles:
- Corporate Secretary
- General Counsel
- Vice President
- Facilities / Operations
- Human Resources / EEO
- Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Ethics Officer
Sonia Low serves as Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Ethics Officer at the Javits Center and oversees all legal and government affairs, including corporate governance and ethics, litigation management, commercial transactions and government regulatory requirements. Prior to joining the New York Convention Center Operating Corporation, Sonia served as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary to The ONE Group Hospitality, Inc., a publicly-traded, global hospitality company and creator of the international restaurant brand STK® and upscale, high-energy restaurants and lounges with turn-key food and beverage services for hotels and other high-end locations internationally. Prior to joining The ONE Group, she was the first General Counsel and in-house lawyer of the Chinese-American Planning Council, Inc., and was responsible for all legal affairs of a large nonprofit organization serving the Chinese-American, immigrant and low-income communities of New York City. Sonia also spent a large part of her legal career at a major international law firm where she specialized in capital markets, corporate governance and regulatory compliance. Prior to entering private practice, she served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Ronald L. Ellis in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Sonia has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Barnard College, Columbia University and received her Juris Doctor degree from Brooklyn Law School, where she served on the International Law Review.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Governance Committee
- Partner at the Law Firm, Sidley Austin LLP
Steven C. Koppel serves as a partner at the law firm, Sidley Austin LLP, where he specializes in all aspects of real estate private equity and real estate finance, including a national practice in community development law. With more than 25 years of experience, he represents institutional equity investors throughout the United States and in Europe in the acquisition, development and financing of office buildings, hotels, multifamily housing, public storage facilities, shopping malls and condominium projects. Mr. Koppel sits on the Board of Directors of The Doe Fund, the advisory board of the Rabbinical School at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, the International Advisory Board for the Peres Center for Peace and also serves as a Board Member at Congregation Bnai Jeshurun. He is a graduate of Columbia University and earned his Juris Doctor degree from The George Washington University Law School.
Job Titles:
- Chief Information Officer
- Senior Vice President
Timothy Gaburungyi oversees technology operations at the Javits Center, including the management of all campus-wide technology systems that serve as the digital backbone for the iconic convention center. As the leader of the Technology Solutions team, Mr. Gaburungyi also is responsible for implementing cybersecurity protocols and driving IT strategy to improve the customer experience for thousands of companies each year. Since joining the New York Convention Center Operating Corporation in 2013, Mr. Gaburungyi has been instrumental in the vast improvement of the Javits Center's digital capability, the development and delivery of client-focused technology solutions and enhanced customer support. Under his leadership, the IT function has been transformed into a valuable business operation that has unlocked unique opportunities for event organizers and exhibitors throughout the industry. To safeguard the venue's continued ability to deliver service offerings enabled by new and emerging technology, Mr. Gaburungyi has managed two complete infrastructure refresh projects and the extension of advanced technology into the expanded building. Prior to joining the Javits Center, Mr. Gaburungyi served as the Director of Global Property Technology for Starwood Hotels and Resorts (now part of Marriott Hotels) where he managed several multi-million-dollar technology deployment projects across Starwood's divisions in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and North America. Mr. Gaburungyi is a PMI-certified Project Manager and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master Certificate in Hospitality Management from Cornell University.