FLATIRON NOMAD PARTNERSHIP - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Clean Team
- Brika Lead Clean Team Supervisor
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Tiffany & Co
Job Titles:
- Executive
- Director of Economic Development
- Director of Economic Development Read More
Ali Begazo joined the Partnership in January 2024. As Director of Economic Development, she leads economic data analysis, reporting, and strategy; identifies workforce and real estate development trends; and engages with key stakeholders in the Flatiron and NoMad districts. She also works with Partnership staff to develop strategic planning initiatives and tenant attraction/retention programs.
She has a B.A. in History and Hispanic Studies from McGill University and a Masters in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois Chicago. She brings with her experience in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Prior to joining the Partnership, she worked in community affairs, data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and a wide range of planning initiatives across the Midwest.
Job Titles:
- Director of Administration
- Executive
- Finance
- Director of Administration & Finance Read More
Angelos Kontos joined the Partnership in October of 2022. As Director of Administration and Finance, Angelos directly supports the President and Vice Presidents to coordinate and enhance the operation and administration of the Partnership's programming and services. Angelos oversees organizational budgeting and financial management, serves as a centralized manager of the BID's contractual agreements, and facilitates strong functional relationships with vendors and government.
Angelos brings eight years of experience building the capacity and impact of New York City's network of community-based development organizations at the NYC Department of Small Business Services, serving most recently as Director of Finance & Operations for the Neighborhood Development Division. In this role, he oversaw the agency's grantmaking operations, which deployed local and federal funding to 60+ organizations annually across multiple programs, advancing place-based commercial revitalization initiatives to promote economic equity across the five boroughs. Angelos holds an M.A. in International Political Economy & Development from Fordham University.
Job Titles:
- Executive
- Marketing & Content Manager
- Marketing & Content Manager Read More
Arianne Maliwanag joined as the Partnership's Marketing & Content Manager in May 2022. Most recently, she managed programming and marketing development at the cultural non-profit organization, The Filipino School of NY & NJ. Prior to that, she worked for 5.5 years at The Children's Place, where she led brand marketing, consumer insights, partnerships and public relations. This also included directly supporting the introduction of two additional brands: Gymboree and Sugar & Jade. In her spare time, she is involved with non-profit, civic engagement and advocacy work. Born and raised in Bergenfield, New Jersey and now a proud Brooklynite, she's excited to continue empowering local communities, while bringing her brand marketing and community engagement experiences to the table.
Job Titles:
- Executive
- Event & Program Manager
- Event & Program Manager Read More
Claudia Rincon became the Partnership's Event & Program Manager in 2022. She most recently led marketing and events at the Myrtle Avenue Partership and made public programming more accessible to all people. She had previously worked with the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy, where she distinguished herself as a team leader in planning and promoting events. Prior to her time with the Brooklyn bridge park Conservancy, Claudia worked with the DUMBO Improvement District in a Marketing and Events position. Now, she brings her knowledge and experience to the Flatiron NoMad Partnership to generate visibility through new events and programming throughout the district.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Public Safety Officers Team
Job Titles:
- Executive
- Vice President of Marketing & Communications
- Vice President of Marketing & Communications Read More
Greg Godfrey joined the Partnership in November 2023. As Vice President of Marketing & Communications, he manages the the external communications of the organization and collaborates with the team on public programming, business connection, and social media. He also helps to set the strategy of making Flatiron and NoMad the ultimate go-to destination in Manhattan.
Before joining the Flatiron NoMad Partnership, Greg worked within the district for years helping build the brand of SPIN, the original ping pong social club which redefined the entertainment space with ping pong, social connection and play. Greg holds a B.A. in Business from The George Washington University. His 2024 goal is to visit every bakery in the neighborhood as he has quite the sweet tooth from growing up in the Midwest.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Comptroller of the City of New York
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- New York City Council
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Mayor of the City of New York ( Represented by NYC Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Kevin Kim )
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- President of the Borough of Manhattan
Job Titles:
- Member of the Public Safety Officers Team
Job Titles:
- Executive
- President
- President Read More
James Mettham became the Flatiron NoMad Partnership's President in 2019. He is a downtown management practitioner and leader with a proven track record in economic development, urban planning, and placemaking. James is responsible for strategically guiding the Partnership's multi-year BID expansion process to completion. This effort has nearly doubled the size of the Partnership's service and program footprint. James champions all things Flatiron and NoMad and is committed to making the Partnership the energetic, savvy, and visionary steward that the greater district deserves.
Before joining the Flatiron NoMad Partnership James held multiple leadership positions in local economic development, place management and real estate investments across New York City. At the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, James's role as Managing Director of Finance & Operations included the day-to-day management of Downtown Brooklyn's local development corporation and three BIDs. Prior to that, he served as Assistant Commissioner for the NYC Department of Small Business Services Neighborhood Development Division where he oversaw the nation's largest network of BIDs and the deployment of multi-million dollars in commercial revitalization grants to neighborhoods across NYC. James holds a Master of Urban Planning from New York University's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pittsburgh, and is an alumnus of the Coro New York Leadership Program.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Vice Chair / GFP Real Estate, LLC
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Treasurer / Meringoff Properties, Inc.
Job Titles:
- Executive
- Vice President of Planning, Streetscape & Capital Projects
- Vice President of Planning, Streetscape & Capital Projects Read More
Kurt Cavanaugh joined the Partnership in 2016. As Vice President of Planning, Streetscape & Capital Projects, he manages the daily operations of the Flatiron Public Plazas & seasonal Open Streets including the NoMad Piazza Pop-Up; various public art installations; and everything related to bike and pedestrian safety. Kurt also oversees the district-wide horticulture program and works closely with the Partnership's Field Operations, Marketing, and Economic Development departments on strategic initiatives, advocacy, and planning.
He has a B.S. from Guilford College, an M.S. in Urban Design & Park Management from the University of North Carolina, and 15+ years NYC nonprofit and BID experience. Kurt lives in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and prefers to commute to Flatiron and NoMad on two wheels.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Public Safety Officers Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Homeless Outreach Team
- Outreach Case Manager
Job Titles:
- Executive
- Marketing & Content Coordinator
- Marketing & Content Coordinator Read More
- Writer
Melissa Benedek joined the Partnership as a Content Writer Intern in September 2021 and became a Marketing & Content Coordinator in July 2022.
She supports our Marketing efforts through managing our weekly email newsletter, The Latest, writing engaging articles for the website that highlight the vibrancy of the neighborhood and our local businesses, assisting with business outreach to coordinate marketing and content collaborations, and supporting our social channels. Originally from Miami, Florida, Melissa holds a B.A. in Literature from Bard College.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Chairman / Colliers International
Job Titles:
- Executive
- Senior Planning Associate
- Senior Planning Associate Read More
Mikako Murphy began as a Program Intern at the Partnership in April 2020 and later became the Planning Associate in August 2022, and then Senior Planning Associate in October 2023. Passionate about pedestrian-oriented design and public space activation, she works to advance streetscape improvements and enhancements such as the Flatiron Public Plazas, NoMad Piazza pop-up, and Open Streets.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Public Safety Officers Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Clean Team
- Clean Team Supervisor
Job Titles:
- Member of the Clean Team
- Assistant Clean Team Supervisor
Job Titles:
- Member of the Homeless Outreach Team
- Outreach Case Manager
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Vornado Realty Trust
Job Titles:
- Member of the Public Safety Officers Team
Job Titles:
- Executive
- Part - Time Staff Writer
- Time Staff Writer
Sabrina McFarland began as a Partnership newsletter volunteer in August 2011 and was hired as a part-time staff writer in March 2012. For over 10 years now she's been interviewing notable movers and shakers and digging into the storied history of Flatiron and NoMad for monthly features on our website. A native New Yorker and an award-winning digital and print content creator at leading media brands such as PEOPLE and Entertainment Weekly magazines, Sabrina earned a BA in psychology from The City College of New York (CUNY) and a Master of Science degree from Columbia University's School of Journalism.
Job Titles:
- Executive
- Vice President of Operations
- Vice President of Operations Read More
Scott Kimmins has been leading the Partnership's Operations since its inception in October of 2006. He spent 20 years with the New York Police Department in the 13th Precinct, which serves the Flatiron District. During his final years with the NYPD, he served as a Community Affairs officer, dealing extensively with local community groups and elected officials. As Vice President of Operations, Scott is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Partnership's sanitation, public safety, and homeless outreach programs, and works on a number of quality-of-life initiatives in the district. Scott holds a bachelor's degree in business management from Adelphi University.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Public Safety Officers Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Public Safety Officers Team