ULI Westchester/Fairfield Understanding Growth in the Mid-Hudson Valley, Part II: The Players Who Are Transforming the Region

When

2025-01-09
2025-01-09T08:30:00 - 2025-01-09T10:30:00
America/New_York

Choose Your Calendar

    Where

    360 Hamilton Avenue 360 Hamilton Avenue White Plains, NY 10601 United States

    Pricing

    Pricing Members Non-Members
    Private $45.00 $60.00
    Public/Academic/Nonprofit $35.00 $50.00
    Retired $45.00 N/A
    Student $10.00 $15.00
    Under Age 35 $35.00 $60.00
    The renaissance of the Mid-Hudson Valley Region outside Westchester County is being fueled by industries such as Biotech and Life Sciences, Tech, Agribusiness, Hospitality, Craft Beverage, Tourism and Eds & Meds and cannot be denied. Join us to learn about the draw of the Hudson Valley from those with their boots on the ground and fingers on the pulse – Developers Marty Berger (Saber Development) and Lauren Lopez Rutkowski (BaxterDevCo LLC) and Economic Development Leaders Conor Eckert (Orange County Partnership) and Michael Oates (Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation).

    Speakers

    Lauren Rutkowski

    Baxter Built

    As Partner and Director of Real Estate Development, Lauren heads the company’s development and asset management functions focusing on underwriting, structuring, closing, and executing on acquisitions, development, and stabilization/disposition strategies. Lauren studied Hospitality Business at the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree, she began her career in hospitality management. In the ten years prior to joining Baxter, she’s been in real estate finance and development in NYC. First in CMBS special servicing, where she performed loan workouts and distressed asset management nation-wide. Then in high leverage lending, where she acquired and originated loans nation-wide. Finally, prior to joining Baxter, in NYC development focusing on for-sale residential condos, retail, and residential rentals. Baxter Companies are women-led, encompassing development, construction, and property management. The firm has deep roots in the Hudson Valley, NY. To date, Baxter has successfully delivered 1,000+ units of housing, 300,000 SF of commercial space, and some of the region’s most recognizable hospitality projects. Our companies consist of about 80 of the most skilled crafts(wo)men in the region and has helped shape the Hudson Valley with passion and dedication to our communities. Our development and asset management functions implement a comprehensive and strategic approach to managing projects and investments to continuously maximize value. For more than 30 years, Baxter has been redefining what a construction and development company can do.

    Martin Berger

    Saber Real Estate Advisors

    Martin Berger is a co-founder and Managing Member of Saber-Hightower, LLC and Saber Real Estate North, LLC (“Saber”), fully integrated real estate development companies. Saber specializes in land acquisition, financing and development of commercial, residential and mixed-use projects. Marty has conceived, negotiated and implemented development plans representing nearly $2 billion in completed value. Marty received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Northeastern University in Boston in 1980 and his M.B.A. in 1982. He went on to become Vice President of Property Management at Diversified Holding Corp., responsible for managing 38 commercial and residential properties valued at more than $450 million nationwide. In 1989, he founded McCann Development Series II, LLC (Saber’s predecessor). McCann developed more than a dozen shopping centers, two Ritz Carlton resort hotels, a Ritz Carlton condominium tower and a health care operation employing upward of 500 professionals and caring for hundreds of people annually. Saber is involved in a number of developments in the New York region,including The River Club, luxury apartments and retail in Bogota, N.J.; Hale Avenue Residences, an apartment complex in White Plains; and Hudson Heritage, a $300 million mixed-use intergenerational community on 156 acres in the Town of Poughkeepsie. Other New York developments include Rivertowns Square in Dobbs Ferry and The Collection in White Plains. Marty is active in his local business community and is a member of The Business Council of Westchester and the International Council of Shopping Centers. He has been a featured speaker at business and economic development forums, including the Business Council, the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce and Jewish Business Network, and a guest lecturer at New York University. Marty has been featured in prominent media and has been published in the Harvard Business Review. Martin serves as a Board Member of Cord Meyer Development Company, a 125 year old development firm. Marty is also active in his local community and has been honored as Chabad’s “Man of the Year” in both New York and Connecticut. He lives in Armonk with his wife, Sue, and two 70-pound Golden-doodles. Marty and Sue have three children – Alexander, Julia and Matt.

    Michael Oates

    Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation

    Mr. Oates is a former investor and developer in the Mid-Hudson Valley Region. Before joining HVEDC, Mr. Oates was the CEO of Hudson River Ventures, a small investment fund focused on hospitatlity- and technologiy-related projects and the Managing Partner of Bellefield Development Partners LLC, developer of the Bellefield at Historic Hyde Park, a multi-million square foot culinary campus and commercial and residential development across from the Culinary Institute of America.

    Conor Eckert

    Senior Development Officer and VP of Business Attraction, Orange County Partnership

    Mr. Eckert is a life-long resident of Orange County who has concentrated his thus far brief yet active professional career developing business and economic opportunities in the Mid-Hudson Valley Region, particularly in Orange County and the Town of Montgomery, in his capacity as Executive Director of the Town of Montgomery Industrial Development Agency and Director of Economic Development for Montgomery.