Vision Long Island
Board of Directors & Staff

 

Board of Directors:

President: Ron Stein, Good Harvest Financial
Vice-President: Trudy Fitzsimmons, Leadership Huntington
Treasurer: Paul Kutasovic, NY Institute of Technology
Keith Archer, Harras Bloom & Archer
David Berg, AICP, Cameron Engineering & Associates
Richard Bivone, Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce
Edward A. T. Carr, National Grid
Bertram Donley, Windsor Commercial Real Estate, Garden City Chamber of Commerce
Robert Fonti, Vincent James Management

Bryant Goulding, Skyline Title

Patrick Halpin, Institute for Student Achievement

Robert C. Hughes, Huntington Town Historian

John Kominicki, Long Island Business News

Richard Koubek, Jobs With Justice
Steven Kreiger, Engel Burman

Alex D. Latham, ADLIII Architecture

Neal Lewis, Long Island Neighborhood Network
Ernesto Mattace, LI Federation of Labor, Local 338
Steve Meehan, Landscape Architect
Michael Posillico, Blue Water Environmental
Michael F. Puntillo, The Jobco Organization
Paul Rabinovitch, Terracycle Investments

Maria Rigopoulos, Trammell Crow Residential
Dr. Nathalia Rogers, Dowling College

Larry Rosenbloom, Urbitran
Joy S. Squires, NYS Association of Conservation Commissions
Edward Thompson, Molloy College

Staff:

Eric Alexander, Executive Director

Michelle Dutchen, Director of Communications
Tawaun Weber, Director of Special Projects
Elissa Ward, Director of Sustainability
Tara Klein, Planning Coordinator
Daune Harrison-Iqbal, Outreach Coordinator
Juliana Roberts Dubovsky, Planning Consultant

 

Ronald K. Stein, Vision President, Good Harvest Financial

Ron’s research of new approaches to land use and public participation methods led to his creation of Long Island’s first Smart Growth organization -- Vision Huntington, and then to Vision Long Island (VISION), now one of the region’s pre-eminent land use organizations.

A businessman and environmentalist, Ron has helped pioneer in VISION a multi-tiered, pro-active approach to challenge the existing conventional land use patterns of poor development. With an emphasis on broad stakeholder participation, new approaches to housing, open space preservation, traffic and pedestrian safety, and the creation of walkable, attractive communities have become priorities on a local and regional level across Long Island.

Through VISION, Ron has been actively involved in a variety of charrettes – public planning workshops -- and land use presentations to diverse organizations in the region. Beginning with spearheading Long Island’s first major charrette in Huntington Village in 2000, he has helped lead VISION to conduct many other planning events and solutions Island-wide. Ron has also spearheaded a New Urbanist infill development project in Southport, CT, which is nearing completion.

Ron is also President of Good Harvest Financial Group, an independent financial planning firm that specializes in environmental issues and responsible investment.

 

Trudy Fitzsimmons, Vision Vice President, Leadership Huntington

Trudy Fitzsimmons has been a volunteer in the Huntington Community for Twenty-eight years. Most recently she has been a staunch supporter of Vision Long Island and promoter of Smart Growth Principles. She believes strongly in giving back to her community. While raising a family of four, Trudy volunteered in her church, children's school, and local theater groups.   After she raised her family, Trudy was looking for more challenging opportunities to use her talents and make a difference in the community.

Cablevision, her previous employer, recognized her ambition and decided to foster her leadership skills through education. Cablevision sponsored her in the 1998 Leadership Huntington class. Through Leadership Huntington, Trudy gained a new awareness and perspective of community service. She devoted her efforts for the good of the community and teamed with Ron Stein and Vision Long Island.

Together with Vision Long Island, Trudy became committed to turning the tide against sprawl by taking a strong, positive role in shaping the Town of Huntington and the greater Long Island region. Trudy has given many hours of her time documenting training sessions, presentations, and special events on film and video. These photos and videos are used as a visual medium for promoting Smart Growth Principles, as well as, educating Elected Officials, Town Supervisors, developers, planners, and communities about Smart Growth.

Present Affiliations include Congress for the New Urbanism and the Smart Growth Advisory Board.

 

Paul R. Kutasovic, Treasurer, NYIT

Paul R. Kutasovic received his Ph.D. and M.S. in Economics from Rutgers University and his B.S. from Seton Hall University.  Currently, he is Associate Professor of Finance and Economics at the New York Institute of Technology and is the Director of the Undergraduate program. He is also a consultant to Thomas Conoscenti & Associates, a firm specializing in regional economic analysis and municipal financing.  In addition, he is consultant to Eleonomics, a firm specializing in telecommunication demand forecasting and the New Jersey Department of Motor Vehicles.  In other consulting jobs, Dr. Kutasovic has been a consultant to AT&T, Fitch Investor Service, New Japan Securities Company where he developed bank financial valuation models, New York Sate Association of Counties and the Long Island Forum of Technology (LIFT) TECHCAP project.

Prior to his current position, Dr. Kutasovic was Vice President and Economist at First Pennsylvania Bank, and Manager of Forecasting at AT&T.  At First Pennsylvania, he developed the bank's macroeconomic forecast as well as forecasts for the regional Philadelphia economy.

In addition, he co-authored the bank's external publications: Money Markets and Regional Report. At AT&T, he developed national and regional forecasting and financial models for Private Line phone demand.  He is regularly quoted in the press and his comments have appeared in the Business Week, Industry Week, Journal of Commerce, Long Island Business, Newsday, New York Times, Philadelphia Inquirer and the Wall Street Journal. He has authored academic studies on international trade, the use national and regional economic indicators, sales tax forecasting models and the role of credit in impacting the business cycle.

 

Keith Archer, Harras Bloom & Archer

Keith Archer is a partner at Harras Bloom & Archer, which caters to a diverse clientele ranging from national retailers, global entertainment companies, large developers of residential communities, office buildings and shopping centers, and small businesses of every type on Long Island, New York City and surrounding counties.  Mr. Archer has extensive experience representing these diverse clients before municipal boards, departments, and agencies and is proficient in many areas of law and land use. This includes real estate services and litigation, the New York State Environmental Review process (SEQRA), land use and zoning approval processes.

He received his Law Degree from Yeshiva University’s Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York in 1983. Mr. Archer attended Hunter College of the City University of New York for his undergraduate studies in Political Science. He earned a B.A and graduated with high honors of Cum Laude and the Dean’s List.

 

David Berg, AICP, Cameron Engineering & Associates

As Senior Environmental Planner, Mr. Berg provides environmental oversight for many of Cameron Engineer’s projects. He designs master plans and site plans for public and private projects. Mr. Berg designs environmental restorations and watershed and stormwater management plans, and authors environmental impact statements, grant applications, and scientific reports. Mr. Berg drafts plans, designs, and construction specifications for stormwater management, open space, and recreational components for Long Island public parks. He prepares coastal management plans and designs pond, stream, and wetland improvements. He prepared Environmental Site Assessments for public and private properties and development proposals for brownfields in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, including several Northrop Grumman properties.

Mr. Berg organized and helped facilitate public participation workshops for a number of master planning projects. The design process for the redevelopment of the 9-acre Oak Beach site for the Town of Babylon and Suffolk County led to the construction of a new park. Mr. Berg worked with the citizens of Port Washington North in planning workshops for a new coastal park on Manhasset Bay. He assisted in a Town of Oyster Bay planning event that was attended by over 500 residents to plan the development of the Town’s 16-acre Western Waterfront, a former brownfield. He led a planning workshop to seek public input into the design of a mile long park and preserve on Stony Brook’s West Meadow Beach for the Town of Brookhaven.

Mr. Berg writes proposals for research, design, and development projects. He prepared a successful $165,000 EPF grant application for the Village of Port Washington North for Bay Walk Park. He authored a Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act grant application that resulted in $850,000 for wetland restoration for the Town of Oyster Bay. A $1.3 million Bond Act grant application by Mr. Berg for Nassau County will help fund the restoration of the 423-acre Massapequa Preserve. The Town of Huntington was awarded a $1.9 million Bond Act grant for a proposal he prepared for the restoration of Mill Dam Pond.

He is a board member and treasurer of the Long Island Section of the American Planning Association’s New York Metro Chapter. He helps organize training workshops for zoning and planning board members and educational seminars for planning professionals. Mr. Berg is a founding board member of Vision Long Island, Inc. (VLI), a regional planning advocacy organization that supports Smart Growth development, livable communities, and new urbanism. He helped organize and facilitate a two-day planning charrette hosted by VLI to design improvements for a portion of downtown Huntington.

As a founding member of the Town of Huntington Waterfront Revitalization Task Force, he helped formulate the Town’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan and the new Waterfront Zoning Code.

 

Richard Bivone, Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, RMB Development

Richard Bivone is the founder and president of RMB Drafting Services, Inc., which assists people with building permits, research, expediting and variances. In 1992, he started companies to compliment RMB including Electrical Inspectors, Inc. and RMB Development Consultants, Inc, which was formed to meet the needs of many developers for large-scale projects. Recently, he started Planning Consultants, Inc. and Electrical Advancement Group, Inc. His accomplishments include Past President and Chairman of the Board of the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce, 1st Vice President of the Council of East Meadow Community Organizations (CEMCO), past Vice Chairman of Educational Assistance Corporation (EAC, a non-profit organization assisting people throughout New York State), past Secretary of East Meadow Kiwanis, Board of Directors for the Heart Council of LI, Inc., Board member of the Nassau County Jail Advisory Committee, past Board member of Chambers Players International, and 1st Vice Chairman of the Nassau County Fire Fighter Museum.

He is also a past President of the Nassau Council Chambers of Commerce, serving 52 Chambers of Commerce in Nassau County. In July 2000, the Governor appointed Richard to the New York State Small Business Advisory Board and he was re-appointed in April 2008 by NYS Governor David A. Paterson. He is a past Board member of the Town of Hempstead’s Industrial Development Agency and served on the New York City Congestion Fee Commission, Lighthouse Steering Committee, and the Nassau Coliseum Renovation. Richard is also active in the National Fire Protection, Nassau Electric League, Suffolk County Electrical Contractors Association, International Association of Electrical Inspectors, Columbia Lawyers Association of Nassau County, Nassau County Italian Americans in Government, and Building Inspectors Association of Nassau County. In 1998, he co-founded of the Italian Heritage Club in Nassau County. Richard lives in East Meadow with his wife and family. He is a graduate from Delhi University and the New York Institute of Technology in the field of Architecture. He also had a career as a firefighter in Elmont, North Bellmore, and Bedford-Stuyvesant, and was awarded a Class B Meritorious medal in 1992.

 

Edward A. T. Carr, Manager, Government Relations, National Grid

Mr. Carr is currently the Manager of National Grid Government Relations of Nassau County. He acts as the point of contact between Nassau elected officials and National Grid.

He also served as Treasurer and sole administrator of the KeySpan Energy Corporate Political Action Committee (KEYSPAC). He holds a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from SUNY Maritime College , and a M.S. in Industrial Management from SUNY at Stony Brook.

 

Bert Donley, Windsor Commercial Real Estate

Mr. Donley, as principal of Garden City Properties, formed a partnership to acquire established residential and commercial brokerage firm for the purpose of expanding the commercial division into investment and development as well as to strengthen market share in commercial leasing and sales. Active in the development of a new retail shopping center, the merger and acquisition of various holdings, and consultation to not-for-profit organizations and foundations on the real estate issues, especially the funding and planning of downtown revitalization projects.

Mr. Donley was engaged as a consultant to the 28 county Catholic diocese in Belleville Illinois, for asset management and for the development of a Catholic Charities organization.

Mr. Donley, as Vice President for Albanese Development Corporation, provided market analysis for 100 United Nations Plaza, New York, New York and The Wyndham Condominium projects. Relocated over 35 rent controlled and stabilized tenants. Managed litigation against hold-out tenants; 100% success. Sold construction and management services. Expedited municipal approval processes.

As Garden City Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Donley is the Immediate Past President acted as a liaison to Village, Town and County governments for our Board and membership. Represent landlords and business owners before Architectural Design Review Board, Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, County Legislature and Village Board of Trustees. Representation in those venues consists of assisting their consultants or counsel in preparation, to making the presentation on their behalf. Developed Chamber Partner Program to promote business interaction among members, and to increase membership. Formed County Seat Transportation Management Association, and secured substantial grants to promote policies to improve parking and traffic management to lessen congestion. Responsible for securing state grant for website development. Formed coalition of business, Village officials and civic organizations and successfully prevented the expansion of large regional mall. Now working with same groups to develop a consensus plan using Smart Growth principles for regional planning.

 

Robert Fonti, Vincent James Management

Robert G. Fonti is President and CEO of Vincent James Management Company, Inc., a firm with offices in Huntington and New York City that manage and operate in excess of three million square feet of property (the amount fluctuates and has reached six million). A recognized expert on real estate matters, he frequently testifies in State and County Supreme Court sessions for owners, lenders and third party interests, serves on numerous committees, and has been featured as a guest speaker for real estate trade groups. New York Habitat has named him One of New York's Top Property Managers.

Mr. Fonti is a real estate consultant to the Town of Huntington, New York, for which he administers and negotiates all leases and licenses for Trustee lands. He also serves as a land use consultant to developers and owners. Since January of 1999, Mr. Fonti has held the office of Commissioner of the Huntington Housing Authority and was credited with negotiating a settlement with civic groups and community members on a twenty-year old lawsuit. This landmark agreement preserved open space and established a delicate balance between home ownership and lessee housing.

Some of the other boards he currently serves on include IMPAC of New York (as Executive Board Member), Huntington Station Boys & Girls Club, Huntington Chamber of Commerce PAC, Huntington Cablevision Commission, Huntington Station Enrichment Center, Huntington Smart Growth Steering Committee, NYS Order Sons of Italy in America, Committee on Public Relations, Italian Americans for Better Government, Huntington Station Revitalization Committee, and Vision Long Island.

Mr. Fonti is as an advisory member to the New York State Bar Association, Committee on Courts and the Community and was responsible for coordinating a six part television series. He is a founder, officer and board member of Respect for Law Alliance, Inc., a not for profit organization comprised of noted Jurists, Attorneys and Business Leaders from around the world; he serves as Vice President of Budget & Finance and Chairs the Annual Essay Competition and Scholarship "How to Improve the Respect for Law". Mr. Fonti has received literally hundreds of proclamations and citations from civic organizations and elected officials including U.S. Senators Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer and New York State Governor George Pataki.

A graduate of St. John's University, he holds a bachelor's degree in Government and Politics with minors in both Public Administration and Theology and a master's degree in Public Administration.

Mr. Fonti resides in Cold Spring Harbor, New York with his wife, Barbara and their two daughters. The Huntington Townwide Fund, at an Annual Gala highlighting the Fonti's community service and philanthropic endeavors, recently honored him and Barbara as "Citizens of the Year."

Bryant Goulding, Skyline Title

 

 

 

 

 

Patrick G. Halpin, Executive Vice President, Institute for Student Achievement

Patrick G. Halpin is an Executive Vice President of the Institute for Student Achievement, Inc.   Located in Lake Success on Long Island, the Institute is a not-for-profit organization that works in partnership with schools and school districts to help low-performing, middle and high school students stay in school, graduate and go on to college, work, other post-secondary education or job training.   As executive vice president, Mr. Halpin is responsible for the Institute's public policy, government relations, development, public affairs, and communications activities.

Mr. Halpin has extensive public service experience.   He began his career in 1979 when he was elected, at the age of 26, to represent the 13 th District of the Suffolk County Legislature.   In a special election held in 1982, he won the New York State Assembly seat for the 11 th District, becoming the first Democrat in 116 years to be elected to the Assembly from that area.   During his three terms in office, he chaired the Standing Committee on Ethics and the Long Island Marine Resources subcommittee.

From 1988-1992, Mr. Halpin served as the Suffolk County Executive.   Responsible for an annual budget of more than $1.4 billion and for over 12,000 employees, Mr. Halpin demonstrated his ability to manage the political complexities of government while tending to the needs of the 1.3 million residents of Suffolk, the 15 th largest county in the United States.   He instituted the highly successful drug education program, DARE; a comprehensive anti-domestic violence program; a nationally-recognized open space and environmental program, and an extensive homeless housing initiative.   Elected at the age of 34, Patrick Halpin was the youngest Suffolk County Executive in its history.

Mr. Halpin's tenure at the Institute for Student Achievement has been during a period of exceptional growth and success for the organization.   He has overseen the dramatic expansion in New York State and Virginia of the Institute's programs. Since 1990, when the Institute began its first program, it has grown to include 22 programs in ten school districts - including in the New York State regions of Long Island, New York City, and Rensselaer and Westchester counties, in Virginia's Fairfax County, and in Boston, Massachusetts. It helps approximately 2,000 children through its STAR, COMET, and AfterSchool programs, and employs more than 150 people. The impact of COMET (for middle schools) and STAR (for high schools) has led to more than a 96% graduation rate (for students completing the 4-year STAR program) and a college admittance rate of more than 85%.   The long-term goal of the Institute is to have all at-risk children experience similar success.

Mr. Halpin is a graduate of Old Dominion University, where he majored in political science and economics and received a BA degree.   A life-long resident of Suffolk County, he lives in the Village of Babylon with his wife, Debra, and their daughters, Christina and Sarah.

 

Robert C. Hughes, Huntington Town Historian

Robert C. Hughes is the Huntington Town Historian. Prior to his appointment as Town Historian in January 2002, he served as acting executive director of the Huntington Historical Society and was a member of the Huntington Historic Preservation Commission. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Studies with a concentration in history from Columbia College and a juris doctorate from Fordham Law School . Mr. Hughes was a member of the Huntington Historical Society Board of Trustees for six and half years, including three years as president. In June 2001, he was appointed Acting Executive Director. He was appointed to the preservation commission by the Huntington Town Board in March 1999.

In addition to work with historical organizations, Mr. Hughes is President of the Board of Trustee of the Cold Spring Harbor Library; a founder of Vision Long Island, Inc., a not-for-profit planning organization working to introduce Smart Growth concepts on Long Island; and Treasurer (and former chairman) of the Eagle Dock Community Beach in Cold Spring Harbor.

 

John L. Kominicki, Publisher, Long Island Business News

John Kominicki has been publisher of Long Island Business News since 1998. Before coming to Long Island, Kominicki headed business publications in Texas and Oklahoma and was a longtime Europe-based writer and editor for such publications as Stars & Stripes, The New York Times, the Dallas Morning News and USA Today.

Locally, he serves on the boards of the Long Island Technology Network, LISTnet, the Association of Commerce Industry and Technology, the Huntington Chamber and the Long Island Venture Group. He is a member of the executive committee of the Long Island Business Development Council and also serves as a media advisor to the Fast 50 CEO program.

John Kominicki has received numerous awards for his support of the business and not for profit communities on Long Island, including being honored as an SBA small business advocate and as media person of the year by the Public Relations Professionals of Long Island. He will receive Dowling College's Distinguished Citizen Award in June 2003.

John Kominicki can occasionally be found in Stony Brook, where he resides with his wife and daughter.

 

Richard Koubek, Jobs With Justice

Dr. Richard Koubek works with workers rights group, Jobs With Justice. He formerly was the Coordinator of the Diocese of Rockville Centre's Public Policy Education Network at Catholic Charities.   In that role, he works with 60 parish committees on social justice issues, with affordable housing and racial equity high on the Network's priorities.   Dr. Koubek has developed two parish discussion guides on housing and race. He is a member of the LI CAN Huntington Fair Housing Committee and the Huntington Housing Coalition's Steering Committee. This past March, Dr. Koubek helped form a Huntington Interfaith Housing Coalition consisting of 21 Protestant, Jewish and Catholic congregation leaders committed to working for affordable housing in Huntington.   He also co-chairs the Education/Public Relations Committee of the LI Affordable Rental Housing.

 

Steven Kreiger, Engel Burman

.coming soon...

 

Alexander D. Latham, Principal, ADLIII Architecture

Alex Latham is owner and principal of ADL III Architecture located in Northport, NY.  ADL III Architecture is a multifaceted Architecture and Planning Firm with focuses in Residential Architecture and Town Planning. The firm is currently working on significant waterfront residential projects around Long Island and upstate New York, as well as numerous Main Street mixed use projects, comprised of first floor retail, and second and third floor office/apartments. 

Town Planning works on Long Island include Corridor Revitalization Projects in Mastic/Shirley and Middle Island/Coram, involving the design and development of five new villages. Other community based projects on Long Island include visioning and design work in Huntington, Huntington Station, Wyandanch, New Cassel and Yaphank.

Mr. Latham's affiliations include American Institute of Architects, Congress for New Urbanism, Institute of Classical Architecture and the Seaside Institute.

 

Neal Lewis, Executive Director, Long Island Neighborhood Network

Neal Lewis is the Executive Director of the Long Island Neighborhood Network.   The mission of the Neighborhood Network is dedicated to reclaiming the suburban and rural character of community life on Long Island by preserving our environmental resources; initiating policies to prevent exposures to environmental hazards; proposing government consolidations designed to reduce the local tax burden; and holding our governmental officials accountable by advancing reforms which set higher ethical standards and keep the operation of government open to the public.   Accomplishments include the passing numerous forms of legislation to reduce pesticides and protect Long Island's drinking water. Open government reforms including the work on the original Nassau County Charter Revision Commission and leading the campaigns for Councilmatic districts in Brookhaven and other communities around Long Island.

The Neighborhood Network believes that continued growth on Long Island - and indeed in suburban regions throughout the country - must be balanced by measures that maintain the quality of life for citizens living there. Smart Growth focuses both on the process followed to improve new developments (utilizing visioning exercises where the entire community works with environmental, business, and government interests to collaboratively develop proposals) and the substantive results (which must advance environmental protection and appropriate development.)

 

Ernesto Mattace, LI Federation of Labor, Local 338

Ernesto Mattace Jr. is the Vice President, Political Director, and Health and Safety Director of Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW. Local 338 gives a voice to workers in the retail industry and helped to form the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (RWDSU). Mr. Mattace has served as a delegate for the Long Island Federation of Labor since 1980 and Local 338 for 31 years. Since then, he has been involved in many aspects of labor issues on Long Island. He serves on Labor Studies Advisory Boards at both Cornell and Dowling College and a plethora of Political Action Committees throughout the years. Mr. Mattace has also served as a Director for the Labor Education and Community Service Agency, Inc. Employee Assistance Program since 1985.  He is engaged in both labor and community services, and has also branched into health by serving as an Advisory Board Member to the Manhattan Chapter of the Mount Sinai Hospital and acting as the Area Chairman for United Cerebral Palsy. Other employment affiliations include the New York City Central Labor Council, Labor and Employment Relations Association, Westchester/Putnam County Central Labor Council, Long Island Housing Partnership, Long Island Occupation Environmental Health Committee and NY Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH).

Mr. Mattace earned an AA from Suffolk Community College and a BA from C.W. Post in Political Science. He also earned an Advanced Certificate from Cornell University’s Program in Labor Studies. He has been involved in the retail union movement for 39 years. It has brought him into all areas of community service, to fundraising for the Boy Scouts to serving as a Trustee for Suffolk Community College. He is also a resident member of West Islip’s Chamber of Commerce, Bicentennial Committee and Beautification Society. The union’s motto, "Stronger Together", applies to the Union and to the greater community.

 

Stephan Meehan, Landscape Architect

Stephen Meehan is a New York State registered landscape architect, living in Syosset, Long Island.   Besides having his own landscape architectural practice in Syosset, Mr. Meehan is also a member of a prestigious landscape design and construction firm in Huntington, Long Island. As senior designer of the firm, Mr. Meehan specializes in the site design of large sophisticated residential projects and commercial/municipal projects.

In addition to his current experience in site design,   Mr. Meehan is keenly interested in urban design.   Particularly, this interest focuses on the smart growth movement.   Mr. Meehan has been following developments in the movement both locally and nationally for about the last seven years.   He is well versed with the objectives of the movement as he has read various books and articles on the subject.   Mr. Meehan has also visited many new urbanist developments across the country.   He has seen firsthand how well New Urbanism works with our modern lifestyles.

Long before Mr. Meehan ever heard of   New Urbanism or Smart Growth or Sustainable Development he was greatly interested in the design of communities, particularly street design. Mr. Meehan was captivated by the old-village European street.   He saw that these streets appeared to be inviting and full of life, and his own suburban neighborhood streets seemed indifferent and spiritless in comparison.   In his senior year thesis, "Rhythm of the Vernacular Village Street," Mr. Meehan spent a semester abroad, studying how the spatial configuration and modulation of the street influence the experience of the street. Direct experience has helped strengthen Mr. Meehan's conviction that the smart growth movement is this country's best chance of re-creating neighborhoods that enhance community spirit.   In addition to witnessing finished works or works in progress, Mr. Meehan has had the pleasure of participating in two locally sponsored urban design charettes.   The opportunity of working along side other designers and community members in this unique design approach has been a fully rewarding experience.

 

Michael Posillico, The Posillico Organization

Michael Posillico received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Clemson University. After completing his studies he began working for his family's business, J.D. Posillico, Inc. a long recognized leader in the heavy construction industry. In early 1991 he founded Blue Water Environmental, Inc., which specializes in industrial remediation and marine construction. He is currently a partner in The Posillico Group, Managing Partner for the Posillico Development Company and President of Blue Water Environmental, Inc. These positions have provided a platform of experience to complete and embark on some of the most challenging "Brownsfields" projects in our region and the United States.

Mr. Posillico and his family have generously supported various Long Island charities for many years. Through The Posillico Group Foundation, Mr. Posillico continues to make many commitments to charitable work to further his family's support of those less fortunate and through business leadership has sought to improve the quality of life on Long Island. He is a past president and current board member of the Farmingdale College Foundation. He also serves on the board of Vision Long Island, a working "Smart Growth" organization committed to improving housing, environmental, transportation and economic development in our region and has been involved in fundraising for the Heckscher Museum, St. Patrick's Parish School, the Lion's Club, and other local outreach programs.

Mr. Posillico is an avid fisherman, an accomplished golfer and active coach in local youth programs. Mr. Posillico has three children Caroline 12, Gregory 10 and Lauren 9.

 

Michael F. Puntillo, Jr., Jobco Organization

Urban planning, design and building are all part of Michael Puntillo's DNA. As a fourth generation builder, Mr. Puntillo worked his first job site years before he could drive a car.

Mr. Puntillo earned his Finance degree from Ithaca College and later a Master's of Science in Real Estate Development from New York University . A brief stint as a trader for Merrill Lynch confirmed his passion was building a portfolio of physical assets rather than a career on Wall Street. Recruited by Cushman and Wakefield , the world's largest real estate services company, Mr. Puntillo helped lead their extensive commercial growth in Westchester and Fairfield Counties during the mid-1980's.

 

Mr. Puntillo joined forces with his father in the late 1980's at The Jobco Organization. Initially out in the field learning every aspect of the business, he worked his way to Chief Operating Officer in the mid 1990's. Michael Puntillo, Sr. has been quoted that their ability to learn from each other is a key component to their joint success.

Working with the Koch administration, government agencies, and private firms in New York City , Mr. Puntillo directed the design, restoration, and development of thousands of new homes and apartment buildings in the four boroughs. His historic restoration work includes the 100 acre Madison Barracks property. When completed, this War of 1812 era, 37 building complex will combine the best of residential, retail and commercial real estate along the shores of Lake Ontario . Mr. Puntillo purchased a late 1800's mill in Ulster County , New York . Located in the scenic, Mid-Hudson Valley region, the development of this former working mill had failed on several occasions. His creative vision, diligence, and persistence proved a winning combination. Today The Mill is a thriving senior housing project and a shining example of adaptive re-use and revitalization.

 

Currently, as President of Jobco Realty and Construction, Mr. Puntillo conscientiously creates opportunities that expand the range of housing options for everyone. He believes enhancing our communities requires enlightened and significant architecture. His company designs and builds mixed use developments which bring new economic vitality and provide residents with environmentally friendly communities. In Port Washington , NY , Mr. Puntillo converted a 40 acre old sand mine into a landmark private community with multi-level housing options, walking trails, and parklands which opens this May to the first of its eventual 250 homeowners. His current portfolio of holdings also includes the development of several planned community and condo projects in the Metro Region.

 

Commitment to building better communities spills over to his personal life, and Mr. Puntillo has served on many charitable and community boards and committees, including the Long Island Alzheimer's Foundation. Mr. Puntillo joined Congressman Steve Israel's bi-partisan advisory panel for next generation housing. He is a board member for Vision Long Island, a smart growth advocacy organization, of Community Housing Innovation, a New York not-for-profit affordable housing provider. He also currently sits on the boards of the Long Island chapter of the Diabetes Research Institute and the Old Westbury School of the Holy Child.

 

Paul Rabinovitch, Terraycle Investments

Paul Rabinovitch is a Principal of Canus Corporation and the President of Terracycle Investments. These real estate development firms specialize in mixed-use and residential projects that promote community revitalization and environmental sustainability. Projects have included brownfields redevelopment, workforce housing, community revitalization, commercial and retail development, senior housing, and historical restoration.

Prior to starting his real estate firm, Mr. Rabinovitch was the Executive Director of the Long Island Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. At The Nature Conservancy of Long Island, Mr. Rabinovitch was responsible for ensuring the preservation of the natural diversity of plants and animals that depend on the lands and water of Long Island for their survival.
Mr. Rabinovitch received his professional training from the University of Pennsylvania, where he holds a master’s degree in a unique program that combined environmental planning courses at the School of Planning with real estate finance coursework at the Wharton Real Estate Program. He received his undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto.

Maria Rigopoulos, Trammell Crow Residential

Ms. Rigopoulos is a development associate for Trammell Crow Residential (TCR), responsible for development operations on Long Island.  TCR is a national real estate company and is one of the largest builders and developers of multi-family housing in the United States.  In 2006, Builder Magazine ranked TCR as the #1 multifamily rental builder in the nation.

Ms. Rigopoulos is responsible for pursuing new multifamily development opportunities, planning and product design, obtaining entitlements to meet all local jurisdictional requirements, and overseeing the construction and sale process.  She has been involved in the real estate industry for 12 years.  Prior to joining TCR, Ms. Rigopoulos worked in the property/asset management division for Lincoln Property Company.  She joined TCR in 2000 as an asset manager to assist in the development and lease-up of multifamily housing communities in the Northeast.   She then transferred to the development division in 2004.   

Ms. Rigopoulos received a B.B.A. major in International Business and minor in Economics from James Madison University in 1992.  She is a licensed real estate salesperson in New York State.  She is currently pursuing a Masters in Real Estate from New York University.  Ms. Rigopoulos is a member of the Urban Land Institute, the Long Island Housing Partnership, and the Long Island Builders Institute.

Dr. Nathalia Rogers, Dowling College

Dr. Nathalia Rogers is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Dowling College. She received a Ph.D. in Sociology from McGill University and a Ph. D. from Belarus State University. In addition to serving on numerous committees, leading conferences, mentoring students and teaching both graduate and undergraduate level classes, Dr. Rogers is also researching civic and political participation in suburban social settings with a particular focus on Smart Growth and environmental movements.  This research includes designing and conducting a survey (face-to-face interviews) with local civic leaders as well as with local politicians, business owners and representatives of local not-for-profit organizations, content-analysis of local publications, and participant observation at local civic events.

Dr. Rogers has published her work in leading national and international journals that include the American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Contemporary Sociology, American Journal of Sociology, International Sociology and Political Power and Social Theory series. Her numerous publications focus on Long Island, civic participation and the visioning process such as “Civic Participation in Advanced Capitalist Economies:  The Case of Suburban Long Island”, which was presented at the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association, New York, NY and “Communal Ideals and Civic Practice in a North American Community: A Case Study of Vision Long Island’s Initiative in Kings Park, NY”, a paper presented at the 16th (2004) Annual Meeting of the Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics at George Washington University in Washington, DC. 

 

Larry Rosenmbloom, Urbitran

Larry Rosenbloom, AIA, is Urbitran’s Group Vice President for Facilities, in charge of the architecture, landscape architecture, urban & master planning, and parking/design divisions and parking management design.  A leader in applying smart growth principles to projects, Mr. Rosenbloom balances the needs of transportation systems and the way people live, work and commute today.  He is skilled in developing designs that consolidate parking, give back land, and build meaning public spaces.  Mr. Rosenbloom is Principle-in-Charge of several TOD and smart growth projects, including the Glen Isle Waterfront Redevelopment, the Freeport, Long Island Transit-Friendly Planning Project, the Beacon Rail Station Facility, and the Merrick Revitalization Study.  Mr. Rosenbloom’s design focus has been to utilize quality based architecture in conjunction with innovative transportation approaches to create a workable community.  These efforts extend beyond the design of parking lots, buildings and roadways as isolated units.  Through design, Mr. Rosenbloom works with his clients to encourage economic development, foster a sense of community, and provide conveniences for residents and commuters, as well as improving safety and security and providing a sense of place.

 

Joy S. Squires, President, NYS Association of Conservation Commissions

Joy Squires is the president of the NYS Association of Conservation Commissions. NYSACC’s mission is to promote the wise use of the State’s natural resources through education and action. She also serves as Chairperson of the Huntington Conservation Board and the Town of Huntington's Environmental Open Space Committee. Joy has been a long-standing proponent of open space preservation and park stewardship and has helped lead the Town of Huntington's open space purchase and park improvement, and neighborhood enhancement program. She represents Huntington’s environmental issues on the Suffolk County Council on Environmental Quality. Professionally, Joy has been an elementary school teacher and science coordinator in the Elwood School District. Her many awards and honors include Finalist, NYS Teacher of the Year, the John Klaber Award for Distinguished and Exceptional Voluntary Service and the NYS Margery Sachs Award for Lifetime Environmental Service.

Edward Thompson, Vice President, Molloy College

Edward Thompson is the Vice-President for Advancement at Molloy College, a position he has held since 1998. In the years since then, Thompson has spearheaded a fundraising and marketing transformation at the College.

Thompson is now in charge of a multi-million dollar capital campaign effort, designed to fund the construction of a student and public gathering space at Molloy, called the "Public Square." The campaign is already the most successful in the College's history.

In addition to creating a culture of philanthropy among the College's alumni and friends, Thompson has led a marketing initiative at Molloy designed to highlight the college's strengths, including its status as a faith based institution. He organizes the annual Maher Leadership Forum, which brings the most prominent world and national leaders to Molloy every year. He is also the Co-founder of the Energeia Partnership, the Academy for Regional Stewardship, which seeks to solve some of Long Island's most intractable issues.

Thompson has served on the board of Long Island Transportation Management and is currently the chair of the board at the Long Island Neighborhood Network, an island wide environmental and public policy advocacy organization.

Thompson received his B.A. in History and Economics at the College of the Holy Cross, his J.D. from St. John's University School of Law, studied comparative law at the London School of Economics and completed the Institute for Educational Management program at the Harvard University School of Education.

 

Vision Long Island Staff

 

Eric Alexander, Executive Director

Eric Alexander is the Director of Vision Long Island, a regional Smart Growth planning and advocacy organization. Eric has over ten years experience in housing, community development and coordinating successful community projects.  Specifically, Eric has been a proponent of Smart Growth planning and mixed use development through advocacy efforts on Federal, State, County levels while working with municipalities to develop and implement smart growth policies, regulations, and projects.  

Since joining Vision Long Island (formerly Vision Huntington) Eric has been working to overcome NIMBYism and encourage proactive land use planning decisions through the use of community visionings. Eric has led community visioning processes, sometimes called "charrettes", in Gerard Street Huntington, the Montauk Highway Project in Mastic and Shirley, the Middle Country Road Renaissance Project in Coram and Middle Island and the Silver Corporate Park visioning in Yaphank.   Each of these projects resulted in a community plan and are all in varying stages of planning and construction.   The project on Gerard Street in Huntington resulted in a street design featuring a roundabout which has enhanced pedestrian safety.

In 2002 Eric organized Long Island's first Smart Growth Awards event and led its first Smart Growth Summit.   The Summit had over 600 attendees and helped develop a regional agenda for Smart Growth planning.   In addition he makes over 50 educational presentations a year throughout Long Island.   

Eric has been advancing policies and regulations for Smart Growth principles through active partnership with the Nassau HUB Citizens Advisory Committee.   He serves on the Town of Huntington Smart Growth Steering Committee, Suffolk County Smart Growth Committee and the NYS Smart Growth Working Group.  

Another passion throughout his career has been addressing the need for affordable housing.   Eric was the lead consultant in launching the Long Island Campaign for Affordable Rental Housing. Eric organized over 100 non profit, business and voluntary organizations to propose specific legislation in each of Long Island's thirteen towns, conduct a public relations initiative and develop plans to support a serious housing production strategy.   He now serves on the Campaign's Steering Committee as well as the Huntington Township Housing Coalition and the Second Congressional District Housing Consortium.

His background in community development includes acting as the initial Consultant and Program Director for Sustainable Long Island.   Eric helped launch the effort and brought the issue of Smart Growth to the organization.   He served as Assistant Director for the Town of Babylon's Community Development Program where he administered HUD's CDBG and HOME programs.   In addition Eric was a Coordinator for the Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless and Outreach Director for the Health and Welfare Council of Nassau County. Eric also serves on the Leadership Huntington Council where he Co-Chaired the State of the Town events in 1999 and 2000.    In addition he is a volunteer advisor for the Youth Group (YES) of the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island.

 

Michelle Dutchen, Communications Director

Michelle Dutchen joined the Vision Long Island team as Program Coordinator in 2005. Since then, she has taken on the role of Communications Director. In addition to creating reports and content design, overseeing communications activities, and organizing community visioning meetings, she has revitalized VISION's weekly newsletter, Smart Talk. She brings a tech-savvy, fresh energy to the organization and is passionate about creating a sustainable future for the region.

Prior to her employment, Ms. Dutchen, a Long Island native, was a student at the State University of New York at Albany, where she studied political science and sociology. She graduated with honors and also spent a semester at the University of Westminster in London, England. Her previous work experience includes technical support, information technology services, and interning at a law firm. In addition to her work with Vision, she maintains ongoing involvement in the music industry with an independent record label.

Michelle currently resides in Huntington and is a member of Amnesty International and the Congress for the New Urbanism.

 

Tawaun Whitty, Director of Special Projects

Tawaun D. Whitty has been a Gordon Heights resident for 28 years. In 1997, she graduated from Longwood School District. She then later graduated from Hofstra University where she acquired a B.A. in Computer Science. She is currently enrolled in the MBA program at the University of Maryland University College.  Tawaun is enrolled in Energia, which is a regional stewardship program through Molloy College consisting of leaders across Long Island trying to affect change.

Since 2006, Tawaun has headed the Gordon Heights Visioning as Project Coordinator. She has also founded and serves as Chair to the Gordon Heights Visioning Steering Committee, acting as its key representation in the implementation of plans to redevelopment a downtown revitalization center to spark economic growth within her community.  She also serves as President of the Greater Gordon Heights Civic Association.

Throughout her employment with the Town on Brookhaven, Tawaun has served as a Women’s Resource Advisor, Secretary to the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation as well as the Zoning Board of Appeals.  Currently, Tawaun Whitty holds the title of Director of Special Projects at Vision Long Island, a smart growth planning organization.

 

Elissa Ward

coming soon!

 

 

Tara Klein, Planning Coordinator

Tara Klein graduated from Vassar College in May 2008 with a B.A. in Sociology. Her coursework included many classes in urban planning, community studies, and education policy. She has worked at Regional Plan Association as an intern, focusing on the Mayors' Institute on Community Design program.

Tara also teaches dance to kids at Nadia's Performing Arts Centre in Whitestone and works with teens at the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island. She lives in Little Neck, Queens and is excited to pursue a career in planning.

Daune Harrison-Iqbal, Outreach Coordinator

Daune Iqbal graduated from SUNY Farmingdale and worked in the medical field for many years, until the birth of her daughter. After staying home with her children for 2 years, she completely changed her career and got her license in Real Estate. This started her life long journey fighting for affordable housing on Long Island.

Housing Help Inc. was her first introduction into the not-for-profit world, where she worked as a housing counselor. She did first time homebuying counseling, default counseling, reverse mortgage and credit counseling. Her days as a housing counselor also included working at the Wyandanch Community Development Corporation where she formed a housing coalition with other housing agencies. Working with Congressman Israel’s office, the mission was to help write legislation that would create affordable housing on Long Island.

Ms. Iqbal has come to Vision Long Island working as an outreach coordinator. She is continuing her counseling work at Housing Help, Inc. and is the project coordinator for the Network of Women with Disabilities a project of the Suffolk Community Council.

Juliana Roberts Dubovsky, Planning Consultant

Julie first heard about VISION while perusing the newspaper, researching Charles Wang’s proposed Old Plainview development. A resident of Plainview, she was very interested in land use and development on Long Island. Having previously interned for Land Design Associates and Old Westbury Gardens, she wanted to make a larger contribution to Long Island and encourage responsible land use. Vision Long Island, a pioneer for Smart Growth and New Urbanism in the region, was exactly the type of team she wanted to join.

After interning with VISION for the summer of 2006, Julie returned upon her graduation from Smith in May 2007. She earned a B.A. in American Studies and minored in Landscape Studies. Julie also studied at the University of Copenhagen for a semester, concentrating in Architecture and Urban Design. As the Planning Coordinator, Julie manages writing reports and articles, researching precedents and principles, and attending numerous events concerning regional planning issues.

Julie is currently living on Long Island and is looking forward to attending graduate school for regional planning and landscape architecture. Her current affiliations include the Next Generation in the Congress for New Urbanism.