Rita Nakashima Brock, Rel. M., M.A., Ph.D., is Senior Vice President for moral injury programs at Volunteers of America. An award-winning author, Dr. Brock was a professor for 18 years before becoming the Director of the Bunting Institute at Radcliffe College in 1997. After she served on a team to effect the Radcliffe-Harvard merger in 1999, she became Director of the Fellowship Program at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University.

From 2001-2002, she was a fellow at the Harvard Divinity School Center for Values in Public Life, and from 2002-2012, she was a visiting scholar at the Starr King School for the Ministry at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA. She is the co-author of Soul Repair: Recovering from Moral Injury After War (Beacon 2012) and has been educating the public about moral injury since 2010. From 2012-2017, she directed the Soul Repair Center at Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University, which she co-founded with COL (Chaplain) Herman Keizer, Jr. (USA, ret.).

In June 2020, the Shay Center created an online, one-hour, peer-facilitated, small-group program for moral distress in frontline workers, which is free and open to the public (www.voa.org/ReST). It was built from strategies used in a Shay Center evidence-based moral injury program for military veterans.

Mario de la Cruz is one of the Founding Editors of Intima: A Journal of Narrative Medicine.  As an Associate Director for the Division of Narrative Medicine at Columbia University's Department of Medical Humanities and
Ethics, de la Cruz is involved in the development of programmatic advancements and innovative teaching strategies for their Masters of Science in Narrative Medicine program. He lectures at Columbia University, CUNY School of Medicine, and Sarah Lawrence College on illness and disability narratives, social justice in healthcare, narrative in population health, and graphic medicine.  His previous work includes the development and oversight of federally funded and state funded HIV/AIDS prevention programs and sexual health education programs for both healthcare institutions and non-profit organizations, with an emphasis on supporting under-resourced youth groups.  As a research consultant and workshop designer, he has provided services to multiple healthcare providers and academic institutions including, Montefiore Medical Center, University of Illinois - Carle Illinois College of Medicine, and NYU Office of Global Inclusion, Diversity, and Strategic Innovation.   Outside of the classroom, de la Cruz serves on the Board of Advisors for the Track of Distinction in Narrative Medicine at the CUNY School of Medicine's dual degree B.S./M.D. program and is the Narrative Medicine Coordinator for the non-profit organization, Trauma and Resiliency Resources, Inc (TRR).  He is the co-chair of the University Seminar on Narrative, Health, and Social Justice at Columbia University.  Mario de la Cruz is also a contributing author to the book, The Uncharted Path from Clinic-Based to Community-Based Research, and co-editor of the collection of LGBTQ+ elder narratives, Fictions, Nonfictions, and Imaginings: Writing from the SAGE Center.  His current work is focused on visual, oral, and performance-based narratives as vehicles for empowering marginalized voices and identities to address health inequity and social injustice.

Meredith is a versatile and highly competent manager, possessing experience in event development and management, marketing, and sustainability initiatives. A visionary leader with expertise in defining and delivering innovative solutions by assessing needs and developing customized value plans following overall business strategy, Meredith has a demonstrated ability to establish and maintain working relationships with C-level clients and various internal and external stakeholders to create a comprehensive set of key deliverables for clients. As an event management executive, Meredith successfully elevated thought leadership across several industries, and most specifically in the healthcare and health policy industry. She is known for developing high-level thought leadership programs, connecting leaders, and fostering key relationships among the C-suite. Prior to her career in events and marketing, Meredith was an environmental litigator in New York City. She earned her JD and Master’s in environmental policy from Vermont Law School in 2002. In 1999 she earned her Bachelor’s degree in political science and Sociology, with a minor in Communications from George Washington University. Meredith lives in Connecticut with her two young boys and their new puppy.

DRIVING GROWTH THROUGH INNOVATION, TECHNOLOGY, AND STRATEGY
Managing Director
DTA Advisors

Brian is an innovative technology leader with experience and a creative approach to driving data-driven business performance. As a dedicated servant leader, Brian prioritizes understanding the needs of his teams and empowers them to achieve extraordinary results. He has a perceptive, warm, and agile mindset and excels at building, motivating, and leading teams across various products, programs, and technologies. With a strong focus on integrating technology and management expertise, Brian has a proven track record of developing and managing scalable technology plans that align with strategic and operational objectives. His ability to drive successful initiatives has been invaluable across various industries, resulting in increased efficiencies, productivity, revenue, and reduced costs. Brian's expertise in data warehousing, analytics, and AI has led to groundbreaking solutions and technologies over the past two decades, delivering exceptional returns on data assets for organizations. Additionally, he is recognized as a pioneer in leveraging Robotic Process Automation using open-source platforms, which led to the successful implementation of a multi-million-dollar healthcare solution organization. As the Managing Director of DTA Advisors, LLC, Brian has driven digital strategies, conducted technology carve-outs, and led successful digital transformation initiatives for Fortune 100 companies. He has achieved remarkable cost recovery opportunities and significantly improved customer experiences and IT spending for international banking clients. As Founder and CEO of Olah Healthcare Technology, Brian successfully built a market-leading healthcare technology solution, delivering exceptional RPA solutions that revolutionized automation projects for numerous hospitals and clinical systems. He also excelled in managing key accounts and overseeing the migration of legacy systems to modern technology platforms, driving operational efficiency, and improving system performance. Brian's impressive career includes roles at Strategic Thinking Industries, LLC, BDO Consulting, IBM, and Ernst & Young, where he led various technology and data warehousing initiatives for prominent organizations and government agencies. Brian holds a B.S. in Business Administration with Finance and Management Information Systems majors from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. He is continuing his executive education at the MIT Sloan School of Management, focusing on Artificial Intelligence. Outside of his professional achievements, Brian is devoted to his family, actively contributes to social causes, and enjoys golf, coaching, and refereeing youth sports. He is also an advisory board member for Prichard Medical, Inc., a startup focused on developing advanced surgical assistance technologies for orthopedic procedures.

Leading policy, strategy, growth in healthcare specializing in Data, AI
Managing Partner
Santesys Advisory
BOARD EXPERIENCE
Advisory Board, DST Healthcare
Deanne is a strategy and growth executive creating opportunities at the intersection of tech, policy, and market intelligence. Leveraging her extensive experience, she translates complex policy and tech trends into simple strategies for sustained success, then scales those strategies into effective campaigns of influence. She empowers organizations to navigate unfolding change across multiple subjects, ensuring they capture growth and
remain competitive. Deanne specializes in managing health policy, advocacy, and strategic initiatives for major healthcare players. She founded Santesys Solutions and Advisory to provide solution focused consulting services to healthcare, digital health, pharma, and non-profit stakeholders, with a particular emphasis on the compliant, equitable, and ethical uses of data and AI. As VP, Health Policy at $6.6B Change Healthcare, she defined the business’ policy strategy across Medicare and Medicaid operations, Data Interoperability, Privacy, Ethical AI development, Public Health Infrastructure, and Value-Based Care business units. She established and scaled the company’s first ever Government Affairs and Health Policy team, managing the team’s collaboration with Investor Affairs, the Board of Directors, External Communications, Legal and Compliance, \product teams, and the services consulting unit. She directly supported the CEO, Chief Marketing and Public Affairs Officer, and Senior Counsel with strategic policy interpretation, risk mitigation strategies and communications guidance. Before joining Change, she spent 20 years as Founding Partner of Santesys Solutions (legally DPK Marketing Solutions, LLC), where she advised clients including: GDIT, Altruista Health, InterSystems, Cotiviti, Academy of
Managed Care Pharmacy, Cognosante, Cognizant, AHRQ, and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) on market development, custom research, policy analyses, and strategic planning. As an executive, Deanne successfully scales strategies and teams into proactive business enablers. She grew Santesys Solutions from a fledgling practice into a long-term partner to federal agencies and digital health companies, expanding its federal healthcare contract revenue by 250% in two years. An expert in fruitful collaboration, Deanne also leads internal and external communications and influences long- and short-term strategy development. Internally, she delivers compelling analyses of industry, regulatory, and legislative trends, and articulates these opportunities and threats to executive leadership. Externally, Deanne builds and fortifies brand reputation among legislative and regulatory staff and manages alliances, informal coalitions, and partner development. As a prominent figure in the healthcare space, Deanne is a sought-after thought leader on topics including the role of policy analyses in corporate strategy teams, evolving regulation and policy on health data use and AI, and the future of digital health trends in a global economy. Deanne was a founding member of Change Healthcare’s Data Use Review Committee and collaborated on the development of the company’s data ethics pillars, data use guidelines, and the committee’s overall focus. In 2017, Deanne served on the Advisory Board of DST Healthcare (now SS&C) and assisted the C-level team in charting a five-year strategic plan and tactics. She earned her B.S. in Marketing with a minor in Pre-Med from the University of Maryland, College Park, and her M.S. in Information Systems Management from the University of Maryland, Global Campus. She is a volunteer and fundraiser for Westie Rescue of the Mid-Atlantic, and Ride Allegheny, which is an annual fundraiser for the veterans’ charity Operation Second Chance. She lives in Maryland with her fiancé and two rescued dogs.

Jason Loughran is a Veteran of the United States Navy and currently serves as the Senior Advisor of Intergovernmental Affairs for the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS). In his role at the Department, he manages the agencies direct service programming and synchronizes their efforts with public, private, and not-for-profit agencies to overcome the barriers hindering New York City Veterans from accessing benefits, mental health, employment, entrepreneurship, legal and educational resources. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he created Mission: VetCheck through a partnership with NY Cares and the Mayor's Office of Community Health, to combat social isolation amongst the veteran community through supportive check-in calls conducted by volunteers. During these calls, volunteers would ask veterans how they were doing and offer information on critical resources to support eviction prevention, mental health, and many others. After reaching over 30,000 households, Mission: VetCheck won the Abraham Lincoln Pillar of Excellence Award for the State of New York by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to recognize best practices that have developed effective programs in the country. During his military service, he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2010 with Air Cargo Detachment-ONE, where the detachment received a Flag Letter of Appreciation and a Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy when transporting supplies and equipment between Kandahar and Helmand province.  Jason was selected for the 2019 Baruch College Alumni Association Leadership in Public Service Award and the 2021 Irish Echo Community Champion Award.

Alejandra Lara is shifting the way organizations, families, and individuals connect with the sentient world and transform their relationships to themselves and each other. As a life-long horsewoman from the mountains of Chile, Alejandra has 25 years of experience developing, implementing, and guiding people in Mindful Horsemanship — a model she envisioned and launched. Mindful Horsemanship empowers us to approach everyday life, as we do horses, with awareness, grace and ease. Through trauma-informed, equine based learning and wellness practices, Alejandra’s clients recognize their innate belonging so they can embody more authentic relationships and connections.

From her home in Park City, Utah and throughout her native Chile, Alejandra provides training seminars, program development and therapeutic equine wellness experiences through Park City Horse Experience. Alejandra has facilitated thousands of individuals and teams within notable nonprofits, corporations and the private sector. Of all of her impressive accomplishments, Alejandra’s intensive work with veterans and the most vulnerable is what defines the foundation of her approach to working with humans and equines.

Alejandra’s deep work introducing the sentience of the equine herd into everyday human life has garnered her national attention. In 2018, Alejandra was named the credentialed professional of the year by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.), for her contribution to the Equine Assisted Learning program at the renown National Ability Center since 2008. She also holds a special distinction as a military service provider through EAGALA. In addition to being the lead facilitator and owner of Park City Horse Experience since 2016, Alejandra co founded REINS in 2020, a nonprofit organization that provides a healing space for emotional recovery, for both Humans & Equines.

Alejandra is a certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL) and Therapeutic Riding Instructor (TRI) through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International -PATH Intl. She holds a Natural Lifemanship Level I credential as a Equine Professional - Trauma Informed Equine Assisted Therapy, certified Equine Specialist through EAGALA with a special distinction to serve veterans, as well as a Mindfulness Meditation Teacher accreditation - through the University of California, Berkeley. She lives between her home in Park City, Utah and her family villa in Chile, with a growing community and fellowship of human and equine partners.

Eva J. Usadi, MA, BCD founded Trauma and Resiliency Resources, Inc. after having been intricately involved with the mental health response to the events of September 11, 2001. She specializes in the assessment and treatment of PTSD, Complex PTSD (attachment and developmental trauma), Combat Trauma and Moral Injury. In her private psychotherapy practice in Manhattan, she treats New York City firefighters, police officers, warriors, humanitarian aid workers and all their family members, as well as civilians.

She holds a Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies from the Trauma Center in Boston, Mass. and is Certified in EMDR Therapy and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy®, and as an Equine Assisted Psychotherapy Military Service Provider by Eagala. In addition, she is trained as a Yoga Teacher and in Critical Incident Stress Management, Structural Family Therapy, and Mindfulness Meditation.

Ms. Usadi has taught courses and presented at numerous public conferences in the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe, highlighting the application of EAP to the treatment of combat trauma. She is the daughter of a World War II Veteran.

The Rev. Chris J. Antal, DMin., is staff chaplain at Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center in Philadelphia. In 2016 he and Peter Yeomans, Ph.D, a staff psychologist, launched a bi-annual moral injury group and since then more than 60 veterans have completed the twelve week program and more than 400 people have participated in the community healing ceremony, which veterans lead at the tenth week. Chris is ordained in and endorsed by the Unitarian Universalist Association.

Bruce Shapiro is Executive Director of the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, a project of Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism encouraging innovative reporting on violence, conflict and tragedy worldwide. An award-winning reporter on human rights, criminal justice and politics, Shapiro is a contributing editor at The Nation and U.S. correspondent for Late Night Live on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Radio National. He is Adjunct Professor and Senior Advisor for Academic Affairs at Columbia, where he teaches journalism ethics. His books include Shaking the Foundations: 200 Years of Investigative Journalism in America and Legal Lynching: The Death Penalty and America's Future. Shapiro is recipient of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Public Advocacy Award for "outstanding and fundamental contributions to the social understanding of trauma." He is a founding board member of the Global Investigative Journalism Network

Camillo ‘Mac’ Bica, Ph.D., is a professor of philosophy at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. He is a former Marine Corps officer, a Service-Connected disabled veteran of the American war in Vietnam, and the coordinator of the Long Island Chapter of Veterans for Peace. With a focus on Ethics and the war experience, his work on military service and moral injury has been published in a variety of venues including Truthout, Common Dreams, AlterNet, Historians for Peace and Democracy, the International Journal of Applied Philosophy, the Journal of Social Philosophy, Public Affairs Quarterly, the Peace Review, and The Humanist. Dr. Bica has presented on the war experience and Moral Injury on many occasions including testifying at the Truth Commission on Conscience in War.” His most recent books include "Worthy of Gratitude: Why Veterans May Not Want to be Thanked For Their ‘Service’ in War"; (Gnosis Press, 2015), "Beyond PTSD: The Moral Casualties of War"; (Gnosis Press, 2016), "There Are No Flowers in a War Zone"; (Gnosis Press, 2019), and Morality and Military Service (Gnosis Press, Fall, 2020).

Dayne E. Nix, Ph.D., CDR (RET), CHC, USN
Professor of Joint Maritime Operations U.S. Naval War College

Professor Nix has taught Joint Maritime Operations for the Naval War College since 2009 in its Monterey program at the Naval Postgraduate School. Prior to accepting the appointment at Monterey, he taught National Security Decision Making (NSDM) in the War College’s Distance Education program from 2007 – 2009 and “Faith and Force” in its elective program from 2001 – 2004. He also taught “Just War Ethics” for Salve Regina University and served at the Naval Chaplain School from 2001 – 2004 as the Advanced Course Instructor and Deputy Director. Dr. Nix holds a B.A. degree from the University of Colorado in international affairs, the M.Div. from Denver Seminary, the Th.M. from Duke University, the M.A. from the Naval War College (with distinction) in national security affairs, and the Ph.D. from Salve Regina University in the Humanities. CDR Dayne Nix is a retired U.S. Navy chaplain and served world-wide in Navy and Marine Corps assignments, including an Individual Augment tour with CENTCOM Forward, located in Doha, Qatar in 2004. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a communications officer from 1974 - 1979. He has received numerous military awards, including four Meritorious Service Medals. Dr. Nix is the author of Moral Injury and a First World War Chaplain: The Life of G.A. Studdert Kennedy (Lexington Press, 2022), The Integration of Philosophy, Politics, and Conservative Islam in the Thought of (Pakistan’s) Muhammad Iqbal (Mellen Press, 2011) and “American Civil-Military Relations: Samuel P. Huntington and the Political Dimensions of Military Professionalism” (Naval War College Review, Spring 2012) as well as other articles and conference papers. Between 2010 and 2014 he partnered with Georgetown University’s Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs to conduct conferences on Religion and Security in World affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School (2011), Georgetown University (2012) and the Naval War College (2014). His interests include the military dimensions of moral injury as well as the intersection of religion and national security.

Mary Coleman, ERYT500, CHHC has experienced profound personal transformation through her practice of yoga and Ayurveda. Her practice is grounded in the spirituality of the practice and a deep understanding of the wisdom of the body. Yoga empowers the practitioner to transform their suffering and live with radiance and wellbeing. Mary encourages her clients to discover and fulfill their unique purpose and to discover their intuitive wisdom to heal and fulfill their highest potential. Mary teaches private yoga sessions, workshops, and trainings, Using the wisdom of
yoga and Ayurveda, Mary supports her clients to cultivate whole person wellbeing and balance. Mary supports individuals who are working with trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, cancer, long-COVID, traumatic brain injuries, and chronic health conditions. Mary teaches yoga to support healing from trauma and the repair of Military Moral Injury in combat veterans and active-duty military members at TRR’s Warrior Camp®. Mary has been teaching yoga teacher training in Central Ohio since 2013. She has taught over 250 teachers at the 200hr and Advanced levels. Mary also provides one-on- one continuing education sessions for Yoga Alliance Registered yoga teachers to continue to support their growth and encourage their yoga path. Mary is also a Certified Holistic Health Coach and Playing Big® Facilitator. Mary coaches women navigating life transitions and encourages them to bring their unique gifts into the community.

David N. Weinraub is the co-founder and managing partner of BrownWeinraub, New York’s top lobbying firm. He sets the overarching vision for the firm and provides the strategic framework necessary to meet each client’s objectives.

David was a member of Governor Mario M. Cuomo’s senior staff, serving as Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs. He was also Counsel to Lieutenant Governor Stan Lundine and Director of Regional Services for the Department of State. The common theme of David’s government service – confidential, high level, complex assignments with little margin for error. Throughout his tenure, he was able to manage teams of diverse personnel and deliver victories across program areas and across the state. David was asked regularly to develop campaign plans for a variety of ballot initiatives and to advise on numerous elections at all levels of government.

The firm’s growing list of clients attests in no small part to David’s creativity, prudent judgment and network of key policy makers and political thought leaders throughout the country. He has taught at St. John’s University and serves on various law panels. David is a trustee of the Citizens Budget Commission and serves on the board of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, New York Chapter.  

James Vanreusel is the founder and CEO of Vanreusel Ventures, with 22 years of global financial experience. His background includes helping new companies grow and scale, creating a framework for financial success, and acting as a CFO for emerging organizations as they build a solid business foundation.

He began consulting in 2008, specializing in private equity and asset management, where he raised capital, built portfolios, and operated company models. From there, he transitioned to corporate investing. As a CFA Charterholder, he became CFO for SPBD, a microfinance network in the South Pacific. He used his global experience in finance to launch and operate multiple banks in Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, and a holding company in Singapore. The company in Singapore saw 600% growth under his guidance.

In 2014 he founded his current business, Vanreusel Ventures, in San Francisco. At Vanreusel Ventures, he leads a team of CFO consultants and financial analysts who work with companies worldwide in profit and non-profit sectors. He manages alongside his team to help businesses through the initial stages of growth, where his strategies and support guide businesses towards success and eventual independence.

His strategy focuses on creating a framework that supports companies in their early years to go from $1 to $100 million in revenue. This process involves building scalable teams and systems that will grow along with the business. Many of his clients are global organizations where he can leverage his international experience to offer customized strategies that are also culturally relevant. Ultimately, he prepares businesses to take on their first full-time CFO.

Alex Betke is an attorney and registered lobbyist focusing his practice on Government Relations and Municipal Law, a unique combination of legal concentrations allowing him to meet clients’ needs at all levels of government and to provide innovative resolutions to a variety of legal challenges.

Alex enjoys considerable experience working with the Governor’s Office, the Legislature, state agencies, the Attorney General and the State Comptroller, along with New York’s federal government representatives. His clients range from major industry associations and fortune 500 companies to small businesses and not-for-profit organizations, with work encompassing all aspects of government relations, including legislation, procurement, appropriations and regulatory matters.

Previously, Alex was elected for eight years as the Town Supervisor of the Town of Coxsackie and served several terms as a councilman before holding that post. Based on his experience and exposure to the workings of local government, he established and grew a municipal practice, and continues to serve as general and special counsel to various municipalities.

Alex has been involved in New York State politics throughout his career, serving as an elected state committeeman for the New York State Democratic Party and working on several statewide campaigns. This experience, in addition to his professional work, contributes to and informs his approach to legal matters and increases his effectiveness in advancing client objectives.

David R. Everett is a partner in the Firm’s  Environmental, Municipal and Real Estate Development, Zoning and Land Use, and Energy and Telecommunications Practice Groups. His areas of expertise include land use law, zoning and planning, real estate development, SEQRA compliance, solid waste management and environmental regulations. Mr. Everett routinely lectures on SEQRA compliance, zoning and planning issues and environmental permitting regulations throughout New York State for the N.Y. Association of Towns and N.Y. Planning Federation, among others.

Representative Accomplishments

  • Acted as lead counsel for the development of numerous large warehouse distribution centers for FORTUNE 10 corporations and e-commerce companies.   Handled distribution centers ranging in size from 200,000 square feet to over 1 million square feet.  Also handled distribution centers located adjacent to Stewart International Airport in the Town of Newburgh, NY.  Handled all aspects of the development process including negotiating land purchase agreements and other transactional matters, handling due diligence investigations, obtaining right to build approvals and financial incentives and successfully defending litigation challenging project approvals.
  • Acted as lead counsel for the municipal review and approval of one of the largest private residential golf resorts in the Hudson Valley valued at between $750 million to $1 billion. The resort contained hundreds of dwelling units consisting of estate homes, single-family homes, condos, townhomes, hotel lodging units, a championship golf course, club house, recreational amenities,  and related improvements. Handled all aspects of site plan and subdivision reviews, environmental review, performance bonding, transportation corporations for water and wastewater disposal, conservation easements, public park easement, homeowner’s association, etc. Successfully handled numerous lawsuits seeking to overturn the environmental and land use approvals for the project.
  • Acted as lead counsel to several religious organizations in the Hudson Valley in the development of monasteries, missionary training facilities, literature production facilities, administrative offices, residential facilities and worship halls. Also handled all aspects of site selection and acquisition, due diligence, land use and environmental approvals, RLUIPA, etc.
  • Acted as the lead counsel for a national home builder in connection with the development of over 3,000 homes in the greater New York City area including single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums, age-restricted communities and affordable housing. Conducted environmental due diligence investigations related to the development of large residential communities. Assisted with the redevelopment of large urban brownfield sites for residential communities. 
  • Acted as lead counsel for one of the largest real estate developers in New York State in connection with the development of shopping centers including strip centers, neighborhood and community retail stores, power centers and lifestyle centers.  Assisted a client in securing $500 million in private financing to construct a super-regional shopping mall in the lower Hudson Valley.  
  • Acted as lead counsel for the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) in connection with obtaining land use and environmental approvals for the construction of the power control center (PCC) for New York State.  The PCC operates and controls the bulk electric transmission grid across the State.
  • Acted as lead counsel in connection with the development, construction and operation of the largest private motorcycle racetrack in the country.  Successfully defended multiple lawsuits challenging the land use and environmental approvals for the track.
  • Acted as lead counsel in building a coalition of almost 50 municipalities from across the State to file amicus curaie briefs in lawsuits challenging the legal authority of municipalities to adopt zoning controls on natural gas drilling.
  • Acted as lead counsel for over 60 municipalities in the Southern Tier of New York State in connection with developing and implementing local road protection programs with respect to natural gas drilling operations.
  • Assisted the New York State Thruway Authority with environmental impact assessment and permitting issues associated with the redevelopment of the Tappan Zee Bridge and I-287 corridor from Port Chester, NY to Suffern, NY. 
  • Assisted Woodstock Ventures in obtaining land use and environmental approvals for the Woodstock Music Festivals in 1994 and 1999. Prepared and negotiated numerous contracts on environmental issues including contracts for the removal of septage, solid waste, hazardous waste and regulated medical waste. 
  • Assisted clients in obtaining land use approvals from planning, zoning and legislative boards including site plan and subdivision approvals, special use permits, variances, zoning amendments, etc. Handled all aspects of land use litigation. 
  • Assisted clients in obtaining environmental permits and approvals from federal, State and local agencies including wetland permits, SPDES permits, stream impact permits, flood protection permits, air permits, stormwater permits, etc. 
  • Assisted FORTUNE 500 companies in complying with State and federal environmental laws including air, water and underground storage tank regulations. 
  • Represented clients before State and federal agencies in enforcement actions regarding alleged violations of environmental laws. Negotiated consent orders with the EPA and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
  • Represented resource recovery agencies in siting county-wide landfills, developing solid waste management plans, and preparing, adopting and enforcing flow control and recycling regulations. Handled litigation challenging the constitutionality of flow control laws.

Charles Gottlieb is a Partner of Whiteman Osterman & Hanna’s Real Estate Development, Zoning and Land Use; Environmental; Municipal; and Energy and Telecommunications practice groups. His expertise is in representing residential and commercial developers, religious institutions, non-profit organizations and public utility infrastructure companies to obtain needed land use and environmental permits.  Prior to joining the firm, Charles was an associate attorney at Cuddy & Feder, LLP in Westchester County and previously served as a legal intern for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Representative Accomplishments

  • Assists clients with all aspects of the land use permitting process, including the State Environmental Quality Review Act, and regularly appear before municipal land use, zoning and environmental permitting agencies.
  • Assists telecommunications infrastructure companies and wireless carriers in obtaining permits from local land use agencies and advise on compliance with the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and related FCC orders.
  • Successfully assisted clients before local land use agencies related to New York’s Padavan Law and local, State and Federal historic preservation laws.
  • Represents clients during Article 78 litigation proceedings in resolving their real estate, land use and zoning, and environmental disputes.
  • Effectively defend clients subject to municipal zoning and environmental enforcement actions.
  • Obtain favorable rezoning and zoning interpretations for developers before local legislative bodies, local code enforcement officers, and local Zoning Boards of Appeal.

Affiliations

Charles is admitted to practice in the State of New York and Connecticut, and the Northern and Southern District Federal Courts.  Charles is also a member of the New York State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. 

Professional/Community

Charles is on the Board of Directors of the City of Troy Boys and Girls Club in New York.

Publications

Planning and Permitting Mobile Broadband Communications Infrastructure: Is It Time to Amend Your Code? Presentation, Land Use and Sustainable Development Law Institute at Touro Law School, 2015

Municipal Land Use and Legal Considerations Associated With Advancing Technologies That Are Critical To Communities in Transition, Presentation, PACE 2014 Land Use and Sustainable Development Conference Transitioning Communities, Pace Law School, 2014.

Land Use and Planning: Preventing Flight of Millennials, Publication, New York Law Journal, November 3, 2015

Background/Education

Charles, originally from Vermont, received a Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Albany Law School in 2011.  He also received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Quinnipiac University in 2008.

Dan Hubbell is a Partner with Whiteman Osterman & Hanna joining the Firm in September 2014.  Mr. Hubbell primarily represents public, not-for-profit, and private entities in real estate, land use, development, and real property taxation matters, with an emphasis on acquisition, financing, development, leasing, and disposition of commercial and corporate real property, including the preparation and negotiations of all transactional documents.  Additionally, Mr. Hubbell provides guidance to public and private entities concerning real property tax assessments, exemptions and payment in lieu of taxes agreements.  Prior to practicing law, Mr. Hubbell worked as a commercial real estate appraiser, performing complex appraisal assignments on various property types.

Representative Accomplishments

  • Represented multiple private entities in the acquisition, financing, development and leasing of retail, office, industrial and multi-family residential properties.
  • Represented multiple not-for-profit and religious corporations in the acquisition, financing, development and disposition of corporate real property, including applications to the New York State Attorney General or Supreme Court for approval of such transactions.
  • Represented developers of residential condominium and homeowners’ association projects in preparing and filing offering plans with the New York State Attorney General.
  • Co-counsel to local development authority, advising on all economic development issues, including development, construction, financing, payment in lieu of tax and other agreements.
  • Represented public housing authority in a public-private RAD (Rental Assistance Demonstration) conversion of the authority’s entire real estate portfolio.
  • Commenced and negotiated the settlement of multiple tax certiorari proceedings relating to various property types, including retail centers, office buildings, multi-family apartment complexes, industrial buildings, hydro-electric facilities, lumber mills, farms and agricultural lands, and residences.

Affiliations

Mr. Hubbell is a member of the New York State Bar and a New York State Certified General Real Estate Appraiser.  He is a Practicing Affiliate of the Appraisal Institute and a past board member of the Mid-Hudson Chapter of the Appraisal Institute.  Mr. Hubbell serves on the Board of Directors of Hudson River Housing and is a past president of the organization.  

Background/Education

Mr. Hubbell graduated magna cum laude from Albany Law School, where he was a member of the Albany Law Review.  While in law school, Mr. Hubbell was a legal intern in the Criminal Prosecutions and Public Integrity Bureaus of the New York State Office of the Attorney General, as well as a summer associate with Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP.  Mr. Hubbell also holds a Master of Science degree in Non-Profit/NGO Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania. During his time at the University of Pennsylvania, Mr. Hubbell interned as a grants officer with the Wachovia Regional Foundation and served as a consultant to the United Nations Office of Human Resources Management. Prior to graduate school, Mr. Hubbell worked in the non-profit sector, founding and leading a local education non-profit in south-central Pennsylvania. Mr. Hubbell received his Bachelors of Arts from the University of Valley Forge, graduating magna cum laude.  

Boyu comes to Vanreusel Ventures from an analyst background, after a 3-year career with Lion Raisins Corp. He spent this time developing models for valuing stock on behalf of investors – drawing on income comparisons, revenue trends, profit analysis, and more.

Now as the Sr. Financial Analyst, he brings all these talents to bear as part of the Vanreusel team. Through trend analysis, modeling, and data management, he keeps our financial models aligned with movement in the markets. Then for clients, he builds sales and revenue forecasts to factor risk and rewards into the decision process.

Born in China, Boyu studied for a BA in Economics at Syracuse University, then a Master of Science in Finance degree at the University of Maryland College Park. Away from work, he plays basketball and loves traveling – experiencing different cultures and food whenever he has the chance.

John Blackburn has over 40 years of experience in the practice of architecture. He received his Master of Architecture and Urban Design degree from Washington University in St. Louis in 1972 and was principal of his own firm from 1976-1979 before joining Keyes Condon Florence Architects as an Associate Architect for four years. In 1983, he founded Smith Blackburn Architects with Robert Smith, AIA and merged with Richard Stauffer Associates in 1987 to form Smith Blackburn Stauffer. In 1995, the firm incorporated and changed its name to Blackburn Architects, P.C.

Mr. Blackburn is the senior principal of the firm and is responsible for overall firm management. His experience includes the management of a full range of project types and services, including programming, existing facility evaluation and master planning, new construction, adaptive reuse, and historic preservation.

Mr. Blackburn has over 30 years of experience in equestrian design and is renowned worldwide as an industry leader. His equestrian projects range from polo barns and thoroughbred-training facilities to therapeutic riding centers and private ranches. Blackburn’s designs rely on the active principles of passive design to encourage animal safety and sustainable facilities.

Mr. Blackburn has co-authored two highly lauded books, Healthy Stables by Design, and American Equestrian Design; both of which focus on the firm's long practice of designing exceptional equestrian properties.

As a Project Manager in Bohler’s Albany office, Tim is a practicing Professional Engineer who helps owners and developers identify opportunities to become accomplished. With a degree in Civil Engineering and Geography from Syracuse University, and more than 9 years of experience in site civil engineering design and permitting fields, Tim leads a growing team of talented engineers and designers who bring clients’ visions to life. Tim drives the development process, guiding projects from due diligence and conceptual design through site design, entitlements, and construction.

Jeff Newman, of Stone Creek Planning and Management, has more than two decades of experience operating and managing large properties, including a 236-acre horse farm and retreat center. He comes to TRR to share his operational expertise as part of the Farm Team.  With a certification in Permaculture Design, Jeff will work to ensure that the site will be not just sustainable, but regenerative in its design.

CH (LTC) Barron Wester has served as an active duty Army Chaplain for over 18 years. He has ministered in a variety of contexts and units, including Infantry, Aviation, Signal, Stryker, and Garrison. CH Wester has worked as Battalion Chaplain, Brigade Chaplain, Brigade Chaplain Observer-Coach-Trainer, and Family Life Chaplain. He currently serves as Division Chaplain, 10th Mountain Division in Fort Drum, New York. CH Wester holds a B.S.Ed. in Middle Childhood Education from Georgia State University (1997), a M.Div. from Church of God Theological Seminary (2005), and a M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Texas A&M – Central Texas (2016). He is ordained and endorsed by the Church of God (Cleveland, TN) and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Texas.