Building Knowledge

Episode 141 of “Building Knowledge”  features Dr. Richard Ross, Director of Housing Development for HANAC, a leading New York City-based nonprofit developer and social services provider that recently expanded its work into Westchester County. With more than 30 years of experience in real estate finance and development, sustainable construction, and public-private partnerships, Dr. Ross discus...

The ongoing efforts to expand affordable homeownership opportunities in Yonkers are the focus of Episode 140 of  Building Knowledge . Our guest is Yonkers City Council President Lakisha Collins-Bellamy, who also serves as Counsel to the Municipal Housing Authority for the City of Yonkers (MHACY). In her first appearance on  Building Knowledge , Collins-Bellamy discusses MHACY’s September...

Episode 139 of  Building Knowledge  features “A Conversation with Congressman Mike Lawler.”  Congressman Lawler represents New York’s 17th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, which includes all or portions of Rockland, Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess counties. In his first appearance on  Building Knowledge , Congressman Lawler discusses the policy cha...

Episode 138 of  Building Knowledge , “The Anatomy of a Successful Remodeling Project,”  explores the award-winning renovation of LMC Media’s Studio on the Avenue in Mamaroneck, Westchester County—the very studio where  Building Knowledge  is recorded. The episode features three professionals who brought the project to life: Sarah Dirsa, Architect and Principal at KG & D Arc...

Episode 137 of  Building Knowledge  explores current conditions in the Hudson Valley’s real estate sales markets with guest Vlora Sejdi, former President of the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors (HGAR) and a well-known real estate professional in the region. As a trusted source on local market conditions, Vlora shares insights into home sales, pricing trends, and buyer sentiment acr...

Episode 136 of “Building Knowledge” features a timely discussion about the commercial real estate market across Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley, as well as the outlook for the region and the nation. Our guest is Garry Klein, Managing Director and Regional Manager of Houlihan Lawrence Commercial, based in Rye Brook, N.Y. A longtime BRI resource, Garry has previously appeared on “Bu...

Co-ops, condos and rental apartment buildings across the Hudson Valley are facing a range of challenges, from rising operating costs and insurance concerns to fair housing requirements, climate-related risks and resident disputes. In this episode of “Building Knowledge,” we sit down with Daniel Finger , an attorney with Finger and Finger, A Professional Corporation, which serves as Chief Counsel t...

Episode 134 of “Building Knowledge” focuses on what building owners, building managers, businesses, and homeowners need to know about preparing for hurricanes and other major disasters during hurricane season. Our guest is Stuart Betheil , a disaster preparedness expert and former Director of Emergency Services for the American Red Cross in Westchester County. Stuart currently volunteers with the...

Episode 133 of “Building Knowledge” provides an update on energy costs and the factors affecting the Natural Gas, Heating Oil, and Electricity markets for building owners, managers, businesses, and consumers. The episode also examines how the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to impact energy markets and prices. Our guest is Tim Connors, Vice President of Slattery Energy Consulting Gro...

Episode 132 of “Building Knowledge” takes an in-depth look at how Sustainable Westchester is helping buildings throughout the Hudson Valley address their energy needs. Our guest is Lauren Kroell, Senior Program Manager at Sustainable Westchester , making her first appearance on “Building Knowledge.” Topics discussed during the episode include: An overview of Sustainable Westchester and the service...

Episode 131 of Building Knowledge takes an in-depth look at the current state of the remodeling market across Westchester County, the Mid-Hudson Region, and the greater New York metropolitan area—and what may be ahead for the industry through the remainder of 2026. Our guest is Michael Murphy, President of the Building & Realty Institute (BRI) and Director of Business Development for Murphy Br...

Episode 130 of “Building Knowledge” focuses on what building owners, property managers, and homeowners need to know about evaluating, maintaining, repairing, and replacing windows and doors as the region transitions from summer into the colder months. Our guest is Dan Hughes, Sales Manager at JILCO Window Corp. in Granite Springs, a hamlet of Somers in Westchester County, New York. This episode ma...

Episode 129 of Building Knowledge examines the Sports Field Expansion at Manhattanville University in Purchase, New York, and what it could mean for future athletic facility projects, higher education, and the Hudson Valley building industry. Our guest is Frank Sanchez , President of Manhattanville University and a newly appointed member of the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council. He...

Episode 128 of Building Knowledge explores what's happening in the Hudson Valley's real estate markets with special guest Vlora Sejdi , Immediate Past President of the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors (HGAR) and a respected Realtor with deep expertise in the region. Vlora joins the podcast to break down the latest housing market trends, including recent data from OneKey MLS covering Westches...

New York has enacted the most significant reforms to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) in nearly 50 years—but what do these changes actually mean for housing, infrastructure, and the future of development across the state? On Episode 127 of Building Knowledge , host Jeff Hanley is joined by Joshua Berman, Campaigns Director for the Regional Plan Association (RPA) and a leader with...

Westchester County needs more housing—but what resources are available to help make it happen? In Episode 126 of Building Knowledge , we welcome Blanca Lopez, Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Planning, for a conversation about the county's housing initiatives, funding opportunities, and programs that support new development, rehabilitation, and preservation. Commissioner Lopez...

In Episode 125 of Building Knowledge , we welcome Sarah Tavares , Campaign Organizer for Welcome Home Westchester , to discuss the coalition's ongoing efforts to address Westchester County's housing shortage. Sarah explains the coalition's mission, membership, and the local policy options that cities, towns, and villages can adopt to expand housing opportunities. She also shares an update on the m...

Episode 124 of Building Knowledge explores security considerations for building owners, property managers, homeowners, and consumers as summer gets underway. Guest Thad McKeown, Director of Sales for Integrated Protection Services in Darien, Connecticut, returns to the podcast to discuss seasonal security challenges and best practices. Topics include summer security planning for residential and co...

“The Latest in Laundry Room Solutions for Building Owners and Managers” is the topic of Episode 123 of Building Knowledge . Our guests are Scott Scarpato Jr., Chief Operating Officer of Automatic Laundry, and Matthew Mariella, Regional Sales Manager for Westchester and Fairfield Counties. This marks the first appearance on Building Knowledge for both guests. During the episode, Scott and Matthew d...

Episode 122 of Building Knowledge pays tribute to Tim Foley, CEO of the Building and Realty Institute, as he is recognized by Westfair Business Journal as a recipient of its prestigious 2026 C-Suite Award. The C-Suite Awards celebrate the outstanding leadership, vision, and achievements of senior executives and organizations throughout Westchester and Fairfield counties. The program honors leaders...

Episode 121 of Building Knowledge explores the challenges, concerns, and opportunities facing business leaders across New York's Hudson Valley region. Our guest is Michael Dardano, principal of Buzz Potential, a respected public relations and marketing firm based in Tuckahoe, N.Y. A familiar voice to BRI audiences, Michael has appeared on both the Institute's former radio programs and previous epi...

This episode of “Building Knowledge” focuses on trends in wood maintenance and restoration projects with guest Willy Montano, Principal of Montano Wood Care Corporation in Yonkers, New York. A former guest on the Building and Realty Institute’s radio programs, this marks Montano’s first appearance on “Building Knowledge.” Topics include the lasting appeal of wood in commercial buildings, the impor...

Episode 119 of “Building Knowledge with the Building and Realty Institute (BRI)” takes a closer look at how Co-op and Condo Boards can effectively prepare for and conduct successful Annual Meetings. Our guest is David Amster, Chairman of the Advisory Council of Managing Agents (ACMA) of the BRI and Principal of Prime Locations, a leading property management company based in Yonkers, New York. Duri...

Episode 118 of “Building Knowledge” takes a deep dive into the insurance challenges impacting New York’s building, realty, and construction industries. Joining the program is Jason Schiciano, Co-President of Levitt-Fuirst Insurance and Bonding, based in Tarrytown. A familiar voice to members of the Building and Realty Institute (BRI) and its affiliate organizations, Jason has long been a trusted r...

Episode 117 of Building Knowledge takes a close look at how the Apartment Owners Advisory Council (AOAC) of the Building and Realty Institute (BRI) is preparing for the upcoming public hearings and deliberations of the Westchester County Rent Guidelines Board in New York State. Our guest is Alana Ciuffetelli, Chair of the AOAC. In this episode, she discusses the growing pressures facing small buil...