Who We ARE

RDDC, established in 1977, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to driving economic vitality in downtown Rochester. RDDC achieves this by promoting downtown's assets to attract businesses and investments while fostering innovative ideas to create a more vibrant and inclusive community. In 2020, RDDC founded The Commissary, the region's first food business incubator and shared kitchen.

About RDDC

The Partnership for Downtown Rochester, established in 2021, is a public private partnership between New York State, Empire State Development, the City of Rochester, RDDC, and ROC2025. The Partnership was created to facilitate placemaking efforts, coordinate marketing and programming, and lead promotion of activities throughout downtown Rochester and along the Genesee Riverway. The Partnershipโ€™s goal is to increase private sector participation to better activate public spaces and help guide the revitalization of Rochester for the benefit of downtown stakeholders, visitors, and the overall community. The Partnership for Downtown Rochester is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

About The Partnership

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Board CHAIR

Victoria Van Voorhis
Owner
Second Avenue

TREASURER

Tim Corcoran
CFO
CGI Digital

SECRETARY

Patrick Cusato
Managing Partner
Underberg & Kessler LLP

VICE CHAIRS

  • Kimberly Baptiste
    Planning Discipline Leader
    Colliers

  • Steve Dubnik
    President & CEO
    The Strong National Museum of Play

  • Josh Farrelman
    VP, Government Relations
    University of Rochester

  • Andrew Gallina
    President
    Gallina Development Corp.

  • Ken Glazer
    CEO
    Buckingham Properties

  • Eugenio Marlin
    President and CEO
    Ibero-American Development Corporation

  • Ebony Miller
    Director
    RIT Ctr. for Urban Entrepreneurship

  • Alec Riedman
    Vice President of Property Management and Operations
    Riedman

  • Joe Sayre
    Manager, Economic Development
    RG&E

  • Tim Schmid
    President
    Konar Properties

  • Ronald Washington
    Housing Director, Manager, Home Store
    Urban League of Rochester

ADDITIONAL BOARD MEMBERS

  • Kimberly Baptiste
    Planning Discipline Leader
    Colliers Engineering & Design

  • David Beinetti
    Principal
    SWBR

  • Teresa Brugnoni
    Director - Corporate Supplier Governance & Real Estate Services
    Excellus BCBS

  • Kelly Carr
    Executive Director
    JAF Rochester Riverside Convention Center

  • Alex Castro
    President & CEO
    PathStone Corporation

  • Emily Clasper
    Director
    Rochester Public Library

  • Keith Cleary
    Senior VP/Director of Business Banking
    ESL Federal Credit Union

  • Gwen Crawford
    Executive VP, Chief Retail Officer
    Canandaigua National Bank

  • Pat Cusato
    Managing Partner
    Underberg & Kessler LLP

  • Patrick Dutton
    President
    Dutton Properties

  • Steve Epping
    Rochester Regional President, Executive VP
    Commercial Banking, M&T Bank

  • F.L. Gorman
    Partner & Co-Leader
    Harris Beach Murtha

  • Ken Greene
    Director, Commercial Development
    Sibley Square, WinnCompanies

  • James Haskins
    Executive Director
    Geva Theatre Center

  • Bob Healy
    President
    LaBella Associates, P.C.

  • Megan Houppert
    CEO
    Home Leasing

  • Lisa Kaseman
    Senior Vice President
    Conifer

  • Ben Keller
    Partner, RE Dev. & Finance Group
    Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP

  • Rachel Laber Pulvino
    VP, Communications
    Visit Rochester

  • Peter Landers
    Owner & Managing Member
    Landers Management LLC

  • Roosevelt Mareus
    Dean & Executive Director
    Rochester Educational Opportunity Center

  • Gail Morelle
    Vice President/Owner
    Christa Construction

  • Marty Muggleton
    Associate, Director
    HUNT-EAS

  • Nayan Patel
    Owner
    Wyndham Rochester Downtown

  • Kelly Pronti
    Partner
    Harter Secrest & Emery LLP

  • Jay Rettberg
    General Manager
    Hyatt Regency Rochester

  • Rachel Roberts
    Dir., ESM Strategic Initiatives,
    U of R/Eastman School of Music

  • Roseann Schmid
    CEO
    Fisher Associates

  • Naomi Silver
    President, CEO & COO
    Rochester Red Wings

  • Joe Stefko
    President & CEO
    OneROC

  • Christine Vargas
    President
    Vargas Associates

  • Steve Webster
    Partner
    Webster Properties

  • Charles Whipple
    Executive Vice President, General Counsel
    Rochester Regional Health

  • Dawn Williams-Fuller
    Owner
    Ambassador Union Street LLC

MEET THE TEAM

  • Interim President & CEO, RDDC

  • Director, Marketing & Communications

  • Economic Development & Partnerships Manager