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 Partnership’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

Steve Dubnik
President & CEO
The Strong National Museum of Play

TREASURER

Tim Corcoran
CFO
CGI Digital

SECRETARY

Victoria Van Voorhis
Sr. VP of Product Strategy
zSpace

VICE CHAIRS

  • Josh Farrelman
    Assoc. VP, Gov’t & Comm. Rel.
    University of Rochester

  • Andrew Gallina
    President
    Gallina Development Corporation

  • Ken Glazer
    CEO
    Buckingham Properties

  • Eugenio Marlin
    President & CEO
    Ibero-American Dev. Corporation

  • Ebony Miller
    Director
    RIT Center for Urban Entrepreneurship

  • Alec Riedman
    VP, Property Management & Operations
    Riedman Companies

  • Joseph Sayre
    Manager, Economic Development
    RG&E and NYSEG

  • Tim Schmid
    President
    Konar Properties

  • Naomi Silver
    President, CEO & COO
    Rochester Red Wings

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

ADDITIONAL BOARD MEMBERS

  • David Beinetti
    Principal
    SWBR

  • Jim Brown
    Executive Director
    JAF Rochester Riverside Convention Center

  • Alex Castro
    President & CEO
    PathStone Corporation

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

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

  • Patrick Dutton
    President
    FORTIFIED

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

  • Kimberly Frisbee
    Vice President
    Excellus BCBS

  • Ken Greene
    Director of Commercial Development
    Sibley Square, WinnCompanies

  • Brie Harrison
    Manager of Capital Projects
    Rochester Public Library

  • James Haskins
    Executive Director
    Geva Theatre Center

  • Bob Healy
    Principal
    LaBella Associates, P.C.

  • Chris Hill
    Vice President
    I. Gordon Corporation

  • Megan Houppert
    CEO
    Home Leasing

  • Kate Karl
    Partner, Chr. Banking/RE Groups,
    Underberg & Kessler LLP

  • 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
    Managing Member
    Landers Management LLC

  • Roosevelt Mareus
    Dean/Executive Director
    Rochester Educational Opportunity Center

  • Gail Morelle
    Vice President/Owner
    Christa Construction

  • Nayan Patel
    Owner
    Wyndham Rochester Downtown

  • Kelly Pronti
    Partner
    Harter Secrest & Emery LLP

  • Andy Raus
    Buildings Division Director
    Colliers Engineering & Design

  • Jay Rettberg
    General Manager
    Hyatt Regency Rochester

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

  • Charles Russell
    Commercial Real Estate and Banking Partner
    Harris Beach PLLC

  • Roseann Schmid
    CEO
    Fisher Associates

  • Christine Vargas
    Founder & Owner
    Vargas Associates

  • Steve Webster
    Owner
    Webster Properties

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

  • Dawn Williams-Fuller
    Owner
    Ambassador Union Street LLC

MEET THE TEAM

  • President & CEO, RDDC

    Galin Brooks is President & CEO of Rochester Downtown Development Corporation (RDDC). Galin holds a master’s degree in urban planning from New York University and a bachelor’s degree from University College Dublin. She is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. At the helm of RDDC, Galin’s focus for the future is on helping to cultivate a dynamic, thriving, and inclusive downtown. As downtown Rochester’s landscape continues to evolve, RDDC is stepping up and delivering on its mission – to drive economic vitality downtown – in new and dynamic ways.  

      

    Today, downtown is home to 10,800+ residents, employees are returning to the office, 1,500+ new residential units are planned or under construction, and downtown visitation continues to trend upwards. The operations and activities of RDDC have expanded and adapted to the ever-changing needs of downtown Rochester. RDDC works in a data-driven and informed capacity to generate a dynamic and responsive set of programmatic activities that drive economic vitality in the heart of downtown Rochester. By shining a light on all that is great and growing, activating public spaces, encouraging more people to experience and enjoy downtown, supporting small and local businesses, and running a variety of programs that make downtown livable, welcoming, and appealing for all, RDDC is propelling downtown forward. 

    Galin is proud to call the City of Rochester home. In her free time, she loves getting outside and exploring with her family - discovering hidden gems and learning more about Rochester’s rich history.  

  • Senior Manager, Public Realm & Activation

    John Connors is the Senior Manager of Public Realm & Activation at the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation (RDDC), having previously served as Manager of Special Projects. He holds an MA in Arts Management & Entrepreneurship from The New School and a BFA in Musical Theatre from Nazareth College.

    Prior to his work with RDDC, he was the Gallery Coordinator for the Genesee Valley Council on the Arts, and before that, served as Digital Communications and Programming Coordinator for the Hudson Yards/Hell’s Kitchen Alliance, a business improvement district in Manhattan.

    Outside of work, he enjoys kayaking, campfires, and gummy worms—and most of all, spending time with his husband, their Shiba Inu (Renji), and cat (Sauvi).

  • Economic Development & Partnerships Manager

    Bio Coming Soon!