Crains New York - July 30, 2012 - (Page 7)

PEOPLE GOVERNOR OF GOVERNORS: Leslie Koch oversees about 60 events on the island. BUSINESS of nationwide workers are fulltime contract employees Source: OI Partners 30% EXECUTIVE MOVES KPMG: David H.W. Turner, 53, joined the audit, tax and advisory firm as chief financial officer, effective Aug. 1. He was previously executive vice president at Thomson Reuters. Cornerstone: Ed James, 42, has resumed his prior role as president of the brand strategist’s public relations division, which he co-founded. He was previously vice president of global public relations for Gibson Guitar. The Doneger Group: Jonathan Greller, 41, joined the market trends firm as chief operating officer, a newly created position. He was previously senior vice president at Lord & Taylor/Hudson’s Bay. Melissa Peterson, 26, was promoted to young men’s market analyst. She was previously associate market analyst. Courtney Quinn, 29, was promoted to merchandising director of the Carol Hoffman contemporary, better, bridge and designer division. She was previously women’s contemporary fashion analyst. Apollo Global Management: Martin Kelly, 44, joined the investment management company as chief financial officer, effective no later than Oct. 1. He was previously managing director and chief financial officer of the Americas and global head of financial control at Barclays. American Theatre Wing: William Ivey Long, 64, was elected chair. He was previously a member of the board. Pamela Zilly, 64, joined the board. She was formerly senior managing director at the Blackstone Group. Pamela J. Bell, 45, joined the board. She is a founding partner of Kate Spade. Mark J. Abrahams, 51, joined the board. He is the interim chief financial officer at The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Lymphoma Research Foundation: Steven J. Prince, 61, was elected chairman of the board of directors for the nonprofit. He was previously executive vice president of the board of directors. Dr. John P. Leonard, 47, was elected chairman of the scientific advisory board. He was previously chairmanelect. CBRE Group Inc.: Robert Stillman, 47, was promoted to vice chairman of the commercial real estate firm. He was previously executive vice president. Ben Friedland, 37, was promoted to executive vice president. He was previously senior vice president. William Iacovelli, 43, was promoted to executive vice president. He was previously senior vice president. Ambrose Employer Group: David Zodikoff, 48, joined the professional employer organization as chief GOTHAM GIGS Leslie Koch makes her mark on Governors Island Visitors jumped to 448,000 last year, from 8,000 in 2005 After earning her M.B.A. from the Yale School of Management, Leslie Koch spent six years as a marketing executive at Microsoft Corp. Surprisingly, the president of the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corp. says her tenure at the tech giant was excellent training for her current gig, where she oversees roughly 60 events on the 172-acre former military base and manages efforts to increase recreational and commercial use. ¶ “There are similarities about designing great software and great public space,” said the Brooklyn resident, who grew up on the Upper West Side. “It is all about watching customers use the product.” ¶ Ms. Koch observed visitors to the island’s south end as they stood admiring the view of New York Harbor and thought it would be a great location for hammocks so people could lounge. ¶ Colleagues and other experts were skeptical because putting hammocks in parks isn’t common. “I’d never seen or heard of hammocks in a park before,” said Ms. Koch, who started her job in 2006, a year after the island was opened to the public.The hammocks were an instant hit among the throngs visiting the island, whose numbers swelled to 448,000 last year from a mere 8,000 in 2005. ¶ This summer, the park is open only on Saturdays and Sundays to accommodate construction.Thirty acres under development will feature hammocks, ball fields, fountains and rolling lawns.The $75 million project is slated to be completed next year. At the same time, the cityfunded nonprofit is spending $175 million to upgrade infrastructure and demolish unused buildings. ¶ For Ms. Koch, who started volunteering for her local assemblyman when she was 14, it’s a dream job. “Being on the island and watching people enjoy it is just the most profound experience I can imagine,” she said. —theresa agovino If I had a hammock See EXECUTIVE MOVES on Page 8 July 30, 2012 | Crain’s New York Business | 7

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Crains New York - July 30, 2012

Crains New York - July 30, 2012
Contents
In the Markets
The Insider
Business People
Real Estate Deals
Opinion
Alair Townsend
Greg David
Small Business
Corporate Finance
Classifieds
For the Record
From Around the City
New York, New York
Source Lunch
Out and About

Crains New York - July 30, 2012