Senior Executive, Attorney and Entrepreneur with extensive experience and record of success in leading organizations in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Key strengths include:
Transactional & Adversarial Negotiation Deal Structuring & Contract Formation
Portfolio & Asset Management Forging Alliances & Building Relationships
Strategic Planning & Implementation Dispute Resolution & Problem-Solving
Budget Formulation & Administration Government, Political & Public Relations
Identifying & Evaluating Investment Opportunities Team-Building & Organizational Alignment
Creating Value Effective Verbal & Written Communication
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Chief Operating Officer, THE McGARVEY COMPANIES, Fort Myers, FL 2007 to 2008
Lead and managed daily operations of a prominent, fully-integrated regional real estate organization: commercial development and construction; leasing and management of 1.5 million square feet of office, industrial/flex and retail properties; third-party commercial design-build projects; and construction, sales and marketing of high-end custom homes
Reported directly to principal/president, with responsibility for structure and performance of all departments; heading executive management team; developing and administering budgets; and managing personnel matters, legal affairs and public relations
Successfully led and oversaw multiple core initiatives, including: creating companywide and departmental organizational charts; establishing role definitions; instituting sound employment practices; re-working insurance portfolio; implementing comprehensive billing procedures and collections practices; transitioning to integrated, Timberline accounting system; developing management training programs; expanding and refining marketing and public relations efforts; and instituting comprehensive budget-making and budget management processes
Instrumental in maintaining profitable operations despite declining real estate and construction
markets
Principal, LAW OFFICE OF JAMES DECUZZI, Oyster Bay, NY 2006 to 2007
Chief Executive Officer, THE SAPIR ORGANIZATION, New York, NY 2002 to 2006
Presided over all corporate and business affairs of a multibillion-dollar, family-owned conglomerate, including asset management of portfolio of 7 million square feet of prime Manhattan real estate
Reported directly to absentee principal and maintained full responsibility for: serving as public face of company; coordinating and supervising all legal work by internal staff attorneys and outside counsel; negotiating leases, lease-buyouts, acquisitions, financings and re-financings; and conducting public relations, government relations and political efforts
Restructured organization and modified business culture, improving efficiency and productivity
Effectively rebranded company, rebuilding image, stature and reputation
Restored relationships and instituted faith and trust with existing and prospective tenants, vendors, brokers, financial institutions and government officials
Oversaw repositioning of buildings including two office towers and retail space of over 1 million sq. ft.
Averted financial and reputational calamity, saving a $600 million asset through favorable resolution of notorious, complex dispute with MTA over 2 Broadway development project and long-term lease
Turned around company, oversaw major expansion of portfolio, and delivered substantial
improvements in cash flow, profitability and net worth
JAMES DECUZZIPage 2
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE, continued
President / Commissioner, NEW YORK CITY TAX COMMISSION, New York, NY 1997 to 2002
Appointed to six-year term by Mayor Rudolph Giuliani with advice and unanimous consent of City Council
Headed agency which conducts formal appeals process for real property tax assessments citywide, a multibillion-dollar annual oversight function, with hands-on responsibility for policy and all facets of operations and administration
Effectively managed wide-ranging interaction with local and state officials, the media, professional and trade groups, and the general public
Personally heard and determined all cases involving assessments of greater than $15 million
Instituted strategic managerial paradigm, technological innovations and organizational culture of focused teamwork to optimize agency efficiency and performance in the processing and disposition of more than 100,000 assessment challenges each year
Transformed agency into a model emulated by neighboring jurisdiction of Nassau County
Designated Cabinet Member, MAYOR RUDOLPH GIULIANI, New York, NY 1997 to 2001
Participated in meetings of senior administration officials, emceed and assisted in production of special events at Gracie Mansion, represented Mayor at numerous functions, and served as liaison to Italian-American organizations
Earlier Experience:
NEW YORK CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY, New York, NY 1995 to 1996
Administrative Law Judge (Per Diem)
LAW OFFICES OF DECUZZI & GETZLER, New York, NY 1992 to 1996
Managing Partner
KOEPPEL MARTONE & LEISTMAN, Mineola, NY 1985 to 1991
Associate Attorney
APPELLATE DIVISION OF NEW YORK STATE SUPREME COURT, Brooklyn, NY 1984 to 1985
Confidential Law Assistant to the Justices of the Court
EDUCATION
Juris Doctor, Rutgers University School of Law, 1983
Awarded full scholarship as a Rutgers Graduate Scholar
Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, State University of New York at Albany, 1980
Major: Sociology; Minor: Economics / New York State Regents Scholarship / Deans List
DISTINCTIONS
Member, New York Bar
AV Rating, Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory
Member, Board of Governors, Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) (2006)
Court-Appointed Fiduciary (various capacities, passim)
Member, Mayors Committee on City Marshals (1994-2001)
Outstanding Citizen Citation, New York City Council
Ellis Island Medal of Honor, National Ethic Coalition of Organizations
Past President, Columbian Lawyers Association of Nassau County, New York
Co-Founder, Confederation of Columbian Lawyers Associations (Greater New York)
Cavaliere, Dynastic Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus, House of Savoy
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