Richard has extensive experience in all facets of land use, zoning, public policy, strategic planning, and community development. Throughout his career – both at Capalino and the New York Department of City Planning — he has been instrumental in facilitating and negotiating significant office, residential, cultural, community facility, retail, and open space projects in all five boroughs.
At Capalino, he served as Executive Vice-President for Real Estate and Senior Advisor, working with private and not-for-profit clients on real estate development issues and strategies to achieve success. In this capacity, he facilitated land use and development projects, guiding projects from conception through all approvals. Notable achievements included comprehensive regulatory changes along the Flushing Waterfront, the Inwood Areawide Zoning in Upper Manhattan, and specific housing and development projects throughout the city.
Prior to joining Capalino, Richard was the Executive Director of the New York City Planning Department, a post he held for 12 years after serving as Director of Manhattan Planning for eight years. Richard oversaw preparation and implementation of the Department’s strategic land use plan, including innovative rezonings and comprehensive plans in all five boroughs that promoted economic development, new mixed-income housing opportunities, and neighborhood revitalization and preservation.
Some of his major achievements included guiding the creation of the Hudson Yards District on Manhattan’s West Side, the Special Lower Manhattan Revitalization District, the Greenpoint/Williamsburg Rezoning to reconnect the neighborhoods to the waterfront, and comprehensive amendments to the Theater Subdistrict to strengthen the Broadway theater industry.
Richard serves on the Board of the Citizen’s Housing Planning Council and in 2023 was given the leadership award by the Zoning and Advisory Council. He is also a member of the Planning Board in the Town of Wappingers in Dutchess County. He earned his B.S. from Cornell University and M.P.A from Baruch College.
