Downtown Albany BID Announces New Slate of Officers, Board Members at 2025 Annual Meeting

The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) announced a new slate of officers for its Board of Directors during the 2025 Annual Meeting held on Thursday, August 7, at the Country Inn & Suites located at 300 Broadway. These officers will help shape the strategy, advocacy, priorities, and initiatives for downtown Albany, following Governor Kathy Hochul's $200 million investment initiative, Championing Albany's Potential (CAP). 

Neil McGreevy, a property owner and founder of McGreevy ProLab & ProPress, will serve as President. James Hart, a Downtown resident, property owner, and Managing Director of Wealth Management at UBS, will take on the role of Vice President. Amanda Rózsavölgyi, a Downtown resident and Research Scientist at the Center for Human Services Research, will serve as Secretary, while Joshua Wainman, property owner and President of Wainschaf Associates, Inc., will act as Treasurer of the BID Board of Directors. 

The BID also welcomed three new board members, elected by stakeholders following a call for nominations in the spring. Joining as Class A Property Owners—registered property owners who contribute property taxes in the District—are Ahil Dawoodani, Downtown resident, property owner, and owner of Coulson’s News & Deli, and Ruth Kassel, Manager of the Capital Region Community Investment Trust (CIT) at the Pommer Building, which is owned by the Community Loan Fund. Joining as a Class B Commercial Tenant—an occupant of office or retail space that receives property tax bills in the District—is Nate Sims, Assistant General Manager at the MVP Arena. 

Renewing for an additional three-year term are board members Benn MacDonald, property owner and owner of Far Shot Recreation, and Joshua Wainman, who is now the new Board Treasurer. 

The first board meeting for the 2025-26 term is scheduled for Tuesday, September 30.  

During the 2025 Annual Meeting, government officials, community leaders, and stakeholders gathered to celebrate the vibrancy, resilience, and ongoing transformation of Downtown Albany. MIG, a nationally recognized planning and economic firm selected by Empire State Development (ESD) to lead the Governor's effort to revitalize the Downtown core, presented a roadmap for the CAP initiative. Georgette Steffens, Executive Director of Downtown Albany BID, reviewed achievements, goals, and opportunities from 2024, and recognized honorees for their acts of service. Lunch was provided by Maurice’s Pearl Street Deli. 

Downtown Albany BID Executive Director Georgette Steffens, said: “I am excited to enter this next chapter of the BID with a highly capable leadership team made up of business owners, residents, and community leaders. We are thrilled to welcome new members whose fresh perspectives will help shape our path forward, while also leaning on the experience and insight of our returning members. Downtown Albany stands at the precipice of transformative change, fueled by the Governor’s investment and commitment to revitalizing our District. I have the utmost confidence in our board to identify opportunities, set a clear agenda, and work collaboratively to help advance the CAP initiative.” 

Incoming Board President and Owner of McGreevy ProLab & ProPress, Neil McGreevy, said: “As a small business owner who has been in downtown Albany for over 30 years, I am encouraged by the way things are progressing. This city is so much more vibrant than it was just a decade ago, and the Downtown Albany BID has played an important role in that success. I am thrilled to serve as BID Board Chair as we embark on this critical planning and strategy effort initiated by governor Hochul.  We are thankful for her commitment to downtown Albany and look forward to working with her team to unlock our potential.” 

Incoming Board Member and Owner of Coulson's News & Deli, Ahil Dawoodani, said: "I’m honored to join the Downtown Albany BID board and excited to contribute to the continued growth of our city. I look forward to working alongside fellow board members to help make Downtown Albany an even better place to live, work, and visit."

Incoming Board Member and Manager of the Capital Region Community Investment Trust (CIT) at the Pommer Building, Ruth Kassel, said: "The Downtown BID is an incredible resource to businesses and a driving force for downtown planning and development in Albany. This is an exciting time for all of us who care deeply about the success and growth of our diverse downtown neighborhoods. I look forward to supporting this next phase of Downtown revitalization."