SL Green exec David Amsterdam leaves company to lead Massey’s mayoral campaign

SL Green Realty’s vice president of leasing has left the company to dedicate his time to team Massey.

David Amsterdam, 35, left the real estate investment trust to spearhead the mayoral campaign of Cushman & Wakefield’s Paul Massey, the Commercial Observer reported. The move came after “extensive discussions” with Amsterdam in the lead up to Massey declaring his candidacy. Amsterdam has worked for SL Green since 2011.

The Real Deal reported last week that Massey was making his bid for mayor official by creating a committee to raise funds, “Massey for Mayor 2017.” The city has not yet received his paperwork, but he’s indicated that it will be filed in the coming days. In May, Massey gave TRD some insight on his campaign strategy, which will employ the Massey Knakal Realty Services’ [TRDataCustom] territory system, which divided the city into 50 regions headed by a broker. He also said he would raise “boatloads of money.” He will not, however, use the city’s matching fund program.

Massey is currently the president of New York investment sales at Cushman & Wakefield and will likely take a leave as the election gets closer, a spokesman told the Observer. [CO] — Kathryn Brenzel