REBNY bolsters executive team

The Real Estate Board of New York has bolstered its executive ranks with three new appointments.

The industry group said this week it has a new chief operating officer, chief communications and marketing officer and a senior vice president of brokerage services.

Sandhya Espitia was promoted from her role at REBNY as deputy senior vice president of brokerage services to become COO, a newly created position. She previously was an executive at the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Beth Miller will take the lead communications role at REBNY, after being hired from her communications role at the Development Counsellors International. She has also held roles at the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs and Skanska.

And McKenna Warren, who led REBNY’s commercial brokerage division, will replace Espitia as senior vice president of brokerage services.

The executive shuffle comes as REBNY is trying to put out fires across the industry. Last month, guidance from the state put some tenant-paid broker fees in jeopardy. Apartment owners are also dealing with the fallout from the state’s new rent law. And after a year of turmoil, the group has even considered aligning with a longtime foe, the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York.

“As the landscape within the real estate industry continues to evolve, so does REBNY,” said James Whelan, president of REBNY, adding that the new hires will “help us tackle the challenges our communities are facing.”