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David Neil | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 16, 1977 Chicago, Illinois |
| Education | |
David Neil (born June 16, 1977) is an American real estate executive[1], environmental advocate, and community leader. Neil has been involved in initiatives related to environmental sustainability and community projects.
He is a Principal at The Durst Organization, overseeing Commercial Leasing, Marketing, and Communications. Since joining Durst in 2009, Neil has contributed to several initiatives, such as launching a business unit focused on film productions, leading an employee innovation program, and creating brands like DurstReady. He also initiated projects to convert underutilized rooftops into green roofs and terraces.
Previously, Neil served as Co-President and Chief Operating Officer of New York Water Taxi, where he managed operations that carried 1.5 million passengers annually through New York Harbor. In 2017, he negotiated the sale of the company to New York Cruise Lines[2]/Circle Line[3]. Before joining Durst, Neil worked on special projects at ShoreBank and represented the European real estate company Evohaus in the U.S. He also founded an independent publishing company and worked at the Nathan Cummings Foundation.
Neil has been involved in community service and environmental advocacy initiatives. He is the Board Chair of The Friends of Rockland Lake & Hook Mountain and founded several nonprofit organizations, including Museum of the Courageous, which focuses on educational initiatives regarding acts of bravery in the face of discrimination.
Family History
editDavid Neil's paternal ancestors immigrated from England to colonial Massachusetts in 1638. Several members of his family participated in the American Revolutionary War.
Neil is named after his grandfather, David Harvey McNeilly, a Presbyterian minister who also practiced law in Peru, Illinois.
Neil's maternal grandfather, Philip Markowicz, was a Holocaust survivor and the son of a rabbi. During World War II, Markowicz was imprisoned in concentration camps, including Auschwitz. After the war, he lectured on his experiences and authored a book titled Losing God in Translation[4].
Neil's father, Mark Neil, was an attorney, and his mother, Sylvia Neil, is a law professor, civil liberties advocate, and philanthropist. Sylvia Neil serves as the Board Chair of the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Neil's stepfather, Dan Fischel, is the Chairman and President of Compass Lexecon, an economic consulting firm.
Education
editDavid Neil holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago Law School and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Vassar College.
Career
editDavid Neil founded the independent book publishing company EcoSeekers and conceived of the young adult historical fiction book series, The Land of Curiosities[5]. The publishing company was recognized as a finalist for the "Best First Book Award" by the Independent Book Publishers Association.
In 2006, Neil joined ShoreBank as Director of Special Projects, a community development bank in the United States.
In 2011, Neil joined New York Water Taxi as Chief Operating Officer, overseeing operations that carried an average of 1.5 million passengers annually in New York Harbor. He later became Co-President of New York Water Taxi/Circle Line Downtown in 2015, sharing responsibilities with Helena Durst.
In an effort to expand citywide ferry service, Mayor Bill De Blasio selected San Francisco-based Hornblower Cruises & Events as the finalist of a bidding process[6]. This decision led New York Water Taxi/Circle Line Downtown to consider ceasing operations or selling its business to another operator[7]. In response, Neil and Helena Durst communicated their concerns to employees, citing challenges related to government-subsidized competition[8].
In 2017, New York Water Taxi was acquired by Circle Line/New York Cruise Lines, and Neil subsequently became a Principal at The Durst Organization, a real estate developer and landlord[1].
During his time at The Durst Organization, Neil initiated several projects aimed at promoting sustainability and enhancing revenue:
- Converted unused rooftops and setbacks into usable terraces, including a $20+ million indoor/outdoor rooftop office space in Midtown Manhattan.
- Led efforts to create over an acre of green roofs across The Durst Organization's Midtown portfolio.
- Established an Amenities Department to enhance hospitality services for both commercial and residential buildings[9].
- Launched a film, television, and special productions division for the Durst real estate portfolio, attracting productions such as You, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and Partner Track.
- Introduced a composting initiative within the Durst office portfolio, involving over 100 tenants in composting for the first time[10].
- Supported the installation of beehives on Durst high-rise properties to promote urban biodiversity[11].
Nonprofit Work, Civic Engagement & Advocacy
editDavid Neil is the Board Chair of The Friends of Rockland Lake & Hook Mountain. Throughout his career, Neil has founded three civil rights nonprofit organizations:
- Museum of the Courageous (MOTC): Founded in 2017, the organization was inspired by an incident in Portland, Oregon, where two people lost their lives and a third was injured while intervening during a racially motivated confrontation.
- P.E.A.C.E.: A national student-run nonprofit that provided youth-to-youth mentoring aimed at addressing prejudice and discrimination. Neil founded a chapter of P.E.A.C.E. at Vassar College, which became one of the largest student organizations at the college in the late 1990s.
- Students Together Opposing Prejudice (STOP): Founded by Neil during high school, this organization aimed to connect segregated neighborhoods in Chicago and raise awareness about human rights issues, including the Bosnian and Rwandan genocides.
Environmentalist
editDavid Neil has been involved with various initiatives and organizations focused on environmental conservation and improving people's interactions with nature.
- Led an effort involving ten organizations over an eight-year period to protect 40 acres at the base of Hook Mountain State Park and establish a new hiking trail connecting two New York State parks[12].
- Established an 8-acre nature preserve in the Lower Hudson Valley in 2022[13].
- Co-founded an outdoor experiential education program aimed at connecting public school students with local public parks.
References
edit- ^ a b Bagli, Charles V. (Dec. 11, 2015). "The Durst Dynasty's Rise, a Scion's Descent". The New York Times.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "ew York Cruise Lines, Inc. and The Durst Organization Announce Acquisition of New York Water Taxi by New York Cruise Lines, Owner of Circle Line Sightseeing Yacht". Businesswire. January 12, 2017.
- ^ Moore, Kirk (January 13, 2017). "Circle Line in deal to buy New York Water Taxi". WorkBoat.
- ^ Markowicz, Philip (2020). Losing God in Translation: A Study of the Hebrew Bible. University of Toledo Press (published August 1, 2020). ISBN 978-1733266420.
- ^ Neil, Deanna (2007). The Land of Curiosities: Adventures in Yellowstone, 1871-1872. EcoSeekers (published January 1, 2007). ISBN 978-0979880001.
- ^ Rubinstein, Dana (February 11, 2016). "In advance of de Blasio ferry decision, New York Water Taxi raises wages". Politico.
- ^ Furfaro, Danielle (March 10, 2016). "New York Water Taxi threatens to shut down by end of year". New York Post.
- ^ Herriman, Ashley (March 11, 2016). "New York Water Taxi could fold in city ferry dispute". WorkBoat.
- ^ Cuozzo, Steve (March 20, 2024). "NYC landlords luring workers back to offices with pickleball, golf simulators, arcade games and gourmet food". New York Post.
- ^ Morris, Keiko (June 12, 2016). "Durst Pitches Office Tenants on Virtues of Composting". Wall Street Journal.
- ^ Satow, Julie (Aug. 6, 2013). "Worker Bees on a Rooftop, Ignoring Urban Pleasures". The New York Tiimes.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Hays, Mike (June 24, 2021). "Nyack People & Places: Hook Mountain Summit Trail Opening". Nyack News and Views.
- ^ Hays, Mike (July 6, 2023). "Marydell Nature Preserve Enhances Upper Nyack Green Space". Nyack News and Views.