Constructive Conversations On 710 WOR, The Voice of New York

“Constructive Conversations with The Building and Realty Institute (BRI)” made its debut on 710 WOR on October 10, 2020.

During its run, the half-hour program — which aired from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. every Sunday — covered topics of interest to the building, realty and construction industries, and the real estate business sector in general. Each broadcast of “Constructive Conversations with The Building and Realty Institute (BRI)” is archived and available on  opens in a new windowhttps://ihr.fm/3np6zuO.

710 WOR is one of the most popular stations in the New York metropolitan area and has been broadcasting since 1922.

BRI’s Associate Executive Director Jeff Hanley was the host of the show. The program aired on AM 970 The Answer and am970theanswer.com from Nov. 24, 2018 to Feb. 1, 2020. The show then moved to Talk Radio 77WABC and wabcradio.com, where it aired from Feb. 8, 2020 to Aug. 29, 2020.

Past shows of “Constructive Conversations with The Building and Realty Institute (BRI)” have illuminated issues affecting the building, realty and construction sectors. They include the likely impacts and aftermaths of the 2019 statewide rent reform laws, the labor shortages in the construction industry and their effects on the housing market, new opportunities for energy efficiency and clean energy in buildings, insurance conditions and developments, and issues affecting all employers.

“It’s been a privilege and a joy to bring on interesting and important guests to address the issues and the challenges that the building, realty and construction industries face, as well as the difficulties confronting the general business sector,” Hanley said. 

Based in Armonk, the BRI has more than 1,800 members in 14 counties of New York State. Those members are involved in virtually every sector of the building, realty, and construction industry. The BRI, formed in 1946, is one of the largest business membership organizations in New York.

Schedule -- 77WABC

  • Saturday, July 18, 2020"The New York State Legislature is Back in Session Next Week -- How the Process Could Affect Members of the Building, Realty, and Construction Industries." Guest: Glenn Riddell, Principal, The Riddell Group.
  • Saturday, July 11, 2020"A Look at Workforce Development to Combat the Continuing Construction Industry Labor Shortages." Guests: Dwayne Norris and Alex Alvarez, Soulful Synergy.
  • Saturday, June 27, 2020“A Series of Insurance Updates for Members of the Building, Realty and Construction Industries!” Guest: Jason Schiciano, Co-President, Levitt-Fuirst Insurance (Insurance Managers for the BI/BRI).
  • Saturday, June 20, 2020“BRI 101 (Part Two)” - A Review of the Building and Realty Institute (BRI) and its Many Services. Featuring Program Host and BRI Associate Executive Director Jeff Hanley.
  • Saturday, June 13, 2020“BRI 101” - A Review of the Building and Realty Institute (BRI) and its Many Services. Featuring Program Host and BRI Associate Executive Director Jeff Hanley.
  • Saturday, June 6, 2020“A Look at How Builders Dealt With — and Will Move Forward From — the Negatives of the COVID-19 Pandemic!” Guest: Lew Dubuque, Executive Vice President, New York State Builders Association (NYSBA).
  • Saturday, May 30, 2020“An Update on How Businesses & Individuals Affected by the Pandemic Can Utilize Assistance Programs!” Guest: Ron Friedman, Principal, Ron Friedman CPA of Tarrytown, NY.
  • Saturday, May 23, 2020“Cooperating Amidst the COVID-19 Crisis — How the Pandemic is Affecting Our Region’s Residential Co-op Community!” Guest: Geoffrey Mazel, Esq., General Counsel & Executive Member, Presidents Co-op & Condo Council (PCCC) of New York City.
  • Saturday, May 16, 2020“How The COVID-19 Pandemic is Affecting Property Tax Processes in Our Region!” Guest: David C. Wilkes, Esq., Senior Level Partner, Herman Katz Cangemi Wilkes and Clyne, LLP & President, The National Association of Property Tax Attorneys/Co-Chair of The Westchester Certiorari Tax Bar.
  • Saturday, May 9, 2020“The Many Challenges Facing Managing Agents During the COVID-19 Crisis!” Guest: Robert Ferrara, Principal, Ferrara Management Group (FMG), Bedford Hills & New York, N.Y.
  • Saturday, May 2, 2020“Guiding Your Building and/or Remodeling Business Through the Negatives Caused by Coronavirus COVID-19!” Guest: Daniel Dawkins, Principal, Dawkins Development Group, Inc. of New York City/Westchester/Greenwich, Ct./Hackensack, N.J. & Atlanta.
  • Saturday, April 25, 2020“What has Recently Happened with the N.Y. State Legislature – And What it Means to the Building, Realty and Construction Industries!” Guest: Glenn Riddell, Lobbying Consultant, The Builders Institute (BI)/The Building and Realty Institute (BRI) & the Principal of The Riddell Group.
  • Saturday, April 18, 2020“An Update on Key Issues Related to the Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic!” Guest: Stuart Betheil, Principal, Fleet West Management Corporation.
  • Saturday, April 11, 2020“The Effects of Coronavirus COVID-19 on Insurance for the Building, Realty & Construction Trades!” Guest: Jason Schiciano, Co-President, Levitt-Fuirst Insurance (Insurance Managers for the BI/BRI).
  • Saturday, April 4, 2020“What Co-op & Condo Boards Should be Aware of During the Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic!” Guest: Kenneth Finger, Esq., Chief Counsel, BI/BRI & a Principal of Finger and Finger, A Professional Corporation of White Plains, N.Y.
  • Saturday, March 28, 2020“An Update for Building, Realty and Construction Industry Employers in N.Y. State on Mandates Involving Coronavirus COVID-19!” Guest: Matthew Persanis, Esq., Labor Counsel, BI/BRI & A Principal of Elefante and Persanis, LLP.
  • Saturday, March 21, 2020“Will a Recession be Triggered by Coronavirus COVID-19?” Guest: Dr. Robert Goodman, Economic Analyst.
  • Saturday, March 14, 2020“Examining Preventative & Clean-Up Processes Associated with Coronavirus COVID-19!” Guest: Bob Sorensen, Sales & Marketing Manager, Service Master Superior Cleaning & Restoration Services, Inc.
  • Saturday, March 7, 2020“The Many Negatives of the Proposed Good Cause Eviction Legislation!” Guest: Jay Martin, Executive Director, The Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP).
  • Saturday, February 29, 2020“Annual Meeting Season for Co-ops & Condos is Approaching – How Should Boards Prepare?” Guest: David Amster, Chair, Advisory Council of Managing Agents (ACMA) of the BRI and a Principal of PLI Management, A Division of Prime Locations, Inc.
  • Saturday, February 22, 2020“Sustainability Practices that Building Owners and Managers Need to be Aware Of!” Guest: Nick Stolatis, A Principal of EPN Real Estate Services.
  • Saturday, February 15, 2020"Examining Current Security Trends for Construction and Property Management Situations." Guest: Thad McKeown, Director of Sales, Integrated Protection Services.
  • Saturday, February 08, 2020“A Look at the Key Issues Facing the Building, Realty and Construction Industries In 2020!” Guest: Tim Foley, Executive Director, BI/BRI.

“Constructive Conversations with The Builders Institute (BI)” Radio Show on AM 970

“Constructive Conversations with The Builders Institute (BI)” was featured on AM 970 The Answer (WNYM) and opens in a new windowam970theanswer.com from November 24, 2018 to February 1, 2020.

The show, which was hosted by Jeff Hanley, Associate Executive Director of The Builders Institute (BI)/Building and Realty Institute (BRI), covered issues of importance to the building, realty and construction industry, as well as the general business community.

The BI/BRI is a building, realty and construction industry membership organization. The association, based in Armonk, has more than 1,800 members in 14 counties of New York State. Those members are involved in virtually every sector of the building, realty and construction industry. The BI/BRI is one of the largest business membership organizations in New York State. Tim Foley is the Executive Director of the organization.

Schedule -- AM 970

  • Saturday, February 01, 2020“What Property Owners, Managers and Boards Should Know — and do — about Pandemic Situations!” Guest: Stuart Betheil, Principal, Fleet West Management Corporation.
  • Saturday, January 25, 2020“The Most Critical Housing Needs Facing the New York Metro Region!” Guest: Nat Parish, Board of Trustees’ Member, Builders Institute (BI)/Building and Realty Institute (BRI) & A Principal of Parish and Weiner, Inc.
  • Saturday, January 18, 2020“Our Region’s Commercial Real Estate Market: What is Currently Happening?” Guest: Jerry Houlihan, Senior Director, Houlihan-Parnes Properties.
  • Saturday, January 11, 2020“Building & Construction Activities in our Region – An Update!” Guest: Daniel Dawkins, Principal, Dawkins Development Group, Inc., New York City/Westchester/Greenwich (Conn.)/Atlanta.
  • Saturday, January 04, 2020“What Union Employers Need to Know for The Year Ahead!” Guest: Matthew Persanis, Esq., Labor Counsel, Builders Institute (BI)/Building and Realty Institute (BRI) & a principal of Elefante & Persanis, LLP.
  • Saturday, December 28, 2019“The Continuing Serious Problems of Mold Situations in Buildings & Complexes – and the Related Solutions!” Guest: Bob Sorensen, Sales and Marketing Manager, Service Master Superior Cleaning and Restoration Services, Inc. of Port Chester, N.Y.
  • Saturday, December 21, 2019“A Preview of the Key Insurance Issues of 2020 for Members of the Building, Realty & Construction Industry!” Guest: Jason Schiciano, Co-President, Levitt-Fuirst Associates (Insurance Managers for The BI/BRI & its Component Associations).
  • Saturday, December 14, 2019“An Update on How Drones are Continuing to Help Members of the Building, Realty & Construction Industries!” Guests: Erik Wilhelmsson, David Russo & Gino Cabrera of Aviated Precision of Irvington, N.Y.
  • Saturday, December 07, 2019“Security Trends for Buildings & Complexes as 2020 Draws Closer!” Guest: Thad McKeown, Director of Sales, Integrated Protection Services of Darien, Conn.
  • Saturday, November 30, 2019“An Update on Building and Construction Activities In Our Region!” Guest: Daniel Dawkins, Principal, Dawkins Development Group, Inc. of New York City/Westchester County/Greenwich (Conn.) & Atlanta.
  • Saturday, November 23, 2019“A Guide for Property Owners & Managers on Disaster Preparedness as the Harsh Winter Weather Approaches!” Guest: Stuart Betheil, Principal, Fleet West Management Corporation.
  • Saturday, November 16, 2019 “Marketing During the 2019 Holiday Season…and Beyond!” Guest: Michael Dardano, Principal, Buzz Potential.
  • Saturday, November 09, 2019 “Budget Preparations For Co-ops and Condos – A Guide to the Annual Process!” Guest: Robert Ferrara, President, Ferrara Management Group & A Board Member of the Advisory Council of Managing Agents (ACMA) of The Builders Institute (BI)/Building and Realty Institute (BRI).
  • Saturday, November 02, 2019“The Many Benefits of Participation in N.Y. State Workers Compensation Groups 458 & 530 – An Update!” Guest: Marc Spar, Managing Director, Workers Compensation Groups, Levitt-Fuirst Associates, Ltd.
  • Saturday, October 26, 2019“An Update on What’s Ahead for Owners & Managers Regarding Energy Costs as Winter Approaches!” Guest: Daniel Singer, Co-President, Robison/Robison Energy & Original Energy.
  • Saturday, October 19, 2019“A Look at Building & Construction Activities in Our Region During the Third Quarter!” Guest: Daniel Dawkins, Principal, Dawkins Development Group, Inc., New York City/Westchester County/Greenwich (Conn.)/Atlanta.
  • Saturday, October 12, 2019“Are the Windows & Doors in Your Building or Complex Ready for Fall and Winter? – How Boards, Managers and Owners Should Evaluate & Prepare the Windows & Doors in their Buildings for the Upcoming Harsh Weather!” Guest: Michael Rosenberg, President, M&R Windows.
  • Saturday, October 5, 2019“Options for Common Area Upgrades in Your Building or Complex – The Steps That Boards, Managers and Owners Should Take in the Upgrading of Common Areas!” Guest: Jonathan Baron, Principal, Baron Design, Inc.
  • Saturday, September 28, 2019“A Look at the Continuing Labor Shortages in the Building Industry, Plus a Glance at Other Key Building Sector Issues!” Guest: Lew Dubuque, Executive Vice President, The New York State Builders Association (NYSBA).
  • Saturday, September 21, 2019“Fall and Winter Are Approaching: What Security Guidelines Should Your Building Be Aware Of?” Guest: Thad McKeown, Director of Sales, Integrated Protection Services.
  • Saturday, September 14, 2019“The October 9th Deadline for Sexual Harassment Prevention Training is Approaching!” Guest: Matthew Persanis, Esq., Labor Counsel, Builders Institute (BI)/Building and Realty Institute (BRI) & A Principal of Elefante and Persanis, LLP.
  • Saturday, September 07, 2019“What Your Building Needs to Know About ADA Requirements!” Guest: Stephen Lasser, Esq., The Lasser Law Group.
  • Saturday, August 31, 2019“Summer Is Fading…So How Should Businesses Begin Their Fall & Winter Marketing Efforts?” Guest: Michael Dardano, Principal, Buzz Potential.
  • Saturday, August 24, 2019“Preparing Your Building or Complex for Fall & Winter – An Insurance Checklist for Owners & Managers!” Guest: Pat Clair, Managing Director/Real Estate, Levitt-Fuirst Associates, Ltd., Insurance Managers, BI/BRI.
  • Saturday, August 17, 2019“N.Y. State’s Mandatory Sexual Harassment Prevention Training – Important Reminders for All Employers!” Guest: Matthew Persanis, Esq., Labor Counsel, Builders Institute (BI)/Building and Realty Institute (BRI) & A Principal of Elefante and Persanis, LLP.
  • Saturday, August 10, 2019“The Labor Shortages in the Building Industry and their Effects on the Housing Market!” Guest: Daniel Dawkins, Principal, Dawkins Development Group, Inc., New York City/Westchester County/Greenwich (Conn.)/Atlanta.
  • Saturday, August 03, 2019“The Role of the Engineer in Key Processes for Your Building or Complex!” Guest: Charles Marino, President, Braxton Engineering, P.C.
  • Saturday, July 27, 2019“How NY State’s New Rent Laws Are Already Producing Noteworthy Negatives!” Guest: Jerry Houlihan, Chairman, Apartment Owners Advisory Council (AOAC) of The Builders Institute (BI)/Building and Realty Institute (BRI) & A Senior Director of Houlihan-Parnes Properties.
  • Saturday, July 20, 2019“Disaster Preparedness – What Property Owners & Managers Must Know!” Guest: Stuart Betheil, Principal, Fleet West Management Corporation & A Member of the Advisory Council of Managing Agents (ACMA) of The Builders Institute (BI)/Building and Realty Institute (BRI).
  • Saturday, July 13, 2019“How Boards of Co-ops and Condos and Their Property Managers Should Follow-Up on Annual Meeting Initiatives!” Guest: Robert Ferrara, Board Member, Advisory Council of Managing Agents (ACMA) of The Builders Institute (BI) & The President/Chief Executive Officer of Ferrara Management Group (FMG) of Bedford Hills and New York.
  • Saturday, July 06, 2019“An Overview of Trends Involving Wood Maintenance & Related Restoration Projects!” Guest: Willy Montano, A Principal of Montano Wood Care Corporation.
  • Saturday, June 29, 2019“The Many Benefits of Participation in N.Y. State Workers Compensation Groups 458 & 530!” Guest: Marc Spar, Managing Director, Workers Compensation Groups, Levitt-Fuirst Associates, Ltd.
  • Saturday, June 22, 2019“What’s Currently Happening in Our Region’s Remodeling and Building Markets?” Guest: Daniel Dawkins, Principal, Dawkins Development Group Inc., New York City/Westchester/Greenwich (Conn.)/Atlanta.
  • Saturday, June 15, 2019“How to Deal with Troublesome Employees!” Guest: Matthew Persanis, Labor Counsel to The Builders Institute and The Building & Realty Institute, and Principal of Elefante & Persanis, LLP of East Chester, NY.
  • Saturday, June 08, 2019“The Proposed Revisions to N.Y. State’s Rent Laws (Deadline, June 15th) – How Contractors & Service Firms Would Be Seriously Hurt by the Enactment of the Proposals!” Guest: Michael Rosenberg, President & Chief Executive Officer, M&R Windows.
  • Saturday, June 01, 2019“Two Weeks Until the Expiration of the State’s Rent Laws – What Building & Realty Industry Members Must Continue to Do!” Guest: Jerry Houlihan, Chairman, Apartment Owners Advisory Council (AOAC) of The Builders Institute (BI) & a Senior Director at Houlihan Parnes Properties.
  • Saturday, May 25, 2019“The Approaching Deadline for the Renewal of N.Y. State’s Rent Laws (June 15) – Why Building and Realty Industry Members Must Act Immediately!” Guest: Alana Ciuffetelli, Vice Chair, Apartment Owners Advisory Council (AOAC) of The Builders Institute (BI).
  • Saturday, May 18, 2019“Interior Design Processes for Your Building, Project or Complex!” Guest: Jonathan Baron, Principal, Baron Design Inc.
  • Saturday, May 11, 2019“The Renewal of The State’s Rent Laws, Prevailing Wage Expansion and Key Co-op/Condo Issues!” Guest: Ken Finger, Esq., Chief Counsel, BI/BRI & A Principal of Finger and Finger, A Professional Corporation.
  • Saturday, May 04, 2019“The Economic Fallout of New York’s Proposed Prevailing Wage Expansion!” Guest: Lew Dubuque, Executive Vice President, New York State Builders Association (NYSBA).
  • Saturday, April 27, 2019“What Building Owners & Managers Need to Know About Security!” Guest: Thad McKeown, Director of Sales, Integrated Protection Services.
  • Saturday, April 20, 2019“The Views of the Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP) on the Renewal of the State’s Rent Laws!” Guest: Jay Martin, Executive Director, Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP).
  • Saturday, April 13, 2019“Current Legal Issues in Construction/Realty In the New York Metro Region!” Guest: Gaetano L. Bizzoco, Senior Counsel, The Lasser Law Group.
  • Saturday, April 6, 2019“How Boards of Co-ops & Condos Should Prepare for Annual Meeting Season!” Guest: David Amster, Chair, Advisory Council of Managing Agents (ACMA) of The Builders Institute and a Principal of Prime Locations.
  • Saturday, March 30, 2019“What’s Happening In Our Region’s Building/Remodeling Market In Early 2019?” Guest: Daniel Dawkins, Principal, Dawkins Development Group Inc., New York City/Westchester/Greenwich, CT/Atlanta and a Member of the Board of Directors of the Remodelers Advisory Council (RAC) of The Builders Institute.
  • Saturday, March 23, 2019“The Renewal of NY State’s Rent Laws – What Landlords Must Do to Counter Legislative Hostility!” Guest: Jerry Houlihan, Chairman, Apartment Owners Advisory Council (AOAC) of The Building and Realty Institute (BRI).
  • Saturday, March 16, 2019“N.Y. State Workers Compensation Groups 458 & 530 – The Advantages of Membership!” Guest: Marc Spar, Managing Director, Workers Compensation Groups, Levitt-Fuirst Associates, Ltd.
  • Saturday, March 9, 2019“What Property Owners & Managers Must Know About N.Y. State’s New Parking Garage Regulations!” Guest: Charles Marino, President, Braxton Engineering, P.C. of New York City and Bronxville.
  • Saturday, March 2, 2019“The Many Negatives of N.Y. State’s Scaffold Law & How It Affects You & Your Business!” Guest: Tom Stebbins, Executive Director, Lawsuit Reform Alliance of New York.
  • Saturday, February 23, 2019“The Expiration of the State’s Rent Laws on June 15, 2019 – What It Means for The Building and Realty Industry & Our Region – Part 2!” Guest: Ralph Amicucci, Principal, Amicucci Associates. (Continued from 2/2/19)
  • Saturday, February 16, 2019“How to Deal with Troublesome Employees!” Guest: Matthew Persanis, Principal, Elefante & Persanis, Labor Counsel, BI-BRI.
  • Saturday, February 9, 2019“Our Region’s Building, Realty & Construction Industry – What Is Currently Happening?” Guest: Stephen Lasser, Esq., Principal, Lasser Law Group.
  • Saturday, February 2, 2019“The Expiration of the State’s Rent Laws on June 15, 2019 – What It Means to the Building and Realty Industry & Our Region!” Guest: Ralph Amicucci, Principal, Amicucci Associates.
  • Saturday, January 26, 2019“A Review of Key Development Issues Affecting Our Region!” Guest: Nat Parish, Principal, Parish & Weiner, Member, Board of Trustees, BI-BRI.
  • Saturday, January 19, 2019“Fraud in the Building and Realty Industry – What to Look for!” Guests: Tom Linehan and John Habermann, Bank United.
  • Sunday, January 13, 2019“What Property Owners and Managers Should Remember About Elevator Services!” Guest: Bob Schaeffer, President, D&D Elevator Maintenance, Inc.
  • Saturday, January 5, 2019“A Review for Buildings and Complexes of Trends Involving Wood Maintenance & Related Restoration Projects!” Guest: Willy Montano, A Principal of Montano Wood Care Corporation, Yonkers.
  • Saturday, December 29, 2018“An Explanation of the Builders Institute (BI)/Building and Realty Institute (BRI) and Its Roles!” Jeff Hanley, Program Host, Hosts and Explains What The BI-BRI Is About.
  • Saturday, December 22, 2018“What Web Issues Businesses Should Focus On in 2019!” Guest: Andrea Wagner, Principal, Wagner Web Designs.
  • Saturday, December 15, 2018“New York State’s New Sexual Harassment Prevention Law – What It Means to All Employers!” Guest: Matt Persanis, Esq., Elefante and Persanis & Labor Counsel, BI-BRI.
  • Saturday, December 8, 2018“What’s Ahead for Co-ops, Condos and Their Property Managers in 2019?” Guest: Robert Ferrara, Principal, Ferrara Management Group and a member of the Board of Directors of the Advisory Council of Managing Agents (ACMA) of the BI-BRI.
  • Saturday, December 1, 2018“A Review of Key Insurance Issues and Their Ramifications to The Building, Realty and Construction Industry!” Guest: Jason Schiciano, Co-President, Levitt Fuirst Associates.
  • Saturday, November 24, 2018“A Look At New York State’s Current Legislative Climate and Its Effects On the Building, Realty and Construction Industry!” Guests: Glenn Riddell, Lobbying Consultant, BI-BRI & Albert Annunziata, Executive Director, BI-BRI.