Building Knowledge

In this episode of Building Knowledge, we sit down with Michael Fazio, Executive Director of the New York State Builders Association (NYSBA), to review the key issues shaping the building and construction industry as 2025 comes to a close.

Michael shares insights on the significant victory NYSBA achieved in its legal challenge to New York State’s All-Electric Code Amendments, ongoing obstacles to housing production, and strategies the association is pursuing to address the state’s housing crisis. He also discusses the role of coalition partners, workforce trends, rising material and labor costs, and the challenges builders will face heading into 2026.

Whether you’re a builder, manager, or industry stakeholder, this episode offers a clear picture of the opportunities and hurdles facing New York’s construction sector.

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In Episode 99 of Building Knowledge, we take a deep dive into Welcome Home Westchester’s newly released Municipal Housing Policy Scorecards—and what they mean for the future of housing across Westchester County.

Joining us once again is Sarah Tavares, Campaign Organizer for Welcome Home Westchester, returning to the podcast after her previous appearance on Episode 84. Sarah breaks down the December 12th scorecard release, which evaluates housing policies across all 43 cities, towns, and villages in Westchester.

The conversation covers the mission and momentum behind the Welcome Home Westchester Coalition, how the scorecards align with its “Five in 2025” policy goals, and why these benchmarks matter for municipalities, housing advocates, and residents alike. We also spotlight the Top 10 Model Westchester Communities recognized for implementing multiple housing reforms—and serving as real-world examples of smart, forward-thinking growth.

Plus, Sarah shares where listeners can access the full 2025 Municipal Housing Scorecard Report, recaps recent coalition initiatives, and offers a preview of what Welcome Home Westchester has planned for 2026. Spoiler alert: they’re not slowing down.

If housing policy, local impact, and what’s next for Westchester are on your radar, this episode delivers the blueprint.

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As winter approaches, keeping your property secure becomes more important than ever. In Episode 98 of Building Knowledge, we sit down with Thad McKeown, Director of Sales at Integrated Protection Services in Darien, Conn., and our go-to expert on security trends and products.

Thad shares critical insights for building owners, managers, and homeowners, covering:

Whether you manage a single home or a multi-building complex, this episode is packed with actionable tips to protect your property and peace of mind during the winter season.

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Episode 97 of Building Knowledge takes a deep dive into the Hudson Valley’s real estate sales markets with special guest Vlora Sejdi, President of the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors (HGAR), marking her first appearance on the podcast.

Vlora breaks down what the latest OneKey Multiple Listing Service data reveals about sales activity, pricing, and market conditions across Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Orange, and Sullivan counties, as well as the Bronx, spanning single-family homes, co-ops, and condominiums.

The conversation also explores how buyer sentiment in the Hudson Valley has evolved in recent months, the factors that could slow the region’s housing markets in 2026, and where Vlora sees opportunities and challenges ahead. In addition, she shares her perspective on whether state and local policymakers are gaining a clearer understanding of New York’s ongoing affordable and workforce housing crisis—and what gives her reason for optimism as the region looks toward 2026.

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This episode of Building Knowledge—recorded live at the BRI’s November 20, 2025 General Membership Meeting—features a special conversation with Westchester County Legislators Benjamin Boykin II and Catherine Parker as they complete their twelfth and final year on the Board of Legislators.

They reflect on the biggest wins and toughest challenges in their districts, the accomplishments they’re most proud of, and how key issues—from environmental sustainability to Affordable and Workforce Housing—have evolved during their tenure. Boykin shares insights from his four years as Board Chair, while Parker highlights her leadership on clean water and flood mitigation.

The discussion closes with a look ahead at Westchester’s most pressing future challenges—and how both hope their years of public service will be remembered.

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In this episode of Building Knowledge, we sit down with George Asante, the inaugural Director of Westchester County’s new Office of Housing Counsel, for his first-ever appearance on the show. He walks us through why the county created the office, how he stepped into the role, and what services it now offers tenants and landlords navigating today’s challenging housing landscape.

We explore how residents can get help, how the office partners with service providers to deliver support, and George’s take on how the office has performed since opening in July. He also shares his perspective on whether lawmakers are getting a clearer picture of how the region’s affordable and workforce housing shortage affects everyday New Yorkers.

Packed with practical insights and big-picture perspective, this conversation shines a light on a resource more Westchester residents need to know about.

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In this episode of Building Knowledge, we take a deep dive into what really happens when disaster hits a home or building. Joining us are Jeff Stillman and Mitch Berliner, Co-Owners of Rainbow Restoration of Westchester. While it’s Jeff’s first time on the show, Mitch is no stranger to our audience — he was a regular voice back in our WVOX days from 2017 to 2023.

Together, they walk us through the critical steps of modern restoration work: how Rainbow Restoration responds to fires in both multifamily buildings and single-family homes, the most effective precautions residents and property managers can take to prevent fire emergencies, and what to expect when dealing with mold, water damage, or full-scale reconstruction. We also explore Rainbow’s evolving content processing services — a behind-the-scenes look at how belongings are saved, restored, and returned after a loss.

It’s a practical, eye-opening conversation that decodes the restoration process from the ground up.

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In this episode of Building Knowledge, we dive into smart, strategic advertising for the 2025 holiday season—and how businesses can tee up strong marketing plans for 2026. Our guest is the always-insightful Michael Dardano, principal of The Buzz Potential in Tuckahoe and a longtime friend of the program.

Michael breaks down what companies should prioritize as they shape their holiday campaigns, from sharpening social media strategy across Facebook, Instagram, X, and beyond, to deciding when traditional channels like print and broadcast still earn their keep. He also weighs in on the role of email marketing—yes, those blasts still matter, if you do them right—and offers clear guidance on the classic do’s and don'ts that separate effective seasonal outreach from wasted effort.

We also look ahead to 2026: where businesses may scale back due to economic or global uncertainty, where new opportunities are emerging, and what trends every organization needs to watch. Finally, Michael shares his read on how the regional business community is feeling about the year ahead—and his own predictions for the climate we’re heading into.

A forward-looking conversation filled with practical tips, holiday-season wisdom, and a dash of reality check.

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The Hudson Valley Women in Construction group has quickly become one of the Building and Realty Institute’s most dynamic and fast-growing affiliates. In this episode, hosts sit down with two of its leaders — Stacey Tompkins and Jane Anne Cavallaro — to discuss how the group was formed, what drives its mission, and how it’s empowering women across all sectors of the building and construction industry.

Stacey and Jane Anne share insights on the group’s meetings, the businesses it attracts, and the shared challenges facing the industry — from workforce shortages and rising project costs to housing affordability and market uncertainty. They also reflect on what it means to build a stronger, more inclusive future for women in construction as we look ahead to 2026.

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As the temperatures drop, it’s the perfect time to tackle essential maintenance projects that protect—and even enhance—the value of your property.

In this episode of Building Knowledge, we welcome Mitch Berliner, Owner and President of CertaPro Painters of Westchester and Southern Connecticut, and Eric Lester, Residential Account Manager for CertaPro Painters, for a timely discussion on fall maintenance and painting best practices.

Our guests share expert insights on:

Whether you manage a large complex or own a single-family home, this episode is packed with practical, professional advice to keep your property looking sharp and performing its best all year long.

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