New York People and Company News, Week of Feb. 20, 2026

Kimco Realty VP and chief accounting officer Paul Westbroo has notified the company of his intention to retire on March 31, after more than 23 years with Kimco. Upon his retirement, Kathleen Thayer, SVP and treasurer, will assume the role of EVP, treasurer and chief accounting officer.

PGIM’s Institutional Client Group has appointed Charlotte Taylor and Ed Rieger to leadership roles in support of its real estate business development initiatives. As managing director and head of the East region, Taylor is focused on cultivating new institutional client relationships and expanding existing mandates across the firm’s private real estate, real estate debt, and agriculture investment strategies. As executive director, Rieger is focused on consultant relations for private real estate at PGIM, bringing deep experience in global consultant coverage and institutional distribution across real estate and real assets.

Bilt,a loyalty rewards program for renters, has appointed Sam Bakhshandehpour as president of local merchants. In this role, he will lead Bilt’s continued expansion across dining, hotels, travel, retail, and neighborhood commerce.

Palistar Capital LP, an alternative asset manager focused on mission-critical communications and digital infrastructure, announced that Symphony Towers), Palistar’s cell site acquisition affiliate, has appointed veteran wireless industry executive Jason Hirsch as president and COO. Hirsch will be based in Symphony’s headquarters in White Plains, NY. David Bacino, operating partner at Palistar, will transition from his role as CEO of Symphony to become Vice Chairman. In addition, he has been appointed CEO of Galaxi Towers, Palistar’s recently formed developer of bespoke macro wireless solutions for the nation’s leading wireless carriers.

Larken Associates, a leading full-service commercial and residential real estate firm, has appointed Jessica Heckman as EVP of Multifamily Operations. In her new role, Heckman will oversee asset management, property management, and leasing strategy and execution across the firm’s growing residential portfolio.

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce announced the formation of its inaugural Real Estate & Housing Policy Council, an invite-only advisory body comprised of senior industry leaders focused on advancing practical, business-informed housing and development policy in the Bronx. The advisory group brings together executives and operators who collectively oversee thousands of residential units across the Bronx and the broader New York City market, spanning rent-stabilized, affordable and market-rate portfolios. Mackenzie Forsberg, co-founder and chief operating officer of Genesis Realty Group, will serve as chair of the inaugural council.

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