Mark L. Castle
SoBro Board Chair,
Vice President, CRA-Community Development Officer, Risk, CRA Administration
BNY Mellon

Jean Smith
SoBro Board Vice Chair,
Vice President Community Development
JP Morgan Chase (Retired)

Arline Parks
SoBro Board Vice Chair
Vice Chair & CEO
Diego Beekman Mutual Housing Association HDFC

Karen McGuinness
SoBro Treasurer/Finance Committee Chair,
Senior Business Relationship Manager, Nonprofit & Education Banking
JP Morgan Chase & Co.

Anthony M. Riccio Jr.
SoBro Board Secretary,
Former Chair
Galesi Group/Harlem River Yards President

Plinio Ayala
President and CEO
Per Scholas

Phillip Banks III
Founder
City Safe Partners LLC

Simon Bergson
Founder, President and CEO
Manhattan Beer Distributors

Tiffani Blake
Assistant Provost for Student Engagement & Development
New York Institute of Technology

William Bollinger
Principal Development Specialist
JCAL Development Group LLC

Laurel Brown
Economic and Community Development, Global Data Centers

Hugh Grant
Vice President, Substation Operations
Con Edison

Conor McCarthy
Senior Loan Officer and Northeast Market Manager
NDC

Cheryl McKissack Daniel
President & CEO
McKissack & McKissack

Jennifer Rivera
Vice President of Corporate and Legislative Engagement
Kasirer LLC

Patricia “Nia” Rock
Vice President Community Development Officer
Bank United

Prisca Salazar-Rodriguez
Director, New York Office
Hilltop Public Solutions

Mark Willis
President and CEO
ParQuest Consulting


Who We Are
The South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation’s (SoBro) mission is to enhance the quality of life in the South Bronx by strengthening businesses and creating innovative economic, housing, educational and career development programs for youth and adults. SoBRO’s programs include spurring economic development, building affordable housing, adult education, workforce development, helping at-risk youth to succeed, and producing other positive outcomes for South Bronx residents and employers.
Meet the Team
