Draft:David Neil

David Neil
Born	Chicago, Illinois
Education	Vassar College University of Chicago

David Neil is an American real estate executive, environmental advocate, and community leader. His work reflects a dedication to fostering innovative spaces and championing environmental and community causes.

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 led efforts to transform underutilized rooftops into green roofs and terraces, enhancing environmental sustainability and tenant value.

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. 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 is committed to community service and environmental advocacy. He is the Board Chair of The Friends of Rockland Lake & Hook Mountain and founded several nonprofit organizations, including Museum of the Courageous, which aims to highlight acts of courage against hatred and discrimination.

Family History

David Neil's paternal ancestors immigrated from England to colonial Massachusetts in 1638. Several members of his family were involved in the American Revolutionary War, fighting as Patriots.

Neil is named after his grandfather, David Harvey McNeilly, who was the son of a Presbyterian minister and 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 several concentration camps, including Auschwitz. Following the war, he frequently lectured about his experiences and authored a book titled Losing God in Translation.

Neil's father, Mark Neil, was an attorney, and his mother, Sylvia Neil, is a law professor, civil liberties advocate, and philanthropist. Sylvia Neil also serves as the first female 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

David Neil holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago Law School and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Vassar College.

Career

Neil founded the independent book publishing company EcoSeekers and conceived of the young adult historical fiction book series, The Land of Curiosities.  The publishing company received various accolades including “Best First Book Award" finalist by the Independent Book Publishers Association.

In 2006, David Neil joined ShoreBank as Director of Special Projects, which was the first and largest community development bank in the United States.

In 2011—David later joins New York Water Taxi as Chief Operating Officer, which carried on average 1.5 million passengers per year in the New York Harbor. He eventually becomes Co-President New York Water Taxi/Circle Line Downtown in 2015. Sharing responsibilities with Helena Durst, daughter of real estate developer Douglas Durst.

In an effort to provide New York City with expanded citywide ferry service, Mayor Bill De Blasio selects San Francisco-based Hornblower Cruises & Events as the finalist of a bidding process. This results in New York Water Taxi/Circle Line Downtown having to consider either ceasing operations or selling its business to another operator.

As a response to Mayor Bill De Blasio's decision, David and Helena send an open letter to employees sharing their reaction:

"After 15 years of providing waterborne transportation in New York City, we have come to the conclusion that we have no choice, unless New York City’s Economic Development Corporation changes its present course, but to close New York Water Taxi and cease all operations by the end of 2016,"

"The industry is already slated against smaller, privately-funded companies: New York Water Taxi’s competition includes the free Staten Island Ferry as well as the East River Ferry, which both operate with government subsidy,”

"Both systems cater to tourists as well as commuters and reduce the local businesses’ market share. The result is that New York taxpayers subsidize tourists and recreational riders aboard both the Staten Island Ferry and East River Ferry, depriving the city of significant tax revenues and jobs.”

By 2017, New York Water Taxi gets acquired by Circle Line/New York Crusie Lines and David Neil becomes Princpal at The Durst Organization, a real estate developer.

While at The Durst Organization, he conceives of several initiatives that drive sustainability initiatives and revenue for the company:

• Transforming unused rooftops and setbacks into usable terraces, including a $20+ million indoor/outdoor rooftop office space opportunity in Midtown Manhattan.
• Leading the effort to create 1+ acre of green roofs across The Durst Organization's Midtown portfolio.
• Creating an Amenities Department to provide best-in-class hospitality and customer experience for commercial and residential buildings.
• Launching a film/tv and special productions arm for Durst real estate portfolio, resulting in significant exposure and ancillary revenue. Shows such as You, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and Partner Track have filmed in Durst's portfolio.
• Championed a composting initiative for Durst office portfolio, resulting in 100+ tenants composting for the first time and a first for NYC office tenants.
• Providing spaces to grow bee-hives on Durst high rise properties.

Nonprofit Work, Civic Engagement & Advocacy

David Neil is currently the Board Chair for The Friends of Rockland Lake & Hook Mountain and throughout his life has founded three civil rights nonprofit organizations:

1. Museum of the Courageous (MOTC). Founded in 2017 after learning about an incident in Portland, Oregon, where two people lost their lives and a third was injured when they stood up to a man hurling racist and anti-Muslim slurs at two girls.
2. P.E.A.C.E.  A national student-run nonprofit volunteer organization that provided youth-to-youth mentoring while confronting prejudice and discrimination. At Vassar College, Neil founded the P.E.A.C.E. Chapter that grew to be one of the largest student organizations in the late 1990s.
3. Students Together Opposing Prejudice (STOP): while in high school, founded organization to unite segregated neighborhoods of Chicago and raise awareness about human rights issues such as Bosnian and Rwandan genocides.

Environmentalist

A proud enviornmentalist, David Neil actively engages with organizations and intiatives focused on protecting nature and how people interact with it.

1. Led a 10 organization effort over an eight-year period to protect 40 acres at the base of Hook Mountain State Park and create a new hiking trail to link two New York State parks.
2. In 2022, established 8+ acre nature preserve in the Lower Hudson Valley
3. Co-founded outdoor experiential education program that has connected thousands of public-school students with local public parks.