James Whelan

James Whelan is president of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), the City’s leading real estate trade association which represents commercial, residential, and institutional property owners, builders, managers, investors, brokers, salespeople, and other corporations and individuals professionally interested in New York City real estate. In this role, Whelan oversees all REBNY activities which include advocating for effective public and industry policy, supporting the association’s members with technical resources and educational opportunities, and connecting industry leaders with other business and community leaders to foster constructive civic partnerships and impactful results.

Prior to his appointment in 2019, Whelan served as executive vice president of REBNY, overseeing the organization’s advocacy, policy, government relations, communications, and brokerage services efforts. Prior to REBNY, Whelan served as senior vice president for public affairs at the Muss Development Company. Over the course of his career, he has served in various government roles including chief of staff for Deputy Mayor for Economic Development of New York City Daniel Doctoroff. As executive director of the Hudson Yards Coalition, he advocated for the implementation of the Hudson Yards plan on Manhattan’s Far West Side and as the first executive director of the Downtown Brooklyn Council, he oversaw the creation of the Downtown Brooklyn redevelopment plan.