Brian Cook

‍Brian Cook is a Senior Advisor at Brown and Weinraub with over 20 years’ experience in government relations, urban planning and public policy. Prior to joining the firm, Brian was a Principal at Capalino where he specialized in property entitlement and legislative solutions for policy change. Before entering the private sector, Brian served as the Assistant Comptroller of Economic Development for the New York City Comptroller, a Commissioner of the New York City Banking Commission, and a Board member of the New York City Industrial Development Agency and its related non-profit BuildNYC.   Brian Cook oversaw the Bureau whose responsibilities including: analyzing inducements for industrial and commercial expansions; reviewing neighborhood development proposals; supporting New York City Business Improving Districts; evaluating and approving property tax rebate and lean policy; and designating banks for New York City deposit.  Additionally, the Bureau invested a $3.4 Billion fund for Economically Targeted Investments that financed over 50,000 units of affordable housing

Prior to assuming to joining the Comptroller’s office, Brian was the Director of Land Use, Planning and Development for the Manhattan Borough President, the New York County executive.  His duties included overseeing making recommendations on all discretionary changes to zoning, land use or environmental law; overseeing the Borough President’s community planning initiatives; training community members in zoning and land use law; negotiating with developers for impact mitigation including public parks and affordable housing; and issuing policy reports on New York City’s development.

Brian graduated from New York University with an MPA from NYU’s Wagner School of Public Service from NYU and a BA in Metropolitan Studies from NYU’s College of Arts and Sciences.