The Alliance for Downtown New York announced that Nicole LaRusso, a noted real estate and economic development specialist, has joined the organization as vice president for planning and economic development

Real Estate Weekly, July 12, 2006

The Alliance for Downtown New York announced that Nicole LaRusso, a noted real estate and eco nomic development specialist, has joined the organization as vice president for planning and economic development.

LaRusso will be responsible for creating and implementing the Downtown Alliance's economic development, and business attraction and retention strategy, under the direction of Eric J. Deutsch, president of organization.

LaRusso previously served as assistant director of U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer's Group of 35 real estate task force and has extensive experience in post-9/11 recovery and redevelopment initiatives in Lower Manhattan.

LaRusso also served as a consultant to several public development agencies while working for Appleseed, an economic development consulting firm based in Lower Manhattan.

Additionally, LaRusso has worked as a real estate development consultant to public, private and not-for-profit clients while working for Ernst & Young and CB Richard Ellis Consulting.

LaRusso received a bachelor's degree from The University of Michigan and a master's degree in public administration from New York University's Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service.