About Us

MEETING & EVENT SPACE

Alexandria Center for Life Science - NYC is the flagship property of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., and opened in September 2010. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE), Landlord of Choice to the Life Science Industry®, is the largest owner, cluster developer, and preeminent first-in-class international real estate investment trust providing infrastructure, services and capital to the broad and diverse life science industry.

Alexandria’s world-class cluster locations provide a multidisciplinary “trading floor” where innovative science, top talent, and smart capital strategically come together to collaborate and innovate in the best locations adjacent to the world’s top academic and medical research institutions.
WWW.ALEXANDRIANYC.COM

JOEL S. MARCUS

Chief Executive Office, Chairman, and Founder
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

Joel S. Marcus has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors since May 2007, Chief Executive Officer since March 1997, President since February 2009 and a director since the Company's inception in 1994. Mr. Marcus was previously Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer from inception to his appointment as Chief Executive Officer. He was Secretary from inception to April 1997. From 1986 to 1994, Mr. Marcus was a partner at the law firm of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP (including a predecessor firm), specializing in corporate finance and capital markets, venture capital and mergers and acquisitions. From 1984 to 1994, he also served as outside General Counsel and Secretary of Kirin Amgen, Inc., a joint venture which financed the development of, and owned patents to, two multi billion dollar genetically engineered biopharmaceutical products. Mr. Marcus was formerly a practicing certified public accountant specializing in the acquisition, disposition, financing and taxation of real estate. He received his undergraduate and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of California at Los Angeles. He is a member of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("NAREIT") and is a member of the NAREIT's Board of Governors. Mr. Marcus received the Ernst & Young 1999 Entrepreneur of the Year Award (Los Angeles—Real Estate). Mr. Marcus is on the Board of Directors for Private National Mortgage Acceptance (PennyMac), Boston Biomedical Inc. and Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc.

AMANDA CASHIN, PHD

Assistant Vice President of Life Sciences
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

Amanda Cashin is the Assistant Vice President of Life Sciences at Alexandria. Dr. Cashin earned her Ph.D. in Chemical Biology from the California Institute of Technology. Her scientific expertise and experience enable her to lead the Company’s life science team, enhance tenant underwriting capability and strengthen research of and communications with Alexandria’s global life science network.

EMILY SHERIDAN

Director of Business Development
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

Emily Sheridan is a Director of Business Development for Alexandria. Ms. Sheridan works primarily on the development, marketing, and programming of the collaborative spaces at the Alexandria Center for Life Science – New York City. Prior to joining Alexandria, Ms. Sheridan was a development officer at City of Hope in Duarte, CA, where she raised funds to advance the development of new, more effective therapies and cures for patients with cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. She also has extensive work experience in marketing and public relations for commercial technology companies. Ms. Sheridan has a B.A. in Psychology from Vassar College.

LYNNE ZYDOWSKY, PHD

President, Zydowsky Consultants
Strategic Consultant for Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

Lynne Zydowsky is an experienced executive in the life science industry who has been involved in the launching and building of several successful companies. Her biotechnology experience spans all aspects of corporate and business development, operations and finance. With over 18 years of industry experience, she has played a key role in raising private capital, setting the overall corporate strategy, and establishing and managing strategic alliances. As the President of Zydowsky Consultants, an international consulting practice founded in 2003 offering services to emerging companies, Lynne works with founders, investors and management teams to build the foundations of life science companies. She has been responsible for numerous transactions resulting in significant strategic partnerships. Dr. Zydowsy works closely with Alexandria and the team at Apella™ to develop life science focused content. Previously, Dr. Zydowsky was a cofounder of Renovis, Inc (now Evotec) where she served as the initial President and COO and as a member of the Board of Directors, and later as the COO and SVP of Corporate Development. Prior, Dr. Zydowsky joined Exelixis, Inc. as its first employee and held various positions of increasing responsibility including VP of Pharmaceutical Business Development. As a member of the senior management, she worked with the executive teams on the growth and development of both companies which led to their initial public offerings. Dr. Zydowsky earned her PhD in Chemistry from The Ohio State University and was a National Institutes of Health Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology at the Harvard Medical School. She was a Sr Research Scientist at Ariad Pharmaceuticals and Glaxo Research Institute (now GSK) and has a BS in Pharmacy from Butler University.

EVENT MANAGEMENT

Backal Management Group, LLC brings exceptional event management services to Apella. CEO and Founder, Arthur F. Backal, has over 20 years experience and is an expert in the hospitality industry. Backal Management Group’s companies and affiliates include Backal Hospitality Group, which is the operating manager for Apella, TBar Restaurant, Savanna’s Restaurant, and State of the Art Enterprises, an elite event planning company. The Group has also had a unique and prestigious consulting partnership with the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, New York, since the hotel’s grand opening in 2003. With intimate knowledge of the hospitality, lifestyle, and event industries, Backal Management Group will bring an experienced, dynamic, and well-rounded events management team to facilitate the planning and execution of all conferences and private events at Apella.
WWW.BACKALGROUP.COM

ARTHUR F. BACKAL

Chief Executive Officer and Founder

Arthur F. Backal is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Backal Management Group, LLC. He is also the Consulting Director of Catering at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, New York. The hotel’s enormous success was credited by The New York Times to Mr. Backal in 2003. From the outset of his career, Mr. Backal worked with some of New York’s most renowned hoteliers from Leona Helmsley at The Helmsley Palace to Donald and Ivana Trump at The Plaza. He was in charge of the re-opening of the St. Regis, New York, overseeing the entire food and beverage operation, and was also credited with restoring The Pierre to its legendary grandeur during his time there as Director of Catering. In addition, Mr. Backal spent time at The Waldorf-Astoria and with the Cipriani Group. Mr. Backal has for many years enjoyed a reputation as one of New York's most experienced and talented food and beverage professionals, as well as an unparalleled artist in the arena of special events. He was inducted into the BizBash Hall of Fame in 2010 in honor of his major contributions to furthering the event industry's goals, as well as to personal philanthropy.

ROBERT LLOPIS

General Manager

Robert Llopis is the General Manager for Apella. Mr. Llopis oversees Apella’s team and property, as well as its day-to-day operations, on behalf of Backal Management Group. Prior to joining Apella, Mr. Llopis held the position of Director of Banquets at The Mandarin Oriental, New York; Banquet Manager for The Ritz Carlton, Battery Park; Food and Beverage Purchasing Manager as well as In Room Dinning Manager for the St. Regis Hotel, New York; Chef de Partie at Osteria Del Circo, New York; and Garde Manger Chef at Le Cirque, New York. Mr. Llopis graduated from The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, New York with an Associates Degree in Culinary Arts.

ERIC CRUZ

Director of IT

Eric Cruz is the Director of IT for Apella. Mr. Cruz oversees all Technical and Audio Visual aspects of Apella on behalf of Backal Management Group. He is a service-oriented Technology Director and results-oriented Project Manager with over 10 years experience. As a strategic visionary, Mr. Cruz has delivered high quality technical and media results over a diverse group of industries. Mr. Cruz is a Microsoft Certified Professional and Cisco Certified Network Administrator.

JACLYN GORMAN

Director of Events

Jaclyn Gorman is the Director of Events for Apella. Ms. Gorman is leading the event sales team on behalf of Backal Management Group at Apella and will be the primary contact for clients with the overall planning of their events. Ms. Gorman has extensive experience within the event industry, having previously held the positions of Director of Events at Gramercy Park Hotel and Catering Sales Manager for Cipriani at The Rainbow Room. Ms. Gorman graduated from Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman School of Business in New Orleans.

SUSAN SILHAN

Events Manager

Susan Silhan is the Events Manager for Apella. Ms. Silhan manages all event logistics at Apella on behalf of Backal Management Group and will serve as the main point of contact for clients throughout the event planning process. Prior to joining Apella, Ms. Silhan managed a variety of corporate events for Jefferies & Company, Inc., a global investment bank. She also has extensive experience in sales and marketing for both corporate and philanthropic entities. Ms. Silhan graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.A. in English and Studio Art.

STACEY LEVIT

Event Concierge

Stacey Levit is the Event Concierge at Apella. Ms. Levit assists with the day to day operations of Apella and supports the Event Sales Department with event management and promoting the growing efforts for Apella on behalf of Backal Management Group. Prior to joining Apella, Ms. Levit held the position of Events Manager at Temple Israel of Hollywood in Los Angeles, California. She also has experience in the advertising market. Ms. Levit graduated from the University of Texas with a B.A. in Sociology.

MYNOR RUANO

Director of Operations

Mynor Ruano is the Director of Operations for Apella. Mr. Ruano is leading the operations team on behalf of Backal Management Group at Apella and oversees all events onsite. Mr. Ruano has extensive experience managing and servicing events, having previously held the position of Banquet Manager at the Gramercy Park Hotel, The Rainbow Room and the Russian Tea Room. In addition, Mr. Ruano has worked within the banquet service teams at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, the Plaza Hotel, the W Hotel at Union Square, and the Regent Wall Street Hotel, all in New York City.

EXCLUSIVE CATERER

Riverpark, a Tom Colicchio Restaurant located within the Alexandria Center, reflects Tom Colicchio’s overall vision as restaurateur, showcasing his thoughtful approach to dining. Sisha Ortuzar developed the concept for the restaurant, drawing inspiration from New York’s international food culture. The menus, developed by Sisha and Chef de Cuisine, Bryan Hunt, showcase seasonal farmers’ market ingredients. Buffet lunches, dinners, and cocktail receptions at Apella are catered by Riverpark.
WWW.RIVERPARKNYC.COM

’wichcraft is housed in a freestanding glass cube at the Alexandria Center for Life Science-NYC. ’wichcraft was founded by Tom Colicchio, with partners Sisha Ortuzar and Jeffrey Zurofsky in 2003. The three had a long history of working together in fine dining restaurants such as Manhattan’s top-rated Gramercy Tavern and Craft, but this collaboration was decidedly more casual. ’wichcraft prepares its food in their own kitchens, allowing them to hand pick each ingredient and ensure unparalleled quality. They slow roast, braise, and poach sandwich meats; whisk together their own aioli and vinaigrettes; and bake pastries and spin ice creams each morning. Whenever possible they work with small producers, use greenmarket vegetables, and serve sustainably raised meat. And when there’s a great local artisanal item that just can’t be improved upon, it very likely may end up on the menu. Breakfasts, coffee breaks, and sandwich lunches at Apella are catered by ’wichcraft.
WWW.WICHCRAFTNYC.COM