RSA's Gilbert plans move to Rudin Mgt.

New York City's rent-stabilized owners are in need of a new leader as John Gilbert, III, president of the Rent Stabilization Association, prepares to take a position at Rudin Management Company.

After eight years as the head of the group that represents more than 25,000 property owners, Gilbert, 37, will become executive vice president and chief operating officer at Rudin Management Company, which manages the Rudin family portfolio of 14 commercial properties, comprising 7 million square feet, and 22 apartment buildings that total 3,000 units.

"We're in the search mode at the present time," said Arnold Goldstein, acting chair, Rent Stabilization Association. "I'm gratified to see the type of people who are seeking the position." The RSA president, a full-time, salaried post, acts as a voice in government for rent-stabilized owners in City Hall, Albany and Washington. The person also serves as chief executive officer of the largesttrade association in the City of New York.

Prime candidates, Goldstein said, must have a housing background and "roots" in New York City and New York State government. And while they are considering people currently in the private- as well as public-sector, "the bulk of their experience has been in the public sector" Goldstein said.

Having served in various city and state governmental capacities before joining RSA, Gilbert says this is an opportunity to combine his public policy expertise with h is managerial skill and understanding of the issues facing owners.

"Rudin made me an offer that made sense for my career and my family," he said."... This was a chance to work for one of the most respected companies in the city and one of the most respected companies in the nation."

Gilbert said he will continue to work with RSA as a member of its executive committee and he considers that an honor. "I feel like I'm being kicked upstairs," he said.

A graduate of Cornell University, where he majored in economics and housing, Gilbert served as assistant commissioner for Housing Policy for the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development; chief housing aide to former Assembly Speaker Stanley Fink; and legislative coordinator for Resources and Development in the New York State Assembly. He was former Mayor Edward I. Koch's representative on the New York City Board of Estimate.

Gilbertsaid he will move over to Rudin in the beginning of July after the Rent Guidelines and the City Council budget are negotiated, and the state legislative session is over.

He acknowledged this is his first experience working for a single private-sector concern besides a stint "wrangling horses" in Montana.

"This is my first endeavor in that," he said. "RSA is kind of in the middle."

But, Gilbert said, RSA has "given me the opportunity to hone my privatesector skills and ably prepared me for this challenge and opportunity."

Jack Rudin told REW that Gilbert's expertise in public policy is only part of the reason he was asked to take the job.

"He's an able, nice, competent person," Rudin said.

As chief operating officer, Rudin said. Gilbert will work with the three principals in making operating and planning decisions for the company's portfolio.

Dan Margulies, executive director, Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP), which represents rentstabilized and rent-controlled owners, said he is glad the regulated housing community will have the benefit of Gilbert's experience until July.

"RSA is going,to miss him," he said. "He'll bring both good management skills and a good knowledge of City Hall to Rudin."