NYU Schack Institute of Real Estate

KENNETH PATTON: BIOGRAPHY

Kenneth Patton’s rise to prominence in the real estate industry began in the late 1960s as economic development administrator and commissioner of commerce for the City of New York. Under his guidance the city established the nation’s first network of urban industrial parks, purchased and restored Yankee Stadium, purchased and redeveloped the Brooklyn Navy Yard, rebuilt the Marine Passenger Terminal, created three major downtown redevelopments in the outer boroughs, and advanced the case of minority business development. 

Through the 1970s, Patton served as president of the Real Estate Board of New York where he spearheaded the real estate industry’s involvement in the civic betterment of the city. At this time, he chaired Governor Carey’s Committee on Issues of Transportation and helped redefine the role of the Port Authority in economic development. In 1979, Patton became senior vice president and director of operations at Hemsley-Spear, Inc. where he created several key economic revitalization projects in challenging urban areas, including the Aerospace Center in Washington, D.C. and the Old Mill conversion in Paterson, New Jersey.

In 1998, Patton was named associate dean and director of the NYU Schack Institute of Real Estate, the nation’s largest professional real estate program, encompassing 6,000 continuing education students and 750 Master of Science in Real Estate students annually. He currently serves on over 12 boards, including the New York City Police Foundation, the Theater Development Fund, and the Rent Stabilization Association of N.Y.C., Inc.