Before forming Red Oak Street, David Garten was a senior executive at RXR, a national investor, owner, and developer of real estate and infrastructure. David managed the company’s overall corporate communications, government relations, and community engagement platform, as well as the company’s ESG and Social Impact program. At RXR, David played a leadership role on a number of high-profile projects, such as the over $4.2 billion development of a new terminal at JFK International Airport, the over 2.8 million square foot office tower at 175 Park Avenue, large-scale mixed-use developments, and more.

Prior to joining RXR, David served in leadership roles at the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, the largest bi-state authority in the country, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), the largest public transportation provider in the country. During his time at both agencies, David helped advance multi-billion-dollar capital plans, vision plans for LaGuardia and JFK airports, the over $4 billion public-private partnership for LaGuardia’s Terminal B, the redevelopment of the World Trade Center site, securing billions in federal aid for Superstorm Sandy recovery, and more.

David also worked on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., as a Senior Policy Advisor to U.S. Senator Hillary R. Clinton of New York and to the late U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg of New Jersey. David also spent a year with the Government Accountability Office (GAO), focusing on housing policy and transportation security.

David received a dual master’s degree from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) and the School of Social Work. David received his Bachelor of Social Work from Ferrum College in Virginia while playing inside linebacker on the Ferrum football team.

David serves on the Board and the Executive Committee of the Regional Plan Association (RPA).