Leslie Torres
President and Chief Executive Officer

Leslie Torres Esq. joined the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) in August 2010 as the President and Chief Executive Officer. In the past 15 years, she has held several public service positions all of which uniquely contribute to her ability to effectively manage the issues facing the Roosevelt Island community and demonstrates her commitment to public service. Ms. Torres is responsible for leading a staff of 125 employees that manage and operate the island.  Additionally, Ms. Torres, along with her staff and the Board of Directors of the Roosevelt Island Corporation, work with New York City, New York State and the Federal government to

ensure that all projects related to Roosevelt Island are responsibly and successfully managed and completed. 

Prior to joining RIOC, Ms. Torres worked at the NYS Division of Housing as the Deputy Commissioner for Rent Administration from 2007-10. In that role, Ms. Torres was responsible for the direct oversight of all rent stabilized and rent controlled buildings statewide.  She led a staff of 400 State employees that annually issued decisions in thousands of landlord-tenant proceedings.

From 2004- 07, Ms. Torres worked for the City's Department of Buildings as the Assistant Commissioner for Enforcement.  In this role she had direct oversight for the administration of the Building Code and Zoning Resolution, directed the prosecution of over 45,000 Environmental Control Board violations annually, as well as administrating law relating to the construction of buildings, signs, and facades.  In the area of building development, she was also responsible for overseeing the proper licensing of tradesmen who engaged in building construction and enforced all related disciplinary matters for licensed tradesmen and agency employees. 

From 2001-04, Ms. Torres served as Executive Director and General Counsel of the New York City Loft Board at the Mayor's Office, where she managed all aspects of agency performance, including the prosecution and adjudication of cases.  Prior to becoming Executive Director, Ms. Torres was Director of Hearings at the Loft Board (1998-01). 

Additionally, Ms. Torres also served as an Assistant District Attorney for the Manhattan District Attorney's Office from 1995-98.

Ms. Torres received her Juris Doctor degree from New York Law School in 1993 and her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Spanish Language from Amherst College in Massachusetts (1989).  She is admitted to practice law in New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts.

Fernando Martinez
Vice President
Operations

Mr. Fernando Martinez joined the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation in May 2007.  As the Vice President of Operations, Mr. Martinez is directly responsible for the management and operation of Roosevelt Island. 

Prior to joining RIOC, he served for 6 years as the Executive Director for the Downstate Medical Center

Biotechnology Park.  In that capacity, he was responsible for developing and managing New York City's second biotechnology research and development facility. 

Mr. Martinez's 20-year professional career includes working for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

Mr. Martinez received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Iona College, and a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration from Columbia University School of Public and International Affairs. 

Steven Chironis
Vice President
Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Chironis joined Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer in February 2008.  

He has over thirty years of financial management experience ranging from an Audit Manager at a New York CPA Firm, CFO and Controller for a Construction Engineering Firm, Financial Advisor & Employee Benefits

Specialist at several Fortune 500 Companies and a partner in a Real Estate Development Firm.  He has a Bachelor of Science degree from Plattsburgh State University of New York in Accounting and Finance.

Prior to joining RIOC, Mr. Lewis was a litigation associate at the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in New York.  He has represented corporations and individuals in complex litigations involving a range of corporate and commercial matters in federal and state court, including securities class actions, shareholder derivative suits and disputes concerning Chapter 11 reorganizations.  Through the firm's externship program, Mr. Lewis served as a Special Assistant Corporation Counsel for the New York City Law Department, Office of Corporation Counsel where he was lead trial counsel in tort actions against the City.  Mr. Lewis also has provided extensive pro bono service, including work on a high profile death penalty case.  In addition, Mr. Lewis was a 2008 recipient of the Commitment to Justice Legal Team Award from inMotion, a New York-based organization that provides free legal services to women from underrepresented communities. 

Mr. Lewis mentors students on the mock trial team at the Bronx Leadership Academy High School and is involved with Ice Hockey in Harlem, a community-based non-profit organization for young people that uses the sport to promote academic achievement, responsibility and teamwork. 

Mr. Lewis received his Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School (2000) and his Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, cum laude, from Harvard College (1995).   He is admitted to practice in New York State and in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.