OUR TEAM

  • Andrew Rigie is the Executive Director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance, an association serving and representing restaurants and nightlife venues throughout the five boroughs, and the CEO of the Impact Foundation, a charitable organization working to support a thriving, diverse and resilient restaurant and nightlife community by serving emergency meals to people in need, offering culinary scholarships, industry education, and more.

    Andrew was born into the hospitality business, working at his family’s third generation bakery in Queens, NY. He later “got his apron dirty” by working multiple positions within the industry before joining the New York State Restaurant Association in 2004. There he recruited members, was a grassroots organizer, and provided resources and consulting services to restaurant operators, including its Nightlife Association chapter that represented bars and nightclubs. In 2009, Andrew took the helm of the 80+ year old Association's New York City operations as its Executive Vice President.

    Rigie utilized the knowledge he gained working inside the industry and on its behalf, to become the founding executive director who launched the independent New York City Hospitality Alliance in 2012. Since then, The Alliance has grown into a premier organization delivering information, education, services and representing thousands of restaurants and nightlife venues in the halls of government and in the media. With the launch of the Impact Foundation in 2023, Rigie and The Alliance complemented their work and expanded their charitable footprint in significant ways. 

    In addition to his executive duties, Rigie serves(ed) on many advisory boards ranging from regulation to education. Notably, he is the Chair of New York City’s Office of Nightlife Advisory Board, past Interim Chair and 1st Vice Chair of Community Board 7 (Manhattan), the state’s Commissioner to Reform the Alcohol Beverage Control Law, and member of the New York State and New York City COVID-19 recovery committees. He is a vocal industry advocate, public speaker, frequent panelist and moderator, host of the Hospitality & Politics podcast, contributing author to publications, and recognized commentator on local, national and international media platforms. Rigie is a Crain’s New York Business 40 Under 40 Honoree, City & State listed him on their New York City Power 100 List, and he is a recipient of Hunter College’s Stars in NYC Food Policy, among other recognitions. Rigie is a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education in Manhattan.

Andrew Rigie

  • Charles Lerner is proud to serve as the Director of Engagement after admiring the impact of the Hospitality Alliance for years. In his role, Charles leads membership growth, supports fundraising initiatives, and produces industry events that support and strengthen NYC’s restaurant, bar, and nightlife community. With over a decade of experience at the intersection of business and philanthropy, Charles spent six years building Tao Cares, the philanthropic arm of Tao Group Hospitality.  Deeply passionate about disability inclusion, he is a three-time marathon runner for KultureCity, raising awareness and funds to expand access to inclusive experiences. A proud Syracuse Basketball super fan, you may find him saying Go Orange at any moment.  Charles was named to Front Office Sports’ Rising 25 and has been honored with the American Cancer Society’s Distinguished Recognition Award for his philanthropic leadership. Charles and his incredible wife, Joey, proudly welcomed their son, Davis on September 30, 2025! 

Charles Lerner

  • Brittany Minoff-Ukaj is the Director of Partnerships and Communications at the NYC Hospitality Alliance. Since joining the organization in 2018, she has played a key role across multiple areas, including event planning, communications, and membership engagement.

    Before her time at The Alliance, Brittany worked at leading public relations agencies in New York City, representing world-renowned hotels, restaurants, and nonprofits. Her efforts secured top-tier media coverage in outlets such as The New York Times, Vogue, Associated Press, and Bon Appétit. She has also worked as a freelance writer, supporting executives and brands with thought leadership and content development.

    With years of experience amplifying the voices of New York City’s restaurants and nightlife venues through The Alliance, Brittany is a dedicated advocate for the hospitality industry. A native New Yorker, she earned her B.S. in Communication Studies with a concentration in Public Relations from James Madison University.

Brittany Minoff-Ukaj

  • Edward Amador is the Operations & Government Affairs Manager at the NYC Hospitality Alliance, where he supports the organization’s policy and advocacy work, manages press engagement, and helps oversee compliance and operational systems.

    He previously served in the office of three New York City Council Members, where he led strategic communications, advanced key legislative initiatives, and built citywide coalitions across government agencies, advocacy partners, and industry stakeholders. 

    Eddie’s hospitality advocacy began in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when he partnered with restaurant owners to organize a Brooklyn-based coalition focused on business survival, outdoor dining access, policy influence and reform, and economic relief. His experience navigating New York City government, budget processes, and policymaking informs his work at the Alliance.

Edward Amador

  • Robert S. Bookman is a recognized leader of the New York hospitality industry. Robert began his legal career as counsel to the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs from 1981 through 1986.  He has since spent the past 30 years specializing in representing small businesses before numerous City and State agencies, the New York City Council, and the courts.  In addition to representing individual clients, Robert also specializes in representing the industry, first as co-founder and counsel to the New York Nightlife Association, and now as counsel to The Alliance.  Robert is a nationally recognized expert on nightlife business and organizational issues and is a frequent speaker at regional and national conferences. He is quoted widely in the media and is the author of numerous op-ed articles on regulatory issues which have appeared in such publications as the New York Times and the Daily News.

Robert S. Bookman

  • Carolyn is the co-chair of Fox Rothschild’s Hospitality Industry Practice and chair of the New York employment group. Her practice largely consists of representing and counseling employers in the hospitality industry, specifically restaurants, hotels, caterers, night clubs and fitness centers. Carolyn has extensive experience litigating wage and hour class actions and employment discrimination cases and regularly counsels clients in workplace issues, including non-compete agreements, employee relations and regularly conducts anti-harassment and diversity training sessions. Widely considered among New York’s leading hospitality attorneys, she was honored as one of Crain’s Forty under 40 class of 2009, and is frequently quoted throughout the press. Carolyn was previously General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for James Hotels and earned her B.S. degree from Cornell University where she sits on the Alumni Board of Directors of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations and the Advisory Board for the Center for Hospitality Research at the School of Hotel Administration. She is also a member of the President’s Council of Cornell Women and on the Board of Editorial Advisors for Hospitality Law. Carolyn also frequently lectures throughout the country on issues concerning tipping, positive employee relations and other matters affecting the hospitality industry.

Carolyn Richmond

  • Max Bookman is an attorney and partner at Pesetsky & Bookman, a leading business regulatory law firm in New York City.  Max specializes in New York State alcoholic beverage law, representing small businesses throughout the city and state as they navigate the alcoholic beverage licensing process.  Max's work with The Alliance focuses on general counsel matters, as well as legislative and regulatory issues.  He uses subject matter expertise to advise The Alliance team on the technical and broader policy implications of proposed legislation and agency regulations that impact bars and restaurants. 

    Before joining P&B, Max was a civil litigator at Smith Mazure Director Wilkins Young & Yagerman in Manhattan.  He is an alumnus of the Grand Central Partnership Business Improvement District in midtown, and the Manhattan Borough President's Office.  Max is a graduate of the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, where he was Notes Editor of the Cardozo Public Law Policy and Ethics Journal.  He obtained his bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Vermont.

Max Bookman

  • Yoswein New York was founded on the belief that those of us who work in the world of government and public affairs have a special responsibility, to both the clients we represent and to the people our efforts and decisions will impact. Having seen first-hand how government works from many different perspectives - as a Member of the New York State Assembly, as a senior legislative staffer, and as an Assistant Commissioner at a New York City agency – I believed that a new approach to lobbying, public relations, and government affairs were needed.

    Respect for government and the legislative process… involvement of communities in decisions that affect them… coordinated campaigns that move beyond traditional lobbying and include public relations and grassroots organizing… integrity guiding each and every action…These are the principles that define our new approach.

    With more than 17 years behind us, Yoswein New York is honored to have earned a reputation as one of New York’s premier boutique consulting firms. We remain committed to providing our clients with the most innovative, thoughtful, and principled government affairs services possible. I’ve always believed that when your name is on the door, you have a unique and personal responsibility, and I couldn’t be more proud of the work we do every day at YNY.

Joni Yoswein

  • Glenn represents management in the full spectrum of labor and employment law matters at Fox Rothschild LLP. He regularly defends clients in single plaintiff cases and class actions involving claims of Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and state wage and hour law violations. He also routinely represents clients in federal and state courts and arbitration fora and before government agencies in cases alleging breach of contract and breach of the restrictive covenant as well as age, race, national origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and religious discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Additionally, he defends employers in a variety of labor disputes before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

    Glenn's practice is also preventative in nature. He counsels clients on day-to-day employment, wage and hour, labor relations, and contractual matters as well as the employment law issues that arise in connection with mergers and acquisitions. He also negotiates, drafts, and revises collective bargaining agreements, employment contracts and severance agreements, employment law provisions to purchase sale agreements, restrictive covenants, and non-compete agreements as well as drafts employee handbooks and training materials. In addition, he regularly conducts wage and hour audits for Fortune 1000 companies, small businesses, and nonprofits.

    Before Fox Rothschild

    Prior to joining the firm, Glenn was a senior associate with Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker, LLP. Glenn was also previously an associate with Kelley, Drye & Warren, LLP.

    Beyond Fox Rothschild

    Glenn is a frequent writer and speaker on labor and employment issues. In April 2014, he testified before the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs concerning the agency’s proposed regulations to the New York City Earned Sick Pay Act. He has also written articles that appeared in numerous publications including the New York Law Journal and TheInternational Lawyer.

    Glenn was selected to be a participant on the 2014 Employment Editorial Advisory Board for Law360.

Glenn S. Grindlinger

  • Ariel Palitz is New York City’s first “Nightlife Mayor.” Appointed as the Founding Director of the Mayor's Office of Nightlife serving under both Mayor Bill de Blasio and Mayor Eric Adams from 2018 to 2023. In that time, Ariel used her experience as a former nightclub owner and community board member to create the infrastructure for a new government office, identified systemic challenges and developed non-enforcement solutions, while helping to navigate the hospitality industry through the Covid 19 pandemic.

    Before serving at the Mayor’s Office, Ariel was a founding member of the NYC Hospitality Alliance while she owned and operated the Sutra Lounge from 2004-2014.

    Ariel continues her advocacy as the Nightlife Advisor for the NYC Hospitality Alliance and works as a global nighttime government consultant,  public speaker and local industry advisor.

Ariel Palitz

  • Tren'ness Woods-Black: Visionary in Hospitality Strategy and Advocacy

    With over 25 years of dedication and expertise, Tren'ness Woods-Black, the “Queen of Hospitality” is a preeminent strategist and advocate for the hospitality industry. As President and Chief Strategist of Tren'ness Woods-Black LLC, she executes innovative culinary and lifestyle events and partnerships. "Cornbread and Conversations” (podcast) signature cultural salon series, and “Block Party "(experiential) where activation meets advocacy is a testament to her creative and curatorial prowess.

    Expanding Horizons: Tren'ness' contribution to the industry transcends her James Beard-recognized family legacy at Sylvia's Restaurant. Her scope is vast, creating bespoke experiences for celebrities and culinary icons, and extending her strategic touch to an array of clients, from burgeoning real estate tech firms to neurodiversity specialist.

    Advocate for New York's Culinary Scene: Tren'ness deep-rooted passion for New York shines in her roles both as a founding executive board member of the NYC Hospitality Alliance and the Culinary Co-chair of NYC Tourism & Conventions. Her strategic insights were particularly sought after during the pandemic when she served on the Governor's New York Forward Board. Tren'ness also demonstrated her community commitment by leading a food pantry initiative and the Thrillist Block Party Harlem, providing much-needed support to local businesses.

    Recognized Expertise and Global Reach: Tren'ness thought leadership is regularly showcased in leading media such as The New York Times and Master Chef, (Australia, Poland) cementing her status as an influential media figure and a stalwart ambassador for New York City. Her contributions have drawn acclaim from esteemed platforms like Conde Nast Traveler.

    Philanthropic Impact: Beyond business, Tren'ness channels her energies into philanthropy, raising substantial funds for charities and contributing significantly to the fabric of numerous non-profits.

    In essence, Tren'ness Woods-Black embodies the spirit of hospitality, utilizing her vast knowledge and fervor to curate unparalleled experiences, uplift communities, and sustain the pulsating heart of New York's hospitality sector.

Tren’ness Woods Black