I'm a writer who grew up in New York City. I was a commercial real estate broker with a fancy office on Park Avenue. Just before Labor Day on 2005 I was about to embark on a much needed long weekend when Hurricane Katrina hit the Golf Coast. The moment I walked into my apartment on Wednesday, August 29th I tuned in to watch the news. Images of stranded Katrina victims with haunting looks of despair immediately made me want to help. That night from my livingroom floor, armed with a computer and a phone, I created what was to become known as Katrina Home Drive. With the help of volunteers across the country we helped to find new homes and resources for thousands of survivors.

It didn't take me long to realize that renters in New York City were in need of help too. And so I started Landlord Links (which can still be found here). These became the first landlord directories with links to landlord websites (where renters could bypass broker fees). Landlord Links paved the way for my AptStar Program -- which I continue to do. I have created a life for myself where I help people. And I love it.