Leading the way.
Meet our team at Durst Fetner Residential.
- Harold A. Fetner - President and Chief Executive Officer
Harold Fetner became President and CEO of Sidney Fetner Associates in 1988, and he was named President and CEO of Durst Fetner Residential at its inception in 2007. Under Mr. Fetner’s direction, SFA’s portfolio has grown exponentially, all through ground up development, allowing the company to earn its reputation as a premiere residential development and management company. He has established the core values for Durst Fetner Residential, which include: high service standards, commitment to sustainable development and attention to detail. As CEO, Mr. Fetner is responsible for the company’s strategic direction, new development opportunities and the multi-faceted portfolio.
Mr. Fetner graduated from the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University, and earned a Juris Doctor from New York Law School. Prior to joining Sidney Fetner Associates, he served the State of New York for three years, as a clerk for the Honorable Joe Hynes, Special Prosecutor of the State of New York.
Mr. Fetner, with his family, is an active supporter of numerous civic, professional and philanthropic organizations. He is a Governor of the Real Estate Board of New York, New York City’s leading trade association for Real Estate. He is also a Director of the Realty Foundation of New York. Mr. Fetner is a passionate supporter of the American Cancer Society and Syracuse University, and has created the Fetner Program fund, a scholarship at the Whitman School of Management, where he serves as a guest lecturer, dedicated to students pursuing sustainability. He and his wife have also established a scholarship at their synagogue; the Sidney I. Fetner Scholarship for those who cannot afford a Jewish education. Mr. Fetner resides with his family in Westchester, and he enjoys marathon running and triathlons.
- Damon Pazzaglini - Chief Operating Officer
Damon Pazzaglini is the Chief Operating Officer of Durst Fetner Residential. Mr. Pazzaglini joined Sidney Fetner Associates in 1999, and was named Chief Operating Officer of the Durst Fetner Residential in 2007. He is responsible for overseeing acquisition and development activities for the company, including finance, construction and deal structure of new developments. Mr. Pazzaglini is also responsible for oversight of the company's portfolio that is managed by Durst Fetner Residential.
Since joining the company, Mr. Pazzaglini has built more than 1,000-units of Manhattan 80/20 rental housing and 450 units of condominiums. His rental projects include the Epic, the Victory and 1214 Fifth Avenue and his for sale projects include 1212 Fifth Avenue. He also helped acquire the note and fee for 855 Sixth Avenue with development rights of 500,000 square feet and acquired the debt on a waterfront site on Vernon Boulevard in Long Island City with 900,000 square feet of potential development.
Mr. Pazzaglini graduated from the John Wiley Jones School of Business at SUNY Geneseo with a BS. He received a MBA from LeMoyne College. Prior to joining SFA, he held positions of increasing responsibility with KeyCorp in its Real Estate Finance Department.
Mr. Pazzaglini is an active member of several professional and charitable organizations. He serves as a board member for Asphalt Green, several condominiums and is an active member of the Real Estate Board of New York. He and his family reside in Manhattan, and in his spare time he enjoys competing in triathlons.
- Douglas Durst
Douglas Durst, Chairman of Durst Fetner, was born in New York City in 1944 and is a member of the third generation to run The Durst Organization. He graduated from the Fieldston School in 1962 and the University of California at Berkeley in 1966 where he studied economics. Returning to New York in 1967, he married Susanne with whom he has three children: Anita, Alexander, and Helena. After two years of study at the Urban Studies Program at New York University he joined The Durst Organization, learning the business from his father, Seymour, and his two uncles, Roy and David.
Douglas is a Director of the Real Estate Board of New York, The Landmarks Conservancy, The New School, The Municipal Art Society and Project for Public Spaces. He is the co-chair of Friends of the Hudson River Park and has been involved with the theatrical arts for many years where he is a member of the Board of Directors of The Roundabout Theater, Primary Stages and The Town Hall. Along with other family members, he is a trustee of The Old York Foundation, founded by his father, which is committed to helping people understand the history and issues facing New York City. In 1999, they donated his father’s vast collection of books and materials to The Graduate Center of the City of New York. This gift established The Seymour B. Durst Reading Room and Library and endowed the collection to provide for funds to encourage the development of scholarly research and the creation of school curriculum about New York City.
In addition, Douglas has been an environmental activist for many years and is part owner of the largest organic farm in New York State. For relaxation he rides horses, bicycles, and skis. For aggravation, he plays tennis.
- Jonathan Durst
Jonathan (Jody) Durst is Co-President of The Durst Organization and President of Durst Fetner. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Tufts University. After his graduation, he worked as an Engine Performance Engineer for the Chrysler Corporation and as a Research and Development Engineer for FMC, within a division that manufactured large diesel tractors.
In 1984, Jody started his career with The Durst Organization in the construction department. He then moved on to directing the Operations of 7.5 million square feet of commercial office space and supervising new construction projects in midtown Manhattan. In conjunction with these responsibilities, he was heavily involved in contract negotiations with tradesmen and vendors, and lease negotiations with prospective tenants. He also directed investigation and application of energy-efficient and environmentally responsible technologies for The Durst Organization.
Jody also has a special interest in Children of Chernobyl and Friends of Karen, regularly devoting his time and support in any way he can.
Presently, he works closely with his cousin, Douglas, in sharing the responsibilities of directing the course of
The Durst Organization .Find out what the industry and the community are saying about the Durst Fetner team.
