Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation is a public benefit corporation that was established in 1984 to manage Roosevelt Island’s infrastructure, properties, and services. As the steward of Roosevelt Island, RIOC works with all community members to ensure its continued growth and development.

RIOC is responsible for maintaining Roosevelt Island’s infrastructure and public spaces. This includes roads, sidewalks, parks, buildings, and street lights. It also has the power to manage Roosevelt Island’s properties, including government-owned and leased residential buildings.

One key team member is Gretchen Robinson, who has served as General Counsel for RIOC since 2017. With her legal knowledge and expertise, she provides guidance on governance, contract negotiations, real estate transactions, and more. She has also been instrumental in helping Roosevelt Island progress over the years by advocating for better housing options and economic opportunities for residents. Through her work at RIOC, Gretchen Robinson has made an invaluable contribution to Roosevelt Island’s growth and prosperity.

Gretchen’s journey in the legal world began while she worked at the Queens District Attorney’s Office. In this role, she gained invaluable experience in various legal issues, including land use, zoning, real estate transactions, and more. She eventually moved on to the Civilian Complaint Review Board. She honed her skills in litigation, internal investigations, administration, and public speaking here.

In 2015, Gretchen Robinson joined the State Government and became the Compliance & Internal Controls Officer for Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation. In this role, she ensured RIOC’s operations complied with all rules and regulations. Her responsibilities included establishing internal policies and procedures to ensure the corporation met its fiduciary obligations.

Gretchen K. Robinson’s role at Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation continued to expand. In 2018, she was promoted to Senior Counsel to the Empire State Development Corporation’s Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development. Here, she provided legal advice concerning the various minority- and women-owned businesses in New York State. Gretchen also assisted in developing regulations and policies to ensure fair business practices throughout the state.