Bruce Ratner

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Bruce Ratner (born January 23, 1945 in Cleveland, Ohio) is president and CEO of Forest City Ratner, the New York division of Forest City Enterprises, which is based in Cleveland. Forest City Ratner was New York City's most active real estate developer during the 1990s. Ratner graduated cum laude from Harvard University in 1967 and graduated from Columbia Law School in 1970.

After obtaining his J.D. Ratner became the director of a Model Cities program for the Lindsay administration, subsequently he served in the capacity of chief of the Consumer Protection Division of New York City's Dept. of Consumer Affairs.

After his service in government Ratner taught for a four year period at his alma mater, Columbia University, then was appointed as Commissioner of Consumer Affairs by former Mayor Ed Koch in 1978.

After his second stint in municipal service Ratner embarked upon what is-to date-his largerst construction project in the borough of Brooklyn MetroTech.

In collaboration with New York City government officials Forrest City Ratner and corporate developers built a controversial series of office towers and buildings, which surrounded an urban park that most denounced as being suburban in nature.

He is principal owner of the New Jersey Nets, which he plans to move to Brooklyn upon the construction of an expansive luxury condo/affordable housing/basketball arena created by the architect Frank Gehry. It remains a highly controversial project. National organizations such as the Washington D.C. based National Trust for Historic Preservation and Scenic America have noted their opposition to the project.

In 1992, Crain's New York Business selected Ratner as the top New York City executive in the fields of real estate, finance and insurance. He is also considered a master of using the tools of government to promote his private interests. His projects generally involve large public subsidies, and often invoke the power of eminent domain.

Before joining Forest City, from 1978 to 1982, Ratner served as commissioner of consumer affairs during Mayor Ed Koch's Administration. Before that, he taught at the New York University School of Law. From 1970 to 1973, he was director of the Model Cities Program and head of the Consumer Protection Division in the John Lindsay Administration.