James Patchett
President & CEO
Gilbane Development

James Patchett is President and CEO of Gilbane Development, bringing over two decades of expertise in real estate, finance, and economic development. In his role, he leads the development and execution of Gilbane Development’s strategic vision while overseeing all facets of the company’s operations, including new development initiatives, acquisitions, financing, and project management.

Appointed as CEO of Gilbane Development in January 2025, James has held several high-impact leadership positions in both the private and public sectors. His past roles include serving as Partner in the Real Estate practice at McKinsey & Company and as President and CEO of the New York City Economic Development Corporation where he ran a real estate portfolio exceeding 60 million square feet, managed $10 billion in development and infrastructure projects, and played a pivotal role in positioning New York City as a global innovation hub for life sciences, fintech, cybersecurity, and green energy.

At Gilbane Development, James is committed to fostering sustainable growth across the company’s business lines and strengthening its team to ensure long-term success for stakeholders. He holds a BA in Economics from Amherst College and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business.