Michael T. Rooney

Michael T. Rooney is the founding principal of MDG Design + Construction. Michael is best known for working with local community groups and building owners to find innovative ways to develop, finance, and rehabilitate residential real estate in emerging communities. His expertise in working with HUD, HPD, and HCR has made him a leader in the affordable housing industry.
 
Michael’s success in turning around distressed properties is the result of his hands-on approach to working with developers, community groups, investors, building managers, and tenant organizations. With over 25 years of experience in affordable housing, Michael has become an expert in improving distressed properties that have appeared to have no hope of being saved. 
 
Michael first started working with UHAB over 27 years ago when MDG began serving as general contractor to HDFC co-ops, where UHAB had packaged building improvement loans. From the beginning, Michael was committed to the flourishing of the co-ops, not just the physical construction. His approach was unmatched in the industry, as he also supported UHAB and the co-ops when financing became challenging and advocated for tenants and their opportunity to become co-op homeowners when the rental option seemed most convenient for others involved in the project. Michael has been a true partner in carrying out UHAB’s mission from the beginning. 
 
For over 25 years, MDG has been recognized as a trusted general contractor and industry leader in occupied renovations, with a track record of building housing New Yorkers can be proud to live in.   
 
Michael received his BA in accounting from Pace University.

In Memoriam: Charles "Chuck" Snyder

UHAB is proud to honor a longtime cooperative advocate and close friend, the late Charles E. (Chuck) Snyder, chief executive of National Cooperative Bank. Please join us in presenting the Cooperator Lifetime Achievement Award to Chuck in memoriam.
 
For 38 years, Chuck led National Cooperative Bank to become a successful, socially responsible bank with a mission to ‘Do Well to Do Good”. A strong and vocal advocate for cooperative values and principles, Chuck consistently looked for opportunities to advance cooperatives in all sectors and rose to their defense when cooperatives and their business model were challenged. A passionate believer in innovation and collaboration, he served on numerous cross-sector task forces and boards and played leadership roles in achieving many innovative landmarks for co-ops.
 
Chuck Snyder passed away unexpectedly on November 6, 2021 but he will forever live on as a hero for co-ops in New York and around the country. Chuck was a close friend and a strong ally to UHAB in supporting safe, affordable, community-controlled homes. His lasting impact on cooperatives and those he worked with will be remembered, and he will be sorely missed.
 
His lifelong career in cooperatives started in 1980 when he was hired as the President of Temporaries Federal Credit Union. In 1983 he was hired by the National Cooperative Bank as Corporate Vice President and  Chief Financial Officer. In 1992, Chuck was named president and CEO of National Cooperative Bank where he made his lifelong career.
 
For his commitment to cooperatives, Chuck was inducted into the Cooperative Hall of Fame in 2012 and he received the Jerry Voorhis Award from the National Association of Housing Cooperative’s for his long-standing commitment to affordable housing cooperatives. In 2017, Chuck was the recipient of the Esther Peterson Consumer Service Award presented by the Consumer Federation of America for his commitment to consumer rights. 
 
Chuck presented the UHAB’s Community Through Cooperation Awards to 3 recipients at last year’s virtual Benefit.  His delight and interest as he engaged each recipient clearly illustrated why he was so loved by everyone in the co-op community and why we are renaming the award in his honor – The Chuck Snyder Community Through Cooperation Award.