On The Mark

From Refugee to Candidate — A conversation with NY State Senate Candidate Alina Bonsell

On The Mark with Howard Mark Rubin, Episode 35 In this episode of “On The Mark,” Howard Mark Rubin speaks with Alina Bonsell, a Republican running for the New York State Senate District 28 in Manhattan. Tune in to the episode to hear about: * Alina’s background as a legal Jewish refugee from Odessa who grew up in NYC, worked 15 years in pharmaceuticals, launched startups, and now runs a small real estate business * How campaigns use social media/AI for branding and content, while ballot access still requires in-person signature gathering * Alina’s case against a 20-year incumbent: rising cost of living, public safety fears, waste/fraud, and declining quality of life despite high taxpayer contributions * Alina’s public safety agenda: more officers, higher morale, tougher prosecution, and a supplemental safety task force working with NYPD; more civics and career-path education * Positions on governance: supports term limits, bipartisan cooperation, and appeals to moderate and Jewish Democrats * Critiques of Mayor Mamdani’s promises and property tax proposals; proposes targeted tax relief for under-25s, working parents with young children, and seniors’ pensions * Immigration stance: prioritize residents, oppose taxpayer-funded handouts, support legal work authorization and a path to citizenship for non-criminal migrants; case-by-case cooperation with ICE * Homeless shelter issue: highlights lack of zoning/safety rules and alleges fraud in homelessness spending; says she is drafting legislation to add restrictions and accountability Learn more about Alina Bonsell: * Learn more about Alina on her campaign website: https://www.alinabonsell.com/meetalina [https://www.alinabonsell.com/meetalina] * Follow Alina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alinab.nyc [https://www.instagram.com/alinab.nyc] * Follow Alina on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alinaforny [https://www.facebook.com/alinaforny] * Follow Alina on X: https://x.com/AlinaBonsell [https://x.com/AlinaBonsell] * Follow Alina on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alinabonsell [https://www.tiktok.com/@alinabonsell] * Email Alina: CONTACT@ALINABONSELL.COM [CONTACT@ALINABONSELL.COM] *********************************** On The Mark with Howard Mark Rubin: This podcast series addresses our rapidly changing world and how it is affecting industries and people in unique and interesting ways. As John F. Kennedy once said, change is the law of life, and those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future. The business leaders and personalities who are interviewed in these podcasts all look to the future. We hope our listeners and viewers come away with information and inspiration that help them adapt in both their business and personal lives. Watch more episodes of On The Mark: * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@goetzplatzer [https://www.youtube.com/@goetzplatzer] * Website: https://goetzplatzer.com [https://goetzplatzer.com] * SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/6tkWs6vb8kHev7um6 [https://on.soundcloud.com/6tkWs6vb8kHev7um6] Connect and learn more from your host, Howard Mark Rubin: * Connect with Howard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardrubingf [https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardrubingf] * Call: 212-695-7753 * Email: hrubin@goetzplatzer.com [hrubin@goetzplatzer.com]

Embracing Change: Post-COVID Estate Planning in the Age of AI with Alison Arden Besunder

On The Mark with Howard Mark Rubin, Episode 34 In this episode of On The Mark, Howard Mark Rubin speaks with Alison Besunder, Equity Partner and Chair of the Trusts & Estates Planning, Administration, and Guardianship and Fiduciary Litigation Groups at Goetz Platzer. Tune in to the episode to hear about: * An outline of Alison’s practice, encompassing estate planning, trust/estate administration, probate contests, and Article 81 contested guardianships * How the COVID-19 pandemic shifted her work virtually and the effect on consultations and execution ceremonies * Testamentary capacity: the legal standard, how attorneys assess it during consults and signings * Considerations in disinheriting heirs, defining stepchildren, and handling specific bequests, often using trust structures * Revocable vs. irrevocable trusts, probate avoidance, and minor/descendants trusts * AI’s emerging role as a tool for low-stakes and repetitive tasks, litigation support, and efficiency without replacing human judgment or client communication * Courts, delay, mediation, and limits of arbitration/no-contest concepts in wills versus trusts Learn more about Alison Arden Besunder: * View Alison’s profile on Goetz Platzer’s website: https://goetzplatzer.com/attorneys/alison-arden-besunder [https://goetzplatzer.com/attorneys/alison-arden-besunder] * Connect with Alison on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisonardenbesunder [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisonardenbesunder] *********************************** On The Mark with Howard Mark Rubin: This podcast series addresses our rapidly changing world and how it is affecting industries and people in unique and interesting ways. As John F. Kennedy once said, change is the law of life, and those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future. The business leaders and personalities who are interviewed in these podcasts all look to the future. We hope our listeners and viewers come away with information and inspiration that help them adapt in both their business and personal lives. Watch more episodes of On The Mark: * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@goetzplatzer [https://www.youtube.com/@goetzplatzer] * Website: https://goetzplatzer.com [https://goetzplatzer.com] * SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/6tkWs6vb8kHev7um6 [https://on.soundcloud.com/6tkWs6vb8kHev7um6] Connect and learn more from your host, Howard Mark Rubin: * Connect with Howard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardrubingf [https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardrubingf] * Call: 212-695-7753 * Email: hrubin@goetzplatzer.com [hrubin@goetzplatzer.com]

Sustainable Innovations in Office Beverage Services with Adam Adelson & Ralph Marucci

On The Mark with Howard Mark Rubin, Episode 33 In this episode of On The Mark, Howard Mark Rubin speaks with Adam Adelson and Ralph Marucci, founders of Hydr8. Hydr8 provides business with sustainable and healthy amenities including still, sparkling, ice, organic soda dispensers with reverse osmosis and added electrolytes, solar roasted Caffein8 coffee, compostable disposables and zero-waste snacks. Tune in to the episode to hear about: * The evolution to Hydr8’s “zero waste pantry,” beginning in 2007 with point-of-use water purification systems that replaced five-gallon jugs, offering purified water, ice, sparkling and flavored drinks, coffee, snacks, and disposables with full equipment service * Hydr8’s Caffein8 coffee brand, emphasizing AAA-grade beans, bean-to-cup programs, demos, and rapid, empathetic service * Adam and Ralph’s broad range of clients, ranging from small firms to major banks and law firms * The value of consolidated vendors and e-commerce ordering * Future AI/IoT features for personalization and proactive maintenance, * Hydr8’s mission to reduce single-use plastics Learn more about Adam Adelson and Ralph Marucci: * Connect with Adam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-s-adelson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-s-adelson] * Connect with Ralph on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralphmarucci [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralphmarucci] * Follow Hyrd8 on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hydr8us [https://www.linkedin.com/company/hydr8us] * Visit Hydr8’s website: https://www.hydr8.us [https://www.hydr8.us] * Visit Hydr8’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@hydr8us [https://www.youtube.com/@hydr8us] * Follow Hydr8 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hydr8nyc [https://www.instagram.com/hydr8nyc] * Follow Hydr8 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hydr8us [https://www.facebook.com/hydr8us] *********************************** On The Mark with Howard Mark Rubin: This podcast series addresses our rapidly changing world and how it is affecting industries and people in unique and interesting ways. As John F. Kennedy once said, change is the law of life, and those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future. The business leaders and personalities who are interviewed in these podcasts all look to the future. We hope our listeners and viewers come away with information and inspiration that help them adapt in both their business and personal lives. Watch more episodes of On The Mark: * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@goetzplatzer [https://www.youtube.com/@goetzplatzer] * Website: https://goetzplatzer.com [https://goetzplatzer.com] * SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/6tkWs6vb8kHev7um6 [https://on.soundcloud.com/6tkWs6vb8kHev7um6] Connect and learn more from your host, Howard Mark Rubin: * Connect with Howard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardrubingf [https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardrubingf] * Call: 212-695-7753 * Email: hrubin@goetzplatzer.com [hrubin@goetzplatzer.com]

Surprising Government Programs for Home Buying Revealed with Tom Ravert

On The Mark with Howard Mark Rubin, Episode 32 In this episode of On The Mark, Howard Mark Rubin speaks with Tom Ravert, Author of The Rudiments of Real Estate series, Financial Planner Specializing in Real Estate and Finance, Managing Director at Pathway Capital Corp and Co-Founder at American Standard Capital, LLC. Tune in to the episode to hear about: * Surprising government programs that can help you buy a home with little or no money down even if your credit isn’t perfect * How owning a home can become your most powerful tool for building wealth and financial security * The biggest mistakes first-time buyers make when choosing realtors, attorneys, or lenders—and how can you avoid them * An examination of reverse mortgages and tapping into your home equity as part of your retirement plan — smart move or risky trap? * Practical steps you should take before house hunting to make sure you’re truly ready to buy Learn more about Tom Ravert: * Visit Pathway Capital’s website: http://pathway-capital.com [http://pathway-capital.com] * Connect with Tom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasravert [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasravert] *********************************** On The Mark with Howard Mark Rubin: This podcast series addresses our rapidly changing world and how it is affecting industries and people in unique and interesting ways. As John F. Kennedy once said, change is the law of life, and those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future. The business leaders and personalities who are interviewed in these podcasts all look to the future. We hope our listeners and viewers come away with information and inspiration that help them adapt in both their business and personal lives. Watch more episodes of On The Mark: * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@goetzplatzer [https://www.youtube.com/@goetzplatzer] * Website: https://goetzplatzer.com [https://goetzplatzer.com] * SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/6tkWs6vb8kHev7um6 [https://on.soundcloud.com/6tkWs6vb8kHev7um6] Connect and learn more from your host, Howard Mark Rubin: * Connect with Howard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardrubingf [https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardrubingf] * Call: 212-695-7753 * Email: hrubin@goetzplatzer.com [hrubin@goetzplatzer.com]

New Opportunities for Construction Contractors with Wissam Akra

On The Mark with Howard Mark Rubin, Episode 31 In this episode of On The Mark, Howard Mark Rubin speaks with Wissam Akra, CEO & Founder of Tough Leaf, a mission-driven platform to connect general contractors and developers with qualified Small Business Enterprises owned by minorities, women, veterans, and other disadvantaged groups. Tune in to the episode to hear about: * How technology is transforming the traditionally slow-to-adapt construction industry, and the role Tough Leaf plays in this change * The biggest challenges contractors face when trying to meet minority and women-owned business participation requirements * How Tough Leaf’s unique matching process ensures both contractors and small businesses find the right fit for their projects * How shifting political and certification landscapes are impacting opportunities for minority-owned businesses * How artificial intelligence is already reshaping the way companies like Tough Leaf operate and support their clients Learn more about Wissam Akra: * Visit Tough Leaf’s website: http://toughleaf.com [http://toughleaf.com] * Connect with Wissam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwakra [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwakra] *********************************** On The Mark with Howard Mark Rubin: This podcast series addresses our rapidly changing world and how it is affecting industries and people in unique and interesting ways. As John F. Kennedy once said, change is the law of life, and those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future. The business leaders and personalities who are interviewed in these podcasts all look to the future. We hope our listeners and viewers come away with information and inspiration that help them adapt in both their business and personal lives. Watch more episodes of On The Mark: * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@goetzplatzer [https://www.youtube.com/@goetzplatzer] * Website: https://goetzplatzer.com [https://goetzplatzer.com] * SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/6tkWs6vb8kHev7um6 [https://on.soundcloud.com/6tkWs6vb8kHev7um6] Connect and learn more from your host, Howard Mark Rubin: * Connect with Howard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardrubingf [https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardrubingf] * Call: 212-695-7753 * Email: hrubin@goetzplatzer.com [hrubin@goetzplatzer.com]