Who

Steve Green is the chairman of the commercial real estate firm SL Green. He's also the brother of Mark Green and the former owner of liberal radio network Air America.

Backstory

Green grew up in Great Neck, the son of a lawyer who also dabbled in small-time real estate. Steve followed in his dad's footsteps and earned a law degree; when he grew dissatisfied practicing tax law, he started several small businesses including an import firm that specialized in human hair products from Asia and a travel company that specialized in ski vacations. He later turned to real estate, starting his own firm, SL Green Real Estate, in 1980. His strategy: Green acquired older, run-down commercial properties, fixed them up, and then raised the rent, an approach that soon generated millions in profits as the commercial real estate market heated up. In 1997, Green took his company—now called SL Green Realty—public. He stepped down as CEO in 2004 (day-to-day business is handled by Marc Holliday) but he remains the company's chairman.

Of note

Now the largest commercial landlord in New York, the so-called "King of Class B" doesn't focus on trophy buildings—Green's portfolio is filled with properties that are at least 25 years old and often in need of renovations. Its holdings include 36 office buildings—mostly clustered in Midtown—which encompass some 25 million square feet of space, including 100 Park Avenue, 750 Third Avenue, 470 Park, 1515 Broadway, 717 Fifth, 1350 Avenue of the Americas, and the Grand Central-adjacent Graybar Building. SL Green's portfolio is growing: In 2006, Green oversaw the acquisition of rival Reckson Associates for $4 billion in cash and stock, expanding the company's reach to Stamford, Conn. and White Plains. And in a sign that the King of Class B may be angling to become a player in the Class A game, in late 2007 the firm spent $1.575 billion for the two, upscale buildings that make up Citigroup's headquarters in Tribeca.

Family ties

Green's little brother is Mark Green, the perennial political candidate and former New York City public advocate. Steve has functioned as the primary backer of his brother's oft-futile bids for office: He's donated millions over the years (not to mention provided office space for Mark's campaign staff) as well as helped him raise financing from the city's most powerful figures in real estate and finance. In yet another effort to buy his brother a job, in early 2007, Steve purchased the struggling radio network Air America for $4.25 million and installed Mark as president. Green flipped the ailing company to Vermont businessman Charlie Kireker's Pendulum Media in February 2008, although Mark continues to serve as president and Steve has held on to his seat on Air America's board.

Board game

Green was once nationally ranked squash player. He's still into the sport: Along with Mort Zuckerman and Dick Fuld, he's on the board of Street Squash, a Harlem-based non-profit that encourages youths to take up the game.

Personal

Green, whose hair is just as stark-white as his brother's, is married to Nancy Peck, formerly an SL Green exec and the head of Nancy Peck & Co., an office relocation/renovation company. The couple live at the Trump World Tower where their neighbors include Derek Jeter and Jay-Z. Green has three children from his first marriage, one of whom is Gary Green, who runs Alliance Building Services, a company that handles security for office buildings: Barry Gosin's Newmark Knight Frank, Joseph Moinian's Moinian Group and, of course, Stephen Green's SL Green are clients.