30. Robert & James Coughlan

These two brothers have dared to do what many other developers just give lip service to: revitalizing our region through an innovative approach guaranteed to attract and retain the millennial generation of Long Islanders. Their New Village at Patchogue is the model for others to emulate. It’s a mixed-use development of some 300 residential units resting above office and commercial space, with a Soho-like setup nearby for artists’ lofts, and performance venues to liven up the area downtown. But don’t think that their backyard, so to speak, is all these Long Islanders have in mind since they founded their company in 1986. They’ve got offices in Manhattan and Washington, D.C., as well as East Setauket. Along the way, they’ve constructed millions of square feet of office, residential, industrial, medical, retail, and hospitality space, along with financing, leasing, and managing an impressive array of real estate projects. Thanks to their drive, they’ve made the Ronkonkoma Hub project a reality, not just a dream for suburban planners. The transit-oriented, mixed-use community incorporates the principles of sustainable development and will create jobs, increase tax revenue, and become a destination location for the region. Sen. Chuck Schumer called the Hub “a game changer for Long Island.” The Coughlans’ motto, “Have Fun, Win, Be Nice,” says it all.