Education
Baruch College
Finance, General
CUNY New York City College of Technology
Architecture
Professional Recognition
2016 New York State Government Evaluates New Empire Corp. as An Outstanding Company
2016 World Jiangmen Youth Conference Top Ten Outstanding Youth Awards
2016 Best Businessman of the Year: Brooklyn, NY
2017 New York State Government Endorses New Empire Corp.
2017 Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business
2017 Outstanding Citizen of Brooklyn Community
2017 Enhancement to the Business Community of NEC
2017 Outstanding Business Leadership Award
2018 Star Under 40 Awards & Networking Event
2018 President Award: Lifetime Achievement Award
2019 The Stars & Stripes Democratic Organization Community Service Award and Honoree
2020 N.Y. City Council – Citation
2020 Certificate of Congressional Recognition, U.S. Congressman Max Rose
2022 Crain's New York Business Notable Leaders in Real Estate
2022 CACP Outstanding Award
2023 NY Republican State Committee, American Dream Lifetime Achievement Award
2024 New York Commercial Real Estate RED Award for Most Active Developer of the Year
Professional Affiliation
President of the Chinese American Construction Professionals (CACP) New York Chapter
Honorary Professor of Huali College, Guangdong University of Technology (01756.HK)
Executive Vice President of Youth Association in Jiangmen, China
Executive Vice President of AMERICA HOTEL OWNERS CHARITABLE ASSOCIATION
President of Real Estate Department of AMERICA HOTEL OWNERS CHARITABLE ASSOCIATION
Vice-President of New York, Guangdong Overseas Chinese Association
Board Director of Sing Tao Daily USA (01105.HK)
Candidate for the Board of Directors at NYC Development Corp.
FORUM FOR WORLD EDUCATION (FWE) member of committee and young leader
Bentley Zhao
CHAIRMAN & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Bentley Zhao is the Chairman & CEO of New Empire Corp., a cutting-edge New York City based development and construction management firm. Zhao became CEO in 2004, serving as the second generation of New Empire Corp, which his father founded in 1997. Under Zhao’s guidance over the past decade, New Empire has established itself as a leader in the New York City real estate market by delivering over 120 projects including condominiums, hotels, and mixed-use properties and adding more than 2000 units to its residential portfolio and development pipeline.
Today, Zhao and his team power one of the most prolific full-service development companies. From property sourcing to unit marketing and everything in between, New Empire’s internal capacity makes it possible to efficiently design, develop, and manage any form of real property imaginable. Zhao has been committed to pursuing and delivering quality, value, and innovative designs following his studies at CUNY New York City College of Technology where he focused on architecture.
Zhao is a devoted community leader and has always sought opportunities to give back in meaningful ways. His efforts have broadly focused on the areas of education and the creation of sustainable cities throughout the world. Zhao proudly serves as a Member of the Board Directors of Sing Tao Daily USA, an Honorary Professor of Huali College, and the Founding Chair of the Asian Commercial Real Estate Association, an initiative he uses to increase housing attainability in Asian-American communities through the education of the next generation of diverse real estate leaders. During the pandemic, Zhao pledged to donate healthcare solutions to local hospitals and charitable organizations. His efforts have been so impactful that he was recognized in 2020 by the America- China Hotel Association.
Over the years, Zhao has received numerous honors for his business, civic, and charitable activities. He was recognized as an Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business, Best Businessman of the Year, and Enhancement to the Business Community. New York State Assembly named Zhao as an Outstanding Business Leader, and he was recognized by the New York State Government as distinguished citizen of the Brooklyn Community.
