"We hired B&C because they bring a creative approach. They are strategic thinkers who always see the optimal solution and they give better individual attention."

William J. CochranBack

Mr. Cochran joined Bartram & Cochran in 1994 after a 22-year career at the City of Hartford where he served as Director of Finance and CFO, and earlier as Executive Director of the Hartford Development Commission. He specializes in the financing of large-scale urban development projects. His unique background integrates the disciplines of government finance and economic development, and enables him to create viable solutions that can be successfully funded and implemented.

Representative assignments include:

  • Assisted MBIA Insurance Co. in evaluating and advising on credits for: Las Colinas in Irving, Texas; Fort Carson in Colorado Springs; City of Troy, New York; an office complex for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria, VA; Patrick Air Force Base in Melbourne, FL; and an office tower redevelopment for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in downtown Boston
  • Assisted in developing the 1998 Downtown Hartford Economic and Urban Design Action Strategy, the “Greenberg” plan which has guided all subsequent development activity in Hartford
  • Advised on the disposition of Seaside Regional Center, a former mental health complex in Waterford, CT and a reuse analysis for the 1.7 million SF Stratford Army Engine Plant
  • Advised the City of Tucson, Arizona on downtown redevelopment matters
  • Provided litigation support in a lawsuit involving a large-scale urban development project

Mr. Cochran is an experienced executive and financial manager. As CFO for the City of Hartford, Mr. Cochran had full Charter responsibility for the financial affairs of a major urban government comprising 6,000 employees, assets of over two billion dollars, and an overall annual operating budget of $500 million. While serving as the Executive Director of the Hartford Development Commission in the 1980’s, he managed public involvement in numerous development projects representing capital investments in excess of $1 billion, including over four million SF of office/retail space, 2,000 residential units, and 6,000 parking garage spaces.

Mr. Cochran has served on the boards of many public and non-profit agencies, including the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada, the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority, the Greater Hartford Business Development Center, and the State Oversight Board for the City of Waterbury. He is Past President and Treasurer of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hartford, a Founder and Trustee of the Hartford Partnership for Scholarships, Past President of the Rockfall Foundation, and a Past Commodore of the Essex Yacht Club.

Mr. Cochran earned a B.A. from Cornell University in Government, a Masters degree from the University of Colorado in Public Administration, and he has completed the Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

Top