Realty Foundation to Honor CBRE’s Tighe
The Realty Foundation of New York, a nonprofit organization that helps real estate professionals in need, will honor
CB Richard Ellis CEO Mary Ann Tighe for her professional
and philanthropic contributions at its 2009 luncheon. It’s
scheduled for April 28 at noon in the Grand Ballroom of the
Waldorf Astoria.
Tighe has negotiated more than 70 million square feet of commercial real estate
transactions during her 24-year career in
the industry. Her high-profile deals have
anchored 5.65 million square feet of new
construction in the New York region.
“Given her extraordinary accomplishments within the real estate and philan-
TIGHE thropic arenas, Tighe is an exceptional
honoree,” says Patricia Frank, the Realty
Foundation’s executive director. “She has made significant
advancements to New York’s skyline while also giving back
to the surrounding community. She is very deserving of
this honor.”
Founded in 1954, the foundation recently appointed Jerry
L. Cohen, partner in Tishman Speyer Properties, as chairman
of its 75-member board of directors. Cohen replaces Larry
A. Silverstein, president and CEO of Silverstein Properties,
who had served as the foundation's chairman for more than
14 years.
H. Dale Hemmerdinger, president of Atco Properties and
Management, has been appointed president of the board.
Hemmerdinger, the foundation’s 2008 honoree, was previously its executive vice president.
Since its founding, the Realty Foundation has disbursed over
$2.5 million in financial aid and over $3.5 million in scholarship awards. “The Realty Foundation is the only nonprofit organization that exists solely to aid real estate professionals in
need,” says Frank. “Over the course of its esteemed history,
it has helped countless families and individuals cope with financial distress and personal hardship. To that end, we rely
heavily upon the generosity of the real estate industry and its
allied industries for our continued success in aiding our fellow
members.”—RENY
FASTEN YOUR SEAT BELTS
Panelists at the recent Real Estate Board of New York commercial seminar predicted a bumpy ride
ahead for the industry. They cited lack of financing for new projects, fluctuating real estate prices and
continued uncertainty in the market. However, John Powers, chairman of the tri-state region for CB
Richard Ellis, said a flight to quality would motivate some tenants to move their office space. Pictured,
from left: panelists Robert Knakal, Massey Knakal; Peter Riguardi, Jones Lang LaSalle; and Powers;
moderator Michael Stoler, New York Real Estate TV.
GE TTING BEYOND PAPERWORK
The New York chapter of the Society for Marketing Professional Services principals breakfast program,
titled “Beyond the Paperwork: How to Win Public Agency Projects” and held in January, brought out
principals and marketers from architecture, engineering, construction and specialty consultant/vendor
firms. The panel provided advice on how to get past barriers and produce proposals that can bring them
to the table for an interview and win public agency business. From left:: David Kane, New York City
Economic Development Corp.; Tim Volonakis, Port Authority of New York & New Jersey; moderator Aaron
B. Schwarz, Perkins Eastman; Jonna Carmona-Graf, New York City Department of Parks & Recreation;
and Robert Lemieux, City University of New York.
