The Commercial Industrial Brokers Society of Long Island, (CIBS) marked its 20th anniversary recently at the annual Real Estate Dinner,- formerly the Black Tie gala, with awards to five top brokers and the endowment of a scholarship fund at Hofstra University in memory of Lawrence Feldman.
"The world has changed enormously over the past 20 years, and our presence here tonight is testament to the enduring vision of our founders," said David Pennetta, president of CIBS. "CIBS has made real estate a stronger industry, and the efforts of many, including those we are about to recognize tonight, have made CIBS a stronger organization." Pennetta cited ethics, professionalism and the need to nurture the next generation of brokers as key organizational concerns, and the focus of a number of programs initiated or continued during this celebratory year. CIBS has created honorary, non-voting board seats designated for industry newcomers; created programs aimed at attracting younger brokers; and launched an arbitration program designed to offer non-litigious alternative to conflict resolution.
At the dinner, held at Carlyle on the Green, Hofstra executive dean Richard Guardino, director of the university's real estate institute, received a check for $25,000 from Pennetta, endowing a scholarship fund in memory of Lawrence Feldman.
Feldman, a popular and well-respected partner at the Uniondale law firm of Farrell Fritz, specialized in commercial real estate and land use, and was a founding board member of CIBS in1992. He died in March 2009 at the age of 51 of a heart attack. His widow, Blaire Feldman, took part in the ceremony.
Pennetta also presented awards to five industry leaders whom the organization recognized for their accomplishments. Newmark Knight Frank's team of Jack O'Connor, Bryan Lee and Daniel Oliver won the Most Ingenious Deal of the Year award for a consolidation and upgrade project for Suffolk County that brought multiple agencies from various buildings into 63,400 s/f at 3500 Sunrise Hwy., Great River. The deal was designed to save taxpayers over $1 million.
Gary Joel Schacker won Developer of the Year award for the mixed-use 33,000 s/f Motor Parkway Plaza in Hauppauge. During a prolonged credit crunch, the office-retail building was self-financed through Quadrangle Properties, a development company affiliated with United Realty, where Schacker is a partner. The plaza was designed by D3 Architecture and built by Kulka Construction.
Ray Finkelstein, a principal of United Realty and Triangle Properties, received a Distinguished Leadership award recognizing his four decades experience in the real estate industry.
He has been instrumental in completing many major real estate deals throughout the New York region, is active in various community organizations, local boards and charitable efforts. Finkelstein is also active in CIBS governance, including the Arbitration and Ethics Board.
"I'm especially proud to present these awards to people whose diligence, hard work and dedication have helped build this organization into what it is today," said David Pennetta, president of CIBS. "Honoring them this evening is a fine way to celebrate CIBS' 20th anniversary."
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