CIBS:The collective voice of the comm'l. real estate brokerage industry on L.I.

The Commercial Industrial Brokers Society of Long Island, best known as CIBS, has been the collective voice of the commercial real estate brokerage industry on Long Island for more than 15 years. The organization conducts educational seminars and roundtables, provides networking opportunities for its members and raises funds for charitable organizations. Our mission is to strengthen and unite the industry into a cohesive group, promoting professional practice standards, maintenance of a positive image for the industry and fostering economic development on Long Island. Our founding in 1992 recently was marked at the annual March of Dimes Real Estate Dinner as founding members Herb Agin, Paul Amoruso, Samuel Rozzi and Joseph Lagano were honored. Today, CIBS boast more than 340 members, Each year, CIBS joins with the Association for a Better Long Island to present the Most Ingenious Deal of the Year award, the Development of the Year award and the Distinguished Leadership award. which are presented at the annual Long Island Real Estate Dinner. This year, these prestigious awards will be presented on April 3 at Carlyle on the Green in Bethpage State Park. Also, each year, CIBS presents a member with an Achievement Award, Associate Member of the Year Award and Rising Star Awards. It also recognizes associate members who have played an important role in CIBS' mission. Membership chairman Roy Chipkin, who has more than 25 years of experience in commercial real estate, was honored with the most recent Annual Achievement Award. Rising star honors went to newcomers Steven D'Orazio of Sutton & Edwards Inc., Marisa Karmitz, of Cushman & Wakefield Inc., and Aaron Trembley, of Oxford & Simpson Realty Services Inc. Chuck Fetta, president of Office Furniture Warehouse and John Gallivan, president and chief executive of Waldner's Business Environments Inc., were recognized as associates of the year. CIBS is more than just awards. Our successful member-education forums attracts as many as 100 attendees. During this past year, these included our annual Industry Summit, cosponsored by ABLI, a gathering with Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi and a recent roundtable, where eight lawyers, all CIBS associates, addressed key legal issues facing the industry. Our next educational event, scheduled for April 24, will feature the next generation of Long Island developers. There is also a philanthropic side to CIBS. CIBS embraces charities that provide a tangible benefit to Long Island. Last year, Ronald McDonald House recognized CIBS with a room naming for funds raised through our organization's annual golf tournament. This year, our annual golf outing will be held May 27 at the Huntington Golf and Country Club with proceeds to be donated to Big Brothers, Big Sisters. None of this is possible without the work of our executive board, which besides myself includes vice president David Pennetta, secretary Jack Britvan, SIOR, and treasurer Jeff Schwartzberg, SIOR. Other members of the board include Richard Caputi, David Chinitz, Roy Chipkin, Robert Desmond, David Leviton, Jack O'Connor, Jenna Pollack,Gary Joel Schacker, and Phil Shwom, CIBS has successfully fostered an industry camaraderie that has won the praise of its broker and associate members, as well as having proved useful in conducting business. It is something we intend to continue doing. Raymond Ruiz is the 2008 president of CIBS.