CREW NY members Villani, Zivkovic, Boddewyn and Carey discuss the NYREJ's 30th Anniversary

Carrie Villani, Director of Marketing at LERA:
What year did you discover the NYREJ and how has been a benefit to you and/or your business? I discovered NYREJ in 2012, I was introduced by my colleague Connie Luongo who said it was a great place to publish articles and professional profiles. I have since introduced many women and men at LERA and in my network, many whom have gone on to be featured in articles and profiles.
Which NYREJ article has been the most memorable for you or your firm? NYREJ has been wonderfully supportive to my career and is a great outlet for LERA. When I first won an SMPS-NY Marketing Communications Award, NYREJ published an article a photo of me with juror Joseph Aliotta, AIA, I felt really validated in my efforts and impact on the industry. LERA’s project and staff milestones features have been fantastic.
Which monthly features or spotlights are your favorite? I look forward to the Women in Real Estate (WIRE) editions every year I love to read about what seasoned and new members of the industry are doing to make a difference and get ahead. The Professional Profiles are also a great way to promote members of my firm for the incredible work they do in the real estate and AEC community.
What kept you up at night in 1989 and what keeps you up at night in 2019? In 1989 I was definitely stressed about school, I also remember many great bands were touring but I was too young to go. So, I would dream about being able to go to more concerts. In 2019, attending concerts is one of my favorite pastimes My worries now focus on doing the best I can for my firm while battling the competition and market conditions.

Lily Zivkovic, Senior Vice President at Astor Title:
What year did you discover the NYREJ and how has been a benefit to you and/or your business? I discovered NYREJ last year and found the coverage of the real estate industry not just unbiased and truly impeccable but also informative in a parallel manner with other businesses that I am involved as a consultant allowing me to strategize in a wider and more productive fashion.
Which NYREJ article has been the most memorable for you or your firm?My most favorite article is “40 years of progress and partnership: CREW NY celebrates women in commercial real estate” which was published September 18^th, 2018.
Which monthly features or spotlights are your favorite?The Financial Digest is by far my preferred section.
What kept you up at night in 1989 and what keeps you up at night in 2019?In 1989, the economy was weakening as a result of restrictive monetary policy enacted by the Federal Reserve to reduce inflation the limitations of an economic expansion kept me awake. These days, the influence of a global market rescinding established policies worries me a great deal.

Michéle Boddewyn, President of Boddewyn Gaynor Architects:
What year did you discover the NYREJ and how has been a benefit to you and/or your business?  The year 2012 marked my discovery of the NYREJ and it was a propitious year indeed. I enjoy NYREJ’s targeted focus on the NYC-Metro market, updates on the retail sector and the insights regarding new developments within the real estate market.
Which NYREJ article has been the most memorable for you or your firm? As a Women-Owned Business Enterprise, Boddewyn Gaynor Architects (BGA) looks forward to NYREJ’s annual coverage of Women in Real Estate. It is inspiring and encouraging to witness the positive impact women have had within the real estate, architectural, legal, construction and brokerage professions.
Which monthly features or spotlights are your favorite? NYREJ’s Executive of the Month and Professional Profiles are always an interesting read. These articles provide timely information on the achievements of colleagues and enable the reader to applaud their accomplishments.
What kept you up at night in 1989 and what keeps you up at night in 2019? In 1989, my toddler kept me up at night. In 2019, the design trend of a “One Solution Fits All” and the workplace issues of acoustics and lack of privacy concern me.

Jennifer Carey, CEO of JLC Environmental:
What year did you discover the NYREJ and how has been a benefit to you and/or your business?  JLC Environmental discovered NYREJ in the 1990’s when we realized it was filled with great info about our industry. JLC often places ads with the journal, and over the years written articles about various environmental issues of concern such as “Controlling Pathogens in Domestic Water” and “Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments.”
Which NYREJ article has been the most memorable for you or your firm? The profile you did of our company in 2006 entitled “Jennifer Carey of JLC Environmental: A Serial Entrepreneur with a Mission” was really memorable to me as it featured our work and highlighted what our company stood for and how we help our clients navigate the many aspects of the environmental issues they face.
What kept you up at night in 1989 and what keeps you up at night in 2019? In 1989 the continued fallout from the economic downturn of 1987 was keeping me up, as well as the Sheraton St. Regis Hotel renovation. It was the largest job JLC had done to date. We worked closely with Tishman Construction on this high-profile project which really set our company on a path to long-term success.
Which monthly features or spotlights are your favorite? I like reading the Question of the Month because it is always informative.