NAI Friedland Realty honors the outstanding accomplishments of four extraordinary women

Robin Herko My responsibilities include: specializing in retail leasing and development in the Westchester and Bronx markets. My career achievements include: Being particularly involved with the downtown redevelopment of Yonkers and in the past few years have successfully sold over 30 Yonkers properties to developers. What makes you an innovator? Innovation comes from always thinking "outside of the box." There are no two deals alike in commercial real estate. You must continuously adapt based on the parameters you are working with. The most important mantra that I have come to adopt is never assume anything! When a customer is interested in a building and only wants to buy it but it hasn't been listed for sale, only for lease; make an offer to purchase. You'd be very surprised at the results! When a tenant tells you that they only want to be in Eastchester but you have the perfect space for them in White Plains, show it to them; you won't believe what might happen! What obstacles have you overcome to get where you are today? My career in commercial real estate is only 12 years old! While I was striving to be successful in real estate I was temporally "sidetracked" with breast cancer. I tried like crazy to keep this from everyone as I went through chemotherapy and radiation. Not an easy task in any profession, but a little more challenging in the male-dominated commercial real estate industry. Before real estate I owned and operated most successfully a gift shop in Harrison, N.Y. called Gifts a la mode. I chose this location for my store so it would be in close proximity to my home; as I was a single parent raising two daughters on my own. Juggling parenting and an entrepreneur were two too many obstacles to overcome! What motivates you to succeed? Being a single parent at a very young age and knowing that I would be the sole provider for my family would motivate anyone! To succeed is just in my blood. As a youngster I played sports to "win" and that's how I approached every career. I had to win to be the best that I could. That takes tremendous perseverance and dedication. I have a work ethic that I believe has stood me in good stead throughout my life.Name: Ellen Benedek My responsibilities include: head of NAI Friedland Realty's tenant representation division and co-head of the firm's office division. I am a member of the following real estate organizations/affiliations: March of Dimes real estate committee, UJA Westchester real estate division, CID, and the commercial and investment division of Westchester County Board of Realtors. Who/what has been the strongest influence on your career and why? After fifteen years on Wall Street, NAI Friedland Realty's chairman Robert Friedland was the only principal of a real estate firm that would hire me. He taught me the real estate business, guiding me through the perils and pitfalls of our industry with patience. I worked for Friedland as an associate for three years before being recruited by Newmark & Co. (and later the Edward S. Gordon Co. and Benson Commercial). Throughout this ten year period, Friedland continued to be my mentor. Eight years ago my colleague, Carl Silbergleit, and I received an offer from Friedland to head Friedland's Office Division. We gladly accepted. I knew firsthand the caring environment that Friedland fosters and was eager to again be part of it. When my husband Barry suddenly passed away earlier this year, Friedland was there for me in the hospital. He supported me through the entire period as both a friend and boss. What excites you most about this industry? You never know what is in store for you each and every day. The phone rings and that call could make or break your year. This industry is very much unlike my past career as an institutional stock trader. Deals are completed on the trading floor in seconds. A real estate transaction, on the other hand, can take years to finish-either successfully or unsuccessfully. Perseverance is critical. Even after the deal closes, there's still the matter of receiving your commission in a timely manner. Being a people person, I'm fascinated by the individuals I meet daily. From the receptionist to the CEO, to the security guards who have escorted me out of some of the finest buildings in Westchester and Fairfield Counties, you never know where the next lead will come from. Part of our routine as brokers is canvassing and calling on customers each day. Although it can be a bit mundane at times, everything changes when you get that hit. That hit-that "yes"-is the thrill we all seek as real estate professionals. It signifies another transaction is about to commence. The journey toward another happy customer begins again. Kathy Zamechansky Responsibilities include: Leasing commercial office and retail space, development projects, not-for-profit clients, sales of retail and office buildings, and conversions Awards: Bronx Manhattan North Association of Realtors' 2009 Realtor of the Year Career Achievements: President of KZA Realty Group (a privately owned Real Estate Brokerage and Consulting Company), President of BOEDC, Executive Director of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, and worked on the development of several major projects (Fordham Plaza, Gotham Plaza, Peatree Plaza, etc.) Real Estate Organizations: Vice-President of the Commercial/Industrial Division of the Bronx Manhattan Association of Realtors and member of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce What motivates you to succeed? I think what motivates me most is being part of the revitalization of communities-witnessing a vacant site transformed into a beautiful modern building that provides housing for the community, or seeing a daycare center serving children in a space that was previously vacant. I began managing real estate for a major New York landlord at 20. I found that with enough persistence, I could work with the tenants to make the buildings viable, safe, and clean places to live and raise their families. During my tenure as the first president of Bronx Overall Economic Development Corp. (BOEDC), I realized that we had the ability to transform blighted and abandoned communities into vibrant places for people to live and work. As part of several major affordable housing projects, I've see vacant land transformed into homes for many Bronx families. Making an entrance into the Bronx and Harlem market a reality for so many retailers has given me great satisfaction. Each retailer brings vitality to a vacant store or much needed services to a community. At the end of the day, I love walking down the street and being able to say "I did that" or "I helped make that happen." What impact has networking had on your success? I have been very lucky in my life to have a strong network of friends and business associates. Over the last 37 years I have had the privilege of meeting some of the most influential people in the industry and I have worked with many of them-elected officials, commissioners, business leaders, community leaders, and the many people who worked behind the scenes to get each projects done. When I started my own business, many of these same people helped me to get started, gave me a chance to work with them, and helped me to grow my company to a successful business. I work very closely with local business leaders as part of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, which helps me to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to possible leads for business. As a board member of the Bronx Manhattan North Association of Realtors, I have directly benefited from my relationships with the owner/managers of Bronx properties, other brokers, and affiliated business. My network is critical for my continued success. Being part of the real estate community is a rewarding and exciting career and I am proud to call many of the people in this industry friends.Joan Simon My responsibilities include: Retail leasing in Westchester County. My goals for the future are.... The importance of networking in our industry cannot be stressed enough. An ongoing goal of mine is to connect with the right people-the decision makers-in growing retail organizations, determine their needs, and suggest locations that best meet those needs. Networking events, such as the annual ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) convention in New York, are great opportunities to meet real estate professionals in expanding industries. To succeed as a broker I must also know the Westchester market well enough to be able to respond to the needs of a tenant - whatever they may be. This means continually driving the market, speaking to the owners, and always staying on top of changing lease rates and retail vacancies. The biggest challenge facing the real estate industry in 2010 is.... There is great negativity and fear out there about the risk of opening a new business (or additional locations) in this economic climate. Overcoming that fear will continue to be our biggest challenge. I'm finding that the retailers who are expanding are those targeting the lower to mid demographics range and catering to consumers seeking discounts and bargains. Restaurants with menus at more reasonable price points (Chipotle, Cheeburger Cheeburger, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Dunkin Donuts, for example) are seeking additional locations. Appealing to the new vision of the consumer and shifting focus away from the luxury market is crucial. Everyone nowadays - including the population with a disposable income - wants to feel like they are getting a good deal. Retailers able to adjust the price point of their merchandise will become more appealing to consumers who are still anxious in 2010.