BOMA/NY opens 2008 with new officers and a new platform, which president Angelo Grima says will bring new emphasis to BOMA/NY's core strengths: advocacy, education and membership involvement. Grima and his fellow officers took office effective January 1, for a term of one year. "We're going to sharpen our focus on the things we do best, to maximize results," said Grima, portfolio manager at Grubb & Ellis Management Services. "That will mean concentrating our advocacy efforts on New York City and key local issues, where we can have the greatest effect for our industry and our members. Specifically, we are currently working pro-actively with the FDNY on clarifying EAP provisions, and with the city on implementing PlaNYC2030. We're also collaborating with OEM, REBNY and the NYPD on refining the CEAS emergency access program to make it more useful to our members." Grima praised the work of past administrations, "who not only got us a seat at the table, but brought us into partnership as an information source for decision-makers. Now we want to take it even further by anticipating needs of the industry and bringing them to the table first." He also stressed that "...we will be collaborating with our fellow trade organizations to make sure that the industry message is clear, well-thought out and consistent industry-wide—this is a mandate from our membership." Education has always been a prime tenet of BOMA/NY membership, and with the new focus, "our seminars have an enhanced, hands-on/take-away component, as evidenced by the sell-out crowd we had in January for our manager-oriented, how-to session on EAP testing and current results, and what to expect this year from PlaNYC2030," Grima said. Committees—the engines that drive BOMA/NY—are where the BOMA/NY's 860 members pool their collective talents, and Grima has undertaken stepped-up recruitment on the ownership levels. Joining Grima at the helm of BOMA/NY are vice president Edward Fallon, RPA; treasurer Louis Mantia; and secretary Thomas Hill, RPA. All officers have been active in BOMA/NY for at least a decade each, and have headed various committees, tasks forces and program initiatives. A brief summary of their professional qualifications appears below. Angelo Grima - BOMA/NY President Previously BOMA/NY's vice president for the past two years and a Pinnacle Award/MAC (Middle Atlantic Conference) Regional TOBY Winner as Outstanding Local Member of the Year, Grima currently serves as chair of BOMA's MAC Region. He is currently a portfolio manager at Grubb & Ellis Management Services, where he is responsible for 3 million s/f of commercial properties in Manhattan for a variety of ownership entities. A member of BOMA/NY since 1981, he has been a member of the board of directors since 2001 and as a member of the codes & regulations/government affairs committee, was instrumental in New York City's adoption of the International Building Code. He is also a member of REBNY. Edward Fallon, RPA - BOMA/NY vice president A member of BOMA/NY since 1983 and secretary for the 2006-08 term, Fallon joined the board of directors in September, 2001. In 2003 he won the Pinnacle Award as Outstanding Local Member of the Year and headed the team that won the Pinnacle for Operating Office Building (1 million s/f+) for One Liberty Plaza. He also serves as the chairman of the BOMA International emergency preparedness committee. At Brookfield Properties, where he is vice president of operations for the New York Region, he oversees all management and operations of 7 million s/f of class A properties in both Manhattan and London. Active in multiple New York charities, he attended Bronx Community College and earned his RPA designation in 1994. Louis Mantia - BOMA/NY treasurer This year's Pinnacle Award winner as Outstanding Local Member of the Year, Mantia has been a BOMA/NY member since 1989, and is most well-known for his work on the BOMA/NY's energy committee, as current chair of BOMA International's government affairs committee and former chair of its International's energy committee. His role at Cushman & Wakefield, Inc., where he serves as managing director of client solutions, encompasses more than 5 million s/f of commercial properties including One Madison Ave. and 9 West 57th St. Previously he was responsible for the $25 million rehabilitation of 17 Battery Place and managing the landmark Seagram Building. He's a member of NAPE and is active in charity work. Thomas Hill, RPA - BOMA/NY secretary As senior vice president of Boston Properties, Inc, Hill is responsible for a portfolio of prime class A properties, including multiple Pinnacle Award winners including: 599 Lexington Ave. (Operating Office Building/1 million s/f +) which also garnered the MAC Regional TOBY; Citigroup Center, (Pinnacle-Operating Building/1 million s/f+); Times Square Tower (Pinnacle/New Construction); 90 Church St., winner of the Pinnacle, Regional and International TOBY awards for Government Building, and new projects under development. He has been a member of BOMA/NY since 1986 and a member of the board of directors since 2000. A private pilot with FAA certifications in single and multi-engine aircraft, he is active in numerous charities and attended SUNY-Farmingdale.