REBNY unveils new executive committee changes for 2010

With the start of the New Year and with a new chairperson taking the helm, The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) recently made changes to its 2010 executive committee. Frederick Peters, president of Warburg Realty Partnership, has been named VP, residential brokerage division. In addition, Robert Knakal, chairman of Massey Knakal Realty Services is now VP, commercial brokerage division. Other changes to the executive committee include the addition of David Levinson, chairman & CEO, L&L Holdings LLC, as a new member at large. Bruce Beal, Jr. executive VP of Related Companies, is also a member at large. Stephen Ross, CEO of Related Companies, who has served as REBNY chairman since 2007, is now chairperson emeritus as Mary Ann Tighe, CEO, New York Tri-State Region of CBRE begins her tenure as REBNY chairman this year. "REBNY is pleased to have Fred Peters as the new vice president for the residential brokerage division. Fred has been an active member of REBNY's board of governors for many years, and is an influential member of the residential real estate community. In his new role as VP, Fred will continue to be a vital part of REBNY's governing body," said Steven Spinola, REBNY president. Spinola said, "I would like to congratulate Fred, as well as Bob Knakal, who we're pleased to have as VP for the commercial brokerage division, and new members at large, David Levinson and Bruce Beal. Their counsel and industry expertise will be invaluable to the executive committee and will help lead the city's real estate industry as we navigate these challenging times." Peters has served on REBNY's board of governors since 1995. Knakal has been a REBNY governor since 2000. This is the first time each has been appointed to a title position on the executive committee. "As we welcome our new chairman Mary Ann Tighe, we also bid farewell to Stephen Ross, who has played a major role in the creation and passage of many important federal programs that have been essential to the industry," said Spinola. "He has worked with the city on efforts that will result in safer buildings and improved construction standards, among many other highlights of his tenure. We thank Steve Ross for his dedication and leadership over the last three years and we will continue to rely on his invaluable expertise as chairperson emeritus in the coming years." The Real Estate Board is made up of six divisions, each with its own board of directors: commercial brokerage division, residential brokerage division, institutional owners and investors division, owners and builders division, management division, and allied and associate division. The board of governors, REBNY's central governing body, is made up of representatives from each division. The executive committee is composed of the officers of REBNY and other appointed board of governor members. Via its executive committee, the board of governors reviews recommendations regarding industry issues from REBNY's six divisions, boards of directors and standing committees and determines appropriate actions.