Speyer of Tishman Speyer named REBNY chairman

International builder and developer Rob Speyer, president and co-chief executive officer of Tishman Speyer, will succeed Mary Ann Tighe as chair of The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), according to president Steven Spinola. Speyer's term begins in January 2013. Speyer's assumption of the chairmanship represents the first time in REBNY's 117-year history that the post will be occupied by three succeeding generations of a single family. Jerry Speyer, Speyer's father, served as chairman from 1986 to 1988. His grandfather, Robert Tishman, held the position from 1972 to 1975. Speyer - who will be 43 years old when his term begins - will be the youngest chairman in REBNY's history. He will succeed Tighe, who broke barriers by serving as the first female chair of REBNY. Speyer has served as a member of REBNY's executive committee since 2004. As a member of the board of governors since 2001. The Real Estate Board of New York is the city's oldest and most influential trade association with more than 12,000 members representing all aspects of the commercial and residential real estate industry. "Rob Speyer has an outstanding reputation as a global leader in real estate," said Mary Ann Tighe, Chief Executive Officer of CBRE, New York Tri-State Region and current REBNY Chair who has served since 2010. "He has a deep, first-hand understanding of the issues and challenges facing the real estate world, and REBNY members will indeed be fortunate to have him at the helm. His appointment truly represents the next generation of REBNY leadership. Not to mention, Rob also sets an excellent example for the business sector through his tireless dedication to a large number of civic and philanthropic causes." "The selection of Rob Speyer continues REBNY's strong history of outstanding leadership, especially at the Chairman's level," said Steven Spinola, REBNY President. "He comes from a universally respected family with a unique record of service to REBNY and the real estate community overall. Rob is keenly aware of the critical role that New York's real estate industry plays both regionally and worldwide." Mr. Speyer was named Co-Chief Executive Officer of Tishman Speyer in 2008 and continues to serve as President. Since joining the firm in 1995, he has worked in senior positions in each of its major spheres of activity, including acquisitions, development, capital markets and leasing. Tishman Speyer is one of the leading owners, developers, operators, and managers of first-class real estate in the world, having managed a portfolio of assets since its inception of over 116 million square feet and more than 92,000 residential units in major metropolitan areas across the United States, Europe, Latin America and Asia. Mr. Speyer was appointed by Mayor Bloomberg as chair of the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City, the not-for-profit corporation for the City of New York. Mr. Speyer is the founder and co-chair of the Committee to Save New York, a coalition of business, labor and civic groups promoting fiscal reform for New York State. He is a founding member of the Partnership for a New American Economy, a national group of business and political leaders committed to immigration reform. He is a member of The Real Estate Roundtable Board of Directors and the Co-Chair of the Construction Committee of the St. Patrick's Cathedral Landmark Foundation. He is also a member of the Board of Visitors of Columbia College (emeritus), the Board of Trustees of the New York City Police Foundation, and the Board of Trustees of the Citizens Budget Commission. He graduated magna cum laude from Columbia College in 1992, and was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Society.