For putting themselves at risk while helping to keep New York City running during the COVID-19 pandemic, essential workers from the city’s real estate industry will receive special recognition during the Real Estate Board of New York’s (REBNY) annual banquet set to take place this Thursday, June 10.
The virtual gala is the organization’s 125th annual banquet recognizing outstanding professionals in the real estate community.
Essential workers in the real estate industry will receive recognition through REBNY’s John E. Zuccotti Public Service Award. The honor serves as a tribute to an army of men and women who put their own lives at risk while protecting and preserving critical infrastructure and services, getting all New Yorkers through one of the most difficult periods in recent history.
Named for the late chair of Brookfield Properties and renowned developer, the Zuccotti Award has, in the past several years, been presented to outstanding business leaders such as Jay Kriegel and Carol Kellermann to local elected officials such as Senator Charles Schumer. It’s the first time that REBNY is presenting the Zuccotti Award to a collective group of people.
Three labor leaders in New York City will have the honor of accepting the award on the essential workers’ behalf: Kyle Bragg, president of 32BJ SEIU; Kuba J. Brown, business manager and financial secretary, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 94; and Gary LaBarbera, president of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York.
“New York was able to endure a global pandemic, thanks to the essential workers who kept our city running even as it paused,” said REBNY Chairman Douglas Durst. “It gives me particular pleasure to honor the contributions of essential workers in the real estate industry who are paving the way to New York’s coming resurgence.”
Six other leaders in the New York real estate community will also be recognized at the REBNY virtual banquet for their contributions:
Bess Freedman, chief executive officer at Brown Harris Stevens, will receive the Kenneth R. Gerrety Humanitarian Award for her years of service.
Kevin McCann, senior managing director of global occupier services at Cushman & Wakefield, will receive the George M. Brooker Management Executive of the Year Award for his accomplishments in property management and professionalism.
Gregg L. Schenker, president and co-managing partner of ABS Partners Real Estate, will receive the Louis Smadbeck Memorial Broker Recognition Award for excellence in the brokerage community and his service on various REBNY committees.
Robert M. Shapiro, executive managing director at Cushman & Wakefield, will receive the Young Real Estate Professional of the Year Award, as chosen by the Young Men’s/Women’s Real Estate Association of New York, for his work ethic and integrity.
Alan Wiener, group head at Wells Fargo Multifamily Capital, will receive the Bernard H. Mendik Lifetime Leadership in Real Estate Award for his career of accomplishments in real estate.
Laurie Zucker, vice chairwoman at Donald Zucker Company and Manhattan Skyline Management Corporation, will receive the Harry B. Helmsley Distinguished New Yorker Award for her contributions to the city’s civic welfare and real estate community.
“The REBNY banquet is always a highlight of the year, and 2021 will be no different even as we gather virtually,” said REBNY President James Whelan. “This year’s honorees remind us how important this industry is to our city, and we should look to them as examples of the leadership, dedication and generosity of service that we will need in the coming years as real estate leads the way to New York City’s greatest comeback.”
Tickets to the banquet are still available online at REBNY125.com.
