From left: Those on hand Monday for NAIOP New Jersey’s annual President’s Awards and Hall of Fame Dinner included (clockwise, from top left): chapter CEO Dan Kennedy; Matt Schlindwein of Greek Real Estate Partners; Mark Shearer, NAIOP New Jersey chapter president; Alan Lambiase of River Terminal Development Co.; Terry Armstrong of Elberon Development Group; Andrew Chun of Langan Engineering & Environmental Services; Jack Fersko of Greenbaum Rowe Smith & Davis LLP; Deborah Paige Hanson of The Hampshire Cos.; Jeff Hipschman of CBRE and Jay Rhatican of Hartz Mountain Industries.
By Joshua Burd
Commercial real estate leaders descended on East Rutherford on Monday night for NAIOP New Jersey’s annual President’s Awards and Hall of Fame Dinner, where the chapter honored a group of well-known executives and service providers for their contributions to the industry.
With a registered crowd of roughly 300, the event at the Hilton Meadowlands highlighted multiple generations within the sector as the organization marked the accomplishments of several longtime members and those who are now emerging as key players in the field. The group included the newest additions to the NAIOP New Jersey Hall of Fame — Deborah Paige Hanson of The Hampshire Cos., Alan Lambiase of River Terminal Development Co. and Joseph S. Taylor of Matrix Development Group — as well as honorees in several categories.
- Legacy Award: Jack Fersko of Greenbaum Rowe Smith & Davis LLP
- Pillar Award: Jeffrey Hipschman of CBRE
- Advocacy Award: Jay Rhatican of Hartz Mountain Industries
- Volunteer of the Year Award: Terry Armstrong of Elberon Development Group
- Rising Star Award: Andrew Chun of Langan Engineering & Environmental Services
“Each of our honorees has played a vital role in shaping NAIOP New Jersey into what it is today: a respected entity among policymakers, an effective force in Trenton and a valuable resource for both seasoned commercial real estate professionals and aspiring leaders,” said Mark Shearer, NAIOP New Jersey president and senior managing director for Rockefeller Group’s New Jersey and Pennsylvania development team. “Our chapter is fortunate to be comprised of the most talented, engaged and dedicated professionals in the commercial real estate industry. Tonight, we have the privilege of recognizing not just achievement, but also the embodiment of selfless service, professionalism and success.”
Shearer joined Matt Schlindwein, a managing partner of Greek Real Estate Partners and past Rising Star Award recipient, to present this year’s awards. They did so before a large crowd as part of the sold-out event, despite looming uncertainty about the economy and the lending environment.
Dan Kennedy, who took over as NAIOP New Jersey CEO in August, highlighted the turnout and the continued support of chapter sponsors and its more than 800 members. He also praised the evening’s eight honorees and the organization’s in-house team that staged the program.
“It’s been very nice getting to know many of you more personally during this process,” Kennedy said. “As a newer member of the team here, I’ve been really humbled by your commitment to this organization, and it’s amazing what you’ve all been able to do to build this place.”
