By Joshua Burd
A student life organization at Rutgers University has announced plans to honor Ron Ladell, the longtime and influential New Jersey development executive, at its upcoming spring gala.
Ladell, a senior vice president with AvalonBay Communities Inc., will receive Rutgers Hillel’s Visionary in Partnership Award in recognition of his commitment to Jewish student life at Rutgers and the community at large. The organization will present the award at the annual program, which is scheduled for April 11 at 6 p.m.
“The recipient embodies the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam, a pursuit of justice, healing and repairing of the world,” Rutgers Hillel and AvalonBay wrote in an announcement. “This year’s award is given to Ron Ladell in recognition of his strong moral character, compassion and devotion to his students and community.”
Ladell, AvalonBay’s top executive in New Jersey, oversees all development activities throughout the state and has developed and constructed more than 20 residential communities. It currently has another four projects underway: Avalon Somerville Station, Avalon Montville, Avalon Princeton Circle and W-Squared in West Windsor, a mixed-use residential and retail development at the Princeton Junction train station, where AvalonBay is the master developer.
Ladell received his J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law-Newark and his bachelor’s from Rutgers University in New Brunswick. He is a founding and executive committee member of the Rutgers Center for Real Estate and is currently an adjunct professor at Rutgers Business School, teaching courses in real estate development and real estate law.
Additionally, Ladell is a member of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, the New Jersey Apartment Association’s board of directors and a founding member of New Jersey Mixed-Use Developers, an affiliate of the New Jersey Builders Association. He is also an instructor for the New Jersey Redevelopment Authority and a guest lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, Cornell University, Rutgers Law School and Rutgers’ Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.
Aside from being a former political commentator for a radio talk show and a cable television show, Ladell appears regularly as a panelist for real estate development and redevelopment, finance and legal topics. His past distinctions include the Leadership Excellence award from Monmouth University’s Kislak Real Estate Institute and the Humanitarian of the Year honor from The Center for Great Expectations, where he serves as a board member.
For more information about Rutgers Hillel or to purchase tickets to the gala, contact Barbara Cohen at 732-545-2407 ext. 24 or at [email protected].