This leadership award, first bestowed in 2003, is presented to REBNY members who have displayed exceptional service to the real estate industry and professional accomplishments over the course of distinguished careers.

2025 Honoree - Jonathan Mechanic, Chairman of Real Estate Department, Fried Frank

Past Award Winners

• 2024 Honoree- Joel Picket, Chairman, Gotham Organization

• 2023 Honoree - Barry M. Gosin, Chief Executive Officer of Newmark Group, Inc.

• 2022 Honoree - Tom Elghanayan, Chairman and Co-Founder of TF Cornerstone Inc

• 2021 Honoree - Alan Wiener, Group Head at Wells Fargo Multifamily Capital 

• 2020 Honoree - Jodi Pulice, Founder and CEO at JRT Realty Group

• 2019 Honoree - Diane M. Ramirez, CEO, Chairman and Co-founder of Halstead Real Estate

• 2018 Honoree - Elizabeth Stribling, Chairman and Founder of Stribling & Associates

• 2017 Honoree - MaryAnne Gilmartin, President and CEO Forest City Ratner
  

The Management Division created this award in 1976 to recognize accomplished individuals within the management area. Winners display outstanding professionalism in property management, civic achievement and contribution to the real estate industry. Named for its first recipient, a past Vice President of the Management Division, the award is presented yearly at REBNY's Annual Banquet.

2025 Honoree - Thomas Lloyd, Senior Managing Director of Investor Services, CBRE

Past Award Winners

• 2024 Honoree - Wayne Taub, Executive Managing Director of Operations, Jack Resnick & Sons

• 2023 Honoree - Elly Pateras, Executive Managing Director, Douglas Elliman Property Management

• 2022 Honoree - Frank Pusinelli, Sr EVP, Chief Operating Officer-Operating Assets at RXR Realty

• 2021 Honoree - Kevin McCann, Senior Managing Director of Global Occupier Services at Cushman & Wakefield 

• 2020 Honoree - Henry M. Celestino, Vice Chairman at L&L Holding Company

• 2019 Honoree - Bernard Warren, Chairman and Presidnet at Webb & Brooker, Inc.

• 2018 Honoree - Gene Boniberger, Senior Vice President at Rudin Management Company, Inc.

• 2017 Honoree - William Dacunto, Executive Vice President at Silverstein Properties, Inc

This award, created in 1992, recognizes REBNY members who have a lifetime of exceptional accomplishments in the profession and have made invaluable contributions to New York's civic welfare. The award is named for Harry Helmsley, a leading real estate executive of his time, and is presented at REBNY's Annual Banquet.

2025 Honoree - Scott Rechler, CEO and Chairman, RXR

Past Award Winners

• 2024 Honoree - Douglas Durst, Chairman, The Durst Organization

• 2023 Honoree -Mary Ann Tighe, Chief Executive Officer, NY Tri-State Region, CBRE

• 2022 Honorees-

  • Hal Fetner, President and CEO of Fetner Properties;

  • Jeff Levine, Founder and Chairman of Douglaston Development;

  • David Picket, CEO of Gotham Organization

• 2021 Honoree-Laurie Zucker, Vice Chairwoman at Donald Zucker Company & Manhattan Skyline Mgt. Corp.

• 2020 Honoree - David R. Greenbaum, Executive Vice President of Vornado Realty Trust

• 2019 Honoree - Daniel R. Tishman, Chairman of the Board at Tishman

• 2018 Honoree - Rob Speyer, CEO at Tishman Speyer

• 2017 Honoree - Marc Holliday, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at SL Green Realty

This public service award was presented for the first time in 2017. It is awarded to a New Yorker who has displayed exceptional accomplishments and service in the public's interest. It is named for the late John E. Zuccotti, Chairperson of REBNY from 2004 to 2006 and a longstanding member of its Executive Committee. John also had a distinguished career as a public official, including serving as First Deputy Mayor and Chair of New York City's Department of City Planning during some of the City's most difficult times. The award is presented at REBNY's Annual Banquet

2025 Honoree -  Representative Ritchie Torres, United States Congressman for New York’s 15th Congressional District

Past Award Winners

• 2024 Honoree - Fred Cerullo, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Grand Central Partnership

• 2023 Honoree -  Dan Doctoroff, Founder & Chairman of Target ALS

• 2022 Honoree - Hazel Dukes, President of the NAACP New York State Conference

• 2021 Honoree - Essential Workers in New York City Real Estate

  • Gary LaBarbera, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York

  • Kyle Bragg, President of 32BJ SEIU

  • Kuba J. Brown, President of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 94

• 2020 Honoree - Jay Kriegel (Posthumously), Senior Advisor at Related Companies

• 2019 Honoree - Carol Kellermann, President of Citizens Budget Commission

• 2018 Honoree - Chuck Schumer, U.S. Senator

• 2017 Honoree - Carl Weisbrod, New York City Department of City Planning
  
  

The Kenneth R. Gerrety Humanitarian Award was first given in 1989. It recognizes REBNY members' outstanding service to the community. The award memorializes Kenneth Gerrety who served REBNY as Executive Vice President for 18 years. The award is presented at REBNY's Annual Banquet.

2025 Honoree - Michelle Adams, Senior Managing Director, Global External Relations and Business Development, Tishman Speyer

Past Award Winners

• 2024 Honoree - Elizabeth Ann Stribling-Kivlan, Senior Managing Director, Compass

• 2023 Honoree - John C. Santora, Chairman, New York Tri-State, Cushman & Wakefield

• 2022 Honoree - Sarah Saltzberg, Co-Owner of Bohemia Realty Group

• 2021 Honoree - Bess Freedman, Chief Executive Officer at Brown Harris Stevens

• 2020 Honoree - Hector Figueroa (Posthumously), President of Local 32BJ

• 2019 Honoree - Helena Rose Durst, Principal at The Durst Organization

• 2018 Honoree - Richard LeFrank, CEO of LeFrank Organization

• 2017 Honoree - Jed Walentas, CEO of Two Trees Management
  

This member award was established in 1991 by REBNY's Commercial Brokerage Divisions; it honors a REBNY broker with personal and professional integrity, long-term leadership and prominence in the brokerage community and participation in REBNY's committees. Named for an exemplary broker who died shortly after being selected to receive it, the award is presented at REBNY's Annual Banquet.

2025 Honoree - Nicola Heryet, Principal, Avison Young

Past Award Winners

• 2024 Honoree - Ellen Israel, Executive Managing Director, JRT Realty Group

• 2023 Honoree - Frederick K. Marek, Vice-Chairman of Helmsley Spear LLC

• 2022 Honoree - Darcy Stacom, Chairman and Head of New York City Capital Markets at CBRE

• 2021 Honoree - Gregg L. Schenker, President and Co-Managing Partner of ABS Partners Real Estate

• 2020 Honoree - Gregg Schenker, President of ABS Partners Real Estate

• 2019 Honoree - Kevin Wang, Owner of KRW Realty Advisors

• 2018 Honoree - Ira Fishman, CEO of HSP Real Estate Group

• 2017 Honoree - Joanne Podell, Executive Vice Chairman Cushman & Wakefield
  
  

The "Young Real Estate Professional of the Year" award is presented by the Young Men's/Women's Real Estate Association each year to a member whose knowledge, skills, integrity, and a high degree of ethics have contributed most to his or her profession and the community.

2025 Honoree - Craig Waggner, Managing Director, Cushman & Wakefield

Past Award Winners

• 2024 Honoree - Michael Rudder, Principal, Rudder Property Group

• 2023 Honoree - James Nelson, Principal, Head of Tri-State Investment Sales, Avison Young

• 2022 Honoree - Laura Jackson, Senior Vice President, Tax Director, SL Green Realty Corp

• 2021 Honoree - Robert M. Shapiro, Executive Managing Director at Cushman & Wakefield
  

This award is given to members who have achieved an outstanding closing while overcoming unique obstacles and challenges.

2024 Winners:

Past Winners

2023:

• The First Place Residential Deal of the Year Award was given to Taruna Sharma of CORE Group Marketing LLC and Jennifer Roberts and Greg Holzmann of Compass

• The Second Place Residential Deal of the Year Award went to Robin L. Rothman of Sotheby’s International Realty and Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group

• The Third Place Residential Deal of the Year Award was given to Amy S. Katcher of The Corcoran Group, Brittanie C. Bowers and Leslie J.W. Singer of Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC and Noble B. Black of Douglas Elliman Real Estate

2022 :

• The First Place Residential Deal of the Year Award was given to Sofia Falleroni of Compass and David Mayer of The Corcoran Group

• The Second Place Residential Deal of the Year Award went to Rodolfo Lucchese of The Corcoran Group and Andrew Gordon of Compass

• The Third Place Residential Deal of the Year Award was given to Boris Fabrikant, Collin Bond, and Sangmi Park all of Compass

2021:

• The First Place Residential Deal of the Year Award was given to Lawrence Rich and Dakota Scotto of The Corcoran Group and Steven Marvisch of Brown Harris Stevens.

• The Second Place Residential Deal of the Year Award went to Joe Ulam of Brown Harris Stevens.

• The Third Place Residential Deal of the Year Award was given to Martha Friedricks-Glass of The Corcoran Group.

Full list of award winners

*Award is presented for achievements of work completed in the prior calendar year.

This award honors a member who has made significant contributions to the REBNY community by donating time, expertise, and knowledge in the areas of education, ethics, and professional services for the betterment of the real estate industry.

2024 -

PAST AWARDEES:

• 2023 - Stephen G. Kliegerman of Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC

• 2022 - Frederick Warburg Peters of Coldwell Banker Warburg

• 2021 - Gary Malin of Corcoran

• 2020 - John Wollberg

• 2019 - Regina Wierbowski

• 2018 - Karen L Duncan

• 2017 - Jeffrey Rothstein

• 2016 - Douglas Wagner

• 2015 - Vickey Barron

The Residential Agent of the Year Award was created in 2017 by REBNY's Residential Brokerage Board of Directors and Membership Committee to recognize a member Sales Agent or Associate Broker who has demonstrated skilled achievement, superior leadership, high moral character, and professional behavior both in the real estate industry and the community-at-large. Nominations for this award are made by colleagues, salespersons and broker associates from within the nominee's firm or the industry-at-large.

2024 -

Past Winner

• 2023 - Ari S. Harkov of Brown Harris Stevens, Residential Sales LLC

• 2022 - Tristan Harper of Douglas Elliman

• 2021 - Doreen Courtright of Douglas Elliman

• 2020 - Louise Phillips Forbes, Brown Harris Stevens

• 2019 - Jessica Cohen, Douglas Elliman

• 2018 - Ann Cutbill Lenane, Douglas Elliman

• 2017 - Joanna Mayfield Marks, Halstead

The Residential Brokerage Division created this award in 1998 to recognize new REBNY members excelling in the industry. Criteria for the award include sound moral character, high ethical professional behavior, excellent leadership, meaningful roles in deals, and significant contributions to the firm's success. The award is presented at the Residential Brokerage Division's Annual Deal of the Year Charity & Awards Gala.

2024:

Past Winners

• 2023 - Arjun Nair of Nest Seekers LLC

• 2022 - Spencer Clouse of Bohemia Realty Group LLC and Joseph Conley of Brown Harris Stevens

• 2021 - Clifford Marks, Brown Harris Stevens

• 2020 – Manuel Fueyo, Brown Harris Stevens

• 2019 – Margaret Simmons, Halstead

• 2018 – Shan Chowdhury, Halstead

• 2017 – Matt Martin, Halstead
  Full list of award winners

This award is presented to an Agent, Associate Broker, or Broker whose outstanding record of achievement and conduct within both the industry and the community has brought recognition to them, their firm, and the profession.

2024 -

Past Winners:

• 2023 - Douglas A. Wagner of Bond New York Properties LLC

• 2022 - Bonnie Chajet, Coldwell Banker Warburg

• 2021 -

• 2020 - Mary Rutherfurd, Brown Harris Stevens

• 2019 - Kenneth Scheff, Compass

• 2018 - Steven Goldschmidt, Warburg Realty

• 2017 - Elaine R Dean, Corcoran

• 2016 - Ruth McCoy, Brown Harris Stevens

• 2015 - Corinne Pulitzer, Douglas Elliman

Full list of award winners

In 1966, The Real Estate Board inaugurated a major award to honor the industry's most promising newcomers. Created by the Commercial Brokerage Division's Board of Directors, the REBNY Most Promising Commercial Salesperson of the Year Award recognizes current and potential professional achievement as well as "high moral character and ethical professional behavior." This prize is annually presented at the Spring Members' Luncheon.

2025 -

• Claire D. Koeppel: NEWMARK

• Cooper Katz: ABS Partners

Past Winners

• 2023 & 2024 - Andrew Dzenis of Savills

• 2022 - Conor Krup of Lee & Associates NYC

• 2021 - Mitchel Flaherty of B6 Real Estate Advisors

*Award is presented for achievements of work completed in the prior calendar year.

Conceived in 1944, the member contest honors resourcefulness and ingenuity in solving difficult problems in property negotiation. 

2023 Winners:

• Henry Hart Rice Achievement Award - Chris Mongeluzo of Newmark

• Robert T. Lawrence Memorial Award - Lauren Crowley Corrinet and Sacha Zarba of CBRE

• Edward S. Gordon Memorial Award - David Lebenstein of Cushman & Wakefield

2022 Winners:

• Henry Hart Rice Achievement Award - Nathaniel Mallon of Verada

• Robert T. Lawrence Memorial Award - Ira Schuman of Savills

• Edward S. Gordon Memorial Award - James Kuhn of Newmark

2021 Winners:

• Henry Hart Rice Achievement Award - Eric Anton and Nelson Lee of Marcus & Millichap.

• Robert T. Lawrence Memorial Award - James Millon and Tom Traynor of CBRE Capital Markets.

• Edward S. Gordon Memorial Award - Jarod Stern of Savills and Michael Affronti of CBRE.

*Award is presented for achievements of work completed in the prior calendar year.

The Retail Committee inaugurated two annual awards in 1999 that honor REBNY members most inventive and noteworthy New York City retail deals of the previous year. There are two awards in total. One is for the most ingenious and creative retail deal that demonstrates exceptional broker acumen; the second will highlight the Most Impactful Retail Deal of the Year which recognizes a transaction likely to have the greatest impact on a particular retail submarket, industry, specific development project or New York City’s landscape as a whole. The award is presented at the Retail Committee's Annual Cocktail Party.

2023 Winners:

• The Most Ingenious Retail Deal of the Year - Brian Katz and Daniel D. DePasquale of Katz & Associates

• The Most Impactful Retail Deal of the Year - Alan Schmerzler and Sean Moran of Cushman & Wakefield and Stephen C. Sjurset and Duane Davis of CBRE

• Retail Development - Project of the Year - Peter Marino of Peter Marino Architect for the redesign of Tiffany & Co’s Landmark Fifth Avenue Flagship.

2022 Winners:

• The Most Ingenious Retail Deal of the Year - Andrew Goldberg, Preston Cannon and Jared Lack of CBRE

• The Most Impactful Retail Deal of the Year - Joel Stephen of CBRE and Michael O’Neill, Taylor Reynolds and Jason Greenstone of Cushman and Wakefield

• Retail Development - Project of the Year - Moynihan Station by Vornado Realty Trust

2021 Winners:

• The Most Ingenious Retail Deal of the Year - Erin Grace and Matthew Ogle of JLL

• The Most Impactful Retail Deal of the Year - Peter Ripka and Gene P. Spiegelman of RIPCO Real Estate LLC
  

*Award is presented for achievements of work completed in the prior calendar year.

Residential Management Executive of the Year

Past Winners:

2024 - Amy Gould of Milford Management Corp.
2023 - Lori R Buchbinder, Buchbinder & Warren
2022 - Albert Mayas, Charles H. Greenthal Management & Sales
2019 - Ellen Gribben Bornet, Rose Associates, Inc.
2018 - Adam Batista, Rose Associates, Inc.
2017 - John McDermott, Ogden CAP Properties LLC
2016 - Bill Brake, Related Management Company

Building Service Employee of the Year

Past Winners:

2024 - Bobby Maharaj of the Biltmore Plaza
2023 - Terry Smith, Forest Hills Owners Corp
2022 - Carly Hock, Douglas Elliman

Residential Management Community Service Award

2024 – Kelly Herzfeld of Ogden CAP Properties
2023 - RXR
2019 - Linda C. Gawley, Charles H. Greenthal Management & Sales
2018 - Mitchell Barry, Century Management Services, Inc.
2017 - Gene Boniberger, Rudin Management Company, Inc.
2016 - Steven Sladkus ,Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas LLP

Superintendent of the Year

Past Winners:

2024 -
2023 - Driton Sinistaj, Gotham Organization
2022 - Robert Ammiano, Ogden CAP Properties

Rising Star of the Year

Past Winners:

2024 – Lauren Svenningsen of ORSID NEW YORK
2023 - Steven Cacevic, AKAM
2022 - Bianca Taveras, Orsid Realty Corp.

Outstanding Contribution to the Real Estate Industry Award

2024 - Stuart M. Saft of Holland & Knight & Mary Ann Rothman for Outstanding Contribution to the Real Estate Industry Award.

Edward A. Riguardi Commercial Executive of the Year- recogniz a management member whose career accomplishments include long-term leadership and significant contributions to the field of property management.  The award is presented at the Commercial Management Leadership Breakfast. In 2010, the Management Division Board of Directors voted unanimously to rename this award after Edward A. Riguardi.

Past Winner's:

2024 - Bill Dacunto of Silverstein Properties
2023 - Daniel Kindbergh Brookfield Properties
2019 - Louis Trimboli CBRE, Inc.
2018 - Theresa Morzello CBRE, Inc.
2017 - Avi Itzikowitz ATCO Properties & Management, Inc.
2016 - Hank M. Celestino L&L Holding Company, LLC

John M. Griffin Community Service Award - This award was named after the late John M. Griffin, who gave generously of himself to numerous charitable activities. The award recognizes meritorious service to the community by a REBNY management member.

Past Winner's:

2024 - Kevin T. Hoey, L&L Holding Company
2023 - Andrew Mattson, RXR
2019 - Anthony R. Migliore, Jr., Empire State Realty Trust
2018 - Avi Itzikowitz, ATCO Properties & Management, Inc.
2017 - Deborah Tomasi, Boston Properties
2016 - Louis J. Mantia, Cushman & Wakefield, Inc.

On-Site Manager of the Year  - The award recognizes an on-site REBNY manager who has significantly improved their building and contributed both to the industry and their company.

Past Winner's:

2024 - Angelo Provvido, Silverstein Properties
2023 - Stephen Latargia, Cushman & Wakefield, Inc.
2019 - Alex Riveira, Silverstein Properties, Inc.
2018 - Sandra Hahn, Jones Lang LaSalle
2017 - Joanne Porrazzo, Vornado Realty Trust
2016 - Mark Windt, Jones Lang LaSalle


Portfolio Manager / Corporate Management Executive of the Year  - Recognizes a REBNY professional whose significant contributions to a firm’s success by a portfolio manager or corporate management executive.

Past Winner's:

2023 - Edina Lemo, Cushman & Wakefield, Inc.
2019 - Drew O’Connor, Cushman & Wakefield, Inc.
2018 - Diane Fields, Empire State Realty Trust
2017 - Gene Hennessy, Rudin Management Company, Inc.
2016 - Michael Aisner, RXR Property Management LLC

Small Building Engineer of the Year - Recognizes a union engineer who has innovated their building's practices, is committed to constant improvement, and has gone above and beyond to improve the performance of a less than 500,000 square foot building.

Past Winner's:

2024 - Martin Hanley, ATCO Properties & Mgmt
2023 - Bill Losco, Sage Realty
2019 - Joseph Brigante, The Durst Organization
2018 - Michael Johnson, Forest City Ratner Companies
2017 - Gary Haftek, Edward J. Minskoff Equities, Inc.
2016 - Noel Gerena, Edward J. Minskoff Equities, Inc.

Large Building Engineer of the Year  - Recognizes a union engineer who has innovated their building's practices, is committed to constant improvement, and has gone above and beyond to improve the performance of a more than 500,000 square foot building.

Past Winner's:

2024 - Nicholas Mazzola, RXR
2023 - Michael Fallon, Vornado Realty Trust
2019 - Nicholas Ricigliano, SL Green Realty Corp.
2018 - Ron D’Amato, SL Green Realty Corp.
2017 - Steve Nathan, Silverstein Properties, Inc.
2016 - Dennis Rozario, Brookfield Properties

Security Professional of the Year  - Recognizes a union security professional who work at the building level and have demonstrated a commitment to building safety during a variety of challenging circumstances.

Past Winner's

2024 - Maurice Campbell, GMSC managed by Vornado Realty Trust
2023 - Omar Olivo, The Durst Organization
2019 - Patrick Duffy, Rockefeller Group
2018 - Jose De La Cruz, Waterman Properties, LLC
2017 - Thomas Clark, Paramount Group, Inc.
2016 - Edward Dillahunt, Fisher Brothers

HÉCTOR J. FIGUEROA Porter of the Year  - The award recognizes an outstanding union member who keep buildings clean and pleasant places to do work and who exceed expectations and bring pride to their job every day.

Past Winner's:

2024 - Moghamad Muhieddine, Harvard Maintenance managed by Cushman & Wakefield
2023 - Otis Spencer, Fisher Brothers
2019 - Louis Lopez, Paramount Group, Inc.
2018 - Maria Dedvukaj, ABM
2017 - James Streppone, Fisher Brothers
2016 - Maritza Garcia, Edison Properties

Rising Star of the Year - Recognizes a REBNY member new to the industry who has already has made an impact as a great commercial manager.

Past Winner's:

2024 - Jeffrey Kurtz, Vornado Realty Trust
2023 - Meghan Bilello, RXR
2019 - Lela Doherty, Vornado Realty Trust
2018 - Massiel Santana, Cushman & Wakefield, Inc.
2017 - Evin Epstein, SL Green Realty Corp.
2016 - Ryan Waggner , Vornado Realty Trust


Best Engine Room* - Recognizes an exceptional engineer room that demonstrates mechanical, technological, and operational improvements.

Past Winner's:

2024 -
2023 - CBRE-Oculus, WTC
2019 - Rudin Management Company, Inc.-3 Times Square
2018 - Hines-1585 Broadway
2017 - SL Green Realty Corp.-810 Seventh Avenue
2016 - RXR Realty-450 Lexington Avenue