YM/WREA is about leadership and professionalism

Real Estate Weekly, July 25, 2001 by Joseph A. Grotto, Jr.

As Chairman of the Young Men's & Women's Real Estate Association of New York, (YM/WREA), my worst nightmare became a reality when we were forced to postpone our Annual Golf and Tennis Outing last month because of a severe rainstorm. The storm actually occurred the Sunday before the event, on Father's Day. However, the golf course was too drenched to open the following Monday. As you can imagine, it was a huge challenge to alert over 190 people that we wouldn't be playing tennis and golf that day. However, I must say it's a testament to the strength and camaraderie within YM/WREA that everyone helped pass the word along so that virtually 100 percent of our members got the message and have signed on for the re-scheduled Outing to take place Monday, August 13th.

During our 53-year history, YM/WREA has grown and thrived like many other real estate organizations that strive to serve the commercial real estate industry having grown from approximately 24 members in 1948 to over 400 members at present. I believe what sets us apart from other organizations is that sense of camaraderie, that great desire on the part of our members to assemble, share information and enrich ourselves both professionally and personally by learning from great mentors in New York real estate such as Lewis Rudin, Eugene Hegy, Earl Altman, Bert French and the late Edward S. Gordon, all of whom were past Chairmen. Unlike many other groups, efforts to recruit new members is not our main focus. Rather we concentrate on member retention by ensuring that our monthly luncheons feature the best speakers, that our social events are the most innovative and by giving back to the community through our charitable contributions which include our annual blood drive, raising money for multiple sclerosis and spo nsoring mentoring programs for students to introduce them to the real estate industry.

It is not easy to become a member of YM/WREA. Not only must an applicant be dedicated to the profession and truly keen to further his or her real estate career, but her or she must meet stringent qualifications. We also are a uniquely-structured group in that while our core members are all under 45 years of age, it is our senior members' knowledge and experience that enriches us.

Membership in the YM/WREA is sought after. It is an honor and a distinction to be part of a group that includes such successful contemporary, real estate professionals as Barry Gosin, Raymond O'Keefe, Mitchell Rudin, Kate Coburn, Nicola Heryet, Paul Massey, Gerry Nocera, Rick Clark and last year's chairman, Mark Lauzon, to name a few.

Our website, which we recently established, is an excellent resource for our membership, not only keeping them informed of upcoming events, but serving as an excellent tool to keep our membership information up-to-date, and facilitate and expedite communication between our members and our organization. We also envision it as a great way to maintain the organization's history, share listings, and serve as an advertisement for who we are and what we are about.

As is our tradition, we strive to enlighten our members by inviting true real estate leaders to speak at our monthly luncheons. I am pleased to announce Larry Silverstein, President & C. E. 0., Silverstein Properties, Inc., has just confirmed he will address members and guests on Sept. 11. This year, we've had a stellar roster of speakers, among. them:

* Barbara Corcoran, Chairman, The Corcoran Group, Inc.

* Lawrence D. Ackman, Chairman, The Ackman-Ziff Real Estate Group, LLC * John Zuccotti, Chairman, Brookfield Financial Properties

* Anthony E. Malkin, President, W & M Properties.

* David R. Greenbaum, President & C. E. 0., The Mendik Company, (A Division of Vornado Realty Trust)

* Kathryn S. Wylde, President & C.E.O., New York City Partnership and Chamber of Commerce, Inc., and N.Y.C. Investment Trust

Further, each year, at the Annual Real Estate Board's Dinner, held in January, the organization presents the prestigious "Young Real Estate Man/Woman of the Year Award" to the member whose knowledge, skills, integrity and high degree of ethics has contributed most to his or her profession and the community. Last year's recipient was David J. Koeppel.

A special thanks to this year's Board, for their efforts and dedication that have not only made serving as Chairman a great experience for me, but have answered the call to make our organization even better.