"With his background and success in advocacy and experience inmanaging major projects and undertakings, Jim will be a tremendousasset to our members and the real estate industry in general,"Steve Spinola, REBNY president, says in the release. "Jim hasplayed an important role in some of the most vital projects in thecity. Simply put, he is the kind of guy who knows how to get thingsdone and we are thrilled to put his energy, drive and know-how towork for REBNY."

In a statement, Muss president Joshua Muss calls Whelan "atrmeddnous asset to our company" who will be "greatly missed.However, given his experience in government and in the privatesector, I can't imagine anyone more suited to fill this veryimportant role to represent our industry. We wish him all the bestat REBNY."

Before his tenure at Muss, Whelan served as chief of staff andsenior advisor for then-deputy mayor Daniel Doctoroff. There, heplayed a key role in furthering an agenda that included thedevelopment of the Far West Side, the resurgence of Lower Manhattanand the implementation of the Bloomberg administration's PlanNYCsustainability program.