HOUSTON-The Cornell Real Estate Review has named Transwestern’s Chairman Robert Duncan as the recipient of the publication’s prestigious 2011 Industry Leader Award. 

The award, which is in its fifth year, recognizes transformational leadership in the real estate industry and leaders who exhibit integrity and influence to create a lasting legacy in the industry, according to David Funk, director of Cornell University’s real estate program.

“Robert Duncan was just a genius choice by the faculty and editors,” Funk tells GlobeSt.com. “He has created a firm that serves as model for others on how to provide services and how to work with clients. He has provided a transformative legacy for others to emulate by establishing a firm that takes an ownership mentality with its clients.”

Funk says the award winner is chosen by the editors of Cornell Real Estate Review, as well as Cornell faculty members. “We secretly look at the entire industry and select a dozen candidates,” he explains. We then narrow it down to four candidates, vote and when we make a selection, it’s a surprise to the award winner.”

Funk adds: “As our team studied the industry for transformational leadership, Robert and Transwestern stood out for their achievement of bringing local market knowledge and project management knowhow to a very wide array of clients. Robert and Transwestern set their sights high with the goal of creating a fully integrated service delivery system. And they did it. We think Transwestern listened to their clients and demonstrated thought leadership by creating a company that is laser-focused on maximizing value for investors and users of real estate.”

Other industry leaders who have won Cornell Real Estate Review’s highest honor include: Williams Sanders, founder of Security Capital and Verde Realty; Sam Zell, chairman of Equity Group Investments; Art Gensler, founder of his namesake architecture and interior design firm; and Andrew Florance, founder and CEO of CoStar.