NEW YORK CITY—More than 750 real estate professionals gathered on Thursday at the Hilton New York to honor the city's most outstanding leaders in the field of commercial property management at The Real Estate Board of New York's 11th Annual Commercial Management Leadership breakfast.

The most prestigious award of the program—the Edward A. Riguardi Commercial Management Executive of the Year Award—went to Frank Freda, executive managing director, global facilities management for corporate occupier and investor services for Cushman & Wakefield. Freda, who oversees the firm's global facilities management services, has for the past 23 years held various positions with increasing responsibilities overseeing Cushman & Wakefield's provision of property, facility, and project management services to major corporate clients.

He also received REBNY's George M. Brooker Management Executive of the Year Award in 2010, which recognized his superior accomplishments in the industry based on outstanding professionalism, civic achievement, and contributions. He is also a member of the Board of Governors for the Diabetes Institute, Executive Committee for the March of Dimes Walk-A-Thon NYC Chapter, and REBNY's Management Division Board of Directors.

These outstanding individuals are the heart and soul of our industry and play an integral role in the city's operation,” says REBNY president Steven Spinola. “This is a real estate town and we are pleased to honor each of these property managers, engineers, and porters who show true dedication to their commercial properties and our communities.”

The award for On-Site Manager of the Year was presented to Carl Lettich of Silverstein Properties. Lettich has overseen more than $25 million in capital improvements during his tenure at 120 Broadway, formerly known as the Equitable building, in the Financial District. REBNY says that Lettich has been a “strong and steady performer and leader throughout his 20-year career and clearly demonstrates his commitment to ensuring that the 1.9 million-square-foot landmark building remains best in class.”

Arpiné Aroyan of Cushman & Wakefield won the Portfolio Manager of the Year Award. Within the past two years of her 13-year career in property management, Aroyan reduced expenses by $6 million for the company's UBS Financial Services account, a 6.5-million-square-foot portfolio spanning the Tri-state area, Chicago, IL and Brazil, for which she handles facilities management, project management, and lease administration. Aroyan's work for Cushman & Wakefield's NYU/Langone assignment, a four-building portfolio that supports the healthcare facility, received perfect operational audits from both the New York State and federal regulators, the highest rating the client has ever received, REBNY states.

Other major award winners at the event were: John M. Griffin Community Service Award: Cynthia Boyea, Paramount Group, Inc.; Engineer–Small Building of the Year: Marco Camargo, Boston Properties; Engineer–Large Building of the Year: Robert Haker, Vornado Realty Trust; Security Professional of the Year: Leslie Madhoo, Paramount Group, Inc.; Porter of the Year: Jose Antonio Bonilla, TEMCO Services; Rising Star of the Year: Matt Zash, Hines; and Best Engine Room Award: 31 West 52nd Street.

Daniel L. Doctoroff, CEO and president of Bloomberg L.P. and former deputy mayor for economic development during the Bloomberg administration, was the keynote speaker at the event.

Instant Insights /

REBNY Bestows Annual Awards

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