NEW YORK CITY- The Real Estate Executive Council, a professional trade association for executives of color in commercial real estate, has appointed Ken McIntyre, founder and managing principal of commercial real estate finance advisory firm PassPort Real Estate, LLC, as the new interim chief executive officer.

McIntyre joined REEC in 2003 and has served as a board member since its creation. In his new role, he will work closely with the REEC Board and REEC Executive Director Oscar Groves, who has been working with the organization since 2005 and leading it since 2013 as its executive director.

"I'm excited to step into this newly created role to work with REEC's Board and new leadership. Collectively we believe that REEC can be the premier organization for diversity in commercial real estate," said McIntyre in a prepared statement. "As the number of minorities in CRE continues to increase, we see REEC as the organization that can facilitate the advancement of diverse talent from high school through all phases of a career to entrepreneurship or board director."

McIntyre has served as interim executive director of Project REAP, a national diversity and inclusion initiative founded over 20 years ago to connect talent to opportunity – it introduces people of color who are already working in professional career positions and must hold at least an undergraduate degree – many hold advanced degrees in various fields ranging from architecture to law to tech. He is also set to get involved with REEC's commercial real estate immersion program for high school students called the Real Estate Exchange (REEX).

"Ken's commitment to REEC and our community has been unwavering. Over the last 17 years, he has not only served on the REEC Board but has also played a pivotal role in developing many key initiatives, including Real Estate Exchange," said Tammy Jones, REEC Board Chair, in a prepared statement. "With Ken at the helm as our Interim CEO, we will usher in a new phase of progress for the organization."

McIntyre is an independent director at Newmark Group, Inc., and an active member of the Urban Land Institute. Some of his prior experience includes the role of managing director in MetLife's Real Estate Investments Group with responsibilities across both the debt and equity portfolios. He is also a former trustee of the International Council of Shopping Centers.

"Ken brings a unique combination of experiences to the role of Interim CEO given his distinguished career as a senior executive in commercial real estate and historical perspective as a founding board member of REEC," said James Simmons III, REEC Board ViceChair, in a prepared statement.

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Real Estate Executive Council Appoints New CEO

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