REBNY Honors Dedication, Charitable Service of Residential Property Management Leaders at 18th Annual Breakfast
Approximately 500 members of New York City’s residential management community attended the Real Estate Board of New York’s (REBNY) 18th Annual Residential Management Leadership Breakfast this morning at the Grand Ballroom of The Roosevelt Hotel, to honor outstanding leaders in the field of residential property management.
Bill Brake, of Related Management Company, was presented with theResidential Management Executive of the Year Award for his exceptional dedication to the industry, while Steven Sladkus of Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas LLP received the Residential Management Community Service Award for his outstanding commitment to volunteer work.
“It was a great honor to celebrate the accomplishments of Bill Brake and Steven Sladkus, who we thank for their dedication to their professional duties, contributions to our industry, and service to the greater community,” said John H. Banks, III, REBNY President. “We also thank First Deputy Mayor Anthony Shorris for his informative keynote address and we look forward to continue working with city government on issues that are important to our members and the New Yorkers they serve.”
In his keynote address, First Deputy Mayor of the City of New York Anthony E. Shorris emphasized the need focus on the consequences and causes of climate change. He noted that three quarters of New York City’s greenhouse gas emissions come from buildings and called for the residential management community’s guidance and expertise in addressing these issues.
“The answers are in this room and we want to work together with you to develop strategies to change the course of climate in this city and in this world,” Shorris said.
The First Deputy Mayor also discussed the de Blasio administration’s goals and achievements, highlighting the city’s vast improvements in safety, transportation and education; growth in jobs; and initiatives to address poverty, mental health and the need for more housing.
“We know that if we get the basics right, if we create this safe, more livable, more competitive city – a city ready to take on the big challenges – then we have also built a foundation for a more just city,” he stated.
Bill Brake, Vice President at Related Management Company and winner of the Residential Management Executive of the Year Award, was praised for his exceptional talent and dedication to the industry. Bill currently oversees the operation of 15 luxury high-rise rental and condominium buildings in New York and Chicago, with a total of 4,500 units. He is also responsible for preparing and presenting more than $72 million in annual operating budgets. Since joining Related as a district manager, Bill has opened 25 new buildings in NYC, Boston and Chicago, frequently collaborating with the development team to ensure that construction methods are consistent with management and marketing needs.
Steven Sladkus, founding Partner of Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas LLP and winner of the Residential Management Community Service Award, has made significant contributions to the community as a member of the Metro New York and Western New York Board of Directors for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Steven was commended for his service to and fundraising efforts for the organization, which grants wishes for children enduring life-threatening medical conditions. At Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas LLP, Steven represents clients in a diverse range of real estate-related litigation with a concentration on cooperative and condominium law.
The Residential Management Breakfast Planning Committee is comprised of: Leslie Bogen Winkler, Penmark Realty Corp., Chair of REBNY’s Residential Management Breakfast Planning Committee; Michael Wolfe, Midboro Management, Inc., Co-Chair of REBNY’s Residential Management Council; Ellen Gribben Bornet, Rose Associates, Inc.; Anne Cooleen, Clinton Management LLC; Dawn Dickstein, MD2 Property Management Group, LLC; Russel Heigel, Rose Associates, Inc.; and Albert E. Mayas, Charles H. Greenthal Management Corp.