As I wind down the final days of my Presidency of the CBA, I have taken time to reflect on the past 12 months; the challenges, the accomplishments and more importantly, our value proposition for our 360 members. I feel compelled to give thanks and recognition to all that donated their time and effort in 2022.
Beginning my term amid a pandemic, it was clear the CBA had a responsibility to our members to keep them informed and provide them with a platform to communicate and educate each other. Thanks to the newly adopted use of Zoom meetings, we hosted a series of CRE discussions about topics related to space, working from home and some very interesting guest speakers that shared their personal experiences in challenging times. The programs were well attended, and we are still using the Zoom platform today as a vehicle of convenience for our members.
In February, we kicked off the first of 11 CBA Member Spotlights. Each month, CBA featured a different member from a cross section of our membership. Members from 2022 included Steve Lynch (King Street Properties), Deb Gould (Newmark), Mike Edward (Perry CRE), and Rachel Marks (CBRE). The CBA Member Spotlight has been very well received and there are more to come in 2023.
A new initiative that came in 2022 is the CBA Diversity Impact Fund. Throughout the past year, CBA raised money for Diversity Impact Fund which will be used to award entry-level professionals, college students, and community-based organizations with a monetary gift to assist with their professional development, college needs, and program development. Awards will be presented annually to 3 Future Leaders, 2 college students, and 2-3 community-based groups. The 2022 Award Recipients included The Builders of Color Coalition, METCO, Inc., The BASE, EVkids, and Tufts Student Shubhecchha Dhaurali. My sincerest thanks to Roger Breslin for leading this charge and the time and dedication of our DEI subcommittee for keeping it on track.
On March 24th, CBA held the first in-person CBA Achievement Awards since 2019. We honored the 2021 Deal of the Year Winners, the 2021 Collaborating Professional of the Year, Callahan Construction Managers, and the 2021 Landlord of the Year, WS Development. We also recognized the 2021 Rising Star of the Year, Margaret Fee (Newmark), and the McCall Leadership Award Honoree, Mark Winters (Newmark). Please be sure to mark your calendars for March 23, 2023 at the Intercontinental Hotel when we will celebrate the accomplishments of this past year.
In April, CBA hosted an Executive Roundtable featuring the 2020 McCall Leadership Award Winner Bob Richards (Cushman & Wakefield). Bob led a conversation to share his career path and offer advice to those navigating their careers in brokerage. To help strengthen our Future Leaders Membership, in 2023 we are offering a Complimentary Membership for First-Year Brokers.
Earlier this summer, the CBA hosted a group of 20 kids from The BASE, (one of the Diversity Impact Fund Award Recipients) to tour the new observation tower at the Prudential. Boston Properties hosted an overview of their complex in their marketing suite, followed by a hard hat tour of the new observation space. Thank you to the Boston Properties team for spending so much time with us.
On September 19th, CBA hosted the Charitable Golf Tournament at the Dedham Country and Polo Club. Members enjoyed a day on the course while raising money for Caritas Communities. The event was sold-out with over 120 Golfers. Thank you to all that participated and a special thanks to the Chairs, Jim Grady (Synergy) and Jay Driscoll (Avison Young).
Just last month, CBA hosted a Real Deal event titled Boston’s CRE Market and the Outlook for 2023. I had the pleasure of moderating the conversation, and panelists included: John Boyle (Cushman & Wakefield), Marci Loeber (Griffith Properties), Andrew Maher (Anchor Line Partners), and David Martel (Newmark). Special thanks to our host sponsor Wilmer Hale providing a beautiful back drop of the city for the 100 participants.
None of this would have been possible without the incredible work done by our CBA Staff. I want to personally recognize Adrienne Maley, Executive Vice President, Kayla Burmeister, Director of Membership and Events, Alexandra Levine, Senior Marketing and Events Coordinator, Courtney Sullivan, Senior Marketing and Events Coordinator, Nicole Samarjian, Membership and Events Coordinator and Alison Silva, Membership and Events Coordinator. This team is truly special and none of our success would be possible without their hard work and dedication to our organization.
Finally, as turn the gavel over to the very capable hands of Alison Powers(JLL) I want to thank all the CBA Board Members. It has been a pleasure and honor to have served as your President. I look forward to the years to come and continued success.
Author: Peter Evans, CBA President, EVP & Co-Managing Principal at Hunneman