2002 has been a very good year for ABO.

Despite the generalized economic difficulties, it has been a very good year for the winners of The Associated Builders and Owners industry wide awards program. Every one of these winners will be honored at our 92nd Anniversary Dinner Dance Nov. 6.

Stephen Ross, chairman, CEO and managing general partner of The Related Companies, has built his 30-year-old company into the third largest owner of multi-family rental apartments in the country, with a portfolio of approximately 130,000 units in 44 states. Formed in 1972 to develop, finance and manage government assisted rental apartments, Related has created an enormous presence for itself thanks mainly to Ross's tireless commitment to the future of New York real estate.

In 2002, Ross has made tremendous progress on one of the country's biggest and most significant new developments: AOL/Time Warner Center, a 2.1-million-SF development. More than just the national headquarters for the famous media firm, the AOL/Time Warner Center will also house One Central Park condominiums; Mandarin Oriental, New York; Frederick P. Rose Hall, the new home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Palladium, an extraordinary retail venue and 210,000-square feet of Class A office space.

Ross is this year's most obvious choice for the prestigious Fred C. Trump Award for lifetime achievement in the Real Estate Industry. Adding to the honor, real estate mogul Donald J. Trump is expected to present Stephen Ross with the award in the his father's name.

Joshua Muss of Muss Development, winner of our Developer of the Year award, has had his own successes in 2002. Muss has firmly established fourth-generation Muss Development as the largest ongoing development company in the-boroughs of New York City, by the measure of product and planned square footage. He is continuing the work his father, Isaac Muss, started almost 100 years ago, by becoming one of the pioneers of tract housing in this country, building hundreds of units a year in the Brownsville and East New York areas of Brooklyn.

Muss earned Developer of the Year for his willingness to explore new locations and take risks even in an uncertain market. He recently broke ground a seventh building, only two years after beginning construction on Oceana Condominiums, a luxury high-rise residential complex in Brighton Beach.

As commissioner of New York City's Department of Housing Preservation and Development, Jerilyn Perine continues to outdo herself and is the well-deserved recipient of the 2002 Women of the Year award. Appointed to the position by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Perine has spoke out on numerous issues such as the increasing demand of housing, encouraging private investment, breaking the cycle of residential abandonment, ending city ownership, and management of distressed properties and streamlining operations. She also served under former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani as Commissioner. She has laid the groundwork for the future of housing in New York; communicating and formulating policies for anew administration despite the city's budgetary difficulties.

We look forward to honoring Clint Taylor of In-Sink-Erator as Associate of the Year. He has accomplished much in 2002, building on his prior sales success. Taylor has been the fore-most advocate for lifting the ban on food waste disposers, and his work directly contributed to New York City's recent policy change in that area.

Insignia Residential Group, our honoree as Management Company of the Year, has proven in 2002 why it is the most comprehensive residential real estate management firm in the New York Metropolitan area The company operates in Manhattan and site offices throughout the area, offering expert management of co-op, condominium and rental buildings throughout the five boroughs, Long Island, Westchester County and Northem New Jersey.

The company currently manages 70,000 units throughout the metro area, serving as a contract property manager for a wide range of owners. In addition, more than 300 employees comprise the team of professionals serving the needs of building owners, tenants, and condo and co-op boareds.

We are all aware of the difficult economic environment the metropolitan real estate industry has faced in 2002. The successful track record that these impressive companies have laid down despite that obstacle deserves to be honored. We hope you will join us on Nov. 6 at the Marriott Marquis to pay that tribute. For more information or to RSVP, please call 212.385.4949.