Gordon Energy Group launched to assist owners.

The Edward S. Gordon Company, Inc. (ESG) has announced the formation of the Gordon Energy Group (GEG), a service of the ESG Property Management Group, which will provide sophisticated energy performance analyses on behalf of property owners. Jay Raphaelson, a veteran utilities consultant, has joined the firm and will serve as Director of GEG, announced Stephen B. Siegel, president of ESG.

GEG represents an extraordinary opportunity for property owners to chart a utility management philosophy through a review of past and current costs. Each review consists of an audit of past electricity, steam, gas and water invoices. The program also studies appropriate consumption levels in relation to occupancy patterns, lease requirements, weather and other specific criteria.

"The Gordon Energy Group is an exciting development for both ESG and our clients, the true beneficiaries of these advanced energy services," said Roger Kahn, senior director of ESG's Property Management Group. "Many property owners will look to ESG to capitalize on cost-saving strategies, particularly with the increased impact of independent power producers and other non-traditional sources of energy."

Raphaelson brings 22 years of property and utility management experience to the Gordon Energy Group. Throughout his career he has a proven record of negotiating complex agreements and improving utility management on both the landlord and tenant side.

During his career, he has negotiated electricity agreements for several notable property owners including, Chase Manhattan Bank, Forest City Management Corporation, Jones. Lang Wootton, Rockefeller Center Management Corporation and The Durst Organization, among others.

"In light of Jay's reputation and track record of success, he is a formidable addition to ESG," said Kahn. "His expertise in dealing with public utilities, regulatory agencies and alternative energy sources will generate maximum benefits for our clients in the form of rebates, billing applications and tax related issues."

Prior to joining ESG, Raphaelson served as President of Utility Programs and Metering Inc., a firm he rounded in 1977, where he directed all consulting functions including tenant utility analysis, public utility audits and lease negotiations. With Utility Programs and Metering, among other successes, he uncovered overspending for electricity which resulted in a $1.63 million savings for a New York tenant.

Utility Programs Inc., as the firm was first known before expansion, was created in response to the need for commercial property owners to recover utility related expenses from tenancies. During this time, he represented 250 buildings within the New York City metropolitan area.

Raphaelson graduated from Temple University. He serves on the Board of Directors for both NACORE and the Owners Committee on Electrical Rates, is a member of BOMA, the Real Estate Board of New York, the National Association of Power Engineers and is a frequent guest lecturer at New York University's Real Estate Institute.