MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL.

Caran Properties, one of Manhattan's leading boutique residential property management firms, has strengthened and expanded its management team with the appointment of Mark Parnett (photo), a seasoned financial professional, as Controller. The announcement was made by Sherry A. Frankel, president of Caran Properties.

"Mark's extensive background in finance and in developing strong client relationships will not only expand Caran Property's financial services, but will enrich the depth of talent we can offer our clients," said Frankel. "Mark's experience as a controller in some of the City's top commercial real estate firms will undoubtedly correspond to the residential side of the market. We are delighted to have him join our team of real estate professionals."

In his new position, Parnett, an experienced financial analyst and accountant, will be responsible for directing all accounting and treasury functions, as well as corporate budgeting and planning, real estate analysis, valuation and due diligence activities.

"I am excited to be a part of Caran Properties' commitment to the highest level of client service," said Parnett. "My experience in the real estate community spans almost two decades, and I'm confident that my background in finance and real estate issues will benefit the future growth of the company and enhance the service to its clients."

Prior to joining Caran Properties, Parnett served as Controller at Shorenstein Realty Services East, where he was responsible for a portfolio of five million square feet and oversaw the reporting, budgeting, reforecasting and lease abstract activities for the firm. He was also responsible for the reorganization of the company's entire accounting process, from accounts payable and receivable to construction accounting and leasing administration.

Prior to this position, Parnett held the post of senior property controller at The Galbreath Company/LaSalle Partners, where he led a11 finance and lease administration functions, including cash management for a portfolio of properties.

Parnett previously worked at such firms as Edward S. Gordon Company, Inc., SL Green Real Estate, Inc. and Zeckendorf Company, Inc.

Parnett is a certified public accountant and earned a BBA degree in Accounting from Pace University, where he graduated cum laude. In addition, he has been named a real property administrator (RPA) by BOMI and a certified commercial investment member by CIREI. He currently resides in Hartsdale, NY.

Cushman & Wake-field of New Jersey, Inc. has promoted Jeffrey A. Prezant (photo) to director just four months after he joined the firm's East Rutherford office.

Prior to joining Cushman & Wakefield, Prezant spent 22 years with the Charles Klatskin Company and served as senior vice president there for more than 15 years.

A resident of Englewood Cliffs, NJ, Prezant specializes in office and industrial leasing, and investment sales. His client list includes a number of prestigious organizations, including Xerox Corporation, Toys R' Us, Columbus Lines Inc., American Insurance Group, Marriott Corporation, Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company and State Farm Insurance Company, among others.

"During his first few months with Cushman & Wakefield, Jeffrey has already proven himself an asset to our team," noted Donald P. Eisen, executive managing director of the New York Area. "He is a fine example of the quality, seasoned professionals who show unlimited potential to excel in this environment."

According to Prezant, Cushman & Wakefield's resources and reputation as a true strategic partner for its clients attracted him to the firm.

"Cushman & Wakefield is known as the number-one corporate real estate services company in New Jersey," he said. "The company offers unparalleled core capabilities - we have at our fingertips all the necessary tools to help our clients solve any real estate challenge and meet critical goals."

Prezant recently earned the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation from the Commercial Investment Real Estate institute. He is a licensed real estate salesman in New Jersey and earned his bachelor's degree in accounting from Rider University. Formerly, he served on the board of the Jewish Community Center on the Palisades, and is a past recipient of the Jewish Community Centers' Young Leadership Award.

Joseph Moinian (photo), a 20-year veteran of the real estate industry and chairman of The Moinian Group, a New York-based development firm, is the newest member of the real estate community to join the ranks of The Real Estate Board of New York's (REBNY) growing roster of professionals. REBNY President Steven Spinola extended the membership invitation to Moinian.

Based on a portfolio totaling more than four million square feet of commercial, industrial, residential, retail and hotel properties throughout the U.S. and abroad, coupled with The Moinian Group's reputation as one of the industry's most active development firms, Moinian was a clear choice for Triple A membership, the most senior category in the organization.

"This invitation to become a member of one of New York's most regarded organizations is truly an honor," said Moinian. "REBNY has long been a tremendous influence on the evolution and establishment of the real estate industry in New York, and I am grateful for the recognition I have received on behalf of the work The Moinian Group has accomplished throughout Manhattan. Today, as the City's vacancy rates continue to tighten, The Moinian Group is heavily involved in new developments throughout the City. Currently, the firm is in the planning stages of developing over 1.5 million square feet of office, retail and residential space."

His proposed projects include a 52-story luxury residential tower on the Eighth Avenue blockfront between 53rd and 54th streets; a 43-story mixed-use property on Eighth Avenue and 47th Street; and the renovation and conversion of one of the City's most recognized historic properties - 17 Battery Place (1 West Street), which will be available for occupancy in September 2000 as a new luxury rental tower called The Ocean.

Winstar Communications, Inc. announces the appointment of Richard J. Uhl (photo) as group executive and CFO. In this position, he will be responsible for all financial and corporate administrative support functions.

Since 1997, Uhl has served as president and COO of Winstar for Buildings, where he has been responsible for securing access rights to commercial buildings, enabling the company to offer its fixed wireless broadband communications services to existing and future tenants. He will continue to carry this responsibility.

"Rick Uhl's financial expertise, managerial skill and investment community experience made him the perfect candidate for this critically important position," said Nathan Kantor, Winstar's president and COO. "Over the past two years, he has been an integral part of making Winstar the industry leader."

Before joining Winstar in 1997, Uhl was a member of the board of directors of Frontier Corporation, a position he assumed when ALC Communications Corporation merged with Frontier in 1995. He had previously served on ALC's board for four years.

Earlier, he was vice president, controller and treasurer of CI Communiations Corporation for six years during its critical development stage.

Uhl served as president and board member of Chicago Holdings, Inc., a privately owned investment banking firm, for 12 years. During that time, he had extensive experience with the financial community and was instrumental in the founding and developing of many early-stage companies, including a number of telecommunications firms.

He holds a Master's degree from the NYU's Graduate School of Business Administration, as well as B.S. and B.A. degrees from Muhlenberg College. Uhl succeeds Charlie Dickson, who is leaving Winstar to pursue a new opportunity with a start-up Internet company.

The Praedium Group, a leading opportunistic investor, has named Laura A. Schaffer (photo) its general counsel. The announcement was made by Russell L. Appel, president of the Praedium Group. As general counsel, Schaffer will be responsible for coordinating all legal, fiduciary and compliance functions on behalf of the firm.

Prior to joining the Praedium Group, Schaffer spent eight years at Dewey Ballantine, where she represented numerous institutional and private investors and developers in connection with acquisitions and dispositions of office buildings, shopping centers, hotels and other resort properties. She also represented lending institutions and borrowers in multi-state mortgage transactions.

Schaffer earned a B.A. degree with honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a J.D. from New York University School of Law.

CB Richard Ellishas promoted Kenneth D. Rapp (photo) to senior vice president in the Corporate Services division of the firm's Midtown Manhattan office. Most recently, Rapp served as a first vice president. The 33-year-old Rapp also serves on CB Richard Ellis' senior advisory board for the New York region.

Rapp began his career at CB Richard Ellis in 1988 as a consultant and tenant representative in the firm's Downtown Manhattan office. In 1991, Rapp relocated to the Midtown office, where he continues to focus on Downtown and Midtown tenant representation, as well as national and global relocations. His clients have included Banc One, Colgate-Palmolive Company, Davis Polk & Wardwell, Dean Witter Reynolds Inc., Northwestern Mutual Life, The City of New York, Wilmington Trust Company, and Hogan & Hartson L.L.P, among others.

York Hunter, a Manhattan-based construction services firm, has announced the promotion of Dennis J. Prude (photo) to executive vice president of Construction Services, Previously; Prude held the post of senior vice president of operations.

In his new role, Prude is responsible for hiring, training and developing the company's project management staff and field operations personnel. He will also coordinate the staffing of construction assignments throughout the country.

Prude, 49, has more than 31 years of experience as a general and construction superintendent for major residential, commercial and institutional projects in New York City and New Jersey. Prude joined York Hunter in 1988 as general superintendent and was subsequently appointed vice president and senior vice president.

During his 11 years at York Hunter, Prude has been instrumental in the successful implementation of various construction projects, including a-$125 million paper recycling plant on Staten Island; a 32-story, $22 million Marriott Hotel in NYC's Fashion District; a $30 million facade, lobby and concourse renovation and infrastructure upgrade of 666 Fifth Ave.; a new $14 million, 18-story, 144-key Holiday Inn Hotel in the Wall Street area; a $511.5 million conversion and historical renovation of a 75,000 square-foot landmark manufacturing building into luxury loft condominiums at 140 Franklin Street in Manhattan's Tribeca neighborhood; a new $511.2 million, single-story, 50,000 squarefoot commissary at the military base in Fort Hamilton; and an $58 million renovation and expansion of the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City.

Prude is vice president of the Building Contractors Association and is a member of the BCA Labor Negotiation Committee.