REBNY honors industry leaders at its 109th Annual Banquet: Time Warner Center developer Stephen Ross and property owner Jerry Speyer receive top honors.

The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), the leading real estate trade association in New York City, will honor six industry leaders at its 109th Annual Banquet on January 20, 2005 at the New York Hilton.

Stephen M. Ross of The Related Companies, L.E, developer of the Time Warner Center and Jerry I. Speyer of Tishman Speyer Properties will take top honors at the event as they receive the Harry B. Helmsley Distinguished New Yorker and Bernard H. Mendik Lifetime Leadership in Real Estate awards.

Also to be honored at the banquet are: Jeffrey R. Gural of Newmark & Company Real Estate who will receive the Kenneth R. Gerrety Humanitarian Award, Mary Ann Tighe of CB Richard Ellis who will receive the Louis Smadbeck Broker Recognition Award, Sarah K. Cohn of KTR Newmark Real Estate Services and Koeppel Companies, who will receive the Young Real Estate Woman of the Year Award, and Gregg A. Popkin of CB Richard Ellis who will receive the George M. Brooker Management Executive of the Year Award.

"The honorees this year are leaders who are highly regarded within the real estate industry and beyond, for their tremendous contributions to our profession and our City," said Steven Spinola, president of the Real Estate Board of New York.

"These individuals are the best of the best and deserve to be honored for their tremendous efforts. We're proud to salute them at our annual banquet."

The Harry B. Helmsley Distinguished New Yorker award, being presented to Stephen M. Ross, applauds his efforts to transform numerous neighborhoods in New York through major development projects and his commitment to affordable housing.

Mr. Ross' positive contributions include the successful Time Warner Center project, which has had a major impact on New York and his strong commitment to bring the Olympics to New York in 2012. As a lifelong contributor and leader of the city's charitable and cultural institutions, Mr. Ross is being named this year's Distinguished New Yorker.

Jerry I. Speyer will receive the Bernard H. Mendik Lifetime Leadership in Real Estate award for outstanding service to the industry throughout his career spanning three decades. Mr. Speyer has been involved in a variety of major policy issues, from putting more police on the street to fighting for better tax policies. As a former Chairman of REBNY and civic leader, he has made significant contributions in matters of importance to the industry.

The Kenneth R. Gerrety Humanitarian award will be presented to Jeffrey R. Gural for his involvement with numerous charitable and cultural organizations and his generous donations of time and funding, including finding space for many art and cultural organizations and chairing countless fundraisers and events. Mr. Gural has been involved with organizations such as The Starlight Foundation, the U.S.O., "I Have a Dream--NY" and many others.

Mary Ann Tighe will receive the Louis Smadbeck Broker Recognition award for her success and positive reputation within the industry. Ms. Tighe is highly regarded by her peers and is praised for her integrity, hard work, and energy.

Ms. Tighe is a member of Executive Committee and through the years has made countless efforts to work with REBNY on a variety of industry issues.

Gregg Popkin, winner of the George M. Brooker Management Executive of the Year award, is a leader in the commercial management industry who always responds when volunteers, experts or advisors are needed on technical matters impacting building operations. Mr. Popkin is generous with his time and his knowledge and encourages his staff to participate in REBNY activities as well.

He is a member of REBNY's Management Division Board of Directors. The Management Executive of the Year award is presented annually in memory of the late George M. Brooker, the first vice president for REBNY's Management Division.

The Young Men's/Women's Real Estate Association's (YM/WREA) Young Real Estate Woman of the Year award will be presented to Sarah K. Cohn who has made tremendous accomplishments throughout her career. Ms. Cohn is currently Executive Vice President and General Counsel for Koeppel Tener Real Estate Services, Inc., now known as KTR Newmark Real Estate Services. She is also a member of Koeppel Companies LLC and is active in the leasing of 575 Lexington Avenue.