Scouts honor supporters from real estate industry.

Donning a forest ranger's brimmed cap and traditional Boy Scout kerchief at the 2004 Real Estate Industry "Good Scout" Award Luncheon, Cushman & Wakefield President Bruce E. Mosler looked like he could hop from the podium and lead one of the many Boy Scout troops in attendance straight into the heart of the Adirondacks for a weekend jaunt.

Instead, Mosler was being honored with the Good Scout award for making such trips possible and for exemplifying the ideals of the Boy Scouts of America through his outstanding community service. "It is such a great honor to receive this award," said Mosler, who will shift from President of US Operations to President of Global Operations in January 2005. "There's a deep-rooted tradition at Cushman & Wakefield supporting the Scouts and it's really a privilege to be a part of it.

"We want these kids to continue to reach for the stars and Scouting imbues them with the skills and attitude to do that."

Held at the Hilton New York on June 29, the luncheon proved that Boy Scouting is alive and well in New York City thanks in no small part to support from the real estate industry. Michael D. Fascitelli, President of Vornado Realty Trust, Arthur J. Mirante II, current President of Cushman & Wakefield--both of whom are former Good Scout Award recipients-served as chairmen of the luncheon along with Kenneth M. Krasnow, Executive Managing Director at Cushman & Wakefield, and Martin J. Cicco, Head of Global Real Estate at Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.,

Although he could not be present at the awards ceremony, Eastdil Realty CEO Benjamin V. Lambert received the James E. West award, named after the first chief executive officer of the Boy Scouts of America who established an endowment fund in 1910 to ensure the future of scouting in New York City.

"These gentlemen have all been incredibly generous to the Boy Scouts, donating their time and helping to generate funds so that underprivileged children throughout the boroughs can benefit from scouting," said Roger Gulley, Senior Development Director for the Boy Scouts. "The real estate industry has really done its part to help."

Hosting the event--which raised money to keep Scouting and its invaluable experiences available to inner city children--Fascitelli underscored the importance of giving back to today's youth.

"We've all been fortunate to experience success," he said. "Supporting the Scouts is such a great way to give less fortunate kids a chance to excel and better themselves."

Joining Mosler on stage near the end of the event was Cushman & Wakefield chairman, John C. Cushman, a figure who has embodied the firm's longstanding commitment to the Scouts.

"My twin brother and I were both eagle scouts and I have four sons who are all eagle scouts," said Cushman, who in May was named the President of the Boy Scouts of America. "We're experiencing a resurgence in scouting, enrollment is up. We re giving kids out there the opportunity to join a good gang rather than a bad one. I tell you, when you get an inner city kid out in the wilderness, and they hear the howling of a coyote, it changes them. It's an amazing experience."

"Cushman has a long history with the Scouts and I can assure you that we're in it for the long haul."

While the great outdoors offers life-changing experiences, the Boy Scouts' Exploring group realizes the educational potential right here in the city. Giving kids the chance to tour some of New York's top corporate real estate offices, the Explorers Club has shown it can expand the often-tapered horizons of city youth.

"I try to instill within them the concept of self-actualizing," said Billy Cohen, Executive Vice President and Principal, Newmark & Company Real Estate Inc. and a New York City Exploring Chair.

"Rather than just going out there and working hard for the money, I want them to pursue their interests and expand their minds. I do that by taking them into midtown corporate offices, which is a place where many of these inner city kids have never been."

"I show them all facets of the real estate industry, from architecture to construction, to the side of the business involved in law. They see how things work and that has huge affect, it really perks their interest and helps guide them towards a meaningful and successful career."