Waterman to be honored April 9. (Transcripts).

Philip (Tod) Waterman III, senior vice president and managing director of Reckson Associates Realty Corp's New York City division, will be honored on April 9 at the 17th Annual Spring Ahead Gala to benefit the Jeffrey Modell Foundation (JMF).

Waterman has been named JMF's "Man of the Year," an award that recognizes the most esteemed leaders of New York City's real estate industry. Harvey Schulweis, president of Schulweis Realty Inc., is chairing the event.

Under Waterman's leadership, Reckson, which is one of the largest publicly traded owners and managers of class "A" office and industrial properties in the Tri-State region with a portfolio of over 20 million SF, has emerged as a major force in New York City's commercial real estate marketplace. Its Manhattan holdings include 100 Wall St., 810 Seventh Ave., Tower 45, 919 Third Ave. and 1350 Avenue of the Americas.

Through its annual gala, the foundation is able to support research, education, and patient programs for more than 500,000 Americans, mostly children, afflicted with a condition known as primary immunodeficiency or PI. These young people suffer with chronic, recurring illnesses that severely disrupt their lives and can be life threatening.

As a direct result of the Real Estate Industry's tremendous support, the Foundation has established nine diagnostic and research centers of excellence in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Israel. "I am honored to be recognized by such an important organization as the Jeffrey Modell Foundation. The foundation is fortunate to have such strong support in this industry and I look forward to a great night for an important cause," said Waterman.

The Gala Committee for the April 19th event includes Robert Alexander, vice chairman, Insignia/ESG, Inc.; Lawrence B. Benenson, partner, Benenson Capital Co.; Melvyn H. Blum, executive vice president, Vornado Realty Trust; Richard B. Clark, president & CEO, Brookfield Financial Properties; Paul J. Ingrassia, managing director, Salomon Smith Barney; Mitchell L. Konsker, executive vice president, Cushman & Wakefield, Inc.; Jonathan L. Mechanic, Esq., chairman, Real Estate Department, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shiver & Jacobson; Joshua Mermelstein, Esq., partner, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shiver & Jacobson; Bruce E. Mosler, president, U.S. operations, Cushman & Wakefield, Inc.; Stephen B. Siegel, chairman & CEO, Insignia/ESG. Inc.; Robert Speyer, senior managing director, Tishman Speyer Properties; and Geoffrey P. Wharton, president & CEO, Insignia Douglas Elliman, LLC.