The Real Estate Board of New York Announces Honorees for 2024 REBNY Annual

The Real Estate Board of New York Announces Honorees for 2024 REBNY Annual

Edited by: TJVNews.com

The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) announced in October of 2023 the names of the industry and civic leaders who will be honored at the REBNY Annual, New York City real estate’s signature event, on Thursday, January 18, 2024 at The Glasshouse.

Now in its 128th year, The REBNY Annual will bring together the real estate industry, public officials, and other stakeholders for a night of celebration, unmatched networking, and a world-class culinary experience. Honorees will be seated at the historic REBNY dais alongside a select group of the City’s most influential leaders. They will receive the industry’s most prestigious awards in a ceremony that will take place during the event’s formal dinner, as REBNY recognizes their commitment and contributions to New York City and its residents.

“Our honorees represent the very best of New York,” said REBNY President James Whelan. “I am excited to join so many distinguished guests in January to recognize these truly remarkable men and women for the indelible impacts they have made on our great City.”

Honorees to be Recognized at the 2024 REBNY Annual

The Harry B. Helmsley Distinguished New Yorker Award: Presented to Douglas Durst, Chairman, The Durst Organization, for exceptional accomplishments in the profession and invaluable contributions to New York’s civic welfare.

Douglas Durst is the chairman and a member of the third generation to lead The Durst Organization. Douglas was born in New York City and graduated from the Fieldston School and the University of California Berkeley. He joined The Durst Organization in 1968, learning the business from his father, Seymour, and two uncles, Roy and David. Under the leadership of Douglas and his cousin Jody, The Durst Organization built the nation’s first sustainable skyscraper, 151 West 42nd Street, and the first LEED Platinum high-rise office tower, The Bank of America Tower at One Bryant Park.

Today, the company owns, manages, and operates a 13 million square foot office portfolio and 3,400 residential rental units, as well as overseeing the development, management, and leasing of One World Trade Center.

Douglas is the chair of the Real Estate Board of New York, a board member of The New School, and trustee emeritus of The Trust for Public Land. He has been involved with the theatrical arts for many years and is a member of the board of directors of The Roundabout Theater and Primary Stages. Along with other family members, he is a trustee of The Old York Foundation, established by his father, which is committed to helping people through education to understand the history and issues facing New York City.

In addition, Douglas has been an environmental activist for many years and founded The Model Organic Farm Foundation, a nonprofit organization that operates McEnroe Organic Farm, one of the largest organic farms in New York State.

The Bernard H. Mendik Lifetime Leadership in Real Estate Award: Presented to Joel Picket, Chairman, Gotham Organization, for exceptional service to the industry and remarkable professional accomplishments over the course of his career.

Joel Picket led the company from 1966 to 2018, when he was succeeded by his son, David as CEO. Shortly thereafter, David’s children entered what is now a fifth generation family-owned development and construction firm.

Joel built Gotham into a leading real estate developer, as well as one of the largest privately held construction contractors in the country. With the completed construction of more than 30,000 residential units in the New York metropolitan area, Gotham has made a lasting impact on New York City. Joel has also been a leader in creating affordable housing from the early Mitchell-Lama programs through the present time.

He is a member of the Board of Governors of the Real Estate Board of New York – and prior to that was along serving member of the Executive Committee and Treasurer. He is a member of Lincoln Center’s Real Estate and Construction Council, and a former director of the National Housing Conference and the Building Contractors Association.

Picket serves as a Board and Executive Committee Member of the New York Philharmonic, where he helped steer the recent renovation of David Geffen Hall; The New York Historical Society, where he chairs the Real Estate Committee, and has served on the Board of the Park Avenue Armory and the Foundation for the National Archives.

He is a Trustee Fellow of Fordham University and a vice-chair and member of the Executive Committee of the Board of the Mt. Sinai Healthcare Systems. He formally served as vice chairman of the Board of Beth Israel Medical Center and Continuum Health Partners; the boards of Fordham University and The Jewish Museum; and the advisory councils of the College of Arts and Sciences and Johnson Museum of his alma mater, Cornell University.

The Kenneth R. Gerrety Humanitarian Award: Presented to Elizabeth Ann Stribling-Kivlan, Senior Managing Director, Compass, for outstanding service to the community.

As Senior Managing Director, Elizabeth Ann is the broker of record for 2,500 Compass NY agents and oversees a sales management team leading 1,500 agents doing $8+ billion in sales and leasing. She also oversees all Compass NY tri-state data and market reports.