November 2015
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Why They Run: On Giving Back, Constant Improvement and Building a Better BOMA/NY

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BOMA/NY’s new leadership, led by James R. Kleeman, RPA as the newly-elected president, swept into office unanimously on Nov. 12, as announced at the BOMA/NY Annual Conference and Leadership Breakfast. Serving with Jim (pictured at far left) are, left to right: Ronald Zeccardi , Vice President and Portfolio Manager at The Moinian Group, as Vice President; Hani Salama, PE, LEED AP, Global Operations Director/American Express Account at CBRE as Treasurer; and Matthew Duthie, RPA, Managing Director of Jones Lang LaSalle, as Secretary.

Jim, who serves as the Deputy Director of Redevelopment for the WTC at the Port Authority of NY and NJ, is letting no grass grow under his feet as he prepares to hit the ground running Jan. 1, when he and his team of fellow BOMA/NY officers take office. One of his first priorities will be to re-launch and re-vitalize the BOMA/NY Long-Range Strategic Plan, he told BOMAfacts, and get a working committee up and running as soon as possible. He will also be taking steps toward an equally important goal of "building excitement and to engage members at all levels, from the Board of Directors to the committees, task forces, as well as Town Halls and other avenues of member involvement still to be developed."

In his far-ranging September BOMAfacts interview, Jim also discussed his commitment to cast a wider net to recruit as much talent as possible, with a special focus on the Millennials, and to "invest in our people, technology and program excellence to bring value back home to the buildings." For the complete story on Jim’s ideas, see the September BOMAfacts issue here.

While the new leadership team works out the many details involved in running the largest local association in the BOMA International Federation, BOMAfacts continues its coverage with these thoughts from the other team members of the Kleeman Administration. 

What They’re Looking Forward to Doing Most

"Creating excitement for our membership," was expressed by both Ron and Hani as a prime goal. Ron expands on that, saying that he wants to promote involvement, particularly in all of BOMA/NY’s educational platforms. And Matt is in sync with both, adding that he is looking forward to getting the "next generation actively involved with new programs to get them engaged."

Why It’s Important to Serve as an Officer

Ron as VP-Elect is thinking outside the "association box" and sees his role as an opportunity to network with other BOMA association officers nationwide, learn of their best practices, and "bring those experiences back to our members."

Hani’s belief that BOMA/NY "has served me well over the years," underscores his desire to serve; "this is an opportunity to give back." Matt seconds that belief, with an added incentive—he had served the maximum number of Board terms, but wanted to stay active, saying "there is always room for improvement." By serving as an officer, "I am hopeful I can make a difference."

Each of our officers-elect lent their unique perspective to this question.

For Ron, it’s a "greater involvement with BOMA International on Advocacy Issues, especially on code issues." 

Hani sees the challenge as  "Technology, including the integration of systems to improve energy efficiency and operations."

And for Matt, it’s taking a new look at the vibrant New York City marketplace, where "there is a lot of ‘churn’...and many new foreign entities are looking to buy properties in our city." This is a trend "we need to recognize and adopt to, as it will directly affect BOMA/NY and its members."

What BOMA/NY Means to You

Embracing the Association’s all-encompassing nature, Ron sees belonging to BOMA/NY as "being part of an organization that enhances my professional success through networking, and programs involving, for example, education, advocacy and building codes...and all aspects of commercial real estate on a local, state and national level."

Hani’s take on his many years with BOMA/NY frames the Association as "an organization with talented professionals that share ideas and advance the industry."

"BOMA/NY’s been a great organization in which to meet and communicate with people that do what I do—and love to do" says Matt. "If you’re going to spend half your life in the Property management business, how can you not be involved with BOMA/NY?"