1. How did you first hear about BOMA NY and how long have you been a member?
My father was president of BOMA New York in 1992, so I’ve been familiar with BOMA for most of my life. When I joined my family business back in 2009, the first thing I was told to do was attend an education class at the BOMA NY office. I thought I was attending the class just to gather some information and learn, but sure enough my father signed me up to receive my RPA designation. I continued with the classes and received my RPA within a 1 ½ year and then received my FMA designation a few years later.
Within two weeks of joining my family business, I also joined BOMA NY. I have been a member for nine years.
2. Are you part of any committees? If so, what does that entail?
I sit on the Codes & Regulations Committee and I lead advocacy response for BOMA NY. This involves attending the meetings and gathering information from these meetings to see if we should bring any of the important topics that affect our members to the Board. From there, a determination is made on whether BOMA NY should take further action. This past year, BOMA NY was able to help block the new food cart law and make comments on many other laws that affect the way we operate our buildings.
I also lead a sub-committee within the Technology Committee that focuses on communication releases. I work with the BOMA NY Staff and The Berman Group to find the most effective way to market BOMA NY events and initiatives.
3. What does being on the Board of Directors of BOMA NY mean to you?
It’s really such an honor to be on the Board. We are small owners and managers and the information and exposure received not only through the committees, but on a higher level like the Board is unparalleled. It has allowed me to expand my perspective and see the effects that BOMA NY has had on the industry. BOMA NY has advocated for and against incoming codes that really affect all member properties and it’s the Board that ultimately decides what level BOMA NY gets involved at. By having a seat at the table and running a small family business, I wouldn’t have had that opportunity otherwise. I can voice how these new laws and codes affect my properties. Being on the Board has also put me in touch with the top managers in the industry, along with the most knowledgeable professional and allied members, which ultimately has benefited the way I operate my buildings.
4. How do you think BOMA NY has changed since you became a member?
I think BOMA NY has become more inclusive of the different types of memberships. I used to feel that the Committee meetings were invite-only, but BOMA NY has done a great job in letting all the members know they can attend and encourage not only principal members, but associate members to get involved. I also think BOMA NY has advanced in technology with the new website and app to allow more people to get involved in an easier way.
5. Is there any BOMA NY initiative or event that you are particularly excited for this coming year?
Earlier in the year, I attended the Winter Business Meeting in Washington D.C. and we had some fly in meetings on Capitol Hill with Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and Representative Maloney. We spoke about three main issues that affect real estate; the potential elimination of the Energy Star Program, ADA laws, and Infrastructure issues. These topics were picked by BOMA International. We were there to advocate how these specific changes and laws affect BOMA NY Members. It was an amazing experience and I encourage all members to join next year.
As the year progresses, I always make an effort to attend the BOMA NY Seminars, where I get the chance to learn so much and bring it back to my buildings to implement. I also love attending the Annual Membership Event.
6. What do you think has been your biggest accomplishment at BOMA NY?
Being on the Board and leading advocacy response has been a big accomplishment for me. As I mentioned earlier, I run a small family business and often our voices aren’t heard. Now that I have a seat at the table, I can advocate for owners like us. Laws affect smaller buildings differently and I’m able to share how these different rules and codes present different challenges.
7. If you could give some advice to someone starting out in the commercial real estate industry, what would you share with them?
Get involved! Attend the committee meetings, go to the seminars and Lunch & Learns because you will learn so much. I can plan for capital improvements much further in advance because of the information provided to me by the Codes & Regulations Committee. The Committee meetings help me get ahead of any violations and help me ensure that I’m in compliance with the laws. A few years ago, we went to go re-finance one of our buildings and at the closing, the bank told us that we were the only building that they have dealt with that didn’t have a violation on it. This is because of the information I receive at the meetings and the ability it gives me to be proactive instead of reactive to the laws.
BOMA NY is such an amazing organization and what they do in representing owners and managers is incredible. There’s nothing else like it in the city. The power that they have to effect change and help us manage our buildings and be our voice, you just don’t get that anywhere else.
