BOMA News and Leadership

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A Winter Business Meeting for the Books

February 4, 2021 | By BOMA International

Last week, BOMA members from around the world gathered online for BOMA International’s 2021 Virtual Winter Business Meeting. Members participated in a full slate of committee meetings dedicated to advancing the business of BOMA and shaping the future of commercial real estate. After hearing author and television host Sebastian Terry’s tips on goal setting during the Keynote Session and participating in an insightful Town Hall forum hosted by BOMA International’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee, BOMA members emerged from the virtual meeting with valuable knowledge and stronger connections, ready for whatever 2021 has in store. Check out some of the highlights, including our 2020 Year in Review video, featuring a very animated BOMA International President Henry Chamberlain.

Get to Know... Ana Duffy

December 14, 2020 | By BOMA International

Ana Duffy is a sustainability analyst for Hudson Pacific Properties. She is also an active member of BOMA/San Francisco, where she currently serves as chair of the Energy & Environment Committee and secretary of the Careers in Real Estate Committee. Duffy has participated in an array of sustainability-related advocacy efforts with her BOMA local association, and she is a mentor for college students interested in commercial real estate through the Careers Committee Mentor Match program. In 2020, she was elected to BOMA International’s Executive Committee.

Get to Know... Susan Hammer

September 30, 2020 | By BOMA International

Susan Hammer is a 35-year veteran of the commercial real estate industry. As a vice president and general manager with JLL, she is responsible for overseeing the firm’s property management services for AMA Plaza, a 1.1 million-square-foot multitenant office building in Chicago. Hammer has served as chair of BOMA/Chicago’s Education Committee, as well as co-chair of BOMA/Chicago’s The Outstanding Building of the Year^® (TOBY^®) Awards Committee for more than a decade.

From the Chair: 2020: The Year of Perfect Vision

April 7, 2020 | By Scott O. Jones

How nice would it be to be able to predict the future? You could always pick the best investments and the winning sports team and retire early. Though we might not be able to predict the future, we know technology will be a big part of it—something we talk about a lot at BOMA.

Get to Know... Mark Kelly

January 12, 2020 | By BOMA International

Mark Kelly, president of building services contractor Able Services, is a longtime member of BOMA/San Francisco with more than 30 years of experience in commercial real estate. He serves on BOMA/San Francisco’s board of directors, and he also is a board member of the Commercial Real Estate Alliance for Tomorrow’s Employees (CREATE), a San Francisco based collaboration dedicated to creating new career paths and opportunities for emerging professionals. Kelly was elected to BOMA International’s Executive Committee in 2018.

From the Archives... Rent Offices by the Hour

November 14, 2019 | By BOMA International

(This article was originally published in the May 1923 issue of The Bulletin, a precursor to today's BOMA Magazine. Today, flex space is commercial real estate’s fastest-growing market. While modern coworking spaces include much more than four offices and three desks, it might be surprising that origins of the trend date almost an entire century back! One thing is for certain: Commercial real estate professionals are always working to accommodate tenant needs.)

Highlights from the NAC Fall Meeting

October 24, 2019 | By BOMA International

Your property data is kind of like laundry: It’s not really useful until it’s been cleaned and sorted. This was one of many interesting takeaways from BOMA International’s National Advisory Council (NAC) fall meeting, which took place earlier this month in Carlsbad, California. The group, made up of senior industry executives, meets three times a year to discuss the latest trends and disruptors affecting commercial real estate. The recent meeting featured thought-provoking perspectives on topics such as the U.S. economy, the growth of the flex office sector and best practices for integrating emerging technologies.

Get to Know... Manuel Moreno

September 22, 2019 | By BOMA International

Manny Moreno has the intriguing title of property experience manager for Next Play Consulting, a third-party property management firm in Pleasanton, California. A past president of BOMA/Oakland-East Bay, he currently serves as president of the BOMA Pacific Southwest Region. Moreno was elected to BOMA International’s Executive Committee in June.

BOMA China Hosts Annual Conference

September 12, 2019 | By BOMA International

In early September, a record-breaking 2,600 commercial real estate professionals traveled from across China and around the globe to attend BOMA China’s seventh annual conference in Shanghai. Among other highlights, the program included an unveiling of a Mandarin translation of BOMA International’s Green Lease Guide, a presentation on the newly launched Certified Manager of Commercial Properties (CMCP) certification and insightful discussions on prioritizing the tenant experience. At the closing dinner gala, BOMA International Chair Scott Jones and President Henry Chamberlain recognized Sino Ocean Office Park Tower C for earning the BOMA 360 designation and celebrated Shanghai Tower’s recent BOMA International Global Innovation Award win in Salt Lake City.

From the Chair: Rolling Up Our Sleeves

August 14, 2019 | By Scott O. Jones, PE

Comic Groucho Marx once said he wouldn’t join any organization that would take him as a member. For me, I find myself as chair of the most prestigious commercial real estate organization in the world, and, as I said during my swearing in at the BOMA International Conference & Expo, I’m humbled—it’s a true privilege to lead such a world-class organization.

Get to Know... Scott O. Jones

June 24, 2019 | By BOMA International

Scott Jones was sworn in as the 2019-2020 chair of BOMA International this past June at the 2019 BOMA International Conference & Expo. He has more than two decades of industry experience and currently serves as vice president for Jacobs, managing the northern California region for the Buildings Infrastructure division. Prior to moving to California and becoming a member of BOMA/San Francisco, Jones was an active member of BOMA/Fort Worth, where he served as president. He was chair of both BOMA International’s State Government Affairs Committee and the Careers in Real Estate Task Force Returning Veterans Outreach Sub-Group. He also served two terms on BOMA International’s Executive Committee before becoming an elected officer in 2017.

From the Chair: Creating a Sense of Community

May 16, 2019 | By Brian Cappelli, BOMA Fellow, RPA

Over the past year as BOMA International chair, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with BOMA members and industry leaders from across the United States and around the world to discuss the changing landscape of technology, tenant preferences and economic trends. I have seen our industry’s creativity and resourcefulness on full display, and I am filled with optimism for the future.

The Real Estate Roundtable Convenes in DC

April 11, 2019 | By BOMA International

BOMA International Chair Brian Cappelli, BOMA Fellow, RPA, and President Henry Chamberlain attended The Real Estate Roundtable’s spring meeting in Washington, D.C. Senior real estate executives, industry leaders and a bipartisan group of key lawmakers and policymakers gathered to discuss issues that affect U.S. real estate.

From the Chair: The Destination Office

April 6, 2019 | By Brian D. Cappelli, BOMA Fellow, RPA

The concept of the "workplace experience" has become all the rage over the past few years, and it’s now guiding decision-making throughout the industry. As commercial real estate professionals, we’re looking beyond buildings themselves to explore every aspect of the occupant experience.

Get to Know... Courtney Nelson

April 1, 2019 | By BOMA International

Courtney Nelson, formerly Hanfland, currently serves as the system director of Real Estate Transactions for Catholic Health Initiatives. Nelson is co-chair of the BOMA Medical Office Buildings + HealthcareReal Estate Conference, which takes place May 1-3 in Minneapolis. She has previously served on the Board of Directors for BOMA/Denver Metro.

From the Chair: The Future of the Office is Bright

December 17, 2020 | By Shelby Christensen, LEED Green Associate

As the calendar turns to 2021, it may seem like there’s not much positive to reflect on from the year that was. But, as I continue to talk to members (virtually!) from across the United States and around the world, I come back to one bright spot: property professionals like you.

From the Chair: Our Glass is at Least Half Full

September 30, 2020 | By Shelby Christensen, LEED Green Associate

Part of being BOMA International chair is the opportunity to meet with BOMA members across the United States and around the world. When I was sworn in this past July, I knew my time as chair would look different from previous years, but I was confident we would find a way to continue to create the kind of connections that make BOMA so valuable.

From the Chair: Living in Interesting Times

June 15, 2020 | By Scott O. Jones

If you ask someone working in commercial real estate what they love about their job, you’ll often hear that they like that no two days are the same and every day brings new challenges to solve.

Get to Know... Traci Devereaux

April 7, 2020 | By BOMA International

Traci Devereaux has more than 20 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry. As a senior vice president of Management Services for Holt Lunsford Commercial, Devereaux works directly with clients to oversee a portfolio of properties in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. She has served as the president of both BOMA/Fort Worth and Texas BOMA, and she is the current chair of BOMA International’s State and Local Government Affairs Committee.

From the Chair: From Workplace to People Place

January 1, 2020 | By Scott O. Jones

In case you haven’t heard, the answer to most things in life is this: Find a balance. Whether you’re tackling a new health goal, striving for work-life equilibrium or even negotiating with a client—the sweet spot lies somewhere in the middle. People seek balance, and guess what? They look for it in their physical surroundings, too.

From the Chair

September 16, 2019 | By Scott O. Jones, PE

I’m excited to get out and visit BOMA local associations across the United States and affiliates around the world to share with you the many issues that make up what I’ll call the business of BOMA. As I do, I want to ensure with my fellow members that building resilience and emergency preparedness are top of mind.

From the Archives... Philadelphia—1944 Convention Host

August 22, 2019 | By Thomas F. Egan, Jr., Executive Secretary, Philadelphia Association

(The article was originally published in the April 1944 issue of Skyscraper Management, the precursor to today’s BOMA Magazine. Back in 1944, BOMA International was still known as the National Association of Building Owners and Managers. This article was written in anticipation for BOMA International’s second annual conference hosted in Philadelphia. The 2020 BOMA International Conference & Expo will be BOMA International’s fifth time in the historic city. As we look forward to the 2020 annual conference, it is certainly interesting to reflect on how the commercial real estate industry—and Philadelphia itself—has evolved over time.)

BOMA International Honored with 12th ENERGY STAR® Award

June 3, 2019 | By BOMA International

At an awards ceremony on April 11, 2019, in Washington, D.C., BOMA International was honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy with a 2019 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Sustained Excellence Award for its continued leadership in the area of sustainability and its long-term commitment to energy efficiency in the commercial real estate industry. BOMA International now has received a total of 12 ENERGY STAR awards, making it the most decorated commercial real estate association. In 2009, BOMA International also received the Climate Protection Award, EPA’s highest honor.

Get to Know... Gregory Grainger

November 6, 2019 | By BOMA International

As president of Younger Partners Property Services, Greg Grainger oversees property management services for a four million-square-foot portfolio in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. An active BOMA member at every level, Grainger was president of BOMA/Greater Dallas in 2009 and chair of the BOMA Southwest Region in 2012. Now, he is a newly elected member of BOMA International’s Executive Committee. His passion for education has led him to chair both the BOMA/Greater Dallas Education Committee and, more recently, the board of trustees for BOMI International, where his efforts helped facilitate the new BOMA/BOMI joint education initiative and the launch of the Certified Manager of Commercial Properties™ (CMCP™) certification.

Setting the Bar in Property Management

September 29, 2019 | By BOMA International

Each year, BOMA International shines the spotlight on the building management teams that play a key role in the oversight and operations of their respective properties. The most recent winners of BOMA International’s The Outstanding Building of the Year® (TOBY®) Awards, which celebrated its 33rd anniversary in June during the BOMA International Conference & Expo in Salt Lake City, embody the highest standards of building management, design and community impact. While 78 projects in 16 categories were named winners in their local and regional competitions, 17 received the coveted BOMA International TOBY Award, and, in a program first, there was a tie in the Industrial Office Building category. Such incredible building management performers far exceed the traditional expectations of their roles, transforming their physical structures into spaces that pioneer and sustain creative design, environmental impact and a forward-looking definition of the modern workplace.

Hudson Yards, WTC Take Center Stage at NAC Meeting

August 13, 2019 | By Patricia M. Areno, CAE

BOMA’s National Advisory Council (NAC) selected New York City as the location for its May event for two reasons: Hudson Yards and the World Trade Center (WTC), two of the most well-known real estate developments in North America. Both were featured on the agenda for the NAC meeting, which drew more than 60 commercial real estate executives from the United States and Canada. The event also included presentations by futurist Amy Webb and economist K.C. Conway and a case study of another iconic New York City asset, the Empire State Building.

Get to Know... Geoff Wardle

June 10, 2019 | By BOMA International

Geoff Wardle is a real estate lawyer in Boise, Idaho, with more than 20 years of legal experience. He currently serves as the chair of BOMA International’s Government Affairs Committee. Wardle also is a past president of both BOMA/Boise and the BOMA Pacific Northwest Region.

From the Archives... Modernization Is Good Management

May 9, 2019 | By Frank J. Mathers, Manager, Statler Office Building, Boston

(This article was originally published in the July 1963 issue of Skyscraper Management, the precursor to today’s BOMA Magazine. Back in 1963, BOMA International was still known as the National Association of Building Owners and Managers. The Statler Office Building is now called the Park Plaza Building. The industry certainly has evolved since this article was published, but it’s also striking how little some things have changed—the need to modernize is a constant and a focus on the tenant experience never goes out of style!)

From the Chair: Plan Our Work, Work Our (Strategic) Plan

January 18, 2019 | By Brian D. Cappelli, BOMA Fellow, RPA

January is always a time for new beginnings, but this January will be the start of one of BOMA’s most exciting new beginnings as an organization yet. By the time you read this, BOMA International’s Board of Governors will have finalized a brand new strategic plan for our association at the 2019 Winter Business Meeting. This plan will be BOMA’s official road map for the next five years, serving as a guide to help BOMA proactively anticipate and serve the changing needs of our members.

Get to Know... Brian D. Cappelli, BOMA Fellow, RPA

July 3, 2018 | By BOMA International

Brian Cappelli was sworn in as the 2018-2019 chair of BOMA International this past June at the 2018 BOMA International Conference & Expo. He has more than two decades of experience in the commercial real estate industry, including roles at publicly traded REITs and private real estate investment firms engaged in office, retail and mixed-use properties. He currently is vice president of Asset Management at GBX Group LLC, a firm focused on preserving historic real estate assets through transformative projects across the United States. He served two terms as president of BOMA/Greater Cleveland and for four years on BOMA Ohio’s Board of Governors. He also has served on numerous BOMA International committees, including the Executive Committee, before becoming an elected officer in 2016.

From the Chair: Kicking BOMA into High Gear

July 1, 2018 | By Brian D. Cappelli, BOMA Fellow, RPA

I feel so privileged to take the reins as chair of BOMA International at such an exciting time for our industry, and I’m humbled that, through this role, I am able to give back to an association that has helped me so much over the years.

Get to Know... Tommy Russo

January 8, 2019 | By BOMA International

As senior vice president and chief technology officer for Akridge, based in Washington, D.C., Tommy Russo oversees the company’s technology team to support development, property management and building engineering. He is the current chair of BOMA International’s Technology Committee.

BOMA 360 Recognized as a Green Certification for GRESB

June 2, 2018 | By BOMA International

The Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB), the worldwide portfolio-level standard for environmental, social and governance (ESG) benchmarking for real estate, recently recognized the BOMA 360 Performance Program® as a green certification for individual building operations. GRESB is a globally recognized, relative benchmark for assessing the sustainability performance of real estate, debt and infrastructure portfolios around the world.

Building Owners and Managers Association International