More than 1,100 commercial real estate professionals came together to pay tribute to The Bulfinch Cos., recipients of the 2007 Distinguished R.E. Award presented at the NAIOP Mass. Annual Awards Gala. Brothers Eric and Robert Schlager, the CEO and President of Bulfinch, respectively, accepted the prestigious award on behalf of their company, asking more than two dozen coworkers and family members in attendance to stand and share in the industry's recognition.
"On behalf of Bulfinch, Robert and I gratefully accept this award based on what our grandfather and father have accomplished over the past half century, what we have achieved over the past two decades, and what we and our employees intend to accomplish in the future," said Eric Schlager, as he accepted the award. Eric and his brother Robert then took turns thanking their families, colleagues, and business partners, including Eddie Byrne, head of lending at Anglo Irish Bank, which served as the evening's Platinum Sponsor.
Also honored that evening was Kevin McCall, president & CEO of Paradigm Props. and Paradigm Capital Advisors, who received a special award for his role as founder and board chair of Building Impact, a nonprofit organization that engages companies and individuals in community involvement and philanthropy through a building based model. McCall also shared the credit with others for his successful nonprofit venture, particularly Building Impact's executive director, Lisa Guyon, who has worked with the program since it's beginnings as a tenant amenity program at Paradigm. "At Building Impact we are dreaming big because big feels very, very achievable," said McCall, noting that the organization now has more than 40 buildings in its portfolio, and has just added fellow honoree The Bulfinch Cos. to their roster of Founding Partners, which the Schlagers announced just that night.
Held at the Westin Copley Place Hotel, the event was packed with industry leaders eager to show their support for the evening's honorees and to network at what has become one of Boston's premier events. In addition to Anglo Irish Bank, other sponsors included Goodwin Proctor as the cocktail sponsor, and Rubin and Rudman as the public service award sponsor. Gold sponsors included: ADD Inc., Bank of America, Eastdil Secured, Elkus Manfredi Architects, Foley Hoag, Goulston & Storrs, GZA Geoenvironmental, Janitronics, J. Derenzo Co., John Moriarty & Associates, LandAmerica Comm'l. Services, Lubert Adler Partners, RBJ & Partners, and Sovereign Bank.
In honor of Bulfinch Cos. and McCall, NAIOP Mass. announced that it was making contributions to Brigham and Women's Hospital and Building Impact. In addition, the evening's 100+ floral centerpieces were donated to the Veteran's Hospital in West Roxbury, in hopes of brightening the lives of those who have served their country and are now hospitalized.