The Counselors of Real Estate is a membership organization established exclusively for real estate advisors who provide intelligent, unbiased, and trusted advice for a client or employer.

Founded in 1953, the organization serves 1,100 members worldwide, all who hold the "CRE" credential. CREs are linked to one another by their commitment to integrity, competence, community, trust, and service; and they adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Practice. The purpose of the organization is to serve as an information resource and to provide its members with opportunities for professional development, knowledge sharing, and networking, all grounded in a culture of camaraderie.

The Counselors excel at providing quality education and information programs at both local and national levels.

Here in New England, the local chapter is offering its first luncheon presentation of the year on March 12. Douglas Poutasse, CRE, executive vice president of Bentall Kennedy will provide a program related to the state of the economy and an outlook for commercial real estate investment.
Nationally, the Counselors are hosting their mid-year meetings in Denver commencing on April 19. The two-day educational program will feature sessions on Transit Oriented Development Issues, Corporate Services, Public/Private Partnerships, Capital Markets and the Top Ten Issues Affecting Real Estate in 2015.

Finally, given the relevant venue in Colorado, a session on the growing trend towards the legalization of cannabis and its impact on the real estate market and the community will be a high point (sorry...couldn't help myself).

2015 CRE New England
Chapter Officers:
* Donald Bouchard, CRE, Lincoln Property Company, chapter chair;
* Julie McIntosh, CRE, Capital Crossing Servicing Co., LLC, vice chair;
* John Baczewski, CRE, Real Estate Fiduciary Services, LLC, treasurer, board member;
* John Power, CRE, Farley White Interests, secretary, board member;
* David Levy, CRE, Sun Life Investment Management, Inc., membership chair, board member;
* Harris Collins, CRE, CBRE/New England | valuation & advisory, board member;
* David Connolly, Esq., CRE, Hinckley, Allen & Snyder, LLP, board member;
* Peter Nichols, CRE, NorthStar Ally LLC, board member; and
* Jill Hatton, CRE, TurtleRock Investment Management, ex-officio board member.

Donald Bouchard, CRE, senior vice president at Lincoln Property Company, Boston and is the 2015 chair of the New England Chapter of the Counselors of Real Estate (CRE).