10-17-2013 - REFA Update - REFA to Honor mayor Menino at 25th Annual Gala October 17

Well over 500 members of the Greater Boston real estate industry will gather for a night of celebration and networking at the 25th Annual REFA Gala, which will be held on Thursday, October 17th at the Westin Copley Place Hotel. Thomas Menino, who will be stepping down from his post as mayor of Boston after leading the city for over 20 years, will be honored by REFA as the 2013 recipient of the Robert S. Swain Jr. Distinguished Service Award - the annual highlight of the Gala. "Mayor Menino has been at the forefront of Boston development and has helped to shape the landscape of this City," said Michael Hussey, a senior vice president at US Bank and 2013 REFA president. "REFA has witnessed his commitment and vision for the City over the past two decades and as an association we felt that needed to be recognized." Menino joins an elite list of past recipients, including most recent honorees Joseph Fallon of the Fallon Company (2012), Thomas Hynes of Colliers International (2011), and Thomas DeSimone of WS Development (2010). Other past honorees that will be in attendance at the event include Jordan Krasnow (2009), Robert Beal (2007), Ronald Druker (2004), Kevin Phelan (2001), and REFA Founder George Fantini (1998). The distinguished service award is named in honor of the late Robert S. Swain, Jr. Swain gained respect and admiration of his colleagues within the real estate finance industry during his 33-year career in the profession. He was a valued member of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board for over 25 years and was an active member and leader of the Mortgage Finance Committee, which eventually developed into the present Real Estate Finance Association. The Robert S. Swain Jr. Award is an annual recognition of an outstanding contribution made to the real estate industry either by lifetime example or by a specific achievement. Marvin Siflinger, now with Housing Partners, Inc., was honored in 1989 as the first recipient of the award. A live performance of the national anthem by the Harvard-Radcliffe Veritones will begin the awards program. In addition to honoring mayor Menino, the evening will also feature a "who's who" networking reception, a tribute video for the Real Estate Finance Association, special recognition during the program for past honorees of the Swain Award, and will conclude with a dessert reception. Individual tickets for the night of the event are available - please visit www.refa.org for more information. Interested in becoming a member of the Real Estate Finance Association? Starting October 1st, join REFA for 2014, and get the rest of 2013 for free as part of our 15 for 12 membership promotion. Contact Tylor Tourville, membership and events assistant, at 617-399-7867 for more information.