Peter Duncan, president and CEO, George Comfort & Sons, Inc., will be honored at the March of Dimes 2009 Real Estate Award Breakfast for his outstanding commercial real estate activities that have enhanced the local community. The 14th annual breakfast will be held on December 10 at 7:00 a.m., at the Hilton Stamford.
"Peter Duncan is a hardworking leader, well-known in this industry for his commitment to excellence both in his profession and in the surrounding community," said Ed Tonnessen, executive managing director & national director, Jones Lang LaSalle Inc., and chair of the March of Dimes breakfast committee. "He's a notable gentleman worthy of the praise that comes with this distinct honor."

Duncan is an avid supporter of community involvement and serves on the Board of Directors at the Grand Central Partnership, a Business Improvement District located in and around Grand Central Terminal in midtown Manhattan, as well as the Realty Foundation of New York. George Comfort & Sons began a relationship with the March of Dimes over 15 years ago and bolstered its commitment to the nonprofit when the firm hosted the Northern Westchester March of Dimes Walk America (now March for Babies) at one of its properties, The Manufacturer's Outlet Center in Mount Kisco, NY. In May, High Ridge Park, a property co-owned by GCS and RREEF, spearheaded the first Stamford March for Babies for the March of Dimes which raised over $100,000 for the nonprofit organization.

Peter Duncan joined GCS in 1982 and became president in 1995. He has over 25 years experience in commercial real estate acquisition, financing, repositioning, management and leasing, all at GCS. Since taking over leadership of GCS, he acquired and redeveloped many of the company's owned properties, totaling over $3 billion in value, and has expanded operations from New York City to Washington DC, Stamford, CT, Princeton, NJ, and most recently, Beverly Hills, CA. Duncan specializes in upgrading properties to their full potential. Driven by opportunity, he targets under-performing properties and seeks to transition them into high-achieving assets. Professional commitments include membership in the Real Estate Board of New York and he is a licensed commercial broker in New York and New Jersey.
Duncan received a Bachelor's of Arts in American Studies from Trinity College and is a championship sailboat racer. He resides in Rye, NY with his wife, Chris and three children.

The annual Real Estate Award Breakfast is the premier event for the real estate community and the largest real estate fundraiser in the country with an attendance last year of over 850 guests. Over the past 13 years, it has raised over $3.5 million for the March of Dimes to help fund research and education to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature births and infant mortality.