On November 5th, IREM's Boston Metropolitan Chapter #4 celebrated its annual IREM's Awards and Recognition Night at Anthony's Pier 4. This year IREM Boston awarded its first Lifetime Achievement Award. The Lifetime Achievement Award was created as a vehicle for the IREM Boston Chapter to give back to the industry and acknowledge legendary individuals who made significant contributions to the New England real estate industry by establishing a lasting impact on the industry, demonstrating a lifetime of commitment to advancement of the industry, and who are an inspiration to industry practitioners. The selection of the first recipient for this prestigious award was not an easy task. After conducting a thorough review of the nominees' contributions and careful deliberation by IREM's Chapter #4 Nominating Committee, our first honoree emerged: Edward Fish and his companies: E.A. Fish Co., Dellbrook Construction, and Peabody Properties, are recognized as distinguished and visionary leaders within New England's real estate industry for their development, construction, and management of real estate projects totaling over one billion dollars in value.
In addition to the Lifetime Achievement Award, the following individuals were honored for their extraordinary talent, dedication to the real estate industry, and contributions to the IREM Boston Chapter:

Accredited Management Organization (AMO) of the Year: The Simon Cos. Established in 1966 by Franklin Simon, CPM, The Simon Cos. has been a leader in the development and management of commercial and residential properties throughout the Northeast. Over the past five decades, The Simon Cos. and its principals have developed residential and commercial properties in Massachusetts, R.I. and New Hampshire. Developments and employees of The Simon Cos. have been recognized over the years with numerous awards and accolades. In addition to Franklin Simon, himself a CPM with a strong history of support of IREM, its principles, ethics, and high management standards, three Simon Cos. CPM's hold positions in IREM: Robert Cuttle is the IREM R.I. Chapter's president, Gregg Jenner is the R.I. Chapter's treasurer, and Chris Mellen has been elected to serve as an IREM National senior vice president.

Certified Property Manager (CPM) of the Year: Thomas Sullivan. Thomas serves as president of Adamsworth, LLC and has had more than 17 years of experience in real estate, insurance, and financial services industries. Sullivan holds a CPM designation from the IREM and is a member of the National Apartment Association and the National Association of Realtors. In 2009, Sullivan was instrumental in chairing and successfully launching IREM Boston's professional networking activities.

ARM of the Year: Jonathan Donahue. Donahue currently works for Barkan Management Co. as a portfolio manager overseeing a large condominium portfolio based on the South Shore. Donahue holds an ARM, CPM, and many other designations which include the T.C.S (Tax Credit Specialist), M.O.R. (Management & Occupancy Review Specialist) and C.O.S. (Certified Occupancy Specialist) to name a few. Donahue has been an active member of the Boston Chapter for the last 13 years and currently holds the position of Chapter secretary. In 2009, Donahue organized and completed IREM Boston's annual Income and Expense exchange. Donahue's efforts were so remarkable that he has been recognized by IREM National and invited to serve on IREM National's Income and Expense board in 2010.

CPM Candidate of the Year: David Barrett: Barrett is a vice president with American Properties Team in Woburn. Barrett has over 15 years experience in property management with 8 years prior experience in facilities management. Barrett holds dozens of trade certificates from technical institutes as well as several management designations from the Community Association Institute and IREM. Barrett has served as an IREM Executive Board member and legislation committee chair from 2005-2010 and served as IREM's secretary in 2008 and 2010.

Friend of the Year: CIREES, Inc., John King: King is president of CIREES, Inc. in charge of CIREES' maintenance services with over forty years experience in the evaluation, design, and construction administration for commercial, residential, retail, industrial and institutional projects, both locally and nationally. CIREES, Inc. has been a loyal Friend to the IREM Boston Chapter. From sponsoring chapter events to participating in chapter activities, CIREES, Inc. has gone above and beyond to contribute to the chapter's success in 2009.
Associate of the Year: Maureen Distasi: Distasi has been with Nordblom Co. for three years and continues to be a great asset to both Nordblom and the IREM Boston Chapter. With her excellent organizational skills and friendly demeanor, Distasi addresses all challenges, concerns or issues in the most efficient manner. She works well everyone and happily contributes.

Student of the Year: Thomas Hulme: Hulme's interest in real estate was sparked 14 years ago when he procured his first investment property. Since that time, Hulme has aggressively pursued educational opportunities in the field of real estate management. Hulme has served in both an assistant property manager with affordable/subsidized properties and as property manager in market rate properties.

Region 1 Award: IREM R.I. Chapter No. 88. R.I. IREM Chapter 88 was established in 1977 and is an affiliate of the National Associations of Realtors. It is the source of education and professional recognition for managers of all types of properties in the State of R.I. IREM's R.I. Chapter has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to developing and maintaining standards of excellence in the field of property management. Despite the R.I. IREM Chapter's full schedule, they consistently find the time to participate in and support IREM Boston's events.

AcoM®of the Year: Owen Ahearn. Ahearn has received both an ARM and CPM designation from IREM as well as various designations from other industry organizations. Ahearn has over 20 years of property and asset management experience managing and maintaining a diverse portfolio of residential, commercial, and industrial properties all in the N.E. area.
The 2009 "Best Landscapes in New England" awards were bestowed upon the following properties by Colleen Costa, 2009 Landscape Committee Chairperson:
Suburban $5,001 - Up Award: 1st Place was awarded to Weymouth Commons, Weymouth, MA, Managed by Corcoran Management Co., AMO® ; 2nd Place - Hancock Village, Chestnut Hill, MA, Managed by Chestnut Hill Realty; and 3rd Place - Bay Village, Fall River, MA, Managed by First Realty Management, AMO®.

Suburban $1 - $5,000 Award: 1st Place was awarded to Norwest Woods, Norwood, MA, Managed by Chestnut Hill Realty; 2nd Place -The Moorings at Squantum Gardens, Quincy, MA, Managed by Peabody Properties, AMO®; and 3rd Place - Beverly Commons, Beverly, MA, Managed by Corcoran Management Co., AMO®.

Urban $1 - $2,000 Award: 1st Place was awarded to Chauncy Court, Cambridge, MA, Managed by Chestnut Hill Realty; 2nd Place - Kelly House, Dorchester, MA, Managed by Peabody Properties, AMO®; and 3rd Place - The Academy, Fall River, MA, Managed by Corcoran Management Co., AMO®.

Urban $2,001 - Up Award: 1st Place was awarded to Arborpoint Apartments at Woodland Station, Newton, MA, Managed by National Development; 2nd Place - Peninsula Apartments, Boston, MA, Managed by Corcoran Jennison Management Company; and 3rd Place - Castle Square Apartments, Boston, MA, Managed by Winn Residential.

A special part of our annual awards' celebration is acknowledging IREM members who are celebrating notable IREM designation anniversaries: 25th Anniversary AMO® Company: Metropolitan Properties of America, Inc. dba MPA, Boston, MA. 20th Anniversary AMO® Companies: Community Habitat, Inc.; and The Simon Companies, Braintree, MA. 5th Anniversary CPM® Designations: Mark J. Sheingold, CPM, Roslindale; Matthew Flotta, CPM, Boston; James D. Glickman , CPM, Worcester; and Bruce D. Corb, CPM, ARM, Amesbury. 10th Anniversary CPM® Designations: Susan L. Symington, CPM, Boston; Mildred M. Mukasa, CPM, Boston; and Ruth Doyle, CPM, Andover. 15th Anniversary CPM® Designations: Nathaniel Nichols, CPM, Braintree; Kenneth L. Mackin, CPM, Brookline; Deborah Lucas, CPM, Boston; Kevin C. Kelliher, CPM, Chelsea; Joanne C. Gagnon, CPM, Holyoke; Michael P. Donovan, CPM, Attleboro; Carol L. Dempsey, CPM, Woburn; and John P. Coddington, CPM, Everett. 20th Anniversary CPM® Designations: Constance E. Trombley, CPM, ARM, Worcester; Maureen R. McAllister, CPM, Boston; Joel A. Less, CPM, Pittsfield; Nancy M. Hogan, CPM, Boston; Carolyn Gibson, CPM, Boston; David S. Flad, CPM, West Roxbury; Mary Lou Walker, CPM, Boston; and Julie Tejeda, CPM, Raynham. 25th Anniversary CPM® Designations: Hinda Simon-Snyder, CPM ARM, Braintree; Franklin Simon, CPM, Braintree; Joseph F. McPhee, Jr., CPM, Waltham; Judith E. Weber, CPM, Newton; Robert K. Lemons, CPM, Burlington; Shawn B. Elliott, CPM, Boston; James T. Collins, CPM, Quincy; and Anthony L. Carr, CPM, W. Newton. 30th Anniversary CPM® Designation: James J. Reagan, Jr., CPM, Boston. 35th Anniversary CPM® Designation: Robert L. Coleman, CPM, Waltham. 45th Anniversary CPM® Designations: Shepard Brown, CPM, Manchester; and Ralph E. Bailey, CPM, Wellesley. 5 Year Associate Members: John Leblanc, Lakeville, MA; and Tammy Beckwith, Rockland. 5th Anniversary ARM® Designations: Candice M. Thayer, CPM ARM, Melrose; Edward G. Sullivan, Jr., ARM, Walpole; Fern Lisa Mullen, ARM, Braintree; Chitra Mangra-Drackley, ARM, Boston; John A. Magee, III, ARM, Fitchburg: Janet D. Hines, ARM, Braintree; Brian P. Gallagher, CPM ARM, Braintree; Monique C Dyson, ARM, Franklin; Keith Frederick Driscoll, ARM, E Weymouth; and Jamie M. Beaulieu, ARM, Braintree. 10th Anniversary ARM® Designation: William R. Mackey, ARM, Norton. 15th Anniversary ARM® Designations: Cheryl A. Nichols, ARM, Brookline; Marie L. Morreale, ARM, Braintree; Steven M. Lodi, CPM ARM, Boston; and Karen Ann Kamon, CPM, ARM, Wareham. 20th Anniversary ARM® Designations: Linda J. Marquis, ARM, Peabody; Maureen A. MacQuarrie, ARM, Haverhill; and Doreen M. Bushashia, ARM, Braintree.

Heart-felt congratulations to all IREM Boston's 2009 award winners and special anniversary recipients.
Kathleen Franco is the 2009 president of IREM Boston and director of property management at MB Management Co., Braintree, Mass.