As I wrap up my term as the Real Estate Finance Association (REFA) president I'd like to thank the REFA staff, board of directors, and committee members for their hard work over the past year. Through their collective efforts we overcame the most challenging economic conditions in decades to fulfill REFA's mission: providing timely and relevant educational and networking opportunities to the greater Boston real estate community. Among 2009's highlights:

* We held 30 programs and events in 2009 with 2700 attendees.
* 90 members volunteered on a committee or task force. This level of participation exemplifies our membership's commitment to REFA's success.
* We contributed $10,000 to charity from proceeds from the sold-out summer golf outing.
* The 21st Annual REFA Gala honoring Jordan Krasnow and Bill Poorvu was a resounding success with over 500 attendees.
* We ended the year with 560 members and 51 corporate sponsors.
* Our membership now includes 175 Emerging Leaders, which bodes well for the future strength of the organization.
* We continued to give back to the community with our 3rd annual community service day in August, which this year focused on the clean up and repair of Franklin Park Zoo.
* We established a social media task force to investigate ways to make the REFA directory more functional for our membership, and we expect to see the implementation of the committee's recommendation over the coming year.
As I pass my responsibilities on to the capable hands of REFA president-elect Marcie Griffith-Loeber I am confident that Marci, along with the capable REFA staff and volunteers, will continue our success in 2010.

Thanks again to the REFA staff, the Board of Directors, and the many volunteers who made my job so easy. I look forward to seeing all of you in 2010.

William Tanski is managing principal, Outlook Capital Partners and the 2009 president of REFA, Boston, Mass.