Real Estate Finance Association announces 2012 Leadership

The Real Estate Finance Association (REFA), a professional trade association part of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board, located in downtown Boston, announces its incoming leadership for 2012. Serving as 2012 president will be James Lerner, Esquire, director at Goulston & Storrs. Lerner is a long time REFA board member serving as co-chair for numerous committees including education and the charitable golf outing, and the organization looks forward to his leadership in 2012. Serving as president elect will be Michael Hussey, senior vice president, New England market manager at US Bank. Hussey has led the membership committee as co-Chair for the past several years and has been instrumental in maintaining and growing membership numbers through challenging economic times. Outgoing REFA president, Eric Nelson, said "The past year has been an exciting one at REFA, highlighted by the recent Gala where Tom Hynes, Colliers International CEO, received the Robert S. Swain, Jr. Distinguished Service Award. Under the leadership of Jim and Mike as well as its dedicated directors, I am confident REFA will continue to foster outstanding educational programs, networking opportunities and charitable endeavors on behalf of its membership." REFA, a division of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board (GBREB) is a trade association formed to provide informative programs for real estate finance professionals throughout the Greater Boston area. Real estate professionals from a variety of institutions join REFA to promote the exchange of information and ideas between professionals in the real estate finance community, while fostering a platform for growth and education. Formed in 1988, REFA currently has over 550 members and 59 corporate sponsors and this year hosted 30 educational and networking events. GBREB, Founded in 1889, counts as its members more than 7,500 professionals engaged in all sectors of the industry. One of the local boards of the National Association of Realtors (the largest trade association in North America), BOMA International and the National Apartment Association, GBREB is considered unique nationally due to its varied membership base. The board also has five major divisions which are: Building Owners and Managers Association; Commercial Brokers Association; Real Estate Finance Association; Rental Housing Association; Greater Boston Association of Realtors.