Bryan Koop, Boston Properties

Boston, MA On Thursday, October 8, REFA celebrated their 27^th Annual REFA Gala with over 550 Members and guests at the Westin Copley Place. Bryan Koop, senior vice president and regional manager, Boston Properties was the recipient of the Robert S. Swain Jr. Distinguished Service Award. Koop joined an elite list in the real estate community of past recipients; most recently Pam Herbst of AEW Capital Management in 2014, mayor Thomas Menino in 2013, Joe Fallon of the Fallon Company in 2012, Thomas Hynes of Colliers International in 2011, and Thomas DeSimone of WS Development in 2010. REFA has also recognized three families over the course of the award’s history. The REFA Gala has long been a celebration of the organization’s accomplishments, as well as recognizing an individual who has made significant contributions to the real estate industry and Greater Boston community.

Friday morning, September 11, the Real Estate Finance Association held it’s Fall Conference presentation at the Westin Hotel in Waltham. Pictured (from left) are: panelist Bryan Blake of Calare Properties; keynote speaker Hans Nordby of CoStar Portfolio Strategy; panel moderator Heather Brown of Jones Lang LaSalle; panelist Deane Dolben of The Dolben Company; and panelist Rick Griffin of the R.J. Kelly Company.

Falling on the heels of the REFA Gala, members of REFA can attend a Members Only Luncheon on a project update on North Station. A panel of Boston Properties leaders will share their plans for North Station, a 1.8 million s/f mixed use development. Panelists include 27^th Annual REFA Gala Distinguished Service Award Recipient Bryan Koop, senior vice president; Patrick Mulvihill, director, leasing; and Kevin Sheehan, vice president, development. The program will be held on October 20 from 11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. and will be held at Mintz Levin, One Financial Center. This program is designed for members-only.

On October 27 as part of REFA’s Industry Leaders Series, REFA welcomes Stephen Kenny, senior vice president and division executive for commercial real estate banking at Bank of America Merrill Lynch as the keynote speaker. The breakfast will be held at Goulston & Storrs on 400 Atlantic Ave., Boston from 7:45 – 9:15 a.m.

On October 29, REFA will be holding a program on Center Plaza’s redevelopment project. The program will be moderated by Doug Husid co-managing partner, Goulston & Storrs. Panelists include: Paul Doyle, senior vice president, HSBC, USA, N.A.; Peter Gori, director, Newmark Grubb Knight Frank; Kevin Kennedy, first vice president, CBRE Brokerage: Haril Pandya AIA, LEED AP, principal, CBT Architects and Matthew Knisely, managing director, Shorenstein Properties LLC. The program will be held at Two Center Plaza from 7:45 – 9:15 a.m.

To learn more about REFA including membership, events, and ways to get involved, please visit us at www.refa.org. Follow REFA on Twitter @REFABoston.