On Wednesday, July 15, Chuck Leitner, CEO, The Berkshire Group, will speak as part of the REFA Industry Leaders Series. The REFA Industry Leaders Series features a prominent industry leader with a national perspective on the market. Next in the series, Stephen Kenny, senior vice president and division executive of Bank of America Merrill Lynch will be speaking on Tuesday, October 27.
This summer, REFA will celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the REFA Emerging Leaders Membership with a panel discussion on the Boston market then and now, A Decade in Review. Ron Perry, president & head of brokerage, Colliers International will moderate the panel with speakers Tom Alperin, president, National Development; Leslie Cohen, EVP, development & principal, Samuels & Associates; Michael Lindgren, SVP & co-head of commercial real estate, Cambridge Savings Bank; Jim Tierney, managing director - New England Market, JLL. This program will be followed by REFA's annual summer reception, which draws 100 real estate finance attendees for networking and cocktails. This program will be held on Wednesday, August 5 at Goulston & Storrs.
Bryan Koop, senior vice president and regional manager, Boston Properties will be the recipient of the Robert S. Swain Jr. Distinguished Service Award at the 27th Annual REFA Gala, to be held Thursday, October 8th at Westin Copley Place, Boston.
Koop will join 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, which attracts over 550 real estate professionals, 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.

For more information about REFA, including upcoming summer events, please visit our website at www.REFA.org. Follow REFA on Twitter @REFABoston.