Boston 2016 Forecast - A View From the Top

Ronald M. Druker, President of the Druker Company is publicly known in Boston for the mixed-use developments he has created throughout the City such as Heritage on the Garden, The Colonnade Hotel and Residencies on Huntington Avenue and Atelier/505 in Boston’s South End. His allegiance to Boston is evident in the finely designed buildings he creates and the extraordinary efforts he expends in helping guide the design of Boston’s growth. Privately he is known for his commitment to the Boston community and the city’s arts and cultural life. The Druker Company, begun by Ron’s grandfather and recognized as a leader in downtown revitalization, remains one of the oldest and most respected real estate development firms in Boston. Today, Ron’s commitment to preserving the city’s history is largely responsible for the company’s continued reputation as a force in creating a livable and manageable city.

Richard L. Friedman is President and Chief Executive Officer of Carpenter & Company Inc., a nationally recognized, award-winning real estate development firm based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. With a focus on hotel and mixed-use developments that spans more than 40 years, Mr. Friedman has become one of the most respected hotel developers in the country. He is known for his creative approach to hotel developments, the reuse of historic structures, and high rise transformative mixed-use projects. Among the firm’s most noteworthy projects are the conversion of Boston’s iconic and historic Charles Street Jail into the luxury hotel, aptly named, The Liberty Hotel; the design and construction of the 42-story St. Regis Hotel and Residences in downtown San Francisco; and the Charles Hotel and Square, an 800,000 square foot mixed-use project in the heart of Harvard Square, Cambridge. It is worthy of note that all of his company’s developments have been financially and civically successful, and honored recipients of numerous design and civic awards, including the “Development of the Year Award” by America’s Lodging Summit; Gold List, Conde Nast Traveler; Preservation Award, Massachusetts Historical Commission; and Best Business Hotel, Travel + Leisure to name a few. As a member of the Board of Directors of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, he is active in its global expansion and design quality. Mr. Friedman’s company is currently developing two marquee Four Seasons hotel and residential projects: The Four Seasons Hotel & Private Residences One Dalton Street, Boston, and The Four Seasons Hotel & Private Residences New Orleans. One Dalton, due for completion in the summer of 2019, will be the tallest residential building ever constructed in New England and boasts boldface designers Henry N. Cobb, founding partner of Pei, Cobb Freed & Partners, and Thierry Despont. In 2020, Carpenter & Company will bring to New Orleans its first true five-star hotel, the Four Seasons Hotel & Private Residences. It will be a conversion of the historically landmarked former World Trade Center on the Mississippi River waterfront at the intersection of Poydras and Canal Streets. Carpenter & Company is also under construction with a 250-room Edition Hotel in Reykjavik, Iceland. Set on the harbor in Reykjavik, adjacent to Harpa, the city’s stunning concert and conference hall, The Edition will be Icelands’s first five-star hotel opening in the summer of 2020. In addition to his distinguished real estate portfolio, Mr. Friedman is known for his long-standing dedication to civic service. President Barack Obama appointed Mr. Friedman to the President’s Export Council, where he served as Co-Chairperson of the committee advising on U.S. travel and tourism policy. During the Clinton Administration, he served as Chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission, the federal government’s urban planning agency in charge of all master planning, monuments, and parklands in the Metro D.C. area. He is also the founder of the Interagency Security Task Force for Washington, DC which partners with the U.S. Secret Service among other government agencies, to improve security with good aesthetics and civic purpose in Washington. In addition to the Four Seasons Board seat he serves or has served on numerous businesses civic and charitable boards and has been a key charitable contributor to numerous local and national charities.

As President, Jim Halliday is responsible for the overall strategic direction of the Company. In leading the Senior Management Team, Jim is responsible for coordinating the efforts of all aspects and functions of the Company. In sharing functional responsibilities with the other members of the Senior Management Team, Jim has primary responsibility for the leasing, property management, and financing efforts of the portfolio. Jim and the NB Development Team are currently working on executing the collaborative vision of New Balance and the community of Allston Brighton to transform Boston Landing into an exciting new and lively new mixed use district comprised of innovation, health & wellness, living and 18-hour/7-Days retail & restaurants activity, as reflected in its anchor tenancies of New Balance, Boston Bruins, and Boston Celtics. Prior to this role, Jim served as the Real Estate Controller for the Company, where he was responsible for the financial reporting and lender & banking relationships for the Company, its property holdings, and its development projects. Jim has over 30 years of real estate experience, including Vice-President of Company Operations & Controller for Winstanley Enterprises, and as a Senior Asset Manager with Spaulding & Slye Investments, Great Point Investors, and Liberty Real Estate Group. Jim also held financial reporting related positions with Liberty Real Estate Group, The Beacon Companies, and Boston Properties. Jim obtained his MBA from Suffolk University and his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Northeastern University. Jim is a licensed Massachusetts Real Estate Broker. Jim was a varsity competitive swimmer while at Northeastern University. Jim is also passionate about skiing and is a PSIA certified Ski Instructor, where you can find him on the Cranmore Mountain slopes in North Conway, during the winters. Jim also serves as an Ambassador for Parlor Skis, a New England based custom fit ski-maker based in East Boston.