SAD NEWS:
42-year old Josh Freeman, CEO of the Carl M. Freeman Companies, died last night in a helicopter crash returning from the Eastern Shore. The firm founded in 1946 by his father (who died in a car crash in 1998) came to own and develop numerous shopping centers and other properties in the region.
Party Scene:
You know how hard it is to take pictures when you've got food in your hands? But mission-critical party reporting must go on!
Client Appreciation. Many real estate friends (and grateful eaters of those yummy lamb chops like yours truly) were among several hundred who turned out last night for Reznick Group's holiday bash at the Bethesda Hyatt Regency. Reznick co-founders Dave Reznick and Ivan Silverman, on the right, welcome Mortgage Bankers Association CEO Jonathan Kempner, National Association of Home Builders' Sharon Bell, and former Maryland Senate candidate (and Jonathan's spouse) Lisa van Susteren.
Holiday Spirit. African-American Real Estate Professionals' President Bridgette Chase was in seasonal green last night to host AAREP members and friends at DC offices of Pillsbury Winthrop, here with Pillsbury's Garland Stillwell, Minority Business Enterprise Council's Allison Defoe, and DC Councilman Harry Thomas of Ward 5.
What a Crew! Commercial Real Estate Women show gender is no bar to doing their end-of-the-year board meeting over drinks at Teatro Goldoni last week (that they let this observer crash). From left, incoming president Kathy Allgier of Jones Lang; Cassidy & Pinkard Colliers' Kim Quirante and Elaine Gray (outgoing president), Studios Architecture's Jane Gustafson, Cassidy's Jayne Shister (2005 president), and Quadrangle's Helen Haerle (president-elect for 2008).
High Officials. The GWCAR holiday party on the 12th floor at the National Association of Realtors building last week not only afforded breathtaking views of the floodlight Capitol, but the occasion to install Studley's Tom Fulcher as 2007 president-elect and Equity Office Properties Trust's Marty Almquist as actual president. Note how GWCAR cleverly ropes in its leaders for several terms by giving them multiple titles.
Building Business. At DCBIA holiday party at 1101 New York Avenue on Monday evening, Louis Dreyfus' Sean Cahill meets up with Centex Construction's Steve Smithgall.
All Ears. At Maryland/DC NAIOP holiday breakfast last Wednesday at Columbia Country Club, Corporate Office Properties' Dwight Taylor makes point to Guy Whose Name We Don't Know, while Hagerstown economic development official Robin Ferree looks on. (In our defense: If it's just the side of a head, do we really need to identify it?)
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