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Lou Slade
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Dear Colleagues,
I humbly step into Helen Sause’s role as your new KeyNotes Editor and International Scribe. Fortunately Helen and Michele Meng are backing me up along with Kathy Keler who is part of this editorial and production team. This January issue is my first.
First, I plan to put at the top of my list of objectives, Helen’s list from her last column where she noted things she wanted to get done, but felt she didn’t accomplish. Helen, I’ll try too.
Next, I was told that this column would be my opportunity to serve our membership as I see fit. At least for this month, I’ve chosen to outline the challenge our new International President Karen Sierecki has given me as Chair of the Publications Committee. This committee has the objective to provide the modus operandi for informing members and the world about the activities of all the Chapters and LAI, and KeyNotes is one of the primary tools we have to achieve that objective. The deliverables of the committee are:
- To provide clarity across all media,
- To determine what constitutes news and useful information,
- To provide a link between LAI and all Chapters, and
- To make it more enticing and interesting for members and others to read and communicate ideas, experiences etc.
This is an exciting time for LAI and I’m looking forward to making a contribution to our collective efforts.
My guidance is the Strategic Plan, and for the Publications Committee and KeyNotes here are some excerpts from the Mission Statement that I thought were particularly Germaine:
- Facilitate interaction among the leaders in all professions contributing to land economics,
- Strive to encourage shared knowledge among our members,
- Increase awareness of LAI within our related industries, disciplines, chapter cities and countries, and therefore,
- it is critical to the mission of LAI to make the Society known in a manner that reflects our desired image of LAI.
Following are a few thoughts:
- It’s my perception that today, there could be more interaction between chapters, and the communications between International and each chapter is limited primarily to administrative matters. The exception to this is Keynotes, but while Keynotes includes good information about chapter activities and LEW’s, the readership could be stronger and the content could be expanded to hit the Strategic Plan objectives.
- I can only comment about communications within the GW Chapter, and while our chapter is active and healthy with a very successful luncheon speaker program, we don’t do anything else: we are a lunch club with speakers touching on land economics topics. In the case of our chapter, we need to embrace more Strategic Plan objectives to better leverage the value of our membership and to contribute to and make better use of the resources of the international organization.
- LAIGW is a “secret society” in Washington. This is not by design, it’s just a fact: few people in Washington outside of the organization know about LAIGW. Also, our membership really doesn’t know much about the International organization and therefore does not take advantage of it. I don’t know if the other chapters are in the same boat. In any case, we need to elevate our public profile through actions and communications.
Over the next several months I intend to tap KeyNotes’ readers’ views on how Strategic Plan objectives can be better served by KeyNotes and other communications media. The Publications Committee will be working with other committees such as Public Relations to explore the universe of print and electronic media and communications and your ideas will help us.
I hope to serve you well,
Lou Slade
International LAI Editor
louis.slade@goroveslade.com
In Memoriam
Baltimore Chapter
Malcolm “Mal” Sherman pushed for integration of Baltimore neighborhoods in the l950s and l960s
Malcolm Sherman, the former Rouse Company executive and President of Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors, died November 19th at the Broadmead retirement community in Cockeysville, Maryland. Mal championed fair housing in real estate since the early l950s after he experienced anti-Semitism in Baltimore and saw neighborhood segregation. As a young entrepreneur who always had been interested in housing and land, he coupled that passion with his social worker zeal to help people. In the l960s, Mal’s business, Mal Sherman Inc. Realtors took a hit because of his hiring practice for real estate agents ignoring gender or the pigmentation of one’s skin.
Mal and his family were pioneers of the new community, Columbia. According to Padraic Kennedy, a former neighbor in Columbia: “Next to Jim Rouse, Mal probably did more than anyone to help Columbia to become and open and racially integrated community.”
Ever principled, his leadership in the fight for nondiscriminatory housing practices led President John F. Kennedy to appoint Sherman to the Equal Opportunity for Housing in America Committee.
In l999, the Maryland Association of REALTORS* awarded Sherman its Lifetime Achievement Award for his crusade to bring fair housing to all in the land of the free.
Tara B. Clifford
www.lai-baltimore.org
Chapter Corner
Boston Chapter:
1st Initiation Dinner and Installation of Officers Ceremony
The Boston Chapter welcomed nine new members at our holiday luncheon in December: Mark Murphy, Esquire; John Cissel; Walter Pennell, MAI, CRE; John Bowman, CRE; Peter Smith; Dan Moon; Chris Vericker; Patricia Baumer; Paul Baccari, Esquire; Thomas Goodwin.
Harold Brown, prominent real estate investor and manager, addressed the assemblage with a thoughtful reflection on past contractions and a pep talk on prospects for 2010. Back to the Future was Harold Brown’s selected topic and he used the cycle to remember where we were in the past two or three downturns. Harold Brown’s $130 million purchase of the 409-unit Dexter Park in Brookline, MA was featured in the Wall Street Journal’s Deal of the Week last fall and demonstrated his feelings about the current opportunistic period. James Rooney, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, will discuss the expansion plans of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC) and enhancement of the Hynes in the Back Bay, at a luncheon meeting on February 9, 2010 at the BCEC. Mr. Rooney will describe the major programmatic efforts to put Boston in the top 5 (up from top 10) major U.S. host cities.
David Kirk, President
Ely Chapter:
THE ELY CHAPTER WELCOMES THE 2010 BOARD
The Ely chapter welcomed its new board on a wonderful 1/2 day "In Town Retreat" consisting of chapter business and some social time over dinner. The meeting was held at the beautifully renovated vintage home of Susanne Cannon, one of our Ely Chapter members, in the River North neighborhood of the city. S.L. Van Der Zanden (RE Solutions), this years Chapter President, presided over the meeting with the following board members present:
Past President: Michael Mallon (Mallon and Associates)
President Elect / VP Membership: Linda Goodman (Goodman Williams Group)
Secretary: Todd J. Cabanban (Zifkin Realty Group)
Treasurer: Tim Doron (Gewalt Hamilton Associates)
VP Education/Initiation Banquet: Laurie Marston (Laurie Marston Associates)
VP Programs: Allen Joffe (Baum Realty Group, Inc.)
VP Chautauqua: Jacqueline J. Loewe (StoryStudio Chicago)
Directors at Large:
Len Caldeira (Jones Lang LaSalle)
LaVon M. Johns (Pugh,Jones,Johnson& Quandt)
Bonnie Sanchez-Carlson (Near So. Planning Bd.)
Diane Watry (Rick Levin & Associates, Inc.)
Administrative Director: Barbara Morris (Lambda Alpha International)
At the meeting S.L. presented his vision for ways to improve all aspects of the chapter, from chapter business to using technology for increased efficiencies. Later in the meeting we discussed ideas and goals for upcoming membership initiatives and programming topics. Overall we got a lot accomplished and feel "fired up" and ready for 2010.
After dinner we headed next door for a fantastic Italian dinner at Ristorante Prosecco.
Todd J. Cabanban, Scribe
George Washington Chapter:
The Chapter elected new officers and Board members in December 2009. Lou Slade stepped down as president after four successful years in which he presided over stimulating luncheon discussions, increased corporate sponsorship of chapter events, helped create the Lou Bolan Scholarship Fund and fostered increased chapter membership. He will continue his association as an LAI officer as International Scribe, Editor of Keynotes, and Chair of the International Publications Committee.
The Chapter’s new president is Elizabeth Davison, an urban economist who has been director of the Montgomery County, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Affairs and an associate with several nationally recognized real estate economic consulting firms. She currently manages her own firm and is an adjunct professor at the School of Architecture and Planning at the Catholic University of America. She is recognized as an expert in affordable and workforce housing and has also consulted nationally on commercial revitalization, growth management and infrastructure needs.
Other Chapter officers elected in December are:
Erwin Andres, Vice President for Programs
Mary Fitch, Vice President for Membership
Richard Harps, Treasurer
Jeff Domber, Secretary
Anita Morrison, Historian
Rosalyn Doggett, Scribe
Steven Sher, Awards and Scholarships
Debra Yogodzinski, Land Economics Foundation
The full slate of Board members will be covered in an upcoming issue. We note with regret that former Secretary, Amy Hecker, and husband, Chapter member and architectural historian, Howard Decker, have left the Washington, DC area for Rochester NY.
At our two most recent monthly luncheons, we heard from new Chapter member, District of Columbia City Administrator and former Deputy Mayor for Economic Development, Neil Albert, and from noted local architect Amy Weinstein. Mr. Albert spoke predominantly about measures the city is taking to keep its fiscal house in order given the decline in revenue currently being experienced. Amy Weinstein showed the attendees several alternative schemes to restore an original L’Enfant Plan park, on Pennsylvania Avenue near Capitol Hill’s Eastern Market, to a verdant state.
The Constance Whitaker Maffin Memorial Fund
The Constance Whitaker Maffin Memorial fund, a D.C. nonprofit organization, has been formed by professional colleagues, neighbors and friends, to recognize Connie’s fierce commitment to community service, particularly her dedication to land, urban, historic and neighborhood development and preservation.
The fund is currently pursuing two major programs. First to contribute a memorial to Connie and community service in a small new public park in the Logan Circle neighborhood of Washington DC on 10th Street, NW, between L and M Streets.
Second, to endow a design program of competition for High School students in the District of Columbia, on an annual or biennial basis, in cooperation with the Washington architectural foundation, conduct a design competition for the development, refurbishment or preservation of public spaces in the District of Columbia. The aim of the endowment is to stimulate student interest to enter the design profession and their concern and care for public spaces.
Members of the George Washington Chapter, Lambda Alpha International, will recall that the Chapter nominated and Lambda Alpha International concurred by posthumously awarding the International Humanitarian award to Connie at its 2009 Chicago conference.
Professional colleagues, like Lambda Alpha members, neighbors and friends are encouraged to contribute to the fund by going to the website:
www:conniemaffinmemorial.org and follow the directions for donating on the web by check mailed to:
The Constance Whitaker Maffin Memorial Fund
P.O. Box 9389, Washington, D.C. 20005
Rosalyn Doggett, George Washington Chapter Scribe
Philadelphia Chapter:
The Philadelphia Chapter of Lambda Alpha International is committed to bringing together top industry leaders to discuss the hot topics affecting you, your business and the regional economy. As President of LAI Philadelphia, I am excited to announce our next event on February 16, 2010. Please find complete details below.
Following our excellent December program on the Distressed Lending Environment, our February 16th meeting will focus on a Forecast for the Regional Convention & Hospitality Industry. LAI Philadelphia has lined up top regional leaders to discuss the expansion of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the region's efforts to market the new Center nationally, and the outlook for the local hospitality industry. Come join us for an insider's discussion on what is happening in this key industry, and how the coming changes may impact the larger regional economy.
As usual, a light breakfast will be served. I look forward to seeing you all there.
David Grasso, Chapter President
Phoenix Chapter:
2010 Board of Directors
Brian Kearney President Gray Development Group
Curt Johnson President Elect Coe & Van Loo Consultants, Inc.
Ann McCartney Treasurer Keystone Commercial Capital
Cindy Hammond Secretary Churchill Commercial Capital
Jim Adams Vice President Membership Arizona State Land Department
Sheila D. Harris Vice President of Programs The Molera Alvarez Group
Jordan Rose Board Member Rose Law Group
Steven R. Gragg, MAI, SRA Immediate Past President Cushman & Wakefield of Arizona, Inc.
Andy Conlin Ex-Officio Board Member Conlin & Company
Lance Ross, SIOR Ex-Officio Board Member Ross Property Advisors
Tres Winius Ex-Officio Board Member Integra Winius Realty Analysts
Real Estate Bankruptcies for the Non-Lawyer Real Estate Professional
Learn: The Essential Principles of Bankruptcy Reorganization and Liquidation
through a Case Study Based on Arizona Real Estate
Experience: How to Address Real Life Issues Through a Small Group Hands-on Exercise Followed by Expert Critique and Comment
Take Away: An Enhanced Ability to Work Out or Reorganize Troubled Real Estate Assets
Who: The Honorable Charles G. Case II, US Bankruptcy Judge; Thomas J. Salerno, Esq., Squire, Sanders & Dempsey; Edward Villanueva, CPA; and Andy Conlin, Realty Resolution Advisors.
FEBRUARY 10TH, 2010
Hotel Valley Ho
1:00pm Registration
1:30pm - 5:00pm Trial
5:00pm - 6:00pm Reception
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Land Economics Foundation (LEF)
LEF Grant Program
LEF is a not-for-profit charitable foundation organized to administer an investment fund which provides grants for research projects related to land economics. Over the past three years LEF has committed capital (5% of assets) to a number of significant and worthwhile endeavors across the country on a matching basis with other non-profit entities. The following are projects LEF has funded to-date.
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$5,000 |
Safe Horizon – A mediation program designed to train volunteers in three New York locations to assist the underprivileged in dealing with aggressive landlords. Highly successful program being expanded nationally. |
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$5,000 |
San Diego Canyonlands Video – Created a video on a collaborative basis with several conservation organizations to expose on cable television the critical need to preserve open space canyons as a natural link to other urbanized communities in the county. |
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$5,000 |
Arizona State University Student Chapter – Provided the initial funding to create a graduate student chapter in real estate to function cooperatively with LAI’s Phoenix Chapter; a model for other Chapters. |
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$30,000 |
Burnheim Centennial Celebration – An advanced commitment for LAI to participate with other major real estate organizations in 2009 to recognizing the unique skills of Daniel Burnheim, credited with the masterplanning of Chicago, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Manila, etc. |
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$4,500 |
Ross Minority Program – In cooperation with USC’s Marshall School of Business, LAI is participating with the partial sponsorship of minorities in attendance in a comprehensive, two-week program involving community redevelopment projects, primarily in neglected areas. |
$5,000 |
Light Rail Value Impacts – With the completion and now operational Light Rail system in Phoenix, the Foundation underwrote the cost of updating a ULI study addressing the impact on land uses and values surrounding the stations along the new rail line. The Master’s Thesis is to be submitted and published by Arizona State University. |
$10,000 |
San Miguel de Allende Land Use Study – A technical work shop involving 15 participants from multiple disciplines will be assembled in Mexico to provide guidance for urban growth patterns, transportation, water management, conservation, etc. for this community of 80,000 people. LAI will be participating with six alliance partners. |
LEF has carefully investigated a number of other proposed projects that it did not fund, primarily because of capital constraints at the point in time the request was made, others due to conflicts with our grant criteria. Without detail, the following were submitted and considered.
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$10,000 |
Tenement Museum Program |
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$10,000 |
World Urban Forum |
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$5,000 |
University of Memphis Scholarships |
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$5,000 |
California State University Scholarships |
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$100,000 |
Lewis Bolan Scholarships (John Hopkins University) |
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$5,000 |
Chicago Architecture Foundation |
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$10,000 |
DePaul University |
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$10,000 |
California State University (Fullerton) Scholarships |
The principal thrust of our efforts has been to promote LAI recognition on a broad scale basis, with particular emphasis on local chapter involvement at numerous levels. We look forward to considering your Chapter’s application, the process can be found on LAI’s website. Please do not hesitate to contact any of the officers for guidance if needed, that is what we are here for.
LEF Board
Download this article in word format
LEF Grant Program (pdf)
Ron Buss, LEF Vice President
Announcements
Administration Matters!
Attention LAI Members! Forgot how to login? No Problem
Please visit the LAI Website at www.LAI.org. On the left hand side click on the Members Only Tab. Here you will need to use your email and the password is lai.
New LAI Brochures Available!
Please contact LAI@LAI.org to order the New Brochures.
Save the Date ! ! !
Minneapolis, Minnesota, Spring Land Economics Weekend
May 13-15, 2010
The Westin, Minneapolis, MN
Hotel Reservations Rates:
*$119.00US + taxes Single/Double
Phone: 1-888-627-8343
Watch for more information in the coming months!
Future Land Economics Weekends (Subject to Change)
2010
Fall: New Mexico, Zia Chapter, October 21-23, 2010
2011
Spring: Scotland, June 1-4, 2011
Fall: TBD
New Members
Sacramento
Anthony A. Arostegui, Trainor Fairbrook
Lori Bluett, Bluett & Associates, Inc.
Scott Cable, Oates Investments, Inc.
Paul Cunha, S.D. Deacon Corporation of California
Stephen A. Fleming, River City Bank
Jason Goff, Jones Lang LaSalle
Larry Kelley, McClellan Business Park
John Pappas, Pappas Investments
John Shelby, Five Star Bank
Robert Wassmer, California State University, Sacramento
San Diego
Mark Bagula, Esq., Watkins Firm
Craig Benedetto, California Strategies
Nancy Chase, Public Policy Partners LLC
Jeffrey Chine, Esq., Allen Matkins Leck Gamble
Randi Coopersmith, Latitude 33 Planning & Engineering
Prescilla Dugard, Esq., Stutz Artiano Shinoff & Holtz
Steve Erie, PhD, UCSD, Political Science Dept
Mark Hanson, CEO, LMI of San Diego
Erik Judson, JMI Sports, LLC
Robert Kolodny, Esq., Kolody & Pressman
John Kross, Dep Dir, SD County Real Estate Services
Jennifer LaSar, LaSar Development Consultants
Jim Madaffer, Madaffer Enterprises
Nathan Moeder, London Group Realty Advis
Brian Mooney, AICP, Del Mar Planning & Com Devel Dir
Robin Munro Esq., Prarie Schwartz Heidel
William Nichol, Intracorp San Diego (Ret)
Partick O’Day, O’Day Consultants
Scott Peters, Esq., SD Unified Port District
Brad Richter, Centre City Develop Corp
Stephen Roach, Jones Roach Carigella
Sal Salas, Intero Real Estate Services
Thomas Sullivan, The Irvine Company
Thomas Topuzes, Thomas Topuzes & Associates, LLC
Brian Trotier, Esq., Southeastern Econ Devel Corp
Russell Valone, Marketpointe Realty Advisors
Jim Whalen, J.Whalen Associates, Inc.
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