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QC01292015

FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com JANUARY 29, 2015 • REAL ESTATE • The Queens Courier 33 ▶ real estate Real Estate Board celebrates retiring president at 119th annual banquet BY LIAM LA GUERRE lguerre@queenscourier.com @liamlaguerre The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) held its popular annual banquet for the 119th time on Jan. 15 and celebrated the end of an era. President Steven Spinola, who led the industry advocacy organization for 28 years, becoming its longest serving leader, was honored at the event with the Harry B. Helmsley Distinguished New Yorker Award for “invaluable contributions” to the city’s real estate community. Spinola plans to step down from his position this year, and Con Edison executive John Banks will take over the helm. More than 2,300 real estate personnel attended the banquet and cocktail party, as well as Mayor Bill de Blasio, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, Sen. Charles Schumer and other top elected officials, and the city’s real estate leaders. “We are enormously proud to honor our dear friend Steven Spinola for all the spectacular work he does for our industry,” said REBNY Chairman Rob Speyer. “For nearly three decades, through good times and bad, Steve’s professionalism, thoughtful advocacy and generosity of spirit has inspired our community.” Photos courtesy of Gotham Photo Company REBNY President Steven Spinola, Mayor Bill de Blasio, and REBNY President-Elect John Banks Aerial view of the Grand Ballroom at the New York Hilton New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and REBNY Chairman Rob Speyer Robert A. Knakal, chairman, Massey Knakal (now Cushman & Wakefield) Barbara Fox, president of Fox Residential Group Inc., recipient of The Kenneth R. Gerrety Humanitarian Award Peter Hauspurg, chairman and chief executive officer of Eastern Consolidated, recipient of The Louis Smadbeck Broker Recognition Award


QC01292015
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