At REITWorld 2016: NAREIT’s Annual Convention for All Things REIT on Nov. 15, NAREIT honored Steve Buller, portfolio manager at Fidelity Investments, and David Henry, retired vice chairman, president and CEO of Kimco Realty Corp. (NYSE: KIM), for their contributions to the REIT industry.
Henry received the Edward H. Linde Industry Leadership Award, which is named after the late CEO of Boston Properties (NYSE: BXP). It is presented annually to a REIT executive who has made a significant and lasting contribution to the growth and betterment of the industry. After retiring from Kimco, Henry co-founded Peaceable Street Capital.
Timothy Naughton, chairman and CEO of AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE: AVB) and 2017 NAREIT Chair, highlighted Henry’s efforts in taking the REIT story to policymakers on Capitol Hill. “He has helped build a better understanding of our industry and the REIT investment proposition,” Naughton said. Naughton also underscored Henry’s contribution to NAREIT’s Executive Board, where he served as an officer before his retirement at the beginning of 2016.
Additionally, NAREIT gave the E. Lawrence Miller Industry Achievement Award, named in honor of the late CEO of Bradley Real Estate Trust and past NAREIT Chair, to Buller.
Buller was one of the earliest REIT fund managers, and “played an important role in providing the public investment capital that fueled the growth of the REIT industry at the start of the Modern REIT Era,” said Edward Fritsch, president and CEO of Highwoods Properties (NYSE: HIW) and 2016 NAREIT Chair.
Fritsch also pointed to Buller’s role in seeking new markets for REITs, notably in Japan, as well as his active membership of the NAREIT Real Estate Investment Advisory Council.