Nareit Awards Recognize Contributions of Industry Leaders
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov. 9, 2021) – During its REITworld: 2021 Annual Conference, Nareit announced the winners of its prestigious industry leadership and achievement awards.
The Nareit 2021 Industry Leadership Award was presented to Glenn Rufrano, former CEO of VEREIT.
While presenting Rufrano with the award, Marguerite Nader, president and CEO of Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc. and Nareit’s 2022 chair, noted his more than 45 years of experience in real estate and his transparent management style.
“Glenn has served at the helm of 19 different companies and assumed the role of CEO of VEREIT in 2015, where he spearheaded the company’s complete overhaul and oversaw its merger this year with Realty Income,” Nader said. “Under his management, the company received not only a new name, but also a reconstituted board of directors and a new company-wide business approach based on discipline, transparency and consistency.”
Nareit presents its Industry Leadership Award annually to a REIT executive who has made a significant and lasting contribution to the growth and betterment of the industry. The award is presented in memory of Edward H. Linde, the late CEO of Boston Properties.
The Nareit 2021 Industry Achievement Award was presented to Jeffrey Horowitz, head of global real estate, gaming and lodging for Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
In announcing Horowitz as this year’s award winner, James Risoleo, president and CEO of Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. and Nareit’s 2021 chair, discussed Horowitz’s active involvement in the REIT and commercial real estate community.
“Jeff was instrumental in helping the REIT industry successfully emerge from the Great Recession of 2008 by advising REITs to recapitalize with public equity in spring 2009,” Risoleo said. “He is unwavering in his commitment to the industry with a constant presence at Nareit events and conferences. He currently serves as BAML’s representative in Nareit’s Executive Board Associate Program, and previously served on the Investment Committee of The Urban Land Institute, the Board of Trustees of the Harvard Business School Real Estate Alumni Association, and the Real Estate Roundtable, where he co-headed the Capital Policy Advisory Committee.”
The Nareit Industry Achievement Award is given annually to professionals serving the REIT industry whose acumen and integrity have helped heighten awareness and understanding of the value of REITs and publicly traded real estate. The award is presented in memory of E. Lawrence Miller, the former CEO of one of the industry’s first REITs, Bradley Real Estate Trust.