BOMA/Chicago Announces Winners of 2011-2012 Gold Circle and "The Outstanding Building of the Year" (TOBY) Awards

CHICAGO, Jan. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago (BOMA/Chicago) announced the winners of the Gold Circle and "The Outstanding Building of the Year" (TOBY) Awards at an awards gala last night in the historic Great Hall at Union Station.

Now in its third year, BOMA/Chicago's Gold Circle Awards honor individual excellence within Chicago's commercial real estate community in five categories: Property Management Professional of the Year, Building Engineer of the Year, Security Professional of the Year, Emerging Leader of the Year and Affiliate Member of the Year. Nominees were judged on a wide range of criteria, including their professional accomplishments, involvement in BOMA/Chicago and positive impact on Chicago's commercial real estate community.

"We are honored that Chicago's most influential commercial real estate professionals and buildings are BOMA/Chicago members. The 2011-2012 Gold Circle Award recipients provide strong examples of leadership, professionalism and achievement for future industry practitioners," said Michael Cornicelli, executive vice president of BOMA/Chicago. "We are only as strong as our members, and the breadth of this year's Gold Circle Award honorees demonstrates BOMA/Chicago's leadership in Chicago and around the world."

The 2011-2012 Gold Circle Award winners are:

• Property Management Professional of the Year: Nancy Capadona, RPA, LEED Green Associate, general manager of 311 South Wacker Drive, a CBRE-managed property. During her tenure as general manager, Capadona facilitated a ComEd pilot program for ongoing-based commissioning, extensive security upgrades and a $5 million speculative suite program. The Property Management Professional of the Year Award recognizes excellence in property management for professionals charged with managing the day-to-day operations and maintenance of BOMA/Chicago member buildings.
• Building Engineer of the Year: U.S. Equities' Jim Vail, chief engineer of 69 West Washington Street. Vail was selected for his dedication to implementing comprehensive sustainability initiatives at 69 West Washington Street. The Building Engineer of the Year Award honors operational excellence of engineering professionals overseeing the systems and infrastructure of Chicago's commercial buildings.
• Security Professional of the Year: Michael Schroeder, manager of business continuity and life safety at the Willis Tower, a U.S. Equities-managed building. Schroeder is the chairman of the Business Continuity and Overall Resiliency (BCR) Committee for BOMA/Chicago and has promoted BCR throughout Chicago's commercial real estate community. The Security Professional of the Year Award recognizes excellence in building security management of BOMA/Chicago member buildings.
• Emerging Leader of the Year: Jones Lang LaSalle's Genevieve Jeanty, LEED Green Associate, director of operations at the Hyatt Center. Jeanty was selected for her efforts on the BOMA/Chicago Social Marketing Committee as well as her leadership role in achieving LEED Gold certification at 55 West Monroe Street, where she worked prior to her appointment as director of operations for the Hyatt Center. The Emerging Leader of the Year Award recognizes the leadership achievement of BOMA/Chicago's building and affiliate members with less than 10 years of industry experience.
• Affiliate Member of the Year: Michael Johnsen, owner of Hard Surface Finishers. Johnsen was recognized for his more than 15 years of active BOMA/Chicago membership and consistent support of Chicago's commercial real estate industry. The Affiliate Member of the Year Award honors affiliate members that demonstrate exemplary dedication and service to BOMA/Chicago and its members.

BOMA/Chicago also honored local buildings through the TOBY Awards, which recognize excellence in office building management. This year's TOBY Award nominees competed in nine categories based on building size and facility type. They were judged on tenant relations initiatives, commitment to environmental sustainability, emergency preparedness, budgeting, work order systems, security standards, staff experience and continuing education opportunities.

The following buildings earned TOBY Awards:

• 100,000 – 249,000 Square Feet Category: 55 West Wacker Drive, managed by MB Real Estate and owned by 55 West Wacker Owner's Association.
• 250,000 – 499,000 Square Feet Category: 303 West Madison Street, managed by CBRE and owned by 303 Madison Chicago, LLC.
• 500,000 – One Million Square Feet Category: One South Dearborn Street, managed by Hines and owned by South Dearborn, LLC.
• Over One Million Square Feet Category: Hyatt Center, located at 71 South Wacker Drive, managed by Jones Lang LaSalle and owned by the Irvine Company.
• Earth Award Category: 10 and 120 South Riverside Plaza, managed and owned by Behringer Harvard.
• Historical Building Category: The Rookery, located at 209 South LaSalle Street, managed by Buck Management Group, LLC and owned by The Rookery LP.
• Renovated Building Category: 101 North Wacker Drive, managed by Hines Interests Limited Partnership and owned by Hines Value Added Fund II 101 North Wacker L.P.
• Corporate Facility Category: The Realtor Building, located at 430 North Michigan Avenue, managed by GNP Management Group and owned by The National Association of Realtors®.
• Suburban Office Park Mid-Rise Category: U.S. Cellular Plaza, located at 8420 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, managed by Parkway Realty Services and owned by PKY Fund Chicago, LLC.

"This year's TOBY Award recipients are truly leaders in their respective categories and demonstrate exemplary management and operations of Chicago's commercial buildings," said Robert Six, BOMA/Chicago president. "These office buildings drive our economy and outstanding property management is essential to ensuring Chicago remains a global center of commerce."

BOMA/Chicago TOBY Award winners will be invited to participate in the North Central Regional TOBY competition, where they will compete against local TOBY winners from cities in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio. Regional winners qualify for the BOMA International TOBY Awards, one of the highest honors in the commercial real estate industry. Last year, the FBI Chicago Regional Office won a BOMA International TOBY Award in the Earth Award Category.

About BOMA/Chicago

Now in its 110th year and the oldest BOMA Association in the world, BOMA/Chicago represents the interests of the people and companies that own, operate, manage and service Chicago's commercial buildings. BOMA/Chicago members make up 81 percent of downtown's total rentable building area and nearly 90 percent of rentable space in Class A buildings downtown. These valuable assets are the core of one of the world's greatest business districts. By advocating the interests of the owners of these valuable assets, BOMA/Chicago also supports the businesses that are housed in them--businesses that require quality office space and quality service.

Rebecca Taylor (For BOMA/Chicago)
(312) 447-2576
[email protected]

SOURCE BOMA/Chicago