First Edition 2015

IN THIS ISSUE
Membership Newsletter
1st edition • 2015
Lunch ‘n Learn on
Efficient Buildings
·3·
Panel Discussion at
Point Park University
·6·
CREW Annual
Clay Shoot
·7·
WELCOME
TO ARIA
LIVE IN THE HEART
OF PITTSBURGH’S
CULTURAL DISTRICT
279
North Shore
Trail
PNC Park
279
7th
Heinz Field
Convention
Center
t
Stree
ESNE
3 Rivers
Heritage Trail
System
FORT
ARIA
PENN
Benedum
Center
Heinz
Hall
TY
LIBER
AVEN
UE
AVEN
PITTSBURGH
CULTURAL
DISTRICT
Market
Square
376
CULTURAL DISTRICT LLOFTS
O FTS
UE
BLVD
DUQU
Point State Park
376
THE BEST IN
DOWNTOWN
LIVING
Station Square
Aria combines the warmth and
character of a building from the
late 1800s with a vibrant downtown
neighborhood.
Opening this fall, Aria
will offer 40 one- and
two-bedroom loft
apartments, featuring
exposed brick, timber
beams and a premier lifestyle.
Aria Cultural District Lofts
121 Seventh Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
412.338.2742
[email protected]
You can also find us on:
Project Spotlight: Aria
Cultural District Lofts
In the heart of the Cultural District,
you’ll be just steps away from the
performing arts, professional sports,
fine dining and riverfront trails.
Aria Cultural District Lofts
121 Seventh Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
CULTURAL DISTRICT LLOFTS
O FTS
·9·
412.338.2742
www.AriaOn7th.com
Letter from the President
Happy New Year!
Thank you to
everyone who
attended our recent
annual Holiday
Party at Lidia’s in
the Strip – we had
a great turnout this
year! We enjoyed
excellent food and beverages, celebrated
our outgoing board members, had
engaging conversations, and even got
to take home some popcorn! Thanks to
Sunny Lezark and the Events Committee
for putting together another successful
CREW Pittsburgh event.
As we embark on 2015, I’ve been
thinking a lot about the many benefits of
CREW Pittsburgh membership. Just to
name a few:
Local Connections. CREW Pittsburgh
has over 100 members and continues to
grow. Members have the opportunity
to attend our lunch programs and
events at discounted rates, and to
participate in our members-only
lunch and learns, happy hours, and
other member-exclusive events. All
CREW Pittsburgh events and programs
provide great opportunities to meet
and get to know other commercial real
estate professionals in the area – but
participation in the smaller, membersonly activities allows attendees to
establish deeper connections and
meaningful relationships.
National Network. CREW Pittsburgh is
an amazing organization on its own, and
its affiliation with the national CREW
Network gives us reach to almost 9,000
members in 73 chapters throughout
the United States and Canada. CREW
Pittsburgh members have access to that
national directory, can attend the annual
CREW Network Convention (beginning
September 30 in Seattle, Washington),
and are also invited to participate in the
two annual CREW Network Leadership
Summits (this February in San Diego,
California, and in June in Baltimore,
Maryland). These national programs not
only provide fantastic opportunities to
meet fellow CREW members throughout
the country, but they also offer
excellent leadership and development
programming.
CREW to CREW Deals. Having access to
the local and national networks means
that you may never have to make a “cold
call”. Do you have any CREW to CREW
deals, locally or nationally? We want to
hear about your successes! Here’s one I
can share: at last year’s CREW Network
Convention in Miami Beach, CREW
Pittsburgh member Carleen Petronio
introduced me to CREW Cleveland
member and current chapter President
Irene MacDougall, a real estate attorney
with Tucker Ellis. A few weeks after that
introduction, I had a transaction come
up that required me to engage outside
counsel in Ohio. Without hesitating, I
reached out to Irene, and we’ve been
working together since then. Irene
has been an incredible asset to that
Continued on page 8
2
CREW Pittsburgh Newsletter • 1st edition 2015
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursday, February 19
Connect with CREW
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Olive or Twist
140 6th Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Thursday, February 24
Lunch Program:
Inspection Process
Panel
UPCOMING PROGRAMS & EVENTS
SAVE THE DATE
CREW Pittsburgh’s
12th Annual Golf Classic
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
at Allegheny Country Club
250 Country Club Road, Sewickley, PA 15143
11:30 am to 1:30 pm
The Engineers’ Society of Western
PA
337 Fourth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Registration Opens Soon!
www.crewpittsburgh.org
For registration and
more information visit
www.crewpittsburgh.org
*All dates are preliminary and subject
to change. Please check our web site
and email announcements for the latest
information and details as they become
available.
CREW Pittsburgh 2015 Events & Programs
Founded in 1989, CREW
Network is the industry’s premier business
networking organization
dedicated to advancing the achievements of
women in commercial
real estate. Nearly 9,000
CREW Network members represent nearly every discipline
within the industry and are located in
over 70 major markets across North
America. CREW Network seeks to
influence the success of the commercial real estate industry by focusing on
fulfilling four key initiatives: business
development, leadership development,
industry research and career outreach.
CREW Network members are known
for the quality they bring to the commercial real estate industry. With this
large diverse network, our members
have the resources to create new and
different ways of structuring deals,
to focus on the bottom line, and to
inspire others to work as a team to get
the job done.
February 19 Connect with CREW
February 24th: Inspection Process Panel
March 31st: Development Panel
April 23rd: Connect with CREW
April 28th: Energy Panel
May 19th: CREW Golf Outing
May 28th: Lunch & Learn (Members Only)
June 26th: CREW Sporting Clays Shoot
August 25th: Finance
October 27th: Empowerment
Check the website for more details...
3
CREW Pittsburgh Newsletter • 1st edition 2015
Right-Sized: Equipment and Controls for
Super-Efficient Building Systems
Lunch ‘N Learn Presented by Allen & Shariff Engineering, LLC
By Karen Kukish, Tall Timber Group
On a beautiful May day, Allen & Shariff
Engineering, LLC, the well-respected
engineering, construction, and construction
management services firm with offices in
Maryland, Pennsylvania, and the United
Arab Emirates, presented the topic “RightSized: Equipment and Controls for SuperEfficient Building Systems” at a CREW Lunch
and Learn. Attendees received miniature
tape-and-level pieces as you never know
when you might need them.
Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing
design and engineering require a
comprehensive understanding of
the client’s needs so that innovative
solutions can be created and sustained.
We thank Paul J. Messineo Jr., P.E.
who is the Business Development
Manager and his colleague Christopher
Drummond,P.E., LEED AP BD+C who
is a Senior Mechanical Engineer, for
Christopher Drummond, Allen & Shariff Engineering, LLC presenting to CREW Pittsburgh.
sharing their project stories where they
overcame site obstacles with careful
planning and innovative MEP design and
engineering to overcome objectives of
the owners.
Allen & Shariff Engineering, LLC provides
Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire
Protection, Technology, and Energy
engineering design services.
Thank you Eckert Seamans for sponsoring a CREW
Pirate game on July 23, 2014!
Those in attendance included:
Christina Bucciero – Guardian Construction
Maura Kennedy – Pittsburgh Bureau
Building Inspection
Jaci Viccaro – Rodella Law
Sunny Lezark – CBRE
Sarah Scott – CBRE
Robyn Sipos - CBRE
Autumn Harris – PNC
Amy Brocato – Lanholz Wilson Ellis
Tammie Alexander – Steptoe & Johnson
Karla Tammaro - PNC
Maureen Ford – Alcoa
Shannon Connery – Alcoa
Chris Klehm – Jendoco
Sandra Palone – Pedersen & Pedersen
Eileen Iorio – Eckert Seamans
Rebekah Woolner – Sitko Bruno
Emily Duffield – Sitko Bruno
Debie Rusonic – Sitko Bruno
of
4
CREW Pittsburgh Newsletter • 1st edition 2015
Saving For College? Consider 529 Plans
Leslie Craven, CFP, Presented a CREW Lunch n’ Learn on College Planning for
Women in Business
If you have young children, and you’re wondering when is
the best time to start saving for college, the answer is: Now.
College costs are high. The current average cost for tuition,
fees, room and board at a four-year private college is
$40,917 per year, according to the College Board. For a fouryear out-of-state public school, the corresponding cost is
$31,701 annually.*
These numbers can be daunting. But if you start saving early,
you will be in a better position to meet college costs. One of
the best savings vehicles available is a Section 529 College
Savings Plan (named after the portion of the IRS code that
authorizes these accounts).
›› You May Realize Significant Tax Benefits — In a 529 College Savings Plan, your contributions to the plan can be
withdrawn tax-free (federal) if the proceeds are used for
qualified higher education expenses.** Many states also
offer taxpayers a tax incentive to use in-state plans.
›› You Can Contribute Very Large Amounts — You can
contribute up to $70,000 per beneficiary to a 529 Plan
($140,000 for married individuals filing jointly) in the first
year of a five-year period without incurring any federal
gift-tax consequences, provided you do not make any
additional gifts to the same beneficiary in the same fiveyear period***. Contribution limits can vary by state.
›› You Get Estate Planning Benefits***— When you move
money into a 529 Plan, you’re moving it out of your
taxable estate. Yet, as the account owner, you still retain
control of the funds. That’s an estate-planning benefit
not available through many other vehicles.
›› You Control Withdrawals — As long as you are the account owner of the 529 Plan, you control all withdrawals
for the life of the account. You can even change beneficiaries, if you choose.
›› You Have Flexibility — You can transfer to another 529
Plan or change investment options without changing the
beneficiary. Both options are limited to one transfer in a
12-month period.
›› 529 Plans offer important benefits. Consider putting a
529 Plan to work for you and your family.
›› Call your RBC Wealth Management® financial advisor
today for more information.
How do I pay for a 529 plan? Like mutual funds, 529
Plans may charge a sales fee. In addition, you may pay an
annual fee for participating in the plan. You will also pay
administrative and management fees that are deducted
directly from plan assets much like the expense ratio of
a mutual fund. Consult the plan documents for a more
comprehensive explanation of the fees.
Leslie A Craven, CFP®RBC Wealth Management
Associate Vice President - Financial Advisor
One PPG Place, Suite 2900
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Office: 412-201-7212
[email protected]
* Based on the 2013-2014 average total costs of a four-year college education, including tuition, fees, room and board: $31,701 for public out-of-state, $40,917 for private (Trends
in College Pricing © 2013 The College Board). Assumes 7% annual inflation adjustments (FinAid.org).
** For more information regarding college savings plans, please visit www.collegesavings.org.Participation in a 529 Plan does not guarantee the investment return on
contributions, if any, will be adequate to cover future tuition and other higher education expenses. State programs vary, therefore you should carefully review individual program
documents before investing or sending money. Federal income tax on the earnings and a 10% penalty on distributions for non-qualified expenses may apply.
*** RBC Wealth Management does not provide tax or legal advice. We will work with your independent tax/legal advisor to help create a plan tailored to your specific needs.
Accelerated gifts are normally subject to an add-back feature in the event of death of the giftor.
© 2014 RBC Capital Markets, LLC. All rights reserved. 2905 (06/14)
5
CREW Pittsburgh Newsletter • 1st edition 2015
New Member Spotlight
Rebecca Williams-Thomas, Market Sales
Manager, Kimball Office
By: Karen Kukish, Tall Timber Group
Describe your
current position
and company.
For the last two
years, I have
been a market
sales manager
with Kimball
Office Furniture
covering
western PA and
WV. I do my own marketplace analysis
and develop my own plan to reach
potential new buyers. My emphasis is on
making sales calls and expanding market
share through a distribution of dealers.
Kimball Office brings creative freedom
and flexibility to workplace design.
For nearly 45 years, we have designed
and manufactured office furniture that
supports clients’ ideas for spaces that not
only inspire but are also productive and
environmentally responsible. Our versatile
furniture systems offer countless styles and
materials, providing unlimited possibilities
for creating functional environments.
Our culture is built around people who
are real, honest, and demonstrate
a strong work ethic. Every one of us
is devoted to providing a high level
of personal service so we can earn
our clients’ trust and build lasting
relationships. Understanding and
responding to our customers’ needs and
wants define the way we do business.
My support team consists of experienced
furniture specialists, interior designers/
space planners, project managers,
installers and customer support. We
collaborate and work together to provide
clients with the best possible service.
What is an “ideal” lead for you?
I like to get in to talk with a client as
early in the project process as possible
– that is what ensures success because
I can be thorough as I determine and
understand what each end users’ unique
requirements are and satisfy them. I
like to work with clients every step of
the way from initial conception to the
project’s completion.
I cover all market sectors including
corporate, financial, higher education,
government and healthcare. And I work
with a range of firms – from startups
with tight budgets to larger corporate
headquarters. I tend to be involved
more with renovations and relocations
which result in referrals from my ‘end
users’. I may work directly with the
owner or a facilities manager or even the
department heads.
Have you had a mentor? If so, what did
you learn from him/her?
I’ve been very fortunate to have several
mentors who gave me the opportunity
both to learn alongside them and to take
on major roles in a project. They taught
me to listen closely and collaborate early
to determine the customers’ needs and
wants. My mentors transformed into
friends and that’s been very gratifying.
How has your background prepared you
for the position you now hold?
I have a B.S. in Interior Design from
LaRoche College in Pittsburgh and
Professional Certification from the National
Council for Interior Design Qualification. I
have been a director of the International
Interior Design Association and a Past
President of LaRoche College Interior
Design Advisory Board. Running my
own business for 12 years has provided
many successful collaborations among
architecture and design staff, clients,
constructions teams, and end users.
What do you like most about your
position or your company?
Having sat on both sides of the design
table, I love being able to translate the
customers’ needs and expectations
into the specifications and functionality
that my team can work with. That’s the
definition of consulting to me.
What change(s) has your company
made to respond to the changing
marketplace?
Most organizations are seeking simplicity
to help guide their real estate strategies.
Kimball Office created tools to get to
the fundamentals of human-centered
design. For example, we simplified the
complication of inconsistent vocabulary
across the industry. We focus on the
basic elements of decision making.
With 12 new products and three major
product line enhancements, as well
as new marketing tools and intensive
training, our company has never been
better prepared to solve even the most
complex project requirements.
How has CREW been beneficial to you?
As a new CREW member I have the
opportunity to network with other
professional women in the industry. This
allows me to share strategies for success
within the commercial market. Also,
I have enjoyed getting to know CREW
members on a personal level and forging
new friendships.
6
CREW Pittsburgh Newsletter • 1st edition 2015
Panel Discussion and Networking
Reception Held at Point Park University
Article and photos provided by Point Park University
CREW Pittsburgh’s Community Action
Committee and Point Park University
held a panel discussion and networking
reception on campus in November 2014.
The University’s Career Development
Center along with the business
management and accounting,
economics and finance and information
technology departments collaborated
with Commercial Real Estate Women
Pittsburgh to host the event.
“Networking with the members of
CREW was a great way for students and
alumni to not only get information about
the commercial real estate industry
but also to make connections with
professionals who can give them career
advice and guidance on working in this
industry,” explained Angela Scaramucci,
coordinator of employer relations for the
Career Development Center.
In addition to discussion on career
opportunities in commercial real estate,
the CREW panelists addressed topics
such as the life cycle of real estate,
challenges they face on the job, the
importance of new graduates having a
mentor and how to prepare for a career
in this field.
“I decided to come to the event because
I have been interested in real estate for
some time now and wanted to take this
opportunity to network with successful
people in this area of business. I received
a lot of useful insight,” said Tara Yanossy,
an accounting major.
“I learned that real estate is not just
about buying and selling a property.
There are many concentrations you can
choose to focus your career on in this
industry,” added Yanossy.
M.B.A. student Elizabeth Lang has some
experience in real estate and decided
to come to the event so she could hear
perspectives from women professionals
in the field.
“I was intrigued by their discussions on
environmental studies in commercial real
estate as well as appraisals,” remarked
Lang.
For Carlene Morgan, a global cultural
studies major, this event allowed her to
learn about new possible career paths.
“Point Park gives students a lot of
opportunities to listen to professionals
from different job fields. It was
interesting to learn about all of the
career opportunities in the industry of
real estate,” said Morgan.
7
CREW Pittsburgh Newsletter • 1st edition 2015
CREW/NAIOP 6th Annual
Sporting Clays Shoot
By: Maureen Ford, Alcoa
The CREW/NAIOP Sporting Clays event
just gets bigger each year! This year
there were over 115 shooters in the
main event and 8 individuals who took
advantage of the New Shooter lesson.
This translated into 30 squads spread out
over the 17 station course. Last year’s
shoot boasted 92 shooters in the main
event and 8 individuals for the lesson.
Held on Friday, June 27th, this event is
quickly evolving into a signature event
for both the CREW Pittsburgh and
NAIOP Pittsburgh Chapters. They began
collaborating on the sporting clays event
five years ago. Prior to that CREW
Pittsburgh put on the event themselves.
But bringing the networking power of
the two groups together has really seen
the event grow and prosper.
Winners this year were: High Overall
Individual – John Zang (98); Class A –
Don Lampus, Sr. (92); Class B – Chris
McCartney (74); Class C – Charlie
Krushansky (64); and Class D –Sandy
Cikovic (50). Our High Team Score was
339 and the winning team was led by
Randy Grossman, Wealth Management
Strategies. Congratulations to all the
winners and a special congratulations to
all the folks who took the New Shooter
Lesson. By the end of 2 hours, everyone
was hitting targets including the one
shooter who arrived that morning with
swollen eyes from an allergic reaction!
Thank you to Tony Bucciero (Level II
NSCA Instructor) who volunteered to
help with the New Shooter lesson. Many
thanks to the staff at Seven Springs.
Their support, professionalism and
attention to detail are what help make
this event so special.
A special thank you to all our sponsors!
• Ammunition Sponsors - Allen &
•
•
•
•
•
Shariff; Metz Lewis Brodman Must
O’Keefe; Collier International
Breakfast Sponsors - Reed Smith;
Tall Timber Group; A. Martini & Co.
Lunch Sponsors - Integra Realty
Resources and First American Title
Top Team Award – donated by Elite
Shotguns
Cart Sponsors – Agency Assist
Outsource Solutions LLC;
Grandbridge Real Estate Capital, LLC;
Gateway; Moody and Associate, Inc.
Station Sponsors – Enterprise Bank;
Ballymoney Real Estate Services;
CBRE; Cohen & Grigsby; Continental
Building Systems; DRS Architects;
Eisaman Contract Associates Inc.;
Grandbridge Real Estate Capital, LLC;
Guardian Construction Management
Services Inc.; Integra Realty
Resources; Johnson Controls; S & T
Bank; Sampson Morris Group.
Congratulations to the committee (Megan
Jones, Christi Neroni, Maureen Ford, Bob
Dezort, Jeff Walentosky, and Carl Belli) for
another successful event. We look forward
to seeing everyone again next year!
8
CREW Pittsburgh Newsletter • 1st edition 2015
CREW Annual Wine Event
By: Kaylyn Boca, Leech Tishman
It was another amazing wine event at the
Rivers Casino on October 23, 2014. The
Monongahela/Ohio rooms at the River
Casino showcased Pittsburgh’s skyline as
Terri Sokoloff with son, Sidney Sokoloff
more than one hundred members and
guests network while sipping wines
carefully paired with each course. The
wine dinner was moderated by wine
expert Reid Vogel of Capital Wine &
Spirits and food was prepared by Chef
Michael Shimek. Each wine was specially
chosen to compliment hors d’oeurves
and a four course meal which included
a main entrée choice of coffee crusted
New York strip, citrus brine pork chop
or, a vegetarian option, falafel waffle.
The wines included Barton and Guestier
sparkling wine with hor dourves, Edna
Valley Sauvignon Blanc with salad and
Angeline Pinot Nior and Shooting Star
Syrah with the main course.
Opportunities for Involvement. CREW
Pittsburgh is a largely volunteer-driven
organization, and we appreciate all
of our members who make CREW
Pittsburgh a vibrant and thriving
organization. We encourage all of our
members to be involved in one (or
more!) of our committees – Events,
Programs, Membership, Sponsorship,
Communications, and Community
Action. A world of thanks goes to
each of the members of our board of
directors, and each of the members of
our committees, for their time, their
energy, and their commitment to the
tenets of CREW. I am grateful to each
and everyone one of you – you keep this
organization running and we all are the
beneficiaries of all of your efforts!
Thank you sponsors:
This year’s guests walked away with
a CREW Pittsburgh wine glass (large
Members in the News
President’s Message
Continued from page 1
connection made it easy to establish that
professional relationship.
enough to hold almost a full bottle of
wine) and casino credit. Thank you to
Terri Sokoloff, of The Specialty Group,
her committee and the wine event
sponsors.
What can CREW do for you? Do you
have a suggestion for an event or
program?
Is there another CREW Pittsburgh
member you would like to meet and
need someone to help make the
introduction? Do you want to get
involved in one of our committees or
volunteer to help at an event? Call
me, e-mail me, or stop me at an event
or program any time. I’d love to hear
your ideas, requests, comments, even
complaints. We want CREW Pittsburgh
to be as valuable an asset to its members
as its members are to CREW Pittsburgh.
Wishing you a happy and successful
2015!
Sincerely,
Sarah Lamperski
FedEx Ground
CREW Pittsburgh 2015 President
Congratulations to Michele Allerton
for receiving her MAI appraisal
designation.
Christina Bucciero is now at Guardian Construction Management
Services, Inc.
Congratulations to Kris Volpatti now
First Vice President, team leader
commercial real estate for the western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and
Ohio markets at First Niagara Bank.
June Swanson, of Meyer, Unkovic &
Scott, was elected as as chair to the
ACBA Real Property Section executive council. The group discusses
topics of interest to practitioners and
evaluates proposed legislation and
tax issues that have an impact on
real estate.
9
CREW Pittsburgh Newsletter • 1st edition 2015
Project Spotlight:
Welcome New Members
Aria Cultural District Lofts
By: Kaylyn Boca, Leech Tishman
Haley Wulff
Jones Lang LaSalle
Christopher DiCianna
WNA Engineering
Originally constructed to make horse-drawn carriages
in the early part of the 20th century, the more than
$10 million dollar project is now known as the
Aria Cultural District Lofts.
Opening this fall, Aria
will offer 40 one- and
two-bedroom loft
apartments, featuring
exposed brick, timber
beams and a premier lifestyle.
In the heart of the Cultural District,
you’ll be just steps away from the
performing arts, professional sports,
fine dining and riverfront trails.
North Shore
Trail
Convention
Center
eet
Str
Aria combines the warmth and
character of a building from the
late 1800s with a vibrant downtown
neighborhood.
279
PNC Park
279
Heinz Field
D
E BLV
ESN
3 Rivers
Heritage Trail
System
FORT
DUQU
ARIA
Point State Park
ERTY
UE
AVEN
LIB
PITTSBURGH
CULTURAL
DISTRICT
Market
Square
376
CULTURAL DISTRICT LLOFTS
O FTS
ENUE
N AV
PEN
Benedum
Center
Heinz
Hall
376
THE BEST IN
DOWNTOWN
LIVING
Station Square
Aria Cultural District Lofts
121 Seventh Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
Krista Troy Foster
A.L. Neyer
Lisa Wampler
Cohen Seglias
Lori Wisniewski
Cohen Seglias
Sharon Scheidemantle
Achieve Realty
412.338.2742
[email protected]
You can also find us on:
Aria Cultural District Lofts
121 Seventh Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
CULTURAL DISTRICT LLOFTS
O FTS
Andrea Geraghty
Meyer, Unkovic & Scott, LLP
Amie Piz
Workspace, Inc.
LIVE IN THE HEART
OF PITTSBURGH’S
CULTURAL DISTRICT
7th
121 7th Street, LP has
completed construction
WELCOME
of 40 residential units
TO ARIA
at 121 7th Street, in
Pittsburgh’s cultural
district. The building
built in 1897 was
originally constructed
for making horsedrawn carriages in
the early part of the
20th century. It later
was the site of various
offices, including The
Pittsburgh Cultural
Trust, and most
recently the location
of Bossa Nova. The
developer teaming
with Leech Tishman,
as counsel, Desmone
& Associates, as its
architects, and DCK
Worldwide, as its
general contractor,
utilized historic tax
credits to supplement
the more than $10
million dollar project
now known as the Aria
Cultural District Lofts.
Aria is a mix of oneand two-bedroom
units ranging in size
up to 1,340 square feet with rents
starting at $1,400 per month. Amenities
include a fitness center, washer/dryer
facilities in each unit, a full-time security
guard and concierge, as well as bicycle
parking and personal storage on every
Sandra Olenick
Mass Mutual
412.338.2742
www.AriaOn7th.com
Christen Saver
TRG Closing Services
Tammy Dohn
Citizens Bank
Gabrielle Bogan
CBRE
Cindy Ciccozzi
Massaro
Beth Slaby
Clark Hill
Tammy Bentz
Clark Hill
Cindy Hawk
Clark Hill
Marianne Krepp
Clark Hill
floor. Construction is also underway on
a new restaurant on the street level of
the building scheduled to open in the
summer of 2015. A leasing office is onsite and leasing agents can be reached
at 412-338-2742.
Heather Brooks
Babst Calland
Caitlin Beer
K&L Gates
Karla Villatoro de Friedman
Meyer, Unkovic & Scott. LLP
10
CREW Pittsburgh Newsletter • 1st edition 2015
Are you looking for ways to make a difference?
“Only by giving are you able to receive more than you already have”. – Jim Rohn
Make a difference by supporting the
Satchels of Caring Foundation. Since
2003, the foundation has handcrafted
and assembled more than 10,000
satchels and delivered them to cancer
patients in 19 counties in Western
Pennsylvania. There is no charge
to receive a Satchel of Caring. The
foundation covers the production cost
of each satchel by fundraising and
donations.
We have lots of opportunities for you to
support Satchels of Caring. We’ve started
to prepare for our annual Bags, Bellinis &
Brunch (BB&B) fundraising event being
held on April 12, 2015 at the Herberman
Conference Center, UPMC Shadyside.
This year marks our 6thannual event.
Our theme is “Tea Party”.
With CREW’s help our 2014 BB&B, raised
more than $29,000, enabling us to
deliver 1,306 satchels free-of-charge to
patients in need of comfort and support.
What an incredible accomplishment
for our volunteers, sponsors, and
supporters.
Come partner with us. We are in need
of sponsors and donations for this event;
please visit our website to download
our sponsorship package and donation
recommendations list. A special thank
you to Maureen Jordan, of Cohen &
Grigsby for offering to host our BB&B PreParty being held on February 10th, from
5-7pm. The location of the event is 625
Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. 15222.
RSVP: for the Pre-Party by February 6th
by emailing: admin@satchelsofcaring.
org. Please visit our website for full
details on both of these events at
http://www.satchelsofcaring.org.
Anything and everything you have to
offer is meaningful to those in need.
What you choose to do with your time,
your thoughts, feelings, and interactions
with others is your gift to life. We hope
that you will share yourself with us and
contact us for ways that you can help. A
few examples include:
• Visit our new downtown location
in the Lawyers Building (428 Forbes
Avenue, Suite 102).
• Attend a monthly lunchtime session
at the Lawyers Building on the last
Tuesday of each month.
• Volunteer to drive the satchels to
one of the distributors.
• Host a mini fundraiser with your
colleges.
Make a difference, volunteer, sponsor, or
support us today!
Overview of Fifth Annual Commercial Real Estate
Financial Update Luncheon
By: Susheela Nemani-Stanger, URA
On August 26, 2014, a group of 75
CREW members and non-members
assembled at the Engineer’s Society
of Western Pennsylvania for CREW’s
“Fifth Annual Commercial Real Estate
Financial Update” lunch program. The
panel of invited speakers, made up of
commercial real estate finance leaders,
provided an overview of different layers
of the commercial real estate capital
stack including: tax credit, permanent
debt and equity financial markets.
Panelists included Rob Spicher from PNC
Tax Credit Capital, Tyler Noland from
PenTrust Real Estate Advisory Services,
and Paul Schuler from Bancorp, Inc.
The moderator was Dan Puntil from
Grandbridge Real Estate Capital.
The panelists discussed many commercial
and multi-family development projects
in the region. The speakers cited current
lending trends for commercial and multifamily properties, in addition to the use
of various tax credit programs as part of
the capital stack. The speakers provided
attendees with detail related to the muchneeded Low Income Housing Tax Credit,
New Market Tax Credit and Historic Tax
Credit programs, equity options and
permanent debt options. A question and
answer period followed the program.
Lunch sponsors included Meyer, Unkovic
& Scott; Tall Timber Group; Integra
Realty Resources; and BNY Mellon
Wealth Management.
11
CREW Pittsburgh Newsletter • 1st edition 2015
Welcome New and Returning CREW
Board Members
CREW Pittsburgh 2015 Board of Directors
President
President Elect
Programs
Events
Community Action
Communications
Membership
Sponsorship
Secretary
Treasurer
Assistant Treasurer
General Counsel Past President
Sarah Lamperski
Peggy Carpenter
Autumn Harris
Sunny Lezark
Eileen Iorio
Kaylyn Boca
Jessica Jarosz
Mimi Fersch
Angela Gillot
Jim McDunn
Tammy Dohn
Marcia Grimes and Maureen Jordan
Christina Bucciero
Interested in Being a CREW Mentor?
By: Eileen Iorio, Eckert Seamans
Through its eMentoring Program, CREW
Network encourages its chapters to
provide mentoring support to students
and entry level professionals. The
Community Action Committee of CREW
Pittsburgh planned a Mentoring Kickoff
at Chatham University in October, 2014,
but the program was cancelled in the
summer by Chatham due to unexpected
personnel changes. As an alternative,
Chatham
University asked
CREW members to
participate in their
newly created
World Readiness
& Professionalism
(W.R.A.P.) Mentor/
Student Match
Program. CREW
member Jill McKibbin, Owner of Jill
McKibbin Consulting and Eileen Iorio of
Eckert Seamans agreed to be mentors in
W.R.A.P for the fall semester.
The Program required at least one faceto-face and one email or phone contact
each month between the mentor and
mentee and a job shadow opportunity
or other work place experience activity.
The Program began with some optional
training sessions in September and
ended with a Pre-Candlelight Ceremony
in early December. Both Jill and Eileen
had positive experiences with Chatham’s
Mentor Program and have signed up
for the 2015 spring term. Chatham has
asked for a meeting
to discuss ways
CREW and Chatham
can enhance
the students’
professional
development. We
anticipate requests
for CREW mentors,
job shadowing
and internships. If you have any interest
in mentorship or want more feedback
on our experiences with Chatham’s
W.R.A.P. Program, please contact either
Eileen Iorio (eiorio@eckertseamans.
com) or Jill McKibbin (jmckibbin@
mckibbinconsulting.com)
2015 Communications Committee
Communications Director/
Committee Chair
Kaylyn Boca
Leech Tishman Fuscaldo & Lampl, LLC
Committee
Karen Kukish
Tall Timber Group
Contributors this issue:
Leslie Craven, RBC Wealth
Management
Point Park University
Cathy Cillo, Satchels of Caring
Foundation
Maureen Ford
Alcoa
Eileen Iorio
Eckert Seamans
CREW Connections is a newsletter published
by the CREW Pittsburgh Communications
Committee and distributed to members in good
standing. The CREW Connections mission is
to provide information concerning business
opportunities and developments in commercial
real estate, facilitate member networking, and
promote CREW membership and events.
THANK YOU TO OUR
2014 SPONSORS
2015 Sponsorships are available. Contact Mimi Fersch@[email protected]