NAIOP New Jersey hosted its annual President’s Awards and Hall of Fame Reception on Nov. 3 at the Hilton East Brunswick. Top row, from left: Peter Bronsnick of Cushman & Wakefield, Douglas Roberts of PGIM Real Estate, Anthony Marin of MIG Real Estate, Michael Harrington of PGIM Real Estate, Brad Vander Vliet of Crow Holdings Development, Matt Schlindwein of Greek Real Estate Partners and Dan Kennedy of NAIOP New Jersey. Bottom row, from left: Mike Barone of Rockefeller Group, Monica Padovano Casiello of U.S. Title Solutions, L. Robert Lieb of Mountain Development Corp., Dave Gibbons of Elberon Development Group and Cecilia I. Lassiter of Sills Cummis & Gross PC.

On the eve of Election Day, with voters set to choose New Jersey’s next governor, it was only fitting for the leaders of an influential trade association to focus on the future.

That was evident Monday night when NAIOP New Jersey welcomed a sold-out crowd to East Brunswick for its annual President’s Awards and Hall of Fame Reception, in what’s typically one of the state’s largest commercial real estate industry events of the season and a chance to look ahead to the new year. As CEO Dan Kennedy noted, that will include an official name change for NAIOP’s more than 55 chapters in North America — to the Commercial Real Estate Development Association — to boost awareness of its membership and its mission.

“You’ll start to see the shift early in the new year to coincide with our biggest priority — the transition to our next governor,” Kennedy told some 250 attendees. “What’s not changing is the DNA of our organization. It will remain a member-driven organization laser-focused on commercial real estate — all of the asset classes.”

The program, held at the Hilton East Brunswick, also continued the tradition of honoring some of NAIOP New Jersey’s long-serving leaders and industry luminaries. Look no further than Elberon Development Group CEO and President Dave Gibbons, who received the Legacy Award for his 33 years as a member and service in “critical leadership roles,” including past chapter president, committee chair and board member of the Developers Political Action Committee.

The chapter also inducted the newest members of its Hall of Fame: Bob Lieb, founder and chairman of Mountain Development Corp., and Monica Padovano Casiello, vice president of business development and marketing with U.S. Title Solutions. Chapter leaders extolled both — praising Lieb, a NAIOP member for more than 41 years, for his penchant for and success with “interesting and complex projects,” while touting Casiello as “a recognized force in New Jersey” who has had a central role in high-profile projects such as the Health + Life Science Exchange campus in New Brunswick and the Cooperman Family Arts Education and Community Center in Newark.

“Anyone who knows Monica would agree she is a confident, motivated and driven individual that thrives on collaboration and successful outcomes for her clients,” said Greek Real Estate Partners’ Matt Schlindwein, NAIOP New Jersey’s chapter president. “She is an excellent example of what it means to lead with integrity, passion and purpose. Monica’s commitment to excellence continues to elevate our industry and inspire those around her.”

Other awards returned the focus to NAIOP’s next generation. Mike Barone, a project manager with Rockefeller Group and co-chair of the chapter’s Developing Leaders committee, received the Rising Star Award. Sills Cummis & Gross PC Member Cecilia I. Lassiter and Crow Holdings Development Vice President Brad Vander Vliet each accepted an Advocacy Award, while PGIM took home the Pillar Award and MIG Real Estate CEO Anthony Marin was named Volunteer of the Year.

Lieb’s own remarks bridged the past and the future. The highly respected executive was humble and soft-spoken as he briefly recounted his career, which began 60 years ago when he completed law school. He would transition to real estate in the ensuing years, thanks in part to connections he made as a litigator, founding Mountain Development Corp. in 1979 and going on to build well-known properties like the Garrett Mountain office campus in Woodland Park.

He attributed his success in part to his team at the Roseland-based firm, led by President Michael Seeve, as well as “my friends at NAIOP, who we could talk to and get advice and experience from.” And, as he prepared to leave the podium, Lieb reiterated his love for the industry while offering some plain-spoken advice for the up-and-comers in the room.

“It’s been a wonderful time, it’s been a wonderful experience,” Lieb said. “To all you young people out there, there’s no better field, there are no more opportunities than there are in real estate. Just keep your nose straight. Be honorable.”

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