PORTLAND, Maine – February 4, 2016 – (RealEstateRama) — At a recent conference, the Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA) presented awards to five individuals, each selected for their contributions to MEREDA and, more generally, to the health of the Maine real estate market over the last several years.
“This year, as always, we have a slate of very deserving, skilled and hardworking recipients,” said MEREDA president Michael O’Reilly in presenting the awards. “MEREDA and the Maine real estate community are very fortunate to have these individuals as colleagues and in their communities.”
Watch a video of MEREDA’s 2016 award winners.
William Shanahan, a MEREDA board member and president of the Northern New England Housing Investment Fund, won the 2016 Robert B. Patterson, Jr. Founders’ Award, a career recognition to acknowledge significant contributions to the industry over many years. Shanahan was praised for his “diligent counsel and valuable expertise time and again” and his ability to “connect finance issues to the mission, and anticipate conditions and advances solutions that help meet long term goals.”
Jason Favreau, a CPA and principal with BerryDunn, was chosen by fellow MEREDA board members as 2016 Volunteer of the Year. Favreau spearheaded an initiative to assess MEREDA’s mission and goals including a review of membership and sponsorship opportunities, the outcome of which was a new structure that offers four levels of membership with added benefits at increasing levels. Even just a few months into implementation, MEREDA’s financial sustainability has increased, and many members have benefited from increased visibility and value.
The 2016 Public Policy Award went to Andrea Cianchette Maker, an attorney and partner at Pierce Atwood, for her advocacy for responsible real estate development in Maine. The organization’s long-standing public policy counsel, Andrea is a driving force for MEREDA’s policy agenda. She was praised for her ability to “make and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and collaborate with others on issues of mutual interest.” Of particular note is her recent leadership on a bill which proposes to expedite the appeals process of land use decisions.
And, in an unprecedented move, MEREDA president Michael O’Reilly selected two individuals for the 2016 President’s Award: Bruce Jones, business development manager at Creative Office Pavilion, and Brian Curley, partner with PDT Architects. They were recognized together for their collaboration on MEREDA’s spring conference, where, over the last several years, they have invested hours and expertise to bring renowned national speakers and topics to the forefront of discussion for Maine real estate professionals. O’Reilly says the two have “breathed in new life and new ideas and, as a result, increased enthusiasm and attendance.”
Next, MEREDA will recognize notable projects from the last year in Maine commercial real estate. That awards ceremony is scheduled as part of the organization’s spring conference, on May 17, 2016. Find more details about that event here.
