COUNSELOR
CREs now can easily network with fellow members on the pop- ular business-oriented social networking site LinkedIn™ with the development of an exclusive group for Counselors. This newly formed group, called “Counselors of Real Estate,” accepts only Counselors as members. Joining the CRE group offers several features:
; the ability to engage in threaded discussions within the CRE group;
; the addition of the CRE logo to your personal LinkedIn profile;
; the opportunity to give a “recommendation” for another CRE group member, and;
; the ability to find and be found by fellow CRE members who are LinkedIn members.
So far, 31 CREs have joined the group, and like most success- ful LinkedIn groups, its growth is accelerating. Membership in the Counselors is verified before potential members are ad- mitted. Special thanks go to Robert Pliska, CRE, for locking in this group name and for acting as the group’s moderator. To join, first become a LinkedIn user by going to www.linkedin.com. Take the time to create a complete profile because your LinkedIn entry will likely be one of the first re- sults listed when people search for you online. Then select the “Groups” tab on the site, and search for “Counselors of Real Estate.” From there, you can join the group.
New CRE Group on LinkedIn Creates Networking Site
Following up on the success of the 2008 launch of its Cre- ative Thinkers Awards, the North/South Carolina CRE chap- ter held its second annual event in Charlotte, N.C., in January, presenting seven awards to area commercial real estate leaders. “The awards are given in recognition of creative thinking leaders in the Carolinas in the categories of public policy ini- tiatives, public/private partnerships, adaptive reuse of build- ings, LEED® innovation in sustainability, and bold new designs,” said CRE Carolinas Chapter Chair Jody Odom. The event drew more than 100 attendees, both CREs and non-CREs, with business reporters from both Charlotte and Raleigh, N.C. on hand. The winners, who took away a glass trophy in recognition of their achievements, had devel- oped/managed projects ranging from converting an old tex- tile factory into an entertainment venue to converting older structures into LEED-certified, award-winning buildings. Carolinas chapter CREs who participated on the Awards team included Jody Odom; CRE National Ambassador for Creative Thinkers Awards Von W. Moody, III; chap- ter Vice Chair Martha Heric; Frank Warren; chapter Secretary Loren Kennedy; chapter Treasurer Tom Har- ris, Jr.; Cindy Chandler; Geoffrey Curme; Bruce Tomlin; Dave Cable; and Bob Percival. “These Creative Thinkers Awards truly touched the win- ners’ hearts,” said Loren Kennedy. “They were clearly moved by being honored for their thinking, not just the project. It was a personal achievement. Perfect alignment with CRE’s core strength of being leading thinkers.”
Creative Thinkers Awards Spread CRE
Awareness and Goodwill throughout Carolinas
Left to right: CRE Loren Kennedy handing Creative Thinker Award to winner Greg Hatem, president of Empire Properties, Raleigh, N.C. Hatem won the award for his “resourcefulness and persistence in the face of skeptical observers in redeveloping and managing 41 buildings in downtown Raleigh.”
