The Commercial Real Estate Network was started in 2000 as an initiative between United Way of Morris County and real estate professionals in the area. Michael McDonough of The Garibaldi Group, and volunteer co-chair of the Network's Steering Committee, noted, "The power of community is really at work here. In the last five years since United Way began the Network, we will have raised over $600,000, and funded 35 projects at 21 agencies right here in our community."

Christopher J. Christie, United States attorney for the district of New Jersey, was the luncheon's featured speaker. Click here to read more about Christopher Christie. Speaking on the subject of political corruption, he challenged the audience to get involved. "You have enormous power to execute for the good by holding elected officials accountable to be honest and to have integrity. They not only steal money, they steal our hope, they steal our faith, and they make us cynical. Americans are hopeful people and together we can stop them."

An event highlight was the presentation of the United Way Commercial Real Estate Impact Award, which recognizes the property-development project or transaction that has had the most positive impact in the Morris County community in 2004. The finalists included the Cadbury Adams lease in Whippany, NJ and the BMW of North America lease transaction in Mt. Olive, NJ.

This year's award winner was the Daiichi Pharmaceutical Corporation lease at 3 Giralda Farms, Madison, NJ. Gary Deeb, senior director of corporate affairs, Daiichi Pharmaceutical Corporation, accepted the award along with tenant Daiichi Pharmaceutical, owner Reckson Associates, tenant's broker CB Richard Ellis, architect Gensler Architecture, MEP Engineer Rock Brook Consulting Group, and the law firms of Lazer, Aptheker and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld.

In accepting the Impact award, Deeb said "It is an honor to receive this award, but it is priceless to have it come from United Way," citing United Way as such a recognized and respected organization. Deed also noted that Daiichi is dedicated to community involvement and will be committed to the local business community and its economic development, as well.

Also included at the luncheon were honorary guests from major Morris County corporations, such as Ron Slember, Pfizer Inc, Art Elman, Automatic Data Processing, and Frank Galus, Cendant.

For more information about the Commercial Real Estate Network, email Theresa Lepore at United Way of Morris County, or phone 973.993.1160, x105.

For a list of the event sponsors, download a pdf of the CRE Program for the event.