United Way of Morris County Events
Recent Events

9th Annual Commercial Real Estate Network Legacy Luncheon
Friday, April 11, 2008

A noisy crowd filled the halls and then settled into the ballroom at the Hilton Parsippany on Friday, April 11th, at United Way’s annual Commercial Real Estate Network Legacy Luncheon.  The networking and fundraising event attracted over 350 commercial real estate and related industry representatives.  The luncheon raises funds for critical capital improvements at United Way member agencies.  This year’s event proceeds, bolstered by a special Challenge Grant from United Way, are expected to exceed $300,000.  Agencies submitted 21 capital projects, all much needed, totaling over $370,000.

Ray Quartararo, International Director, and Northeast Regional Manager of Jones Lang LaSalle, moderated the program with finesse and humor.  He credited event sponsors for understanding what it “means to give back to the community.”  He noted that “no other group does more to help keep vital agency facilities safe and sound than the supporters of the Commercial Real Estate Network.” 

Keynote Speaker, the dynamic Mary Falvey, Executive Vice President of Wyndham Worldwide, highlighted Wyndham’s relocation of its global headquarters to Morris County.  The company is building a 250,000-square-foot building in the Mack-Cali Business Campus on Sylvan Way in Parsippany.  She highlighted the amenities in the area, and the high quality workforce as key reasons the company chose to move to Morris County.  Wyndham anticipates a 22% increase in jobs by the end of 2010. 

Falvey applauded event sponsors for the impact they will have on those who need help.  “You have made Morris County a better place,” she said, “It is a place of opportunity that Wyndham Worldwide is proud to call home.”
Major sponsors included Turner Construction, The Garibaldi Group, Jones Lang LaSalle, Mack-Cali and Gale Real Estate Services Company, Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, and Pfizer.

Additional sponsors included Arenson Office Furnishings, CB Richard Ellis, Century Group, EvensonBest, F & G Mechanical, G.J. Cloninger and Co., Gensler, Hunter Roberts Construction Group, RMJM Hillier, Hollister Construction Services, Knoll Furniture, Newmark Knight Frank, RexCorp Realty, Structure Tone, TD Commerce Bank, The Walsh Company, and Wyndham Worldwide.

Honorary guests attending a private sponsors’ reception before the luncheon included Marcia Koch, TD Commerce Bank, N.A., Mert Livingstone, Johnson & Johnson’s Pharmaceutical division, Lawrence Palumbo, BlackRock, Inc., and Perry Vella, Deloitte.

The event concluded with Bart Oates, executive director of Cohn Real Estate, announcing the winner of the 2008 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 2007.  Finalists with significant properties in the area included Wyndham, Deloitte, IMS Health, and The Medicines Company.

The winner of the 2008 Impact Award was Wyndham Worldwide, whose team included Mack Cali Realty Corporation, Gensler, HLW International LLP, The Gale Construction Company, and The Walsh Company.