Nareit Recognizes Contributions of Industry Leaders
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov. 15, 2022) – During its REITworld: 2022 Annual Conference, Nareit announced the winners of its prestigious industry leadership and achievement awards.
The Nareit 2022 Industry Leadership Award was presented to Jim Risoleo, president and CEO of Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
While presenting Risoleo with the award, Marguerite Nader, president and CEO of Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc. and Nareit’s 2022 chair, noted his lasting impact on the hospitality industry and his leadership throughout the pandemic.
“Jim has been an instrumental player in the REIT industry for nearly three decades, leaving a lasting impact across the hospitality sector,” Nader said. “In 2021, he sat at the helm of Nareit’s board, leading the industry through a season of unprecedented challenges with determination, transparency, and consistency. Beyond his role as chair, Jim was instrumental in creating and supporting the Nareit Foundation’s Community Giving Initiative in Hawaii, which has given almost $2 million to Hawaiian charities to help create more affordable housing for residents, and he was a founding member of the Dividends Through Diversity, Equity & Inclusion CEO Council. Jim also has given back to the industry in numerous other ways through being an executive committee member of American Hotel & Lodging Association, a member of the U.S. Travel Association CEO Roundtable, and a member of The Real Estate Roundtable.”
Nareit presents its Industry Leadership Award annually to a REIT executive who has made a significant and lasting contribution to the growth and betterment of the industry. The award is presented in memory of Edward H. Linde, the late CEO of BXP, former Boston Properties.
The Nareit 2022 Industry Achievement Award was presented to Mark Howard-Johnson, global head of real asset securities management at BlackRock.
In announcing Howard-Johnson as this year’s award winner, Lisa Palmer, president and CEO of Regency Centers Corporation and Nareit’s 2023 chair, discussed Howard-Johnson’s active involvement in the real estate investment community.
“Mark has been a pioneer in developing and leading real estate securities programs in both the United States and around the world,” Palmer said. “Notably, he has overseen the creation of successful public real estate securities products and investment strategies for both retail and institutional channels. He is unwavering in his commitment to the industry and an active member of the Nareit community. He currently serves on Nareit’s Real Estate Investment Advisory Council and has been invaluable in coordinating Nareit’s interaction with BlackRock on governance and environmental issues.”
The Nareit Industry Achievement Award is given annually to professionals serving the REIT industry whose acumen and integrity have helped heighten awareness and understanding of the value of REITs and publicly traded real estate. The award is presented in memory of E. Lawrence Miller, the former CEO of one of the industry’s first REITs, Bradley Real Estate Trust.