On Thursday, May 28, Bloustein School Dean James W. Hughes received the Monmouth University Kislak Real Estate Institute (KREI) Service to the Industry Award at its 22nd annual Leadership Excellence Award dinner. More than 500 real estate executives and professionals attended the event.
The Service to the Industry Award is given to an individual or organization who has provided exceptional service and support in advocacy, education or other services to the real estate industry.
Murray Kushner, chairman of The KRE Group, was also honored with the Leadership Excellence Award, which recognizes the interdependent relationship between Monmouth University and the real estate industry. The award is conferred annually upon an outstanding individual for his or her distinctive contributions to the state of New Jersey and the nation through a career in real estate.
Hughes is the fourth recipient of the Service to the Industry Award following Ted Zangari, Esq., attorney at Sills Cummis & Gross P.C., Donald Moliver, dean of the Leon Hess Business School at Monmouth University; and Caren Franzini, president of Franzini Consulting, LLC.
Hughes was appointed dean of the Bloustein School in 1995, and has been a member of the faculty since 1971. In addition, since 1988 he has been the director of the Rutgers Regional Report which, during its 26-year tenure, has produced 39 major economic, demographic, and real estate studies. He is an academic expert on demographics, housing, and regional economics, and was a contributing editor to the magazine American Demographics for 14 years.
“I’m deeply appreciative of this honor, and have greatly enjoyed working with real estate community for my entire career,” said Hughes.
Kushner has been a real estate investor and developer for more than 35 years. He is chairman of The KRE Group, the successor company to SK Properties, which he co-founded in 1979 with his father, Joseph Kushner, and Eugene Schenkman. Under Kushner’s leadership, The KRE Group has partnered with the Silverman Group, the Fidelco Group, and Ironstate Development, as well as institutional partners, including National Real Estate Advisors, Aetna Insurance Companies, and Chubb Insurance Company.
Kushner joined a notable group of past recipients of the Leadership Excellence Award at the dinner including Steven J. Pozycki, founder, chair and CEO of SJP Properties; Mitchell E. Hersh, president and CEO of Mack-Cali Realty Corporation; John A. Giunco, Esq., Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C.; Anne Evans Estabrook, chief executive and owner of Elberon Development Co.; and Ronald S. Ladell, senior vice president, AvalonBay Communities.
KREI was established so that the University could play a more active role in the economic and educational development of the State of New Jersey. A key objective of the KREI is to bring real estate together with its allied industries and professions. KREI is the only program in New Jersey that offers a B.S. and M.B.A. in Real Estate. The curriculum prepares graduates to step into the real estate profession immediately. In addition, KREI’s Certificate Program offers sophisticated education classes for real estate industry professionals to enhance their expertise.
For more information on the Kislak Real Estate Institute, visit www.monmouth.edu/kislak_real_estate_institute.