Real Estate Veteran Leaves a Legacy

One of Cornell’s own passed away unexpectedly in January leaving behind a remarkable legacy.  William “Bill” Adamski, a Program in Real Estate Advisory Board Member, died of a heart attack in January at the age of 52.  Bill graduated from Cornell in 1979 with a Bachelors degree in mathematics, was a founding member of the Cornell Real Estate Advisory Board and advised the university’s endowment in its real estate investments as a member of the investment committee.

“Bill was an optimist, mindful of current challenges but always focused on the opportunities that lay ahead. He was a very warm person, loved his family, was very proud of his kids.  I will miss him a great deal,” says Wes Edens, CEO of Fortress, who was a close friend to Bill.

Bill’s career path provided him with an excellent opportunity to make numerous acquaintances and countless friendships along the way.  From 1990 to 1995, Bill was senior vice president at Lazard Freres & Co., where he oversaw corporate and other real estate transaction.  Leaving Lazard, Bill became managing director at Credit Suisse First Boston LLC, where he was responsible for real estate finance and the origination and structuring of all real estate products.  After five years with Credit Suisse, Bill became the president of BRK Management LLC, where he specialized in real estate debt and equity investments.  And in 2005, he became chief executive officer of NY Credit Advisors, which invested in a myriad of potentially high-yielding commercial real estate debt.

“Bill Adamski was a great friend of Cornell.  He was one of the earliest supporters of the Program in Real Estate, contributing ideas and resources prior to its inception.  I will miss his counsel and friendship,” states Bob Abrams, founder of Cornell’s Program in Real Estate.

Bill also earned an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business in 1981 and, among many activities, served as chairman of the Board of Governors of Mercy Medical Center. 

Author:  Joshua K. Ladle, Cornell Program in Real Estate Student