Cornellians Hiring Cornellians

The PRE Alumni Network Makes Connections

Ravi Padmanaban

What was an important strength of the Program in Real Estate (PRE) in better economic times has become an invaluable asset in the current downturn: the industry outreach and the professional network that the PRE provides through its career management, its more than 150 Alumni, the advisory board and the Real Estate Council. The Real Estate Council was founded by a handful of members in the 1970’s. Today, the council boasts 1,250 members worldwide and is the largest university-based network of real estate professionals in the country. It is the founding sponsor of the Cornell Real Estate Review and is dedicated to advancing real estate education and outreach. Council members regularly visit Cornell to give guest lectures or to participate in a variety of other events which enable students to connect and to build relationships.

On one such occasion, at the career fair at the annual Cornell Real Estate Conference, Ravi Padmanaban, a second-year PRE student, came across Dan Stravinsky, a Cornell alum and VP of Human Resources at Berkshire Property Advisors. Berkshire Property Advisors is a real estate operating company based in Boston that manages and rehabilitates multifamily properties held by Berkshire Income Realty, a REIT, and various Berkshire multifamily value funds. After an extensive conversation with Stravinsky, Ravi realized that he wanted to pursue opportunities with this company.

Later, Berkshire came to Cornell to interview candidates; Ravi was one of the selected candidates. Ravi was interviewed by Frank Apeseche, Cornell alum and C.E.O. of Berkshire. Given Ravi’s background, he made an excellent candidate and Berkshire offered him a position as a Business Development Manager. In speaking with Ravi, he states that “This position was attractive in that it provided an entrepreneurial environment and exposure to the strategic implementation of new business concepts.”

In addition, several other Cornellians have heeded the call and recently hired PRE students for internships.

  • Tyler Grooms accepted an internship with Los Arboles, an asset management company in Tukwila, WA that manages approximately $1 billion in privately held real estate ranging from raw land and agriculture to luxury hotels and office buildings. The internship is expected to focus on valuation and asset management. The contact was established through Robbie Fritz, 2008 graduate from the Cornell School of Hotel Administration.
  • Stephen Lee will spend the summer with his mentor Duane Stiller, the President of Woolbright Development, working in the field of Retail Development in Boca Raton, FL. The focus of the internship will be on leasing and asset management.
  • Daniel Kianmahd was hired by one of the Program’s strongest supporters: Bob Toll. Kianmahd will work for Toll Brothers City Living in Brooklyn, NY. City Living is the urban development division for Toll Brothers. Kianmahd’s tasks will include general research, evaluation of potential acquisitions, and providing assistance to the project management teams.
  • Paul Koch will intern with the Ashley Group. Stephen Ashley made the position available through the PRE career service office. Paul will work at the company’s main office in Rochester. The position will focus on consulting regarding company performance and conducting market research for potential acquisitions.

Even in this challenging economic climate, Cornell alumni are opening their professional networks, keeping the Cornell ties strong, and enhancing the opportunities available to PRE students.