The Associate Real Estate Council Raises the Bar

The Associate Real Estate Council (AREC) is a graduate level real estate club that brings together students in the Program in Real Estate, the Johnson Graduate School of Management, the School of Hotel Administration, and the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning.  AREC leverages the strength and diversity of its members and their respective programs to develop and promote Cornell’s collaboration with the real estate industry, AREC hosts guest lecturers, promotes student research, and organizes trips to industry seminars, conference and current development projects. 
2009 Co-Presidents Pegy Brimhall (JGSM) and Rob Clark (PRE) bring enthusiasm and dedication to the organization and are striving to continue enhancing the quality of the discussion that AREC facilitates.  The AREC Co-Presidents are supported by a diverse team:  Clifton Coffey (V.P, Public Relations), Bucky Jenks (V.P., Alumni Relations), Rob Dunn (V.P., Public Relations), Maria Kozonis (V.P., Events), Rhomaro Powell (V.P., Real Estate Trek), Mike Shanahan (V.P., Community and Outreach), and Tyler Williams (V.P., Finance, and Treasurer). Together, this team has the capability to raise the bar for an already successful organization.

Although the semester has just begun, AREC’s list of invited speakers includes:
• Jon Geanakos, MD, Co-head of Real Estate, Lodging & Leisure, Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin;
• David Doupe, MD Capital Markets Group, Jones Lang LaSalle;
• Sheldon Good, Chairman Emeritus, Sheldon Good & Company International;
• Knight Kiplinger, President & Editor-in-Chief, Kiplinger Washington Editors Inc.

Members of AREC will have the privilege of interacting with each of these prominent real estate leaders.


AREC also plays a key role in organizing various graduate student social events and fundraisers.  This year, AREC will be taking on another challenge.  AREC will be encouraging members to attend a Habitat for Humanity build in October.  AREC leadership hopes that this event will encourage students to give back to the community in a way that relates to their field of study.

To ensure a smooth transition, Rob Clark is already preparing for the AREC leadership transition.  The leadership elections will be held November 11, 2009.  The new leadership will take office in January.  This mid-year transition is specifically designed to allow AREC’s current leadership to support the new officers during the spring semester, to ensure a smooth transition and the continued success of AREC.

AREC members enjoy half price registration fees for the Cornell Real Estate Conference in NYC October 1-2, 2009.  However, according to Co-President Clark, AREC members benefit most from their “exposure to people with similar interests, access to speakers, and a once-a-year Real Estate Trek.”  Clark continued, “The Real Estate Trek is an event in which students travel to a major city to meet with numerous industry professionals who host meetings at their corporate offices.  The meetings provide the opportunity for students and real estate professionals to discuss current trends, industry practices, and career paths.”  Last year’s Real Estate Trek sold out within days, proof of the event’s popularity and the value of AREC’s work at the University and beyond.