News Type: Press Release

John Fish is New Chair of Roundtable Board of Directors; Debra Cafaro Commended for her Effective Three Years as Roundtable Chair

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) — The Real Estate Roundtable today announced its new FY2022 leadership, with John F. Fish (Chairman & CEO, Suffolk) elected as Chair for a three-year term starting July 1, 2021 – following an effective, productive term by Immediate Past Chair Debra A. Cafaro (Chairman & CEO, Ventas, Inc.). The Roundtable’s membership also approved a 22-member Board of Directors and committee officers.

“I am honored and humbled to assume this new role at such a pivotal moment for the real estate industry. Our communities are facing a host of challenges – from unprecedented political polarization, to the growing threat of climate change, to the comeback from the global pandemic – but where we see obstacles ahead, we also see opportunity to expand jobs, provide housing, and assist businesses evolve in the post-Covid economy,” said John Fish, Chair of the Real Estate Roundtable.

“The Real Estate Roundtable and its members have a tremendous legacy of stepping up during difficult times, and I look forward to working alongside my colleagues and leaders from business and government to build on the great work that is already underway. Together, we can continue to leverage our knowledge and resources to have a positive impact on our industry and the world.”

“We are committed to sustainable national policies that reinforce and expand long-term economic growth and opportunities for all, spur job creation and encourage capital formation,” said Jeffrey D. DeBoer, Roundtable President and CEO. “The real estate industry provides jobs for tens of millions of people, is a significant source of revenue for local governments to help fund schools, hospitals and much needed community services, and is a key investment allocation for pensions and other retirement savings funds.  I thank Debra for her leadership, and look forward to working closely with our new chair John Fish on these policy issues and to continuing The Roundtable’s fact-based, data driven advocacy work.”

The Roundtable’s Immediate Past Chair, Debra Cafaro noted, “It has been an honor and privilege to serve as chair for the last three years, and I am delighted to pass the baton to my friend and colleague John Fish. John is uniquely well-positioned to lead this organization as we move forward with the issues of economic recovery from the pandemic, job creation, sustainability, infrastructure and tax policy, which are at the forefront of policy debates in Washington.”

Key Background:

The Real Estate Roundtable brings together leaders of the nation’s top publicly-held and privately-owned real estate ownership, development, lending and management firms with the leaders of major national real estate trade associations to jointly address key national policy issues relating to real estate and the overall economy.

The 22-member FY2022 Board is elected from the membership and includes three elected leaders of national real estate trade organizations from The Roundtable’s 19 partner associations.

Under Mr. Fish’s leadership, Suffolk has grown into one of the leading privately held general building contractors in the country. With approximately $4 billion in annual revenue, Suffolk is currently ranked #23 on the Engineering News-Record national list of “Top 400 Contractors.” Mr. Fish is also fixture on numerous boards focused on improving the economy, strengthening business and creating jobs, and has served on The Roundtable’s Board of Directors since 2017.

The Roundtable’s business and trade association leaders seek to ensure a cohesive industry voice is heard by government officials and the public about real estate and its important role in the global economy.

Joining The Roundtable’s Board of Directors as of July 1 are:

• Geordy Johnson, CEO, Johnson Development Associates, Inc.
• Brian Kingston, Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer, Brookfield Property Partners
• Kara McShane, Head of Commercial Real Estate, Wells Fargo
• Mark J. Parrell, President & Chief Executive Officer, Equity Residential, Member, National Multifamily Housing Council

See the complete list of the FY2022 Roundtable’s Board of Directors here.

Stepping down from The Roundtable Board as of July 1 are:

• Shelby Christensen, Chair and Chief Elected Officer, Building Owners & Managers Association, International
• Richard B. Clark, Managing Partner, WatermanCLARK
• Charlie Dawson, Vice President, National Association of REALTORS®
• Robert R. Merck, Senior Managing Director and Global Head of Real Estate, MetLife Investment Management
• William C. Rudin, Co-Chairman and CEO, Rudin Management Company, Inc. Chairman Emeritus, The Real Estate Roundtable

For FY 2022, The Roundtable’s Committee Leadership will be:

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee

• Jeff T. Blau (Related Companies) continues as chair

The Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) will be co-chaired by

• Amanda S. Mason (Related Companies) and
• Keith Wallace (Marriot International)

The Real Estate Capital Policy Advisory Committee (RECPAC) will be co-chaired by:

• Kathleen Sullivan Farrell (Truist),
• Gregg Gerken (TD Bank), and
• Michael H. Lowe (Lowe)

The Research Committee will be co-chaired by:

• Spencer Levy (CBRE) and
• Paula Campbell Roberts (KKR)

The Sustainability Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC):

• Anthony E. Malkin (Empire State Realty Trust) continues as chair,
• Daniel Egan (Vornado Realty Trust) continues as co-vice chair
• Ben Myers (Boston Properties) is a new co-vice chair

The Tax Policy Advisory Committee (TPAC):

• Frank G. Creamer, Jr. (FGC Advisors, L.L.C.) continues as chair
• Catherine Perrenoud (Johnson Management, LLC) is the new vice chair

The Roundtable’s membership represents over 3 million people working in real estate; some 12 billion square feet of office, retail, and industrial space; over 2 million apartments; and more than 3 million hotel rooms. It also includes senior, student and manufactured housing as well as medical office, life science campuses, data centers, cell towers, and self-storage properties. The collective value of assets held by Roundtable members exceeds $3 trillion.

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RER Board Approves Suffolk Chairman and CEO John F. Fish as Chair-Elect for FY 2021, Edens CEO Jodie W. McLean as Secretary, and Related Companies CEO Jeff T. Blau as Chair of Newly Established Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) — The Real Estate Roundtable’s 24-member Board of Directors has approved John F. Fish (CEO & Chairman, Suffolk) as the organization’s Chair-Elect, to begin his term as Chairman of the Roundtable in mid-2021.  The Board also approved, effective immediately, Jodie W. McLean (CEO, Edens) as its Secretary and Jeff T. Blau (CEO, Related Companies) as the Chair of the organization’s newly established Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) Committee.

Chair-Elect Fish will succeed current Roundtable Chair Debra A. Cafaro (Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ventas, Inc.) whose term expires July 1, 2021.  “The Board of Directors of The Real Estate Roundtable is excited to announce John Fish as our Chair-Elect and Jodie McLean as our Secretary,” said Cafaro.  “John has been an active Board member and has played a key role in developing our policy agenda.  He is active on a bipartisan basis with policymakers, and his experiences and accomplishments across business, government and philanthropy give John a broad perspective that will benefit the Roundtable and our members.  John’s emphasis on labor force issues, infrastructure, and the need to level the educational and economic opportunities for all Americans are particularly relevant as The Roundtable develops and advocates fact-based policies that create jobs and inclusive economic growth,” Cafaro added.

Mr. Fish stated, “I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as Roundtable Chair-Elect, work with the talented team and follow Debra Cafaro’s impressive record of policy accomplishments in Washington.  I have seen the effectiveness of the organization in advocating shared industry concerns to lawmakers and regulators, and strongly believe it is essential for The Real Estate Roundtable to continue its engagement at all levels of policy-making as the nation comes together to address new economic, societal and health challenges.” 

About Fish and McLean

Mr. Fish is the Chairman and CEO of Suffolk, which is a national real estate and construction enterprise that invests, innovates and builds, providing value throughout the entire building lifecycle. Suffolk is one of the largest builders and privately held companies in the country, with main offices in the Northeast, New York, Florida, Texas and California. The company services clients in the aviation/transportation, science and technology, mission critical, commercial, education, healthcare, gaming and government sectors.  Mr. Fish is a former Chair of the Federal Reserve Board of Boston, current Chair of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and member of the Mass General Brigham’s Executive Committee, and is serving his second term as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Boston College. 

Jodie W. McLean is Chief Executive Officer of EDENS, one of the nation’s leading private owners, operators and developers of retail real estate.  She is responsible for EDENS’ strategy to move the portfolio to major urban centers, creating a portfolio of assets that are the center of community life.  Ms. McLean currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.  She also serves on the boards of Cushman & Wakefield and Extended Stay America, as well as boards of several other institutions and charities. 

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment of RER

On his appointment as the Chair of the Real Estate Roundtable’s newly created Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Mr. Blau said, “As leaders, it is our obligation to enact fundamental change. I am honored to chair the ED&I committee and am eager to listen and be guided by diverse voices and perspectives as we work together to promote an industry that is reflective of the society we live in.” 

Roundtable Present and CEO, Jeffrey D. DeBoer commented, “I am delighted with these Board leadership decisions and, in particular, I look forward to implementing recommendations from our ED&I Committee that will help advance equal economic opportunities for all.” 

The Real Estate Roundtable brings together leaders of the nation’s top publicly-held and privately-owned real estate ownership, development, lending and management firms with the leaders of major national real estate trade associations to jointly address key national policy issues relating to real estate and and its important role in the global economy.  The Roundtable’s policy agenda, annual report and policy digest are available on The Roundtable website.

The Roundtable’s membership represents nearly 3 million people working in real estate; approximately 12 billion square feet of office, retail and industrial space; more than 2 million apartments and nearly 3 million hotel rooms.  The collective value of assets held by Roundtable members is estimated at $3 trillion.  

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