(WASHINGTON, D.C.) — William C. Rudin (Rudin Management Company, Inc.) has been elected chairman of The Real Estate Roundtable, and is poised to succeed Robert S. Taubman (Taubman Centers, Inc.) in this role as of July 1. At the organization’s annual meeting on June 3, members also approved a new, 22-member board of directors and policy advisory committee chairs for the 2015-16 fiscal year.

“We could not have a better choice to lead our industry than Bill Rudin,” said Taubman, who has served as Roundtable chairman for the past three years. Taubman noted that Rudin “brings a deep understanding of what is needed for real estate markets to thrive — including jobs, economic demand, financing, and infrastructure — and how all of this relates to healthy cities, local government budgets and a healthy U.S. economy. With his broad experience in every facet of the business, and leadership role in various civic organizations, Bill Rudin is well suited to help the nation’s political leaders understand real estate’s views on key policy issues.” 

Roundtable President and CEO Jeffrey D. DeBoer added, “Thanks to his deep engagement over the years, and the respect he enjoys from peers and elected officials at all levels of government, Bill Rudin has contributed immeasurably to The Roundtable’s success in Washington. These contributions range from tax and technology issues, to homeland security policy, and real estate’s positive role in creating jobs and addressing U.S. energy challenges. I’m thrilled to be working with Bill in this new role, and look forward to many policy successes under his leadership.”

Rudin is vice chairman and CEO of Rudin Management Company, Inc., one of the nation’s largest and most well regarded privately-owned real estate companies, with 10.2 million square feet of commercial space and 4.7 million square feet of residential space.

Rudin has served as chairman-elect of The Real Estate Roundtable since last June. He was a founding member of the organization in 1999; joined its board in 2008; and became board secretary in 2012. 

“I am deeply honored to take on the leadership of this highly respected policy advocacy organization,” said Rudin. “For over 15 years, it has been bringing together a diverse cross-section of industry leaders to discuss, shape and articulate a unified real estate industry perspective on key federal policy issues,” he added. As the nation faces an array of consequential policy challenges — such as immigration, infrastructure funding, and the need for sustainable job creation — Rudin called for real estate to maintain a “pro-active” approach in Washington, and for policymakers to consider real estate as “part of the solution.”

Rudin is very active with many civic, policy-oriented and philanthropic organizations. He chairs the Association for a Better New York (ABNY). He is a long-time member of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY). He is active with the Citizens Budget Commission, Economic Club of New York, Council on Foreign Relations, and the Partnership for New York City. Additionally, he sits on the boards of institutions such as New York University, the Battery Conservancy, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City.

The Roundtable’s board of directors includes the leaders of public and privately-held national real estate firms involved in real estate ownership, development, lending and management — and representing an array of property types (e.g., office, hospitality, retail, industrial, multi-family and senior living). The board also includes the elected leaders of five major national real estate trade groups — out of 17 that hold permanent membership in The Roundtable.

Joining the board, as of July 1, are: Thomas R. Arnold, Head of Americas–Real Estate, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Chairman of the Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate (AFIRE) and Chairman, Pension Real Estate Association (PREA); Stephen D. Lebovitz, President and CEO of CBL & Associates Properties, Inc., and Chairman, International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).

Stepping down from the Roundtable board are: Ronald L. Havner, Jr., Chairman, CEO and President, Public Storage, Inc., and Immediate Past Chairman, National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT); Steven D. Martin, Managing Principal, SDM Partners, and Chairman, NAIOP – the Commercial Real Estate Development Association; and Daniel M. Neidich, CEO, Dune Real Estate Partners LP, and Immediate Past Chairman, The Real Estate Roundtable.