UCI Center for Real Estate Recognizes Industry's Most Respected Leaders at Annual Awards Luncheon

IRVINE, CA--(Marketwired - Nov 6, 2014) - The Center for Real Estate at The Paul Merage School of Business, University of California, Irvine (The Center), held its annual Real Estate Awards Luncheon celebration on Thursday, October 30, 2014, at The Island Hotel, Newport Beach. The Center honored Emile Haddad, President and CEO of FivePoint Communities with the 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award, Ray M. Lawler, Managing Director and Partner of Hines with the 2014 Rising Star Award and Peter Kompaniez, Vice Chairman of AIMCO with the Power-Packed Philanthropist Award. The 2014 Real Estate Awards Luncheon was attended by many key members from the UC Irvine, Orange County and Los Angeles business communities, most notably Stuart Miller, CEO of Lennar and Jon Jaffe, Vice President and COO of Lennar.

"Throughout Emile Haddad's 30-plus years of experience in the real estate industry, he has amassed peer and industry recognition for his vision, undeniable resilience through three recessions and contribution to the community," said Kerry Vandell, Director of the UCI Center for Real Estate and Deans Professor of Finance of The Paul Merage School of Business.

As President and CEO of FivePoint Communities, Emile Haddad oversees one of California's largest real estate development companies. His forward-thinking allowed FivePoint Communities to become the largest developer of Navy bases in the country. Prior to co-founding FivePoint Communities, Haddad served as Chief Investment Officer of Lennar Corporation, where he was instrumental in the growth of the company. He is also credited as a founding member of Lennar in California. Haddad currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the UC Irvine Foundation. Additionally, he is on the Real Estate Advisory Boards of UCI, University of California, Berkeley and University of Southern California.

"Ray M. Lawler is indeed most deserving of the 2014 Rising Star Award, for his accomplishments in the real estate industry through his responsible leadership, commitment and service to the community," said Vandell.

In his role as Managing Director and Partner of Hines, Ray M. Lawler is responsible for more than 3 million square feet of commercial real estate in Orange County. He was a key member of the development, management, leasing and disposition team for 2211 Michaelson, the first building to be certified under the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED - Core & Shell Program. Prior to his work at Hines, Lawler was a Captain in the United States Marine Corps and a Naval Aviator for more than a decade. He currently serves as a board member of NAIOP and as a Planning Commissioner for the City of Newport Beach.

"Peter Kompaniez has contributed immensely to research for the prevention of diabetes, cure of diabetes and improvement to the lives of all people living with the disease," said Shelley Hoss, President of the Orange County Community Foundation. "His commitment to the community sets him apart and we proudly honor him with the Power-Packed Philanthropist Award."

Peter Kompaniez co-founded AIMCO, (Apartment Investment and Management Company), in 1994 and currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Board. He is the Owner and CEO at the TBL Group. Kompaniez is also the President and Vice Chairman at Real Estate Equity Partners Inc.

Jim C. "Watty" Watson, CEO and President of the CT Realty Corporation, led the program as the celebration's emcee. Welcome remarks were given by Eric R. Spangenberg, Dean of The Paul Merage School of Business, UCI. Kerry D. Vandell, Director of the UCI Center for Real Estate and Deans Professor of Finance of The Paul Merage School of Business, UCI; Mike Robb, Executive Director of the UCI Center for Real Estate; and Chad Sanderson, Principal and Business Development & Acquisitions of Bascom Group were speakers at the luncheon.

Jim C. "Watty" Watson and Dina Haddad presented Emile Haddad with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Robert Brunswick, Co-Chair of the UCI Center for Real Estate Advisory Board presented Ray M. Lawler with the Rising Star Award. Sharon Nakamura Brown, Associate Director of the UCI Center for Real Estate and Shelley Hoss, President of the Orange County Community Foundation presented Peter Kompaniez with the Power-Packed Philanthropist Award.

Previous awardees of The Lifetime Achievement Award include: Bill Halford, Bixby Land Co., 2012; John O'Donnell, The O'Donnell Group, 2010; and Phil Belling and Steve Layton, LBA Realty, 2008.

About the Center for Real Estate
The Center for Real Estate at The Paul Merage School of Business is an integral and indispensable component of the program in Real Estate and Urban Development at the University of California, Irvine. The Center serves as a binding force among the three primary missions of the program: Student Education, Academic Research and Professional Outreach. The Center for Real Estate is one of the seven Centers of Excellence within The Paul Merage School of Business.

About The Paul Merage School of Business at UC Irvine
The Paul Merage School of Business at UC Irvine offers four dynamic MBA programs, a Master of Professional Accountancy, and PhD and undergraduate business degrees that deliver its thematic approach to business education: sustainable growth through strategic innovation. The school features seven Centers of Excellence (including the CRE) and Executive Education programs that provide numerous and varied opportunities for students and the business community at large to enhance their education experience and update their professional expertise. The Merage School consistently ranks among the top 10 percent of all AACSB-accredited programs. For more information, visit merage.uci.edu.