Tis the season … Yes, holiday time here, but it’s also the season for festivities and year-end awards. The music industry sponsored the CMA’s and People’s Choice awards, college football will soon name their top players, including the coveted Heisman Trophy winner, and this past Thursday evening the commercial real estate industry in Dallas-Fort Worth celebrated its annual Stemmons Service Award banquet at Brook Hollow Golf Club. Our industry was augustly represented by the four finalists: Susan Arledge of Arledge Partners, Allen Gump of Colliers International, Paul Whitman of Jones Lang LaSalle, and Manny Ybarra of Pillar Commercial. Manny Ybarra was named the 2011 Stemmons Service Award recipient, and deservedly so.
The evening also presented the 2011 Young Citizen Award to a younger (under 35 years of age) broker exemplifying the same service-oriented qualities. This award went to Ms. Sarah Hinkley of Peloton Commercial.
Every year since the award made its debut in 1976, when Jeff Smith brought home the trophy, the recipients emulate the best and most exceptional leaders in the industry. Stemmons is truly a service award and one that encompasses one’s entire career. Countless hours of dedication to the DFW real estate industry, as well as outside charitable activities that enrich the entire community, are integral components to the selection process, as is “the ability to successfully resolve the intricacies associated with bringing two parties together in a commercial real estate transaction.”
The legacy of the Stemmons family and their lasting impression on Dallas was highlighted by Lee Halford Jr., iconic member of Industrial Properties Corp., who left us with a mantra evoked by John Stemmons’ toward the end of his life: “Lease the Polar Bear.” Stemmons was referring to a difficult-to-lease former ice cream plant in Dallas. But his words really serve as a rallying cry for everyone in the commercial real estate industry, who face big challenges on a regular basis.
Congratulations, Manny, on a much-deserved honor. And Merry Christmas to one and all!
Frank Bullock is executive vice president and market leader at SRS Real Estate Partners. Contact him at [email protected].
