The University of Maryland’s School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation’s Colvin Institute of Real Estate Development, the Robert H. Smith School of Business and the A. James Clark School of Engineering honored three innovative entrepreneurs in real estate development last week at the inaugural “Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Real Estate Awards.” The event, held on the eve of the university’s “30 Days of EnTERPreneurship,” recognized Jeffery S. Abramson, UMD Alumnus Michael E. Johnson and the Transitional Housing Corporation for their success and achievement in the field of real estate development and their innovative approaches to sustainably growing the nation’s cities.
“Here at the University of Maryland, the beginning of April is very special because for 30 days we focus on innovation and entrepreneurship campus-wide,” said Dean Chang, Vice President of UMD’s Academy for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, who presented the awards. “That’s part of what makes Maryland really special and it’s my distinct pleasure to acknowledge the achievements of individuals whose organizations really exemplify the ‘fearless ideas’ that Maryland is known for, in Real Estate.”
The Honorees were selected by a committee of industry leaders for the strides they are making in creative affordable housing solutions, imaginative planning, inventive design and the advancement of progressive, sustainable development.
“This Inaugural Awards Dinner was created by the Colvin Institute to recognize that real estate is not only entrepreneurial, but is often innovative in it’s economic and social impact,” said Margaret McFarland, Director of UMD’s Colvin Institute for Real Estate Development. “Maryland has a long history of leading-edge real estate projects, from the first planned city in America, St. Mary’s City, to one of the very earliest new urbanism developments in Kentlands, Montgomery County, Md.”
Real estate professionals from all sectors of the industry, government leaders, as well as administrators, faculty, alumni and students attended the ceremony, not just to celebrate the honorees, but to build a foundation for future innovators as well. Proceeds from the event will go towards scholarships for UMD’s Real Estate Development Program, one of only twenty-one programs of its kind in the country.
“Real Estate Development is a relatively new discipline in academic life and just a handful of universities have done it for any length of time,” said Keynote speaker Henry Cisneros, Chairman of CityView and former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. “The Colvin Institute offers a very good program for students who want to go into real estate, which is critically important for generating the talent that is re-shaping our cities and, therefore, our nation.”
This year’s winners excel in different aspects of real estate but share a common passion for improving the lives of others through smart development. Jeffrey Abramson, a partner of the Rockville-based Tower Companies, is a green building leader recognized for his contributions to sustainable development and leadership by organizations throughout the region. Michael E. Johnson is the President and Chief Executive Officer of UrbanCore Development, LLC, a San Francisco Bay-area development firm currently undertaking over $800 million in housing and mix-used development. A UMD graduate of the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, Mr. Johnson’s firm is one of the largest African American businesses in the Bay area. The Transitional Housing Corporation (THC) provides housing and support to homeless and at-risk families in the Washington, D.C. region, including housing counseling, employment services and life skills training. THC also develops affordable housing for low to moderate-income families and works to find effective solutions to reduce energy costs, a prevailing threat in older housing stock.
“This event goes beyond recognizing the incredible talent in today’s development industry, it inspires our students to exceed horizons,” said David Cronrath, Dean of the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. “Examples that demonstrate innovation, in the way that resources, technique and vision coalesce to create future communities, are crucial for preparing the next generation of development leaders.”