NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., Oct. 6, 2009 ‚Äì If the thoughts of a trio of commercial real estate industry leaders provide a yardstick, there is considerable sleeplessness rampant in the industry in these turbulent times. The forum was the NAIOP New Jersey Chapter Meeting at the Heldrich Hotel, and the subject was “What Keeps You Awake at Night?”
 
For Peter Cocoziello, president and CEO of Advance Realty Group, sleeplessness comes from the bottom line effect of the current recession ‚Äî lost jobs. “We’ve lost 7.6 million jobs nationally,” he said. “There are also 1.8 million job seekers, so in essence, the economic environment has a deficit of 9.4 million jobs. It is estimated that it will take 7.6 years to come back. With the likelihood that it will take to 2016-17 to fully recover, I would have to term this a decade that’s lost.”
 
For New Jersey in particular, “We’ve lost 148,000 jobs in the past two years,” Cocoziello noted. “In the past, when New Jersey lost jobs, it was primarily in construction and manufacturing. This time, these are service sector jobs, which has a huge impact on a lot of office buildings.
 
“It also affects retail,” he said. “And the port is down by more than 20 percent, impacting shipping and warehousing. Looking at the total picture, I’m having trouble finding something to grab onto that this is going to turn around soon. That’s what’s keeping me up at night.”
 
“I share many of the same sentiments, but I like to be a little uplifting,” said Mitchell Hersh, president and CEO of Mack-Cali Realty Corporation. “Looking back to a year ago when we saw the potential for the next Great Depression, we’ve resolved some of the issues confronting the regulatory environment for financial services. We’ve seen the stock market reflect the expectation of a better economy, and for that I have some reason for optimism.”
 
Consolidation across all industry sectors is quickly becoming fact, the panel noted. That being said, the REIT community provides a basis for some optimism, according to Hersh. “REITs in general have the mantra of modest leverage,” he said. “The balance sheet stability of the public sector will ultimately be a healthy survivor of this difficult market and be part of the consolidation process that will confront real estate.”
 
In terms of privately held firms, which rely on private financing, “I can’t stress enough how dramatically the market has changed on the financing side,” said Ed Russo, president and CEO of Russo Development. “So few lenders that we were doing business with three or four years ago are still active in the market simply because they’ve taken so many losses. Availability of capital is the single biggest issue in our market.
 
“I don’t think the market is going to be significantly different a year from now,” Russo said. And while his firm is beginning to be approached with deals, “more than likely it is a lender saying, ‘we’re getting this building back, are you interested?’ And in terms of property values, he estimated that they’ve fallen by 20 to 30 percent.
 
“A year from now, things probably won’t have changed, and might even be a little worse than today,” Russo said. “By definition, based on GDP and the performance of the stock market, the recession might be over. But based on the number of deals, the difficulty in financing projects and assets trading at low prices, real estate will be in recession for at least another 12 months.”
 
“Within our tenant portfolio, we are still seeing cost reduction and job destruction,” Hersh noted. “So when improved earnings are based on cost reduction ‚Äî that’s one of the reasons I stay awake at night. I don’t see the fundamentals improving yet. We are a consumer-driven economy and the consumer is still in the bunker. We may not see fundamental improvement for two or three years.”
 
“Wall Street is out of touch with Main Street,” Cocoziello concluded. “Everyone we talk to is struggling. Wall Street just looks at earnings expectations, so there is a disconnect. From my point of view, any significant bounce-back is a few years away.‚Äù
 

EDISON, N.J., Oct. 5, 2009 – Cushman & Wakefield, Inc.’s Metropolitan Area Capital Markets Group has orchestrated the sale of Edison Towne Corporate Centre, a three-building, mixed-use property located on Route 27 in Edison. The Morris Companies purchased the asset from Starwood Heller, LLC.
 
Located on 62 acres, Edison Towne Corporate Centre includes a 245,446-square-foot office building at 2147 Route 27; a 99,260-square-foot research and development building at 2121 Route 27; and a 140,000-square-foot warehouse building with additional, vacant land behind it at 55 Talmadge Road. The Morris Companies intends to redevelop the land parcel.
 
“This offering involved a unique combination of a mixed-use project with a value-added component and significant additional development potential,” noted Cushman & Wakefield’s Jose Cruz, who handled the assignment in conjunction with Metropolitan Area Capital Markets Group team members Andrew Merin, David Bernhaut and Gary Gabriel.
 
Edison Towne Corporate Center occupies a prime location, less than one mile south of Exit 2 of I-287. Route 27 provides access to Exit 131 of the Garden State Parkway to the north, and Route 18 to the south. I-287 intersects U.S. Route 1 and Exit 10 of the New Jersey Turnpike within three miles of the property.
 
“Superb accessibility has made the stretch of Route 27 extending from Edison Towne Corporate Centre up to I-287, and nearby on Route 1, a hotbed for redevelopments, attracting a wide array of industrial, office and retail users,” Merin noted. Edison Towne Corporate Centre is located along the Route 1 research and development corridor.
 
Based at Cushman & Wakefield’s East Rutherford, N.J., office, the Metropolitan Area Capital Markets Group specializes exclusively in real estate sales, joint ventures and financing in Northern New Jersey, Fairfield County, Conn.; and Long Island and Westchester County, N.Y. The team has completed more than $13.6 billion worth of transactions since 2000. Over the past four years, this included an average of more than $1.5 billion annually, reaching $2.7 billion in 2007.

VOORHEES, N.J., Oct. 5, 2009 – A group of eight real estate-related companies have taken a fresh approach to doing business in today’s competitive environment by forming a Strategic Alliance. The members encourage the cooperation and sharing of resources to take advantage of new opportunities. This Alliance brings together firms from different sectors of the real estate industry: an architectural firm, two marketing firms, a construction financing firm, and structural, civil and environmental engineering firms. By pooling resources they can offer a full scope of services, helping builders and developers rethink and repackage projects in today’s changing business landscape.
 
The following is a Q&A representing key questions and responses from “Boot Camp for Builders in a Troubled Economy,” a presentation by the Alliance featured at Atlantic Builders Convention in Spring 2009. Each member shares their views and perspectives on the current state of the economy, buyer trends and builder options.
 
Question: The economy has slowed some projects and left a glut of existing inventory on the market. How can developers move their product?
Answer by Bill Feinberg, president, Feinberg & Associates:
When properties are sitting on the shelf, it is a good time to invest in redesigning and repositioning existing and future products. Builders and developers need to determine their buyer, the price point and, most importantly, what their strengths are likely to be two to three years from now. Re-approvals and new approvals in the Tri-state area can take up to three years.
 
Question: What is the long-term effect of this economic downturn on the real estate business?
Answer from Joe Di Bernardo, president, Joseph L. Di Bernardo & Associates:         
It’s a new ballgame. Developers have to be flexible and face the challenges of this market with new approaches. Everyone is re-evaluating all aspects of their development plans, re-positioning market approaches, re-designing product lines to adapt to new changes in pricing, and remarketing.

Question: How can developers secure financing in light of current conditions?
Answer by Charles Kauffman, president of C.H. Kauffman & Associates:
Building a relationship with a trusted financial institution in this environment is a good idea. Regional, local and smaller banks have emerged as an alternative to large financial institutions. They have money to lend for projects, and are looking to develop new customers. Working with a reputable commercial mortgage banker who has a good relationship with many diverse lenders is an excellent way for developers to locate necessary funding for their current or future needs.
 
Question: Considering changing demographics and product types, what key trends and growth opportunities exist today?
Answer from Bill Becker, president, The William E. Becker Organization:
Companies are looking to cut costs, and one way is through the building of smaller projects while taking a creative look at square footage and designing open floor plans, which consumers prefer.
 
Also, in the “active adult” housing market, the Baby Boomers and Generation Y have been influential. Years ago, there were less choices but today there are hundreds of communities that cater to the 55+ housing market alone. Also, an influx in single ‘boomers’ who have never been married, now comprise about 20 percent of the marketplace. Many of these buyers are single women who are looking for more square footage and are motivated by a lifestyle change.
 
The other emerging trend lies with Generation Y buyers who are looking for condominiums or townhouses in urban settings. They like the idea of less maintenance and are very interested in green amenities.
 
Question: Which marketing tools are effective in promoting a community?
Answer from Don Smolev, president, The Marcon Group:
In today’s market every prospective purchaser is focused on getting a great deal. The marketing thrust has to convince the prospect that they are getting the best possible deal before prices and interest rates start rising. Since April of this year, sales velocity has improved month to month but it will take many more months before the prices will move up significantly. So, whether it’s price reduction, free upgrades and/or options or paying taxes, mortgage payments or whatever, today’s buyer wants to feel that he is getting the most for the money.
 
Additionally, the rules of marketing have changed dramatically. Newspaper and magazine advertising are playing an ever decreasing role in marketing of homes. Today, in addition to carefully focused ads, we employ dramatic web sites and email blasts and we use blogs, Facebook and even Twitter where appropriate and who knows what will be tomorrow.
 
Question: What are the consequences of revising a development program?
Answer by Rod Ritchie, technical director of AKRF:
Revisions such as changing product types or layouts result in changes to site and subdivision plans. While that may be a good business decision, it will impact approvals. So I recommend starting the revision process early so that you’re not stuck trying to get an approval for a revised development program when the market turns around.
 
Question: Where and how will the industry grow when it gets started again?
Answer from Scott Wolford, vice president, Patton Harris Rust & Associates:
In the immediate term, developers need to stick with approved projects that are available, ranging from urban mixed-use, to suburban and even rural centers and products.
 
We are at a point where the market is moving toward more traditional urban style product, mixed-use, near transit when possible. Older and younger buyers are talking about sustainability, livability, amenities – searching for great places to live, work and play.
 
Question: When designing structural systems for large scale projects how do you keep costs in line?
Answer by Anthony Naccarato, principal, O’Donnell & Naccarato:
We advise clients to spend only what is required on structure. Anything more reduces the amount of cash available to generate sales or income. The first step is identifying the structural system that works best for a project. Clients should also think about off-site pre-fabrication to save time.
 
The use of Building Information Modeling software allows us to construct a virtual structure in three dimensions. This helps troubleshoot projects digitally and resolve building component clashes, reducing constructability-related change orders.

EDISON, N.J., Oct. 1, 2009 – John A. Kaye has joined the Edison office of Cushman & Wakefield, Inc. as a director, announced Gualberto “Gil” Medina, executive managing director of the real estate service firm’s New Jersey operations. A resident of Red Bank, N.J., Kaye brings to the firm more than 12 years of experience as a broker specializing in both tenant and owner representation for institutional and corporate clients.
 
In his new position, Kaye is focusing primarily on the Central New Jersey market. His clients include CDW; Eastman Kodak; Motorola; Merrill Lynch; Cingular Interactive; Donaldson Lufkin Jenrette; AXA Financial; Wells Fargo Home Mortgage; News America Marketing; Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield and International Paper, among many others. Kaye also will assist in new broker training at Cushman & Wakefield.
 
“John’s knowledge of market dynamics and involvement in key transactions throughout the New Jersey marketplace have established him as rising industry leader,” Medina noted. “In addition to coming on board as a key asset for the Edison office, we look forward to tapping his mentoring skills as we continue to develop our brokerage team.”
 
Kaye cites Cushman & Wakefield’s deep resources and team approach among his reasons for joining the firm. “Cushman & Wakefield, by far, offered the most dynamic platform for me to move forward in my career,” he said. “This company’s strong management and group-oriented goals stand out as a real draw.”
 
Prior to joining Cushman & Wakefield, Kaye was a senior associate at CBRE. He holds a bachelor’s degree in History and English from the University of West Virginia.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., Oct. 1, 2009 – Bucking current real estate investment market trends, Cushman & Wakefield’s Metropolitan Area Capital Markets Group has closed 18 investment deals during the first eight months of 2009. The big surprise? One-third of that activity involved retail product.
 
“The retail industry is severely stressed – stores are closing, many tenants are seeking to modify terms of existing leases, and the sector is not expected to show any growth in the short to immediate term,” Merin noted. “At present, retail is not a favored product type on the acquisition side because fundamentals are weak, and consumers are not spending. The number of retail sales that we have completed so far this year is both unexpected and interesting.”
 
According to Merin, motivated sellers were the common thread among the six retail deals his team has closed recently. “Most owners tend to believe that it is not a good time to put properties on the market, although cap rates have merely moved back to historic norms” he said. “The new market rate pricing might appear stressed or distressed, but that perception means little as our completed transactions now define the new normal. Grocery-anchored centers are still highly sought after.”
 
In Mohegan Lake, N.Y., Centro Properties sold its Cortlandt Towne Center to Acadia Realty Trust for $78 million. The 642,000-square-foot regional power center houses 41 tenants, with anchors including Wal-Mart, A&P Food Market, Barnes & Noble, Best Buy and a number of other big-box retailers. The property has historically maintained a 95 percent occupancy level but was only 85 percent leased at the time of sale due to the 2008 bankruptcies of Linens’ N Things and Levitz.
 
“Two of the biggest obstacles in the capital markets today are the limited number of active lenders and the scarcity of buyers for sales greater than $50 million. Acadia was able to acquire the property via an available credit line, in an all-cash transaction, differentiating themselves among more than a dozen other offers. This sale demonstrates that high-quality, well-located assets with strong occupancy histories still generate high interest from the investor community.”
 
An undisclosed institutional client opted to sell The Marketplace at Rockaway – a stabilized, 241,000-square-foot shopping center with high credit tenants like Wal-Mart, Bed, Bath & Beyond and a DSW Shoe Outlet. Friendwell Group of Companies acquired the property for $29 million, assuming an existing seven-year loan.
 
In Monmouth County, an institutional owner sold a 218,524-square-foot fully occupied grocery-anchored community center to the Azarian Group for $34 million.
 
“Unlike many sellers, these clients elected to market two of their best assets – with successful outcomes,” Merin said. “Strong tenant lineups assisted both transactions significantly.”
 
Foreclosure motivated the sale of Uniondale Shopping Center in Uniondale, N.Y., which Northwest Mutual had taken back from the developer. Piermont Properties, a Long Island-based private investor, acquired the 60,807-square-foot property for an undisclosed price. The vacant store sits adjacent to a separately owned Wal-Mart store, offering a prime location for a supermarket or alternate big box tenant.
 
“There is simply not an abundance of product available for purchase in the Long Island market,” Merin said. “Piermont took advantage of a great value-added opportunity, exercising foresight and the financial ability to consummate this type of transaction.”
 
Significant amounts of available capital also was key in the sale of Echo Plaza, a mixed-use retail and office complex in Springfield, N.J. Larken Associates acquired the asset for approximately $16.3 million in cash. The 66,568-square-foot neighborhood shopping center was 71 percent leased at the time of sale to a mix of national and local retailers, including Big Lots, Outback Steakhouse and Sherwin Williams.
 
“Below-market leases, near-term expirations and available space provided Larken with an excellent repositioning play,” Merin said. “Not all regional owners focus on both retail and office, and even fewer are able to make an all-cash purchase – which was key in this value-add buy.”
 
Merin noted that the retail property sales his team has completed provide an interesting cross-section of those happening in the New Jersey/New York region and across the country. “They almost all involve motivated and realistic sellers – like Mohegan Lake, Uniondale and Springfield – or stabilized situations  – like Rockaway and Monmouth County, where existing debt also was key,” he said. “It will be interesting to see how this trend plays forward in the coming months.”

Cushman & Wakefield’s Metropolitan Area Capital Markets Group specializes exclusively in real estate sales, joint ventures and financing in Northern New Jersey, Fairfield County, Conn.; and Long Island and Westchester County, N.Y. The team has completed more than $13.6 billion worth of transactions since 2000. Over the past four years, this included an average of more than $1.5 billion annually, reaching $2.7 billion in 2007.

HACKENSACK, N.J., Sept. 29, 2009 – The environmental cleanup of a former oil storage site on South River Road in Hackensack, N.J., is progressing with construction of a multi-story residential complex slated to begin early next year, according to the owner of the property, P&F Management Company, LLC, a leading distressed real estate owner, developer and lender with holdings throughout New Jersey. The company is collaborating with the City of Hackensack to redevelop the 3.75-acre land tract into a new 144-unit residential community.
 
“Our project is an ambitious effort to remove contaminated soil and ground water that threatens human health and the Hackensack River,” said Glen Fishman, founder and chief executive officer of P&F Management Company LLC. “Our goal is to render this land parcel productive and viable while enhancing the city‚Äôs riverfront. We have received a great deal of support and assistance from local and state officials, who have been instrumental in facilitating the advancement of this redevelopment effort.”
 
Acquired in 2007, the former Eval Oil Terminal is a classic brownfield with several
one million-gallon storage tanks abandoned years ago. The once-thriving bulk storage oil terminal had fallen into dangerous disrepair and contributed no local tax revenues until the city sold the tax lien to P&F for $2.8 million.
 
P&F Management is partnering with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to finance the environmental clean-up of the property, estimated to cost $3 million.
 
Located at South River Street and Shafer Place at the I-80 overpass in Hackensack, plans include the construction of a multi-story, 144-unit upscale residential community designed to reflect the character of the surrounding neighborhoods.
 
“Once the property is remediated, we project that actual construction will start in early 2010,” said Fishman. “We are very confident in the success of this redevelopment. The Bergen County residential market, because of its proximity to New York City, remains one of the strongest in the State of New Jersey.”
 
P&F Management Company LLC is a multi-faceted real estate investment and development company. Specializing in the acquisition, repositioning and redevelopment of underutilized real estate assets and portfolios as well as real estate-backed securities, P&F serves as an owner, developer and lender. Since 2007, the Hillside, N.J.-based company has acquired more than 1,500 residential units, many of which have been built out and sold despite difficult economic conditions.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., Sept. 25, 2009 – The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers’ (IBEW) Code of Excellence is yielding desirable results at the new Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. – which is five months ahead of schedule and significantly under budget. The new code, which was implemented by Local 164, based in Paramus, N.J., was developed in collaboration with the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) to define overall expectations for skilled electricians, telecommunications workers, shop stewards and those in supervisory/management roles.
 
“At the core of this program is the ‘8 for 8’ theme, meaning eight hours of solid, productive work for eight hours of hard-earned pay by the most highly trained electricians and telecom technicians,” said Richard Dressel, IBEW Local 164 business manager. “Similar to a corporate best practices program, the IBEW Code of Excellence defines Local 164’s guiding principles and has been proven – on one of New Jersey’s most high-profile and the NFL’s most expensive jobs – to facilitate a desirable outcome in the most efficient and effective manner.”
 
Targeted for completion in April 2010, the $1.5 billion, 2.1 million-square-foot Meadowlands Stadium features the latest in electronics, including high-tech scoreboards, video screens and overhead lights that change color based on which team is playing home. Hidden within the stadium structure are miles of conduit and wire installed by Local 164 which converge at nine substations and more than 37,000 circuit breakers.
 
According to Dressel, the IBEW Code of Excellence was instituted at Meadowlands Stadium during the earliest stages of planning and construction. Local 164’s Ray Manfred was appointed shop steward and charged with the task of providing an in-depth orientation program to the more than 500 electricians and telecom workers who have worked at the site to date.
 
“At the core of this renewed pride in – and ownership of – one’s work is education,” said Manfred, who has been with Local 164 for 24 years and has spearheaded a comprehensive Code of Excellence marketing and communications effort that incorporates literature, posters and educational materials, including films, verbal instruction and a pledge taken by each member. “This commitment to the highest quality, coupled with a steadfast work ethic, widens the quality gap between union and non-union labor even more.”
 
According to Manfred, the code also enhances project-related relationships. Not only do the guidelines promote a sense of teamwork and respect among electricians and telecom workers, it also strengthens the bond with general contractors, building owners and developers, end-users and the surrounding community-at-large.
 
While the Code of Excellence serves as a benchmark, Local 164 is extending these philosophies even further. For example, the local instituted a Drug-Free Workplace Program last year as part of the code’s commitment to promote alcohol- and drug-free projects. The program includes mandatory substance abuse testing that involves a random sampling of the entire membership and travelers from other jurisdictions.
 
“Quality assurance and service excellence now extend beyond corporate America into the construction trade arena,” said Dressel. “As skilled trade unions seek new ways to enhance the quality of their product and become more competitive, upholding a best practices program like the IBEW Code of Excellence should be as routine as putting your shoes on each day.”
 
Dedicated to providing members with integral services that elevate electrical and telecommunications expertise to an even higher standard, IBEW Local 164 electricians are active throughout Bergen, Hudson and Essex counties while telecommunications workers are contracted throughout the state. Nationally recognized and fully certified educational programs are offered at the IBEW Local 164 Training Academy, a 40,000-square-foot facility in Paramus featuring classrooms, hands-on simulation laboratories and the latest technology. ###
           
 
About IBEW Local 164
 
The IBEW Code of Excellence is promoting more efficient, effective work practices while instilling a sense of union pride at Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Pictured is Local 164 journeyperson Tom Klingen, of Ringwood, N.J., who is among more than 500 electricians and telecommunications workers installing hundreds of miles of wire and conduit at the 2.1 million-square-foot stadium, slated for completion in April 2010.

LIVINGSTON, N.J., Sept. 24, 2009 – Three brokerage professionals have joined Gebroe-Hammer Associates, based in Livingston, N.J., as sales associates, announced Ken Uranowitz, managing director of the region’s dominant multi-family investment brokerage firm. Nicholas Nicolaou, Alan Erickson and Meir Friedman will provide market expertise throughout Northern New Jersey as the latest additions to the firm, established in 1975.
 
Nicolaou, a resident of Harrison, N.J., joined the commercial real estate industry four years ago. Formerly with Marcus & Millichap and CB Richard Ellis, he will focus on the Passaic County market.
 
“I joined Gebroe-Hammer at the urging of several prominent property owners who hold the firm in the highest regard,” he said. “I was aggressively courted by other real estate companies and was convinced, after meeting with the Gebroe-Hammer management team, that the training I would get would be the most advantageous based on their many years of experience. Multi-family investments are the strongest sector of commercial real estate now, and I look forward to this opportunity.”
 
The Bergen County and Irvington/Newark markets will be the focus for Erickson, a resident of Verona, N.J., and Friedman, of Monsey, N.Y., respectively.
 
Formerly with First Mountain Real Estate, Erickson possesses three years of real estate experience, with a specialty in leasing apartments and selling residential real estate. “I wanted to learn the business at a new level in the big leagues,” he said. “I interviewed with local and national firms and selected Gebroe-Hammer because of their knowledge and expertise. Their relationships within the real estate community will enhance my personal growth in this industry.”
 
“We welcome Nicholas, Alan and Meir, who represent the next generation of Gebroe-Hammer brokers,” said Uranowitz, a 34-year veteran who has spent his entire professional career with Gebroe-Hammer and has endured several recessionary periods. “As we grow the firm’s presence throughout the region and beyond, we continue our commitment to mentoring young professionals by teaching them the importance of relationship-building and enhancing their market knowledge, including how to structure deals ranging from traditional to complex. Throughout our history, training and cultivating the highest professional morals has been at the core of our success.”
 
At Gebroe-Hammer, young professionals are continuously supervised by veteran members of the executive management team. Ongoing training includes weekly educational and market information programs and management/supervisor meetings. College students like Friedman, who attended Touro College, are recruited aggressively. “I have learned a great deal in a short amount of time about business and investment real estate and have already procured several exclusive listings,” said Friedman.  
 
‚ÄúMost of our sales force and management team first came here fresh out of college, without any real estate experience,” Uranowitz noted. ‚ÄúThese same people are now leaders in the industry ‚Äì the result of guidance and teachings imparted by our iconic founders Mel Gebroe and the late Morris Hammer.‚Äù
 
Gebroe-Hammer Associates is the region’s leading real estate investment brokerage firm specializing in the sale of multi-family, retail and commercial properties, maintaining an active presence throughout Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia; New Jersey; and New York. Clients include private owners, REITS, private equity firms and other institutional investors.

TEANECK, N.J., Sept. 23, 2009 – Gary Meshberg, LEED AP, LC, director of sales of Encelium Technologies, has been appointed president of the Lighting Controls Association (LCA). A lighting controls industry veteran with more than 25 years of experience, Meshberg will assume this new role on January 1, 2010.

The LCA is a consortium of lighting control manufacturers dedicated to educating the public about lighting control design and technology. LCA members include noted leaders in the manufacture of lighting automation and controllable ballasts such as Encelium, a technology development company specializing in energy management and control systems for commercial buildings.
 
“I am honored to serve as president of this organization, which is the highly respected voice of the lighting controls industry,” said Meshberg, who is LCA’s current vice president. “Lighting controls are playing an increasingly important role in energy management and the creation of healthy, sustainable buildings around the globe. At the LCA, we are committed to providing educational programs on all the aspects of lighting controls technology, design and application in order to maximize energy conservation as well as cost savings.”
 
As Encelium’s director of sales, Meshberg oversees all sales initiatives related to the company’s hallmark product, the Energy Control System™ (ECS). The most advanced lighting control solution on the market, ECS reduces lighting use and energy costs at a faster rate than other environmental measures and has a relatively short payback on investment of two to five years on average. Since the company’s founding in 2001, ECS has been installed in more than 17 million square feet of commercial space across North America and Europe. The rapidly expanding company is experiencing tremendous growth, posting a 200% annual increase in the past two years.
 
ECS utilizes six distinct energy management strategies. Those include daylight harvesting, which adjusts interior light levels according to available daylight; occupancy controls to turn lights on and off automatically; smart-time scheduling to adjust light where occupancy sensors are not appropriate; task tuning to set default light levels to suit a particular workspace; personal software-based controls for individual occupants to adjust their workspace lighting by need or preference; and variable load shedding, which limits power demand peaks to reduce overall utility costs. The system contributes up to 18 points toward LEED certification, an important designation for buildings that meet certain criteria for improved sustainability and environmental quality, and in as many as 4 of 6 LEED categories.
 
“Gary is a highly respected member of the lighting controls industry and ideally suited for the office of president of the Lighting Controls Association,” said Craig DiLouie, education director of the LCA, which is administered by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) based in Rosslyn, Va. “We are excited about the kind of leadership he will bring to the organization as it continues to expand its educational mission. Gary is an excellent advocate for advanced lighting controls and will make an excellent ambassador for our industry.”
 
Meshberg is a sought-after guest speaker and lecturer. Recently, he presented at the 2009 LIGHTFAIR International as well as at several Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association, and Electronic House EXPO functions. In addition to his work with LCA, Meshberg is founder and a past chairperson of the Home Lighting Control Alliance and the education chairperson for the North Texas Section of the IESNA. He is also actively involved in the National Council on Qualifications for Lighting Professionals, Lighting Controls Association, Consumer Electronics Association, TecHome, and Home Lighting Control Alliance.

BARNEGAT, N.J., Sept. 18, 2009 – The Walters Group, developer of Stafford Park Apartments, is nearing completion on the first two buildings of the residential project, consisting of 46 affordable housing units. The new apartments are expected to be ready for occupancy by October 1, according to the developer. The residential community is part of the Stafford Park redevelopment, located just off Exit 63 of the Garden State Parkway, on Stafford Park Blvd. in Manahawkin. 
 
The Walters Group is planning to celebrate the grand opening of the Stafford Park Apartments on Saturday, October 17, at the leasing office located at 321 Cook Road in Manahawkin. Members of the community will be invited to tour the new units during an open house to be held from 11 a.m. till 2 p.m. Refreshments will be served.
 
When completed, Stafford Park Apartments will consist of five low-rise buildings, featuring a selection of energy-efficient one-, two- and three-bedroom layouts with rents ranging from $468 to $1,207 per month. Each unit will be equipped with Energy Star appliances, including microwave, dishwasher, refrigerator, stove, and full-size washer/dryer. Additional community amenities consist of a clubhouse with fitness center, a tot lot playground, 24-hour on-site management and maintenance, and ample on-site parking.
 
The environmentally friendly redevelopment is being built using green building methods and materials. Consequently, the entire project is designed to meet both Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and Energy Star certification. The LEED rating system has four levels of green, including silver, gold and platinum. Additionally, Stafford Park is surrounded by 17,000 acres of permanently protected state forest that is documented as an existing and suitable wildlife habitat.
 
“Stafford Park Apartments combines redevelopment, affordable housing and energy efficiency,” states Ed Walters, Jr., president of the Walters Group. “It offers a reasonably priced alternative to housing in the area, and by building green we’ve created a healthier place to live.”
Located in southern Ocean County, the community is pedestrian-friendly and situated within walking distance to shopping and dining. Public transportation is available via Ocean Ride, a county transit system that includes Reserve-A-Ride and local bus routes. In addition, the Garden State Parkway and Route 9 corridor pass through the township and provide access to Route 72.
 
Adjacent to the apartment community, the Stafford Park retail portion currently includes Target, Costco, Best Buy, Dick’s Sporting Goods and PetSmart. Another residential component is also planned for the redevelopment, consisting of 565 age-restricted housing units.
 
The Walters Group leasing office is currently accepting applications for two- and three-bedroom units. There is a waiting list for one-bedroom units. For more information, visit www.staffordparkapts.com or call (609) 597-3000.