2003 President's Report

The Building Owners & Managers Association of Pittsburgh

As you can see in this year's annual report, we devoted a great deal of time and effort to advocacy for our members and for our industry in 2003. We provided education on important issues and time for members to network with their peers. New Committee Chairs brought fresh ideas for upgrading our services. And the camaraderie and good will that has always characterized our Association was evident throughout the year. We hope you enjoy this quick trip back through a year that provided its share of challenges.

Staying in the Government Loop

It would be hard to overstate the value of maintaining relationships with government officials. On the national front, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia BOMA members met with elected officials and/or staff (Senators Santorum and Specter; Representatives Doyle, English, Fattah, Greenwood, Hart, Murphy, and Murtha) in Washington DC during the National Issues Conference. All told, BOMA Members from across the country carried commercial real estate's message to 335 House and Senate offices - nearly two-thirds of Congress. These kinds of consolidated effort, whether national, state or local, have a strong impact on the way that elected officials view our industry.

Many of the codes and standards issues addressed by our Advocacy staff in Washington have a direct impact on members' bottom lines. Terrorism insurance, Indoor Air Quality standards, Americans with Disabilities Act revisions, forced access for telecommunications providers, and universal building codes were all part of the 2003 agenda.

In addition, BOMA International became one of the founding members of the Real Estate ISAC (Information Sharing and Analysis Center), a private-public partnership with the federal government. This on-line program allows real estate professionals across the country to share information on potential terrorist activities with various federal agencies, and each other.

Networking - from Boston to San Francisco to Pittsburgh

Our regional meeting - The Middle Atlantic Conference - was held in Boston. One PPG Place and Family Courthouse both received TOBY (The Office Building of the Year) regional awards, while Immediate Past President John Java was named Regional member of the Year!

We saw several big changes at the convention in San Francisco, based on extensive research BOMA has been conducting on ways to involve the 'next generation' of leaders in our industry. More focus on education, less on administration, and more scheduled networking time were the first steps in making this national gathering more member-friendly.

Members had a chance to get casual at our May networking lunch and election at The Red Star Tavern. We welcomed a new President - Tom Harrington - and Ed Manko assumed the role of Immediate Past President. Jim Ayers was elected Vice President, Bill Dignon was re-elected to the Board and we welcomed two new members - Richard Peet and Jack Roach. In September, Don McCleary announced his official retirement, and the President appointed John Greenwald, RPA to serve in his place on the Board until the 2004 election.

In August, BOMA volunteers gathered at the Henry W. Oliver Building to fill 288 backpacks with school supplies for homeless children. Many of the supplies were donated by Member companies, with additional funding from the raffles held at our monthly luncheons and the hole-in-one contests the golf outings.

And what would the year be without a little golf? Our Spring Outing was held at Diamond Run, with the Fall Outing at Fox Chapel. In addition to having a wonderful time and enjoying fresh air and exercise, the support of our members enabled us to raise money for both our "Back to School Backpacks" charity and our local PAC. Congratulations to Tudi Mechanical for winning the team trophy event at both outings!

Monthly luncheon meetings were well attended and lively. Politics took center stage for many of the programs, from Mayor Tom Murphy and Councilman Sala Udin's discussion of the City of Pittsburgh's financial situation, to the debate between Jim Roddey and Dan Onorato (candidates for Allegheny County Executive). Members had a chance to air their views at our Roundtable Discussion luncheon. Another program featured property management software; and at another we heard about organizations trying to keep the next generation in Pittsburgh by promoting careers in commercial real estate.

Our annual awards banquet headed east to a new venue in Oakland this year. The beautifully restored Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall provided a glorious backdrop for our red, white and blue themed event. PNC's FirstSide Center was BOMA Pittsburgh's first recipient of BOMA's Earth Award, while the Mellon Client Service Center was awarded a TOBY (The Office Building of the Year). Our host, Soldiers & Sailors was recognized with the David L. Lawrence award for "contributions to the continuing renaissance of Pittsburgh". Guests attending the banquet had plenty to keep them busy. During our extended cocktail hours many members took advantage of the chance to tour the building and enjoy their extensive collection of military memorabilia. Others were treated to complimentary caricatures, and still had time to browse the offerings at our Silent Auction, with proceeds benefitting our local political action committee (BOMA PA PAC).

A little closer to home, our Legislative Breakfast guests included Eloise Hirsh of the Education Commission (BOMA was represented on the Commission by Don Burrell); City Council President Eugene Ricciardi; Bob Kennedy, Mayor Murphy's Director of Operations; Port Authority Executive Director Paul Skoutelis; Governor Rendell's Representative Bob O'Connor; and Mariann Geyer and Jonathan Cox of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. Our luncheon speakers included Mayor Tom Murphy; City Council Representative Sala Udin; and a debate between Allegheny County Executive Candidates Jim Roddy and Dan Onorato.

BOMA Education - from Mold to Security

Two semesters of BOMI classes were offered for BOMI's Real Property Administrator (RPA) program. Students started off with "Asset Management" in the Spring. After the summer break, they began studying mechanical systems with "Building Design, Operation & Maintenance Part I". (Part II of this course will be offered in the Spring of 2004.)

We offered a different view of education in August, when members took a tour of Pittsburgh's new CAPA (Creative and Performing Arts) High School. Located downtown at Ninth and Ft. Duquesne, this new project from the Pittsburgh Public Schools is truly state-of-the-art.

We started off the year with a very successful joint program with IREM - "Responding to Terrorist Acts". This all-day program covered every aspect of security from access control to legal and insurance issues, and qualified for seven CEUs for Pennsylvania real estate licenses. A major feature of the program was the first release of the City of Pittsburgh All Hazard Sample Plan.

Support from sponsors Dacar Industries and PDG Environmental allowed us to offer a very reasonable price for an excellent half-day program on mold and legionella. Dr. Janet Stout of the VA Medical Center, Shawn Regan of PDG Environmental and Debbie Little of Buchanan Ingersoll discussed not only identification, prevention and remediation, but the legal ramifications as well.

As you can see, 2003 was a busy year. I hope it was a good year for you, your friends and family and your company. Your support of our Association is absolutely vital to our ability to represent our industry, and I thank you for your continuing support.

Thomas J. Harrington, RPA
President