Kraft Construction CEO Receives Ellis Island Medal

F. Fred Pezeshkan, president and CEO of Naples, Fla.-based Kraft Construction Co., has been awarded the 2006 Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Pezeshkan was bestowed the honor along with other distinguished recipients at a ceremony in the Great Hall on Ellis Island.

The National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations Foundation presents the medal annually to distinguished Americans for outstanding citizenship, personal achievement and recognition of hard work, self-improvement and community service.

Pezeshkan joined Kraft Construction in 1979 as a partner and executive vice president. Under his leadership, the company has grown from $3 million in annual revenue to a projected $600 million this year. A native of Tehran, Iran, he was educated in England and earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Ohio State University.

He has been actively involved in a number of local civic and community committees over the years, and has raised more than $100 million for various non-profit organizations throughout Southwest Florida.

Central Florida NAIOP Tops $10M in Fundraising

In its effort to fund an Eminent Scholar Endowed Chair in Real Estate at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, the Central Florida chapter of NAIOP has exceeded its goal of $5 million and has topped $10 million to create a UCF School of Real Estate.

In a joint statement, 2006 and 2005 NAIOP chapter presidents Dan Woodward and Mike Beale said: "NAIOP Central Florida is having a major impact on the Central Florida community through its leadership role in establishing a nationally recognized real estate degree program within the university's College of Business Administration. We are confident that the UCF School of Real Estate will generate far-reaching benefits as well as national and international prestige by markedly enhancing the quality and availability of real estate education and research."

Thomas Keon, Dean of UCF's College of Business Administration, said, "Because of NAIOP's involvement, I am hoping to have the undergraduate real estate degree program in place by fall of 2006."

NAIOP continues to fundraise, in conjunction with UCF, to secure additional investments to assist them in completing their pledge to fully fund the chair by summer of 2009.

Builder Magazine Names Related Group #1 Multifamily Builder

The Related Group of Coral Gables was recently named the largest multi-family developer in the country in both housing starts and revenue by Builder Magazine.

In 2005, The Related Group rose to first place in number of units built with a 33 percent increase over 2004. In gross revenue, Related reported a 53 percent increase in 2005 over 2004.

"We are very excited about being ranked #1 by the industry's leading publication," offered Jorge Perez, chairman and CEO of The Related Group. "This ranking validates the work we have done in South Florida and its impact across the country."

Florida DBIA Establishes Owners Council

The Florida chapter of the Design-Build Institute of America has established an Owners Council. The council will serve as the owners' "home" and forum within the DBIA chapter and will serve as an advisory body to the association.

Jack Gabriel, head of engineering design with the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, is serving as the inaugural chair of the council.

Turner Launches Quality Planning Solutions Subsidiary

Turner Construction Co. announced the formation of Quality Planning Solutions. The new subsidiary will function as a critical path method scheduling group and will provide professional scheduling services.

Quality Planning Solutions will offer scheduling services to supplement jobsite information. QPS will troubleshoot high-risk projects, prepare recovery schedules, provide claims evaluations and conduct training programs.

The group will be headquartered in Reston, Va.

REMCO Equipment Sales a SAKAI AMERICA Distributor

SAKAI America of Adairsville, Ga., recently appointed REMCO Equipment Sales of Ringgold, Ga., as an authorized dealer for northwest Georgia.

SAKAI offers a line of vibratory soil and asphalt compactors, static rollers, soil stabilizers and asphalt rollers.

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