Manny Moreno Becomes BOMA International Chair
Our own Manny Moreno, former BOMA OEB President and longtime member, is the new BOMA International Chair. (See page 5.)
Learn more about Principal Member Tucker Gordon, Cushman & Wakefield, and Associate Member Dmitri Shimolin, AVS/SafeCity Connect.
(See pages 8 and 9.)
Cal Plaza’s International TOBY Award Victory
California Plaza was awarded an International TOBY Award at the BOMA International Conference.
(See page 5.)
Traveling back in time to the glamorous 1920s, BOMA OEB members celebrated the occasion of our 100th anniversary at a grand gala on June 27 at the historic Uptown Station in Oakland.
Billed as a “Night to Remember,” the celebration captured the energy and strength of our association as we reflected on its 100-year journey and looked ahead to a future of learning, connection and engagement.
Alicia Perez, Guiliani Construction and Restoration, cited a quote from F.Scott Fitzgerald that captures the times: “It was an age of miracles, an age of art, an age of excess, and an age of satire.” She said that she and her team enjoyed celebrating as BOMA OEB roared into 20s.
“Thanks to everyone who supported and participated in making the occasion a tremendous success,” said BOMA OEB Executive Director Julie Taylor. “It took a dedicated taskforce and the support of our generous sponsors to produce an event that perfectly encapsulated the spirit of our organization.”
Adding to the excitement, proclamations of congratulations were presented from our area’s members of Congress: Representatives Eric Swalwell, Barbara Lee and Mark DeSaulnier. Mary Lue Peck, who is slated to become President and Chief Operating Officer of BOMA International, also honored BOMA OEB with
(Continued on page 14)
by Nicole Price
When I sat down to write my BOMA Oakland/East Bay President’s piece at the beginning of the year, I emphasized my extreme appreciation for our industry’s collective resiliency.
I am in awe of the amazing achievements of our Association and our members. This year has been a testament to our collective strength, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to excellence in the commercial real estate industry. These many highlights include our 100-year anniversary milestone, celebrating a TOBY International Award for
California Plaza and witnessing our very own Manny Moreno inaugurated as BOMA International Chair — all of which you will read more about in this issue.
While the road ahead and navigating the continued economic downtown are not going to be easy, it will be essential for us to embrace change. As we look ahead to the remainder of 2024, I am confident that we will continue to build on our successes and address any challenges with the same spirit and innovation that have defined us thus far. Our commitment to the industry, professional development, and community engagement will remain our guiding principles as we strive to contribute to a thriving and dynamic commercial real estate landscape.
I no longer believe that “resilient” is the appropriate descriptor for BOMA Oakland/East Bay, we are thriving!
We have three two-year director positions that will begin in January 2025. One position is available to Principal Members, and two are for Associate Members. Any member in good standing is eligible to apply for a position. Each year, the BOMA Oakland/East Bay Board reviews the current board regarding knowledge, skills, and abilities to identify needs for future boards. For 2025, the Board is looking for applications to continue improving the diversity of the board, particularly around job roles targeting engineering and maintenance, government affairs/legal, life science, industrial members and 0-7 years of experience in the Commercial Real Estate industry.
Service on the Board of Directors of BOMA Oakland/East Bay represents a rare and valuable opportunity to lead the organization into the future and help shape our industry. Board service is both challenging and rewarding, offering a chance to develop leadership skills,
gain unique experience and drive the strategic vision of BOMA. Don’t miss the opportunity to help lead your professional association by applying today! Applications will be evaluated based on the above criteria and the applicant’s demonstrated leadership skills, commitment to diversity and inclusion, strategic thinking, vision, and history of contributions to BOMA Oakland/East Bay. Please review the BOMA OEB Board of Directors’ position description and expectations. Board Members are asked to attend all Board Meetings, including the Annual Strategic Planning Retreat. Please fill out the online survey to be considered for one of the open Director positions (see https://www. surveymonkey.com/r/2025BOMAOEBBoardApplication.) Complete the online application no later than Friday, August 23, 2024, to be considered. If you have any questions, please email Immediate Past President Liz Despins at Elizabeth.Despins@nmrk.com.
Platinum Partners
Allied Universal
Gidel & Kocal Construction Company
Kastle Systems
Legacy Mechanical & Energy Services
Gold Partners
ABM
Century Commercial Services
Metcon TI
ProGuard Security Services
Silver Partners
CBRE
Gachina Landscape Management
Metro Services Group
Rubicon Point Partners
SavATree
WCI-GC
Bronze Partners
Ideal Restoration Inc.
Newmark
Northern California NECA
Petalon Landscape Management
PJMB Commercial, Inc.
Restoration Management Company
For Partnership opportunities, contact Julie Taylor at julie@bomaoeb.org.
In addition to Partnerships, there are also opportunities to sponsor events.
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Celebration to the BOMA International 2024 Conference in Philadelphia, we have been on the move!
100 Anniversary Celebration
By Julie Taylor, CAE, Executive Director, BOMA Oakland/East Bay
Happy Summer!
The last four months have been a whirlwind of activity for BOMA Oakland/ East Bay. From the sold-out Walter Finch Spring Golf Tournament to our 100th Anniversary
BOMA OEB Shines at BOMA International
More than 25 BOMA Oakland/East Bay members attended the BOMA International 2024 Annual Conference in July. Held in Philadelphia, the four-day event was full of education and networking, and a tradeshow floor displayed solutions for property managers and their buildings. BOMA OEB shined brightly throughout the event.
BOMA OEB’s 100th Anniversary Celebration was one for the history books! Thank you to those of you who joined the BOMA OEB Board as we traveled back in time to the Roaring 20s into an era of glamour and grandeur, celebrating the association’s remarkable journey over the past 100 years. We enjoyed live music, delicious bites, and friendly faces as we then looked ahead for a future of learning, connection and engagement.
BOMA OEB would like to thank everyone who supported and participated in making the night a great success. The event couldn’t have happened without our sponsors. Thank you for making the event truly a night to remember. (See sponsor list on page 14.)
The photo gallery is ready for you to download and remember the night for years to come. If you missed downloading your 360 Movie, you can do so any time.
Kudos to the California Plaza team on winning the TOBY Award in the 250,000–499,999 square-foot category! Liz Despins and Liz Marigold represented the building which is managed by Newmark. This is BOMA OEB’s first International victory in eight years. We appreciate all of the volunteers and judges who worked on our 2024 TOBY awards cycle.
Congratulations to Manny Moreno, the new BOMA International chair! Marc Barkdull, Past President of BOMA OEB, installed Manny at the TOBY Awards banquet. He brings many years of dedicated service with BOMA Oakland/East Bay to the position, and we’re excited to have our first BOMA
OEB member serving as Chair of BOMA International.
BOMA OEB officers Nicole Price and Lucinda Alipio attended the Board of Governors’ meeting with me, where I presented on behalf of the BAE Council. I wrapped up my term as Chair of the council and will continue serving on the council as Past Chair.
Fun was had by all BOMA OEB members. We hosted a reception for Manny on Saturday evening. Thank you to all our Associate Members for hosting some great evening events! (More conference news on the next page.)
(Continued on page 6)
Moreno Installed as BOMA Chair
“I am honored and humbled to be elected as the 2024-2025 Chair and Chief Elected Officer of BOMA International. It is a very exciting time for BOMA and the commercial real estate industry. While we are still in a time of change and uncertainty, there are a lot of opportunities that lay before us. In becoming the Chair and CEO of BOMA International, I am the first Latinx individual to hold this role in BOMA International’s 114-year history. It is the first time that we have two females serving as Chair-Elect and Vice Chair at the same time. When Mary Lue Peck takes over as President and Chief Operating Officer in January 2025, she will be the first female to lead BOMA International in that role. Our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts are working, but we must remain diligent and intentional to ensure this focus continues. As Chair, I am focused on working with our International Affiliates to strengthen our existing relationships and working to enhance relationships that need mending. Another goal is to expand the number of International Affiliates in the association. I would also like to engage with our Associate members to ensure they are realizing the value of BOMA and their membership at all levels of the association. I look forward to working with all our BOMA locals and International Affiliates. While there is much to be done, we will have a lot of fun doing it.” — Manny Moreno, BOMA International Chair
“We are deeply honored to receive the International TOBY award in the 250,000499,999 SF category. California Plaza’s dedication to innovation in tenant experience, energy efficiency, sustainability, comprehensive wellness initiatives, and rigorous maintenance standards has truly set us apart. This achievement reflects the exceptional teamwork of our property management, engineering, janitorial, security, and parking staff. Winning this BOMA TOBY award reaffirms our commitment to excellence in building management.” — Liz Despins, RPA®, Portfolio Manager, Newmark
Members enjoyed a beautiful day of golf and networking at Calippe Preserve. A full shotgun of 144 golfers teed off at 9 AM to explore our new tournament host location. As they golfed, they enjoyed the hospitality of our valued sponsors who provided food, drinks and lots of takeaways. The day ended with a BBQ buffet and the most door prizes we’ve ever received! The fundraiser mulligans, hole-in-one and door prizes raised $3,790 to benefit CREATE (The Commercial Real Estate Alliance for Tomorrow’s Employees). Thank you to all our sponsors and golfers for making the day so successful. Be sure to mark your calendar for the 2025 Walter Finch Golf Tournament on May 15, 2025 at Calippe Preserve. (See page 7 for photos and sponsor recognition.)
Spring was full of education for our members. Luncheons in April and May discussed issues that are facing our buildings and suppliers. From Decarbonization
Technologies, sponsored by our Partner Allied Universal Security and Janitorial, to Revenue-Generating Leases, members learned new tools and best practices. Our annual Bid BOMA lunch was held at Rosewood Commons in early June and hosted by our Partner Sponsor Legacy Mechanical. Over 80 members shared their experiences on bidding and building relationships.
If you missed any of these events, check our Online Learning Center for the slide decks and summaries.
We also held two Backpack to Briefcase sessions for our emerging professionals. These sessions on Fire, Life Safety and Real Estate Licenses provided valuable information to the attendees. You can find the slide decks on the Online Learning Center of our website.
We haven’t slowed down! Be sure to register for the upcoming monthly luncheons and Backpack to Briefcase sessions. We’ll also be holding our 2024 Showcase at Faction Brewing in Alameda on August 28.
Thank you for making this year so special! See you at an event soon. n
BOMA members got into the Aloha spirit at the Walter Finch Annual Golf Tournament in May. Thanks to all who participated and to our generous sponsors who entertained us with innovative contests, food and beverages.
Tucker Gordon, Senior Assistant Property Manager, Cushman & Wakefield, The Towers Emeryville
Senior Assistant Property Manager Tucker Gordon finds interacting with tenants and the building staff to be most rewarding part of his position with Cushman & Wakefield at The Towers Emeryville. “Seeing our hard work pay off in real time is amazing, and we provide the highest level of service to make our tenants comfortable and want to come to work,” he says. His role involves lease administration, monthly financial reports, budgeting, tenant relations, the oversight of service contracts and vendors, and overseeing the contract management of the building staff, including engineering, security and janitorial.
Gordon was introduced to the commercial real estate world while he was a student at the University of San Francisco, first with a temporary property coordinator job with CBRE and then with an internship at Novo Construction. “My studies lacked specific construction knowledge, so I figured property management was a good fit for me,” he says. He landed a position with Cushman & Wakefield in Oakland following graduation. “My experience was fast paced and a learning opportunity. I was promoted from Property Administrator to Assistant Property Manager within my first year, and from there my experience and knowledge grew,” he adds.
Being engaged with BOMA has been beneficial to his career. “Currently, I am co-lead of the marketing workgroup. My involvement with BOMA and the workgroup has helped my industry knowledge through open dialogue and conversation with other associate and principal members,” Gordon notes. “I believe it is very valuable to get multiple perspectives when learning different processes in this industry, and BOMA provides the perfect environment for that.” He advises emerging professionals to get involved and not be afraid to ask questions or make mistakes. BOMA has allowed him to build a strong network.
In his free time, Gordon enjoys spending time outside with his partner and dog. “I love going on long hikes and skateboarding, or simply walking my dog around Lake Merritt,” he says. “I also love going abroad or even exploring California. I aim to take at least one nice vacation a year, as I think everyone should. I am honored to live and work in such a great community.”
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Dmitri Shimolin, CEO AVS/SafeCity Connect
Dmitri Shimolin, CEO of AVS/SafeCity Connect, believes in leveraging the power of technology to create safer, more secure environments. “Everyone deserves to feel safe as they move through the public realm,” he says. “Our team is dedicated to creating a cohesive and integrated approach to public safety.”
“AVS is all about proactive service, easy-to-use, non-proprietary systems and leveraging the power of the network, and strengthening relationships between public and private sectors,” Shimolin explains. “We take a collaborative approach to security. Beyond a building’s internal and immediate perimeter security and access control systems, we can now connect these with local networks for wider area coverage. With the advent of AI and remote video monitoring and guarding, we can quickly identify and track trespassers, detect anomalous behavior, and with a connected security system, our customers achieve a greater understanding of the sequence of events, expediting investigations and saving valuable time and resources in the process.”
The company’s SafeCity Connect program is a natural extension of a property’s existing security systems. “We’re now seamlessly integrating exterior, public-facing cameras with a local public-private network of several hundred cameras in San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and beyond,” adds Shimolin.
Being named the 2023 Associate Member of the Year for BOMA OEB was a true honor for Shimolin. He is very engaged with BOMA’s Advisory Strategic Council. “I’m mostly involved with public safety, helping identity immediate areas for BOMA members to strengthen their security posture, all while maintaining the highest level consideration toward local policies, building transparent and open networks, to build trust with their local community,” he says.
Having lived in the Bay Area for almost 30 years, Shimolin still enjoys exploring this amazing region and all it has to offer. He loves supporting initiatives that benefit communities and large-scale public arts projects.
By Paymon Hifai, Esq.
There is pending state legislation that poses a great concern for California’s commercial leasing sector by mandating commercial rental restrictions on landlords of small businesses, nonprofits, and micro-enterprises.
First, Senate Bill 1103 prohibits landlords from modifying cost allocation methods in a way that increases tenants’ share of operating expenses during the lease term. This restriction poses a substantial challenge to property owners who rely on these adjustments to effectively manage unforeseen costs and maintain financial stability and revenue.
SB 1103’s provisions would prevent property owners from recovering costs incurred for essential expenditures such as emergency repairs, increased insurance premiums, unexpected rises in property taxes, necessary capital improvements, compliance with new regulations,
inflation-related cost escalations, and enhancements to security measures.
From an administrative perspective, SB 1103 also imposes stringent documentation obligations on landlords, mandating detailed, itemized reports of operating costs within a strict timeframe upon tenants’ request. This requirement presents an increased administrative burden and cost, particularly for smaller property owners who may lack the resources to comply.
Second, the bill imposes translation requirements for leases negotiated in languages other than English which further burdens such leasing efforts and imposes an unwarranted expense to procure translations of leases. Errors in translation could lead to further legal complications, adding complexity and cost to compliance efforts.
Third, non-compliance with these new stringent documentation requirements could serve as grounds for tenants to defend against eviction
for non-payment of rent, thereby potentially further delaying any such eviction — irrespective of the lack of merit to the claims.
The stringent regulations and compliance burdens could stifle investment in commercial properties, deter property improvements reduce already deflated property values, and cause landlords to be hesitant to lease to said entities, ultimately negatively impacting the small businesses, nonprofits, and micro-enterprises the bill claims it aims to protect.
SB 1103 passed the California Senate with a vote of 22-10 and is expected to be voted on by the Assembly in early August.
Now more than ever, state and local legislatures and regulatory agencies are poised to impact the commercial real estate industry. Increasingly, “hot” issues often take root in numerous legislatures simultaneously. State and local trends, whether motivated by public officials or private interests, play a larger role in advocacy programs across a wide spectrum of organizations. BOMA Oakland/East Bay in concert with BOMA International and BOMA California’s advocacy teams works to protect commercial real estate interests before state and local governments. Membership in BOMA Oakland/East Bay places you on the cutting edge of local, state and national policy. Legislative, code and regulatory scrutiny help prevent costly initiatives from adversely affecting your property.
On July 24 over 40 BOMA OEB Members participated in our annual shoreline clean-up event at Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline’s Arrowhead Marsh. Members cleaned up litter and debris from the shoreline, from plastic bags and bottles to shoes, sofas, and chairs. Our members ensured the local habitat has a safe place to live, and East Bay residents can visit safely. After the clean-up efforts, members enjoyed a cold beverage and snacks at La Penca Azul on Bay Farm Island. Thank you to Sherwin-Williams, BSM Facility Services and SavATree for providing buckets, trash pickers and gloves. (Volunteers are pictured above.)
In addition, BOMA completed a successful School Supply Drive to support the Building Skills Partnership. Donations provide school supplies for the children of property service workers. Thanks to our members and their tenants for donating!
Facilities Engineering
Cleaning & Disinfection
Parking & Transportation
Taking care of the people, spaces and places that are important to you.
Energy Solutions
EV Charging
HVAC & Mechanical
Electrical Power & Lighting
Landscape & Turf
One of the key values of belonging to BOMA is making valuable connections. Principal members learn about knowledgeable service providers, and Associate members have opportunities to present their capabilities to building managers and other partners.
Our interactive roundtable luncheon in June drew more than 80 members who participated in peer-to-peer discussions on bidding and BOMA relationships. Mixed tables of Principal and Associate members shared tips, observations, goals and objectives for bidding services from opposite perspectives.
Topics of discussion included: bidding, developing RFPs, reviewing and comparing bids, awarding contracts and contract administration.
Members came away with strategies for leveraging their BOMA memberships. (Tip for Principals: be sure to get references from other BOMA members. Tips for Associates: Suggest alternatives and don’t be an order-taker.)
In case you missed it, you can view takeaways and tips in our online learning center. Share these with your team and be sure to Bid BOMA!
TEAMS BUILDING TOGETHER.
WWW.WCI-GC.COM
If you or your team members are new to commercial real estate, be sure to take advantage of the Backpack to Briefcase series programs. These are designed to provide industry information to those in the early stages of their careers. Previous programs included CAMs and Fire Life Safety Systems.
The remaining Backpack to Briefcase programs scheduled for 2024 are on August 22 (Relationship Building) and October 24 (Variance Reports). Watch for registration information and in our weekly emails or check out details on the calendar of events on our website. You may access slides from past programs in the Online Learning Center.
100th Anniversary Celebration (Continued from cover)
a proclamation recognizing our 100 years of success. “We will proudly hang these in our office,” said Taylor.
“Since 1924 BOMA OEB has grown into a vital organization that supports building owners, managers and service provides through education, networking and leadership opportunities. Over the years, BOMA OEB has consistently adapted to the evolving real estate market landscape, ensuring that its members stay ahead of the curve,” says Maurice Calles, Client Solutions Manager at Ideal, Inc. and a board member of BOMA OEB. “Here’s to 100 years of building strong communities and thriving businesses!”
Manny Moreno, PJMB Commercial and BOMA International Chair; Mary Lue Peck, BOMA International; Nicole Price, Cushman & Wakefield and BOMA OEB President; and Julie Taylor, BOMA OEB Executive Director.
“What an incredible night celebrating BOMA OEB’s 100th anniversary party! The theme was embraced with style, and everyone looked fantastic,” said Jeannie Nyberg, American Asphalt. “Did you spend time in the swanky Speakeasy? It was a memorable evening spent with our BOMA friends and partners. Shout out to the committee of board members, whose dedication and effort made this event truly outstanding.” Thanks to American Asphalt for sponsoring the Bootleggers Speakeasy at the gala. (See the list of our generous celebration sponsors to the right.)
Leading up to the event, the event organizers shared fascinating social media posts that highlighted significant dates and the history of history of buildings and structures
in the East Bay, including Oakland City Hall (1914), HC Capwell department store (1928) which is now Uptown Station, Key Route trains and maps (1930s), the Fox Theater (1929), the construction of the San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge (1935), and the Alameda County Courthouse (1936). You may read about these sites and more on BOMA’s Linkedin and Instagram posts.
Be sure to join us at upcoming social, networking and educational events as we forge our path into the second century of BOMA OEB.
BOMA Oakland/East Bay
436 14th Street, Suite 1216
Oakland, CA 94612
510.893.8780
www.bomaoeb.org
August 8 – Luncheon: HR’s Role in DEI
August 13 – The Communication Compass (free webinar on effective communication)
August 22 – Backpack to Briefcase (Topic: Relationship Building)
August 28 – 2024 Showcase: Treasure Hunt at Faction Brewing in Alameda
September 12 – Engineer Recognition Luncheon: Codes & Energy
October 11 – Advocacy & Legislation
October 17 – Fall Mixer: Tour & Toast
October 24 – Backpack to Briefcase (Topic: Variance Reports)
November 4 – BOMA OEB Wine Tasting
November 14 – Annual Meeting & Celebration
December 12 – Holiday Party
Visit www.bomaoeb.org for updates and watch for details in BOMA’s weekly emails. The online Events Calendar lists all meetings of the Workgroups as well as events shown above.