REFA to honor mayor Menino at 25th Annual Gala

The Real Estate Finance Association told their membership last month that mayor Thomas Menino will be the recipient of the Robert S. Swain Jr. Distinguished Service Award at the 25th Annual REFA Gala, to be held Thursday October 17th at Westin Copley Place. The announcement was made on the heels of the mayor's press conference last month in which he decided to not seek a record 6th term as Mayor of Boston, a post he has held since 1993. Mayor Thomas Menino will join an elite list in the real estate community of past recipients; most recently Joe Fallon of the Fallon Company in 2012, Thomas Hynes of Colliers International in 2011, and Thomas DeSimone of WS Development in 2010. The first honoree, Marvin Siflinger, now with Housing Partners, Inc., was honored in 1989 while working for The Massachusetts Housing Finance Authority. REFA has also recognized three families over the course of the award's history. The distinguished service award is named in honor of the late Robert S. Swain, Jr. Mr. Swain gained respect and admiration of his colleagues within the real estate finance industry during his 33-year career in the profession. He was a valued member of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board for over 25 years and was an active member and leader of the Mortgage Finance Committee, which eventually developed into the present Real Estate Finance Association. The REFA Gala, which perennially attracts over 500 real estate professionals, has long been a celebration of the organizations accomplishments, as well as recognizing an individual who has made significant contributions to the real estate industry as well as the community.