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Newmark is pleased to announce that Elise Couston, SIOR, senior managing director in the firm’s Chicago office, was awarded the President’s Award for Community Service from the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR). Presented by 2017 SIOR Global President Geoffrey Kasselman, SIOR, LEED AP, executive managing director in Newmark’s national industrial practice, the prestigious award was bestowed upon Ms. Couston during the organization’s Fall World Conference, which was held October 26-28th at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago. Ms. Couston is only the 6th recipient of this award, and the 1st woman to receive it as well.
The President’s Award for Community Service is presented periodically, as warranted, to an SIOR member who displays outstanding stewardship in their community at large through work with not-for-profit, charitable or similar organizations. Ms. Couston, who was the 2014 SIOR Chicago Chapter President, received the President’s Award for her many years in leading the real estate community’s charitable endeavors. She is the charitable co-chair of the SIOR Chicago Chapter, responsible for its annual fundraising to benefit the Ada S. McKinley Trunk Scholarship Program. Ms. Couston also co-chairs the Association of Industrial Real Estate Brokers’ (AIRE’s) annual food drive and Toys for Tots fundraisers. Ms. Couston was also instrumental in initiating the legislation for Cindy’s Law in Illinois in memory of her dear friend and fellow SIOR member, Cindy Bischof. The President’s Award recipient receives a keepsake award and a contribution of $5,000 to the recipient’s charity of choice, which was the Ada S. McKinley Trunk Scholarship program, as selected by Ms. Couston.
“It is an incredible honor to receive this award from SIOR Global on behalf of the SIOR Chicago chapter,” said Couston. “The President’s Award would not have been possible without the generous support of the chapter’s members and sponsors over many years. This award is certainly one of the highlights of my real estate career.”
Ms. Couston has 33 years of experience in industrial and commercial sales, leasing, business park development and build-to-suit projects, as well as marketing expertise. Often recognized for her career achievements, Ms. Couston was recently presented with SIOR’s 2016 Largest Investment Transaction and was named one of Bisnow’s 2014 Top 50 Power Women in Chicago. In 2015, she was also inducted into Midwest Real Estate News’ Hall of Fame and received the SIOR Largest Industrial Transaction Award, both nationally and locally.
Ms. Couston also served as a past president of AIRE (Association of Industrial Real Estate Brokers). She writes the recurring Industrial Insider column for Chicago Industrial Properties.
About Newmark
Newmark is one of the world’s leading commercial real estate advisory firms. Together with London-based partner Knight Frank and independently-owned offices, Newmark’s 15,000 professionals operate from more than 400 offices in established and emerging property markets on six continents.
With roots dating back to 1929, Newmark’s strong foundation makes it one of the most trusted names in commercial real estate. Newmark’s full-service platform comprises BGC’s real estate services segment, offering commercial real estate tenants, landlords, investors and developers a wide range of services including leasing; capital markets services, including investment sales, debt placement, valuation and advisory services; commercial mortgage brokerage services; as well as corporate advisory services, consulting, project and development management, and property and corporate facilities management services. For further information, visit www.ngkf.com.
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