BOSTON–The Real Estate Finance Association (REFA) announces that Paul J. Nasser, President of Intercontinental Real Estate, has been selected to receive the Robert S. Swain, Jr. Distinguished Service Award at the 36th Annual REFA Gala to be held Thursday, October 17, 2024 at the Omni Seaport, Boston.
The Annual REFA Gala, Boston’s premier commercial real estate awards dinner, will honor Mr. Nasser for his leadership roles in civic and charitable causes both local and national, his professional achievements, and his unwavering commitment to REFA, the commercial real estate industry, and the greater Boston business community. REFA 2024 President Ravi Ragnauth, CEO of Berkshire Residential; and REFA Gala Co-Chairs Peter Bloomfield, KPMG Partner and Real Estate Practice Leader-New England, and Elizabeth Lowrey, Principal of Elkus Manfredi Architects, will present Nasser with the highly coveted Boston Harbor Bowl.
Ravi Ragnauth, Partner and CFO, Berkshire Residential Investments and current REFA President reflects, “We are delighted to be honoring Paul Nasser with the Robert S. Swain Jr. Distinguished Service Award. Paul is a prominent figure in the Greater Boston commercial real estate space and embodies the true definition of leadership, collaboration, and integrity. We are thankful for his leadership as 2017 REFA President and look forward to honoring him on October 17th.”
Mr. Nasser joins an elite list of previous award honorees, all of whom have made outstanding contributions to the greater Boston community, including Steve Samuels, Founder and Chairman, Samuels & Associates; Paul J. Ayoub, Chair, Nutter; Jon Davis, CEO and founder, The Davis Companies; Pam Herbst, Managing Director, AEW; Tammy Jones, CEO and founder, Basis Investment Group; Bryan Koop, EVP, Boston Properties; Elizabeth Lowrey, Principal, Elkus Manfredi Architects; David Manfredi, CEO and Founding Principal, Elkus Manfredi Architects; Kirk Sykes, Co-Managing Partner, Accordia Partners; and Mayor Thomas Menino.
Paul Nasser, President, Intercontinental Real Estate shares, “Robert Swain was someone I looked up to as I began my banking career many years ago. Fast forward to today and to receive this honor is truly humbling. When I look at the list of previous honorees, I am very grateful to be included with so many accomplished individuals whom have had a significant impact on our industry and the community.”
Elizabeth Lowrey, a previous recipient of the Robert S. Swain, Jr. Distinguished Service Award, returns as Co-Chair of the REFA Gala for the fourth consecutive year. “The annual Gala is a chance for members of the real estate and finance industries to celebrate the people who are making important contributions and moving our communities forward,” says Ms. Lowrey, Principal of Elkus Manfredi Architects. “This year we’re excited to recognize Paul Nasser for his past, present, and future contributions.”
Paul Nasser’s professional background encompasses most aspects of the real estate finance industry. As President of Intercontinental Real Estate, he is responsible for managing the resources of the firm across investment and operating disciplines. Prior to joining Intercontinental in 2000, he was Senior Vice President and Team Leader in Fleet’s Real Estate Finance Group, handling a real estate portfolio of over $1 billion. Before joining Fleet in 1991, he held a variety of senior management positions in the banking industry.
