Bob DeWitt Inducted into Multifamily Executive Hall of Fame
The MFE Hall of Fame Recognizes Leaders Who Have Had a Transformative Effect on their Companies and the Multifamily Industry
BOSTON, Sept. 7, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Robert (Bob) DeWitt, Vice Chairman of GID and former President and CEO, today was inducted into the Multifamily Executive (MFE) Hall of Fame. The MFE Hall of Fame recognizes leaders who have had a transformative effect on their companies and the multifamily industry as a whole. Mr. DeWitt has long championed a high standard of excellence at GID while also playing a crucial role in shaping federal policy that impacts the industry, testifying before Congress on issues including housing finance, affordable housing, and rent control.
As GID's President and CEO, Mr. DeWitt used his expertise and vision to transition the company from an emerging multifamily business to one of the largest owners and managers of apartment communities in the United States. Through his foresight, expertise and principled leadership, Mr. DeWitt helped shape GID's overall investment strategy to include a wide array of real estate asset types, including apartments, office, retail, industrial, and for-sale condominiums.
"To lead means to go first and Bob's entire career is marked by the visionary forethought to see a different path forward and ability to inspire others to do the same," says Greg Bates, CEO of GID. "Bob's optimism, kindness, and genuine love for the work that we do is a unique gift that has not only benefited GID, but our entire industry."
"It's impossible to walk the halls of our offices or visit one of our communities without seeing the fingerprints of all that Bob has accomplished during his 35 years at GID," says Gardner Wallace, Chairman of GID. "His career is characterized by the respect, responsibility, integrity, and collaboration that he practices on a daily basis."
Mr. DeWitt took on leadership roles in several national real estate trade associations, including the Urban Land Institute as Chairman of the Multifamily Gold Council and the National Multifamily Housing Council where he served as an officer for eight years, including the final two years as Chairman. In this position, he became a trusted advisor to many federal officials, educating them on issues that affect the multifamily industry. His efforts helped secure the federal government's extension of unlimited financial support for the Government Sponsored Enterprises as the 2008 financial crisis was undermining liquidity in the apartment industry. Mr. DeWitt helped educate Administration officials, including HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan, about the vital role that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac played in preventing a total credit crisis in the industry.
Mr. DeWitt also joined in efforts to increase access to the real estate profession through Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) initiatives at NMHC. As Chairman, Mr. DeWitt elevated the importance of DE&I by incorporating the topic as a permanent breakout session during the organization's annual meetings. GID was also a Founder Sponsor of NMHC's DEI Sponsorship Program and joined industry-wide DE&I efforts by launching its own Diversity Internship Program, which offers a 10-week paid internship program for candidates from underrepresented groups.
A recognized leader in the multifamily industry, GID is the 26th largest apartment owner in the country and among the top ten within privately-owned companies, according to NMHC's authoritative 2021 ranking of the nation's Top Apartment Owners.
About GID
GID is a privately-held and vertically-integrated real estate company that develops, owns, and operates a portfolio of multifamily, industrial, and mixed-use developments. With corporate offices in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, New York, and San Francisco, GID is an experienced real estate private equity investor and manager supported by an integrated operating platform and has 60 years of experience across multiple asset classes. GID's existing and under-development properties are valued at over $20 billion.
During its 60-year history, GID has developed, managed or acquired over 79,000 residential units and 32.2 million square feet of commercial space in twenty-four states. The current portfolio includes over 37,000 residential units, 1 million square feet of retail and office space, and 18.8 million square feet of industrial space. More information is available at http://www.gid.com.
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Media Contact
Mary Miles, Weinberg Harris & Associates, +1 (443) 614-8013, [email protected]
SOURCE GID
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