THE BLUEPRINT:
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CIBS of Long Island honored industry leaders at its annual meeting.
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Attorney Peter Curry received the prestigious President’s Award.
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Andrea Tsoukalas Curto named Associate of the Year for her CIBS contributions.
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Rising Star Awards given to young professionals from JLL, TSCG, and CBRE.
Several brokers and real estate industry professionals were honored by the Commercial Industrial Brokers Society of Long Island Wednesday at the group’s annual meeting and holiday party.
Held at The Lannin in Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, the event drew about 200 attendees to celebrate the holidays and recognize some of 2025’s outstanding achievements in the Long Island commercial real estate industry.
“It’s always inspiring to celebrate the members who elevate our profession through their leadership, expertise, and commitment to community,” Ralph Benzakein, president of CIBS, said in his opening remarks. “This year’s honorees represent the very best of CIBS and the future of commercial real estate on Long Island.”
Attorney Peter Curry of the Farrell Fritz law firm received President’s Award, the evening’s highest honor. Curry, whose legal work has focused on bond financings, lease transactions and large-scale economic development, was recognized for his decades-long service as general counsel and advisor to CIBS.
“I am surprised and deeply honored to receive the President’s Award,” Curry said in a CIBS statement. “CIBS has long been a pillar of collaboration and professionalism within the Long Island commercial real estate community. To be recognized by peers and colleagues is both humbling and meaningful.”
Another attorney, Andrea Tsoukalas Curto, a partner at Forchelli Deegan Terrana, received the Associate of the Year Award in recognition of her “outstanding professionalism, dedication, and support of CIBS initiatives.”
Curto, who specializes in land use, zoning and project approvals, has been active in CIBS W, the brokers’ group women’s division, helping to advance its mission of expanding leadership, networking, and professional development opportunities for women in commercial real estate, according to the statement.
CIBS also honored three rising young professionals with the 2025 Rising Star Award, which the group gives to those who demonstrate “exceptional promise and uphold the highest standards” of the commercial real estate industry.
Brian Weigold of JLL received the Office Real Estate Rising Star Award; Angel Cordero of The Shopping Center Group received the Retail Real Estate Rising Star Award; and Jonathan Blake of CBRE was the recipient of the Industrial Real Estate Rising Star Award.
