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Editor’s Note:  Photo of Richard Muhlebach available upon request.

(Chicago, Nov. 20, 2008) The Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM®) Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public foundation, recently honored IREM® faculty member Richard Muhlebach, CPM®, of Woodinville, WA, with its Lloyd D. Hanford Sr. Distinguished Faculty Award.  The Hanford award is presented periodically to a member of the IREM® faculty who has shown extraordinary dedication to the educational process and the advancement of knowledge in the real estate management profession. It commemorates the direct contributions of Lloyd D. Hanford, Sr., one of the Institute’s early presidents and a founder of the IREM® real estate management education program.

REVERED EDUCATOR, PROLIFIC AUTHOR,
Muhlebach is a past national president of IREM.  He has taught property management and leasing for 33 years, has been an IREM faculty member since 1980, and also teaches for the Building Owners and Managers’ Association (BOMA), the International Council of Shopping Centers  (ICSC) and the University of Washington.

In presenting the award to Muhlebach, IREM Foundation President Robert Click,
CPM®, noted that his contributions to IREM and the industry are legendary. “In addition to his outstanding record as an educator, Richard has authored over 100 articles and co-authored 17 books on commercial property management. As well,” said Click, “he has mentored dozens of property managers over the years, serving as a role model for our profession by adhering to rigorous ethical standards.”

Muhlebach earned his Certified Property Manager (CPM®) designation from IREM in 1975.  He also has earned the designations of Senior Shopping Center Manager (SCSM), Counselor of Real Estate (CRE) and Real Property Administrator (RPA).    

ABOUT THE INSTITUTE OF REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT
The Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM®) is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2008.  Major sponsors of the year-long celebration areYardi Systems, a leading provider of high-performance software solutions for the real estate industry, and the REALTORS® Commercial Alliance (RCA), the collective commercial constituency within the National Association of REALTORS®.

For more than seven decades, IREM has been the source for education, resources, information, and membership for real estate management professionals. An affiliate of the National Association of Realtors®, IREM is the only professional real estate management association serving both the multi-family and commercial real estate sectors. With 80 U.S. chapters, eight international chapters, and several other partnerships around the globe, IREM is an international organization that also serves as an advocate on issues affecting the real estate management industry.

Membership includes more than 18,000 individual members and 500 corporate members. IREM promotes ethical real estate management practices through its credentialed membership programs, including the Certified Property Manager^® (CPM^®) designation, the Accredited Residential Manager^® (ARM^®) certification, the Accredited Commercial Manager certification, and the Accredited Management Organization^® (AMO^®) accreditation. These esteemed credentials certify competence and professionalism for those engaged in real estate management. In addition, IREM offers Associate, Student and Academic memberships.

Collectively, IREM CPM® Members in the United States manage over $1.5 trillion in real estate assets, including 8.4 million residential units and 8.4 billion net square feet of commercial space. An additional 977,400 residential units are managed by IREM ARM® Members. IREM Members are employed by some of the most prestigious real estate firms in the world and nearly 70% hold upper-level management positions. Due to their professionalism and vast experience, property owners and investors worldwide continually seek out the management services of IREM Members.

To learn more about the Institute of Real Estate Management and its chapter network, call (800) 837-0706, Ext. 4650 (outside the U.S. call (312) 329-6000) or visit www.irem.org.