The Center for Real Estate at UC Irvine's Paul Merage School of Business is pleased to announce the launch of its new Distinguished Executive-in-Residence Program.  As part of this program, the Center for Real Estate will present an award to a senior real estate professional internationally who has demonstrated in his/her career a commitment to excellence in leadership, education and mentorship of students and young professionals, and dedication to enhancement of the communities he/she has served.

Our first recipient was A. Alfred Taubman, one of America's most successful entrepreneurs, who is active in numerous businesses and philanthropic initiatives.  He is the founder of Taubman Centers, Inc. (NYSE: TCO), one of the nation's leading real estate developers and operators of regional shopping centers, and is the author of the best-selling business memoir, Threshold Resistance: The Extraordinary Career of a Retailing Pioneer, published by Harper Collins in 2007. Mr. Taubman participates in a wide range of civic, cultural, and educational activities. He established and funds the A. Alfred Taubman Medical Research Institute at the University of Michigan Medical School, the Taubman Center for State and Local Government at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School, and Brown University's Public Policy and American Institutions program.  He is the principal benefactor of the University of Michigan's College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Health Care Center, and Medical Library - - each of which bears his name.  Please click here to view Mr. Taubman's complete bio.

Mr. Taubman visited the UC Irvine Center for Real Estate and community on May 5 and May 6, 2009 where he interacted with students, faculty, Center Board members, and the community.

Mr. Taubman was also featured at the Center's Breakfast Series Event on May 6, 2009 at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach.  His talk titled, "The Future of Retailing and Other Lessons in Life: A Conversation with Al Taubman" was moderated by Ethan Penner, Managing Director of CB Richard Ellis Investors, LLC.  The 2009 Distinguished Executive-in-Residence Award was presented to Mr. Taubman at the conclusion of this exclusive program. 

View Distinguished Executive-in-Residence Photo Gallery