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Farbman Group

Company: Farbman Group, Inc., Southfield, Michigan
Company Description: We are a full service commercial real estate company that has been in business for twenty-eight years. We specialize in Property Management, Brokerage, Construction, Financial Services, Development, Maintenance, etc.
Nomination Category: Individual Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Best Finance Executive

Nomination Title: Andrew L. Gutman, CFO

   1. Tell the story about what this nominee achieved in 2004 (up to 500 words). Focus on specific accomplishments, and relate these accomplishments to past performance or industry norms. Be sure to mention obstacles overcome, innovations or discoveries made, and outcomes:

A long term employee of Farbman Group, since accepting the position of Chief
Financial Officer, Mr. Gutman has created many of the financial systems,
policies and procedures implemented throughout the organization.  His many accomplishments include creating cost-saving measures for clients as well as providing a creative means of implementing employee-training programs to provide employees with personal growth and development.

Mr. Gutman developed a finance department within the Farbman Group that has
provided clients with term financing in excess of $50,000,000 to date.  Farbman
Group’s corporate insurance process was revamped under Mr. Gutman’s direction
resulting in a savings in property insurance of in excess of 15 percent which is
significant in a portfolio that insures property worth in excess of $1 billion.
Mr. Gutman also secured construction loans, term loans, mezzanine financing, historic tax credits, Section 108 funding, letters of credit, lines of credit, etc in excess of $50,000,000 as well as achieving client debt vehicles in excess of $25,000,000.

Mr. Gutman created and developed Farbman University, classes for all employees
in an effort to create a multi-faceted training program for the company.  He also
created a corporate library to allow employees access to industry information on issues.

Andrew Gutman is a tireless and dedicated leader who attempts to lead by
example.  He is committed to the improved financial health of the organization and its clients.  Through career lessons learned from some of the best leaders in the industry, Mr. Gutman has embraced the establishment of trust-based relationships as the basis of the success of Farbman Group.

A strong proponent of, and participant in, community activities, Mr. Gutman has
sponsored youth groups and served in multiple political and community activities
in the Metro Detroit area.  Mr. Gutman currently serves as a Planning Commissioner for the City of Novi and as the Chairperson for the Governmental Affairs Committee for NAIOP (National Association of Industrial and Office Properties). 

   2. List hyperlinks to any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that support the claims made in the section above. IMPORTANT: List each link on a separate line, begin each link with http://, and enclose each link in square brackets; for example, [http://www.website.com]:

http://www.farbman.com

   3. Provide a brief (up to 100 words) biography about this nominee:

Andrew L. Gutman, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for Farbman Group and
related companies, is responsible for all aspects of property management
accounting, corporate accounting, construction accounting, financial services, asset
management, information technologies, and human resources. Mr. Gutman has specifically focused on assisting clients in reaching their financial goals through debt and equity vehicles.  Mr. Gutman prides himself on having a “Client First” focus.

The proud husband of Lesley Gutman and father of Riley Gutman, Mr. Gutman cares about people, community, and is committed to the corporate vision of operating with ethics and integrity.