W&H TALK

Last August, after nearly five years spent managing facilities of financial institutions on behalf of Jones Lang LaSalle, Bill Feeks exercised his options: He accepted a position with CB Richard Ellis to serve as the real estate manager of W&H's 501 Seventh Avenue, a two-time recipient of BOMA NY Pinnacle awards.

It was clearly a wise decision on the part of the real estate veteran. "It's been a great experience," Mr. Feeks says of his new role. "The building is a successful combination of traditional architecture and state-of-the-art facilities and amenities. Quite simply, it's a beautiful environment in which to work," he says.

He also enjoys the change of neighborhood, having worked in downtown Manhattan for close to a decade.

"I'm getting to know a different kind of tenant and a different area of town," he says. "Most of the tenants in the building are fashion and apparel companies, so I'm learning a lot about this sector. And I really like the Fashion/Penn Plaza Districts. Being so close to so many different neighborhoods makes the area an interesting one to work in."

A native of Ossining, New York, Mr. Feeks began his career as a project manager at American Building Maintenance (ABM), one of the largest facility services contractors listed on the New York Stock Exchange. After four-and-a half years at ABM, he joined Jones Lang LaSalle and immediately started his on-site tenure in the financial district.

While carrying out the varied responsibilities of his new role, Mr. Feeks works closely with W&H. "I really appreciate W&H's hands-on approach," he says. "It's great that ownership is so accessible and involved."

Current projects include several green initiatives designed with the objective of reducing the building's carbon footprint. Such efforts, Mr. Feeks points out, serve to further modernize the Pre-War Trophy property, which has recently undergone a $53 million program of capital improvements.

Mr. Feeks also keeps busy on the home front, which now includes his wife and a son who is almost two years old.

"My daily life centers on three things right now: my son, my wife and my job," he says. "Fortunately, I have positive things to say about all of them."