ICSC Announces Distinguished Service Award Winners

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The trustees of the International Council of Shopping Centers, Inc. (ICSC) are pleased to announce that the Council has presented three shopping center professionals with its Distinguished Service Award: Eileen Connolly, retail director, DTZ, London, England; James R. DeLisle, Ph.D., Runstad professor of real estate, Seattle, Wa; Cynthia J. Kratchman, Landmark Commercial Real Estate, Farmington Hills, Mich., and James F. Tinkum, development, design and construction consultant, Topeka, Kans. This award, which recognize the special contributions of distinguished leaders in the shopping center industry, are given during ICSC’s annual RECon, held May 18-22, 2008, in Las Vegas. [Editor’s note: Headshots are attached.]

Eileen Connolly – Ms. Connolly received the ICSC Distinguished Service Award for her work as a member of the ICSC Solal Marketing Awards Committee since 1996. Additionally, Eileen Connolly received this award by serving with dedication on the ICSC MAXI Awards Committee since 2000, having served as its chairman in 2005. Ms. Connolly also has distinguished herself as an active member and past chair of the European Marketing Conference in 2002 and 2003 and the ICSC European Conference Program Planning Committee in 2007. She has been a member of ICSC since 1998.

James R. DeLisle, Ph.D. – Mr. DeLisle received the ICSC Distinguished Service Award for his work as a speaker at the ICSC Research Conference in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999 and 2004 and as an author of numerous publications in the ICSC Research Review and Research Quarterly. He has worked tirelessly on behalf of the association as editor of The Journal of shopping Center Research and trustee of the ICSC Educational Foundation. Mr. DeLisle has served with dedication on the ICSC Research Steering Committee, having served as chairman in 1996. He continues to give freely of his time by serving on the ICSC Research Editorial Board as well as the North American Research Task Force, having served since 2004.

Cynthia J. Kratchman – Ms. Kratchman received the ICSC Distinguished Service Award for her work on the ICSC Michigan State Committee since 1990, having served as Michigan State Director in 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997. Additionally, Ms. Kratchman has given selflessly to the ICSC Central Division Government Relations Committee, having served as its chair in 1999, 2000, and 2001. She has served with dedication on the ICSC Central Division Alliance Committee, having helped originate the Michigan Alliance Program in 1997 and having served as co-chair of the Central Division Alliance Committee in 2004, 2005, and 2006. She is also an active and involved member of the ICSC Economic Sub-Committee and National Alliance Leadership Committee and is a contributor to the Michigan Alliance Program and National Underserved Markets Taskforce.

James F. Tinkum, CDP – Mr. Tinkum received the ICSC Distinguished Service Award for his work as an active participant in the John T. Riordan School for Professional Development and the University of Shopping Centers educational programs through his active participation as a member of the faculty. Additionally, he has served with dedication as a member of the ICSC CenterBuild Program Planning Committee since 1999, having served as its chairman in 2007. He has given tirelessly of himself to organize and lead the first CDP Admissions and Governing Committee, serving as its co-chairman.

In presenting the awards, ICSC President Michael P. Kercheval said, “All these individuals have given selflessly toward enriching the quality of ICSC by virtue of outstanding service as program committee chairs, faculty members, speakers and leaders in the shopping center industry. We are honored to have them as members,” he added.

Founded in 1957, the International Council of Shopping Centers is the premiere global trade association for the shopping center industry. Its over 76,000 members in 92 countries include shopping center owners, developers, managers, marketing specialists, investors, retailers and brokers, as well as academics and public officials.