THE EZRA COMPANY’S KENNETH KING RECEIVES THE PRESTIGIOUS CHAIRMAN’S AWARD FROM THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

June 16, 2014 (Washington, D.C.) – The Washington, D.C.-based Ezra Company, one of the leading commercial real estate firms in the nation that exclusively represents tenants, announces today that Kenneth King, a Senior Vice President with the company, has received the Chairman’s Award from the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, where King also serves as a member of the Board of Directors.

King accepted this honor at the Chamber’s 55th Annual Dinner, where earlier this month, more than 750 business and government leaders gathered for a celebration of commerce at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center in North Bethesda.

Each year, the Chairman’s Award recognizes an individual who has gone above and beyond in advancing the Chamber’s goals. Specifically, King and two of his colleagues at The Ezra Company – Associate Vice President, Erica King and Associate, Colin Lennon – recently negotiated on behalf of the Chamber in a restructuring of the organization’s office lease at 51 Monroe St. in Rockville, which resulted in a significant reduction of the Chamber’s annual facility costs.

Taking advantage of the current market conditions while creating the optimal amount of leverage, the Ezra team completed a deal for the Chamber that provides immediate cost savings well ahead of when the organization’s previous lease at 51 Monroe St. was set to expire, as well as ongoing savings throughout the Chamber’s new lease term.

“Reducing the Chamber’s real estate expenses is critical,” Kenneth King notes, “because it allows the organization to focus more of its financial resources on its mission, programs and other initiatives – rather than on office space.”

“Our aggressive negotiations, comprehensive process and extensive due diligence enabled us to secure extremely favorable terms for our client, and we are privileged to have had this opportunity,” he continues. “On a personal note, I thoroughly enjoy sitting on the Board of an organization that represents many of the top companies in both Montgomery County and the State of Maryland, and I’m honored and humbled that the Chamber has shown its appreciation by presenting me with its Chairman’s Award.”

“It has been my pleasure to serve with Kenny this year in my capacity as Chairman of the Board of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce,” says Chris Carpenito, immediate past Chair and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, HESS Construction. “Kenny’s work guaranteed that the Chamber will enjoy the benefits of this successful negotiation for many years.”

Adds Gigi Godwin, President and CEO of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, “Kenny is a true asset to our Board of Directors and is well-deserving of this recognition by his peers. His team understood our needs and worked tirelessly to cover all the options available. His professionalism and perseverance resulted in a win-win for the Chamber and Washington Real Estate Investment Trust, which owns 51 Monroe St.”

About The Ezra Company:

Founded more than 30 years ago, The Ezra Company is the oldest and largest Washington, D.C.-based commercial real estate advisory services firm dedicated solely to representing tenants. Consistently ranked amongst the mid-Atlantic’s top firms, the passionate team of dedicated, experienced Ezra professionals provides clients with conflict-free representation and an unmatched scope of services. With three offices in the Washington, D.C. area, The Ezra Company offers local expertise and a national reach. For more information, please call 202-789-1300 or visit www.ezracompany.com.