Honor recognizes 18 women throughout the state for their professional and community contributions
RALEIGH, NC – June 8, 2011 – The Preiss Company, one of the largest off-campus student housing providers in the nation, is pleased to announce that Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Donna Preiss, was recently honored by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of North Carolina Inc. (GFWC-NC). The organization honored 18 women for their significant contributions to the state of North Carolina on May 11th at the annual Women of Achievement Banquet.
GFWC-NC is part of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, one of the largest and oldest nondenominational, nonpartisan, international women’s volunteer service organizations in the world. With over 150 clubs throughout North Carolina, GFWC-NC has been dedicated to community improvement through volunteer service since 1902. This year marks the 10th anniversary for the Women of Achievement Banquet, which honors women who are pioneers in their profession and community efforts and serve as role models for future generations. Honorees boast a career defined by hard work and a commitment to helping others. Preiss said that she is overwhelmed by this recent award.
“Being recognized on a state level by an association like the General Federation of Women’s Clubs is truly an honor,” says Preiss. “I’m fortunate to be honored with so many successful and talented women who represent the best of North Carolina. I’m grateful for the love and support of my family, friends, staff, and our many, many wonderful clients. I truly could not have reached this point in my career were it not for the efforts of these wonderful people who serve as my inspiration every day.”
Preiss founded The Preiss Company in 1987. With over 260 team members, the company is one of the fastest growing student housing providers in the United States and currently owns and/or operates properties in seven states: North Carolina, Texas, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Georgia, South Carolina, and most recently Illinois. Throughout her career, Preiss has participated in the development, acquisition, and management of over 12,000 multi-family beds and secured lending for just under $500,000,000 in development and investment property.
Over the years, The Preiss Company has been a multi-year recipient of the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce’s coveted Pinnacle Business Award, winner of the Metro Bravo Award for Residential Real Estate, and winner of the Triangle Fast 50 Award for fastest growing company. The company has also been recognized by Triangle Business Journal as one of the Triangle’s Top Women-Owned Businesses (2005-2010), one of the Top Apartment Property Management Companies (2007-2010), and one of the Top Commercial Real Estate Brokers (2009). The company was also honored by Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Network with their 2008 Impact Award—receiving Honorable Mention in the category of Industry Innovator—and awarded the Steady Growth and Profitability Master Award by the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce (2009). Most recently, the company received two Student Housing Business “Innovator Awards” in the categories of Best Bandwidth Solution and Best Creative Financing.
Preiss has been personally recognized by Triangle Business Journal as one of the Triangle’s most successful professional women and was awarded their 2006 Women in Business Award. She has also been honored by Business Leader magazine and Triangle Real Estate magazine as an Impact Triangle Real Estate Broker for 2007/2008. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the SPCA, the National Multi Housing Council, the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, and the Wake Tech Foundation. Donna also serves on the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board and is a member of the NAA National Student Housing Committee, the NMHC National Student Housing Committee, and the Women President’s Organization.
The WOA Awards were first given by GFWC-NC in 2002. Recipients are nominated and selected by a committee and must be from or currently residing in North Carolina. GFWC-NC is a nonprofit organization comprised of approximately 5,000 members across North Carolina who are committed to making their communities, the state, and nation a better place to live and work.
About The Preiss Company
Founded in 1987, The Preiss Company is the leader in the development of new technologies, tools, and strategies for the student housing industry and acts as a receiver for several national banks. The company employs over 260 team members, has formed over 50 partnerships, and has developed over 20 projects stretching from Maryland to Texas. For more information, visit www.tpco.com.
About the General Federation of Women’s Clubs
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) has more than 6,500 local clubs in the United States and clubs in over 20 countries globally. Clubs shape their local agendas to suit their particular community needs. They benefit from membership services, materials, and program support from the state and national Federation levels working through the six program areas of Arts, Conservation, Education, Home Life, International Outreach and Public Issues. Established in 1890, GFWC has over one million members worldwide. Their headquarters is in Washington, D.C., and is a National Historic Landmark, which houses the Women’s History and Resource, a repository for books and resources devoted to women’s history and women in volunteerism. For more information, contact GFWC Headquarters at (202) 347-3168 or visit their website at www.gfwc.org.