MOONACHIE, NJ - Jaime M. Weiss, president of Jaime Weiss Realty Company, Moonachie, New Jersey, was selected as a finalist for the New Jersey Chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties’ Deal of The Year award. Weiss was nominated by Emanuel Stern, president and chief executive officer of Hartz Mountain Industries, and chosen as a finalist by a panel of highly esteemed peers. He was one of four finalists selected from a group of 10 contenders, all nationally prominent real estate firms including CBRichard Ellis, Cushman and Wakefield of NJ, and The Grubb and Ellis Company.

Weiss was cited for arranging a series of three critical office leases related to North Fork Bank’s acquisition of The Trust Company of New Jersey. Of note were a complex sublease and long-term lease involving CBS Viacom and Hartz Mountain Industries, for a pivotal location that regionalizes North Fork’s back-office, high-security banking center in the New Jersey Meadowlands.

Weiss said that the transactions, which totalled 87,000 square feet, were far from the largest or most prestigious he has made, but were among the most challenging of his 38-year career.

“In smaller deals, discouraging complications often obviate the interest of the talented people who solve them simply because there is more financial reward in solving bigger problems,” he explained “ In this case, however, the best solution was arrived at regardless of reward, and a rare achievement was reached.The parties involved were persuaded to deconstruct each of their individual interests and needs and reconstruct them to mutual satisfaction.”

“It was a perfect example of what the real estate business is about -- creatively responding to needs and overcoming obstacles.” Weiss said.