Additionally, David Levinson, chairman & CEO of L&L Holdings LLC, and EVP Bruce Beal of Related Cos. are members at large for this year. Related CEO Stephen Ross, who has served as REBNY chairman since 2007, is handing over the chairmanship to Mary Ann Tighe, CEO of the New York tri-state region at CB Richard Ellis. Ross assumes the title of chairperson emeritus at REBNY, according to a release.

Peters has served on REBNY's board of governors since 1995, while Knakal has been a REBNY governor since 2000. The new appointments mark the first time either man has served on the association's executive committee. In a release, Steven Spinola, president of REBNY, says the counsel and industry expertise of the new members "will be invaluable to the executive committee and will help lead the city's real estate industry as we navigate these challenging times."

REBNY is comprised of six divisions—commercial brokerage, residential brokerage, institutional owners and investors, owners and builders, management, and allied and associate—each with its own board of directors. The board of governors, REBNY's central governing body, is made up of representatives from each division. The executive committee includes the officers of REBNY and other appointees from the board of governors.