"With his background and success in advocacy and experience in managing major projects and undertakings, Jim will be a tremendous asset to our members and the real estate industry in general," Steve Spinola, REBNY president, says in the release. "Jim has played an important role in some of the most vital projects in the city. Simply put, he is the kind of guy who knows how to get things done and we are thrilled to put his energy, drive and know-how to work for REBNY."

In a statement, Muss president Joshua Muss calls Whelan "a trmeddnous asset to our company" who will be "greatly missed. However, given his experience in government and in the private sector, I can't imagine anyone more suited to fill this very important role to represent our industry. We wish him all the best at REBNY."

Before his tenure at Muss, Whelan served as chief of staff and senior advisor for then-deputy mayor Daniel Doctoroff. There, he played a key role in furthering an agenda that included the development of the Far West Side, the resurgence of Lower Manhattan and the implementation of the Bloomberg administration's PlanNYC sustainability program.