Urban Land Institute Michigan presented its 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award to Gary Shiffman, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Southfield, Michigan-based Sun Communities, Inc.
Shiffman will be recognized as the recipient of the award at the ULI Lifetime Achievement Award Dinner on Wednesday, May 1, at the MGM Grand Detroit Casino Hotel.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was established to recognize leaders in the Michigan real estate community whose achievements throughout their lifetime – including contributions to real estate, civic, charitable, and philanthropic endeavors – exemplify the spirit and mission of ULI. In addition, the Lifetime Achievement Award Dinner serves as ULI Michigan’s annual fundraiser and supports the many programs and initiatives coordinated by the District Council.
Shiffman joins a prestigious list of award winners, including the late Mr. A. Alfred Taubman (2005), the late Mr. Wayne Doran (2006), the late Mr. Robert Larson (2007), the late Mr. Jerome Schostak (2008), Mr. Edsel B. Ford II (2010), Mr. Peter Karmanos, Jr. (2010), Mr. Sidney Forbes (2012), Mr. Dan Gilbert (2014), Mr. John Rakolta, Jr. (2018), Mr. David V. Johnson (2022), and Ms. Susan T. Mosey (2023).
Shiffman has a long history of philanthropy as an active member of the Detroit community. He proudly supports local organizations including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Life Remodeled, the Jewish Federation of Metro Detroit, and, notably, Eastern Market, which focuses on increasing food access, expanding market channels for regional farmers to improve food system resilience, and building economic inclusion and racial equity programs.
Sun is a fully integrated Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) that was established in 1975 and has grown to become the largest owner and operator of premier manufactured housing and recreational vehicle communities in North America, as well as the world’s largest owner of marinas.
Shiffman has served as an executive officer of Sun since its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange in 1993 and has been instrumental in leading the company’s growth from $153 million in assets at the time of Sun’s IPO to $18 billion today. Sun’s portfolio consists of over 670 best-in-class properties as of September 30, 2023, throughout the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Under Shiffman’s leadership, Sun added a Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) and created an active Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility (IDEA) Council and Advisory Team. Shiffman is a signatory on the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion commitment, which is a voluntary pledge by the leadership of nearly 2,000 companies and organizations to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
In 2022, Shiffman further demonstrated this commitment by signing the United Nations Global Compact, a voluntary leadership platform for the development, implementation, and disclosure of responsible business practices.
