On November 9, 2026, the BOMA Georgia Board of Directors passed a resolution honoring Melanie “Mel” Barest, longtime Executive Director of BOMA Fort Lauderdale and the Palm Beaches.
“One of the earliest traditions of our association is adopting a resolution honoring people and organizations,” said Carla Moule, 2025-2026 BOMA Georgia President. “When the board was considering reviving the practice of utilizing resolutions to honor others, we immediately thought of Mel. Her leadership and care for the BOMA federation has been felt by so many people, and we wanted to thank her and congratulate her on her upcoming retirement.”
The oldest known resolution adopted by BOMA Georgia is dated August 25, 1914, only a year past the association’s founding. Since then, resolutions were regularly passed by the board of directors to celebrate milestones, to recognize other organizations, and to honor people. Other early resolutions adopted by the association include:
Honoring Ivan E. Allen, who helped found BOMA Atlanta, in 1916 for his service as President of the Southeastern Fair
Recognizing the Oakland California Chamber of Commerce in 1917 for its role in establishing the Oakland Building Owners and Managers’ Association
Memorializing Bessie Maye Hogan (Shaefer), wife of BOMA Atlanta’s first Executive Secretary Fred Shaefer, who unexpectedly passed away in 1918
The practice of adopting resolutions remained commonplace through the mid-1900s, and the resolution honoring Melanie Barest is the first passed by the association in decades.
“As an association professional, I feel incredibly fortunate to have met Mel early in my career with BOMA Georgia,” said Jacob Wilder, BOMA Georgia Senior Director of Operations and Communications. “Beyond her warmth and kindness, she has shown me the lasting impact a creative and resourceful leader can have on an association and the industry it serves. I have long admired her wisdom and wit, as well as the passion and dedication she has brought to strengthening the BOMA federation and advancing the commercial real estate industry throughout her career.”
“Mel is such a talented and caring leader,” said Gabriel Eckert, BOMA Georgia Chief Executive Officer. “She has mentored and helped so many BOMA association executives and BOMA members throughout her career, not just in Florida but throughout the United States and beyond. Her leadership has made a tremendously positive impact on the entire BOMA federation. Her genuine care for others, intellect, amazing sense of humor, and dedication to growing BOMA has left an imprint that will be felt for generations to come. It is truly fitting that the first resolution passed by our board of directors in decades honors Mel.”
The full text of the resolution passed unanimously by the BOMA Georgia Board of Directors is below:
RESOLUTION HONORING MELANIE BAREST
WHEREAS, Melanie “Mel” Barest has served as Executive Director of the Building Owners and Managers Association of Fort Lauderdale and the Palm Beaches for 24 years, starting in February 2002, and
WHEREAS, Mel served as Executive Director of BOMA Greater Tampa Bay from 2017 to 2024, and
WHEREAS, Mel served as Executive Director of BOMA Florida from 2005 to 2016, and
WHEREAS, Mel served as a member of the BOMA International Executive Committee from 2019 to 2021; as Chair of BOMA International’s Local Education Services Forum from 2016 to 2017; and as a member of the BOMA International BOMA Association Executive Committee from 2009 to 2013, including serving as Chair from 2011 to 2013, and
WHEREAS, Mel has served the entire BOMA federation selflessly, providing mentorship, encouragement, and support to others, while leading sustained growth of programs, services, and value for the BOMA associations she directly served, and
WHEREAS, Mel has announced her retirement, to be effective December 31, 2026, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED: That we, the members of the Building Owners and Managers Association of Georgia, congratulate Melanie Barest on her retirement and thank her for her significant and longstanding positive impact on the lives and careers of generations people and on the entire BOMA federation, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That this resolution be spread upon the minutes of the Association and a copy be sent to Melanie Barest.