ULI Michigan is pleased to announce that the recipient of the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award will be Gary A. Shiffman Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sun Communities, Inc. Shiffman is set to receive the prestigious award at the ULI Lifetime Achievement Award Dinner set for Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at the MGM Grand Casino Hotel in Detroit.

Sun Communities, Inc. (“Sun,” NYSE: SUI) 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. Mr. 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 650 best-in-class properties throughout North America, the United Kingdom, and additional property investments in Australia.

Mr. Shiffman has a long history of philanthropy and is an active member of the community. Amongst many others, he proudly supports local organizations including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Life Remodeled, the Jewish Federation of Metro Detroit and, notably, Eastern Market, whose efforts focus on increasing food access, expanding market channels for regional farmers to improve food system resiliency and building economic inclusion and racial equity programs. Sun’s culture is a direct reflection of Mr. Shiffman’s long-standing personal commitment to supporting environmental and social initiatives that improve the lives of others and the broader community. 

The purpose of the Lifetime Achievement Award is to celebrate and honor individuals who have made a positive impact on the vibrancy and quality of life in Michigan through the use of land. The award also gives ULI Michigan, whose membership includes the state’s most prominent and recognized real estate developers and professionals, the opportunity to recognize colleagues who have contributed greatly to the local real estate community.

Previous winners of this award include World class leaders like 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 (2010), Mr. Peter Karmanos, Jr. (2010), Mr. Sidney Forbes (2012), Mr. Dan Gilbert (2014), Mr. Ambassador John Rakolta, Jr. (2017), Mr. David Victor Johnson (2022), and Mrs. Susan T. Mosey (2023).