Dream Builders Film Screening and Q&A with Peter M. Lehrer

“Peter Lehrer and Gene McGovern were well-known and highly respected innovators in construction management of large-scale projects worldwide and co-founders of Lehrer McGovern.  Their 40-minute film, Dream Builders, speaks to the making of their business, their entrepreneurial challenges and successes, their innovations in the construction management industry, the company’s impact on the industry, and the people who worked to make it the most successful construction management company of its time.” – Lehrer, LLC

On Monday, March 30th, the Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate hosted a screening of the film Dream Builders on campus, which was followed by a question and answer session with the firm’s principal, Peter Lehrer.  Columbia Business School had the privilege of premiering the film in April 2010 and was fortunate enough again to have Peter back on campus to share the film and his rich experiences with a new generation of students.

The evening began with a networking reception for students from the MBA Real Estate Program, the MSRED Program, and the Graduate Engineering Program, as well as with Mr. Lehrer and his Lehrer, LLC colleague, Mr. Norbert Young.  Professor Lynne Sagalyn began the event by introducing both Mr. Lehrer and his film, and after the 40 minute documentary had finished, opened up the floor to student questions.   Mr. Lehrer was generous with his time, and with his candid, sincere responses.  He shared with the group that this screening was the first for him, since his late business partner Gene McGovern had passed away.

The film which is described by Lehrer, LLC as “inspiring on both a professional and personal level” focuses on the evolution of an innovative construction management firm and touches on opportunity, relationships–both business and personal– and the setbacks and triumphs of being an entrepreneur in a challenging, ever-changing industry.  The Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate was thrilled to have Peter join us once again for such an enjoyable event.

Event details:
6:00p.m. – Networking Reception
6:30p.m. – Screening of Dream Builders
6:40p.m. – Introduction by Professor Lynne Sagalyn, Earle W. Kazis and Benjamin Schore Professor of Real Estate, Director, MBA Real Estate Program, Founding Director, Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate
7:20p.m. – Q&A with Peter Lehrer CEO & Co-Founder of Lehrer, McGovern, Bovis and Founder of Lehrer, LLC

Kristin Svenningsen is the Associate Director of the Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate at Columbia Business School.  Prior to Columbia Business School, Kristin worked in Commercial Real Estate Operations as well as in Leasing and Marketing for S.L. Green Realty Corp.  She holds an M.A. in Higher and Postsecondary Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.