Houston BOMA Foundation Awards Inaugural Fred Whitty Scholarship

The Houston BOMA Foundation is proud to announce that Natalia Vera, Assistant Property Manager with Granite Properties, has been selected as the first-ever recipient of the Fred Whitty Scholarship. Natalia is a 2025 graduate of the Houston BOMA Foundation’s Leadership Lyceum program and is an educational scholarship recipient. She was also recognized as Houston BOMA's Young Professional of the Year at the 2025 Annual Awards Extravaganza. Through her continued involvement in Houston BOMA programs, committees, and educational opportunities, Natalia has demonstrated a strong commitment to professional growth and leadership within the commercial real estate industry.

The Fred Whitty Scholarship was established to honor the legacy of longtime Houston BOMA member, educator, and industry advocate Frederick Kent “Fred” Whitty. Fred served as President of Houston BOMA and later received the association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He played a key role in elevating Houston BOMA’s educational programming and expanding the prominence of BOMI designation programs, helping strengthen the value of professional credentials in the industry. The scholarship continues his legacy by supporting emerging leaders like Natalia Vera, who is currently pursuing her RPA designation through BOMI.

The scholarship provides a Houston BOMA member with the opportunity to attend the BOMA International Annual Conference by covering registration, hotel, and flight expenses. This year's conference will take place from June 27-30 in Long Beach, CA. The experience allows recipients to immerse themselves in the broader BOMA network, gain valuable industry insights, and build connections with a diverse group of professionals. The program reflects Fred Whitty’s dedication to professional education, leadership development, and meaningful engagement within the BOMA community.

Natalia expressed strong interest in attending the conference to experience its extensive learning opportunities, collaboration with industry vendors, and networking with commercial real estate professionals from across the country and around the world. She views the experience as an opportunity to broaden her perspective on the industry while continuing to grow as a young professional and emerging leader.

Natalia also shared her commitment to bringing back the insights gained from the conference to her property, colleagues, and fellow Houston BOMA members through her continued involvement in committees and industry initiatives.

The Houston BOMA Foundation congratulates Natalia Vera on this special recognition as the inaugural recipient of the Fred Whitty Scholarship and looks forward to seeing the continued impact of her leadership within the Houston commercial real estate community.

Special thanks to our donor for making the Fred Whitty Scholarship possible and for honoring Fred Whitty’s legacy in this meaningful way.