As promised, this post follows up on yesterday’s account of the Walker & Dunlop reception. Held last Wednesday, the event was hosted by the firm’s CEO, Will Walker, who has extensive senior management experience. The firm’s gathering gave some of the DC region’s leading executives a chance to exchange business cards, talk shop, and even make a few deals.

Bob Cohen, president and lead producer at DC’s Perseus Realty, was one high-profile individual at last week’s event. His firm focuses entirely on commercial property investments as well as office, industrial, retail, and residential development.

Bill Wolfe from First Washington Realty in Bethesda also came out to greet his compatriots. First Washington is a privately-owned investment and management company specializing in community shopping centers throughout the US and abroad. Wolfe, a Harvard-educated president and CEO, also served in the Executive Office of the President of the United States.

Stan Sloter, president of Bethesda’s Paradigm Companies, joined the many real estate and business executives filling the Metropolitan Club on September 5.

Speaking of business, who can keep Washington DC’s Carlyle Group far from mind these days? It’s been all over the news lately regarding mergers and acquisitions, making powerful moves to grow the firm. Some of its former executives are doing pretty well for themselves, and Carlyle graduate Esko Korhonen was present at this suit-filled shindig. He’s a founding partner of Federal Capital Partners (FCP), a leading real estate development and investment company.

Yes, the movers were shaking and the shakers were moving. Well, symbolically anyway. It’s kind of hard to really get your groove going in your best suit and silk tie—or heels and a straight skirt. But there’s a certain fire present when you know you’re surrounded by the best of the bunch.

The Post’s WashBiz Blog published a piece on Friday that looked like the “bold” setting had gotten stuck on the writer’s keyboard. The usage was appropriate, though, as the article highlighted the names of top executives who had attended Walker & Dunlop’s Wednesday reception at the Metropolitan Club. Located in Bethesda, Walker & Dunlop is an investment bank and real estate company, and their reception brought together high-ranking business and real estate professionals from the Washington DC region.

The name dropping started with Daniel Mudd, CEO of Fannie Mae, who attended the event with Ken Bacon, executive vice president for housing and community development. More CEOs dotted the scene, including Tom Bozzuto of The Bozzuto Group, who won Executive of the Year in 2005 in the multifamily housing industry. Mark Ein, founder and CEO of Venturehouse Group—and entrepreneur extraordinaire—joined the impressive guest list.

More big names were mentioned as attendees, like Frank Saul III, a leading executive at Chevy Chase Bank, as well as successful developer John Mason. Bernstein Management, a real estate management and investment company, was represented by its president, Josh Bernstein. And the JBG Companies, a powerhouse in the real estate industry, was present via managing partner Rob Stewart.

This was definitely an important networking event, especially for the real estate and investment community, and I’m sure at least 1,000 handshakes were exchanged. To find out about additional top executives who attended the Walker & Dunlop reception, stay tuned for my second post on the topic, which will be published tomorrow.