NAIOP Chapter Merit Awards Salute Outstanding Efforts and Individuals

Education, membership, advocacy and special events were among the programs honored in 2021.

NAIOP honored outstanding work by its chapters and associated individuals in 2021 with the Chapter Merit Awards. The awards are traditionally given out during a ceremony at NAIOP’s annual Chapter Leadership and Legislative Retreat (CLLR) in Washington, D.C., in early February. However, CLLR was canceled this year due to COVID-19.

“For me, these awards continue to demonstrate the flexibility, ingenuity and innovation of our chapters as they adapted to a new business paradigm while delivering exceptional membership value,” NAIOP President and CEO Thomas J. Bisacquino said. “Congratulations to all the 2022 Chapter Merit Award winners and nominees for their significant accomplishments in an unquestionably challenging year.”

The ceremony for NAIOP’s Chapter Merit Awards wasn’t held in person this year because the Chapter Leadership and Legislative Retreat was cancelled.

The Chapter Merit Awards recognize success in education, special events, membership, legislative affairs, diversity, equity and inclusion, and leadership. Winners are selected by a volunteer committee of their peers. These programs included virtual events, charitable initiatives, competitions for college students and much more.

Chapter of the Year

NAIOP Arizona was named Chapter of the Year in the Large Chapter category. In 2021, the chapter brought back its Signature Speaker Series as a live event. This year, the speakers were James Jones, general manager of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns, and Monty Williams, the team’s coach. 

NAIOP Raleigh Durham was honored as Chapter of the Year in the Medium Chapter category. The chapter approved a four-year, $100,000 commitment to a new MBA concentration in real estate program at Durham’s North Carolina Central University, a historically black college. (The effort was highlighted in the Winter 2021-2022 issue of Development magazine.)

Outstanding Leadership by a Chapter President

David Strickland of NAIOP Southern Nevada claimed top honors in Outstanding Leadership by a Chapter President in the Large Chapter category. Strickland’s efforts to reduce expenditures and increase revenue significantly brightened what could have been a difficult financial year for the chapter.

Mike Ferguson, president of NAIOP Raleigh Durham, won the award in the Medium Chapter category. Ferguson helped spearhead the partnership with North Carolina Central University described above.

Nick Lombardi, president of NAIOP Oklahoma, was recognized in the Small Chapter category. Lombardi was praised for his strong leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for stepping into the role when another person was unable to fulfill their duties. 

Chapter Volunteer of The Year

Rod Martin of NAIOP Southern Nevada took the Chapter Volunteer of the Year award in the Large Chapter category. Martin was praised for his willingness to help his chapter in innumerable ways.

Kirstyn Hobler NAIOP Central Florida received the award in the Medium Chapter category. Hobler volunteered for numerous committees in 2021, and she implemented several new ideas and standards. 

Matt Harris of NAIOP Northern Nevada was honored in the Small Chapter category. Harris has been active on many committees with the chapter, and his contributions to the government affairs committee drew pointed praise from the nominating group.

Outstanding Contribution by a Chapter Executive

Debbie Koenig of NAIOP Georgia was honored for Outstanding Contribution by a Chapter Executive in the Large Chapter category. Koenig has spearheaded most of the chapter’s diversity efforts through the years, including the launch of an internship program in the summer of 2021.

Jessica Freeman of NAIOP Raleigh Durham won the award in the Medium Chapter category. She played a critical role in the chapter’s partnership with North Carolina Central University and its launch of the first MBA program in real estate at a historically black college.

Lexi Koplichack of NAIOP Dayton Area was recognized in the Small Chapter category. She was praised for elevating the chapter’s communications efforts.

Education

NAIOP Southern Nevada took the Education award in the Large Chapter category. Judges singled out a roundtable discussion with five developers that was recorded and transmitted to members.

NAIOP Central Florida was recognized in the Medium Chapter category. The chapter was honored for a month-long series of discussions about the future of the Orlando industrial market.

NAIOP Austin was honored in the Small Chapter category. Its East Austin Update brought chapter members together to discuss a booming area of the city as part of a tour of a newly developed property.

Special Event

NAIOP Minnesota was honored for Special Event in the Large Chapter category for its 18th annual University Real Estate Challenge, which involves teams from five local universities.

NAIOP South Florida was recognized in the Medium Chapter category for its bus tour of noteworthy office and industrial properties in Broward County.

NAIOP Northwest Florida was honored in the Small Chapter category for hosting a sporting clay tournament for its members.

Legislative/Government Affairs

NAIOP Southern Nevada was honored for Legislative/Government Affairs in the Large Chapter category. Among the chapter’s many efforts was sharing an economic analysis of the impact of land constraints on the economy of Southern Nevada.

NAIOP New Mexico brought home the top prize in the Medium Chapter category. The chapter played a key role in ensuring passage of New Mexico’s Broadband Access and Expansion Act, as well as an extension of the state’s sustainable building tax credit until 2026.

NAIOP Northern Nevada won the award in the Small Chapter category for its efforts to provide feedback to the city of Reno’s rewriting of its 700-page development code.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

NAIOP Georgia was honored for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Large Chapter category. The chapter launched a paid summer internship program for minority college students.

NAIOP Greater Philadelphia took top honors in the Medium Chapter category. For several years, the chapter has teamed with Drexel University to run a summer enrichment program for minority high school students who are interested in careers in commercial real estate.

Membership

NAIOP Central Florida won the Membership award in the Medium Chapter category for an extensive program of special members-only events designed to enhance renewals and retention.

Trey Barrineau is the managing editor of publications for NAIOP.