Chapter Merit Awards Honor the Best of NAIOP’s Local Efforts

Education, membership, advocacy and special events were among the programs recognized in 2022.

NAIOP recognized the exceptional work by its chapters and associated individuals in 2022 during the Chapter Merit Awards, held during the association’s annual Chapter Leadership and Legislative Retreat (CL&LR) in Washington, D.C., in late January.

“The Chapter Merit Awards are a way to highlight the tremendous work of all 52 of our chapters,” said NAIOP President and CEO Marc Selvitelli, who led attendees in a champagne toast in honor of the occasion.

The Chapter Merit Awards salute outstanding achievements in education, special events, membership, legislative affairs, diversity, equity and inclusion, and leadership. These programs included virtual events, charitable initiatives, competitions for college students and much more. A volunteer committee selected the winners.

Chapter of the Year

NAIOP Southern Nevada received the Chapter of the Year award in the Large Chapter category. NAIOP Southern Nevada’s membership grew by 13% over the previous year. The chapter also mobilized and responded to a proposed statewide moratorium on evaporative coolers for new development.

Members of NAIOP Southern Nevada accept the award for Chapter of the Year during the Chapter Merit Awards, held as part of NAIOP’s Chapter Leadership and Legislative Retreat in Washington, D.C. Photo by Robert Cherouny

NAIOP Oregon was honored as Chapter of the Year in the Medium Chapter category. The chapter added an average of nine new members a month in 2022 and increased the number of annual sponsors from 19 in 2021 to 35 in 2022.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

NAIOP Chicago received the top prize in the Large Chapter category. The chapter expanded its University Scholarship Program from three to nine schools, with a special emphasis on applicants who would not have access to college without scholarship assistance.

NAIOP Raleigh Durham won the award in the Medium Chapter category for its $100,000 financial commitment to North Carolina Central University’s new MBA concentration in commercial real estate, the first ever offered by a historically black college or university.

NAIOP New York City was honored in the Small Chapter category for hosting a panel discussion on how supplier diversity and workforce diversity can help commercial real estate firms meet both environment, social and governance (ESG) and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) goals.

Education

NAIOP Minnesota received the top recognition in the Large Chapter category for a hybrid in-person/remote panel on the local office market that received overwhelmingly positive reviews from attendees.

NAIOP Central Florida won the award in the Medium Chapter category for a two-part panel discussion on the local office market in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Legislative and Government Affairs

NAIOP San Diego took top honors in the Large Chapter category for several legislative successes, including its work on blocking legislation that would have essentially banned warehouses and logistics centers in California.

NAIOP Inland Empire won the award in the Medium Chapter category, also for its work against the California warehouse ban.

Membership

NAIOP Southern Nevada was honored in the Large Chapter category. The chapter went from 580 to 652 members in a year, a nearly 13% increase.

Special Event

NAIOP Georgia won the top honor in the Large Chapter category for its School Challenge, a case-study-based academic competition between Emory University, Georgia State, Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia.

NAIOP Vancouver took the top award in the Medium Chapter category for its refreshed and rebranded Commercial Real Estate Awards of Excellence that attracted more than 400 attendees.

NAIOP Northern Nevada received the award in the Small Chapter category for its Cirque du Summit Awards, a creative reimagining of a long-running event that featured aerial performances and singing.

Outstanding Leadership by a Chapter President

Hayim Mizrachi, president of NAIOP Southern Nevada, was recognized in the Large Chapter category. Among his many accomplishments, Mizrachi has turned the chapter’s monthly breakfast program into a must-attend event in the Southern Nevada market by drawing in relevant content and speakers.

Evan Bernstein, president of NAIOP Oregon, won in the Medium Chapter category. Under his leadership, the chapter’s membership grew by 42%, and it ended 2022 in the best financial position in its history.

Lindy Deller, president of NAIOP Northern Nevada, won in the Small Chapter category. She oversaw an expansion in the chapter’s lobbying efforts and helped boost NAIOP Northern Nevada’s profile with several successful events.

Outstanding Contribution by a Chapter Executive

Sally Modjeska, chapter executive for NAIOP DC | MD, won in the Large Chapter category. During her 20-year tenure, chapter membership has risen by more than 570%. She has also ensured that the chapter has a large balance of net cash assets.

Barbie Rosario, chapter executive for NAIOP Hawaii, was honored in the Medium Chapter category. She has helped grow the chapter’s Developing Leaders group from just two members to 47, which represents 25% of the chapter’s total membership.

Volunteer of the Year

Steve Neiger of NAIOP Southern Nevada was recognized as Volunteer of the Year in the Large Chapter category. Neiger was active in the chapter’s Government Affairs committee and led efforts on many legislative and code issues.

TJ Sellers of NAIOP Central Florida was honored as Volunteer of the Year in the Medium Chapter category. Among his many accomplishments was his leadership in establishing a $10,000 fund for a Diversity and Equitable Access Scholarship Program.

Lindsey Juriaan of NAIOP Northern Nevada won the award for Volunteer of the Year in the Small Chapter category. She participates in several committees and co-chairs the CREW-NAIOP Charity Golf Tournament Committee.

Trey Barrineau is managing editor of publications for NAIOP.