HERNDON, Va., October 27, 2009 – The NAIOP Research Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Urs Gauchat as one of its Distinguished Fellows, effective January 1, 2010.

The NAIOP Distinguished Fellows program serves as a bridge between the practicing commercial real estate community and the academic community. Distinguished Fellows are active in NAIOP, including presenting to the association's leadership via the Board of Directors or National Forums, participation on NAIOP's corporate committees and providing advice, feedback and information to NAIOP regarding research being conducted in commercial real estate.

Gauchat serves as a dean and professor of Architecture with New Jersey Institute of Technology's School of Architecture. In addition to previous academic teaching experience with New Jersey Institute of Technology, Harvard University's School of Design and Boston Architectural Center, Gauchat served as president of Gauchat Architects from 1978 - 1998. He received his Master of Architecture degree from Harvard University's School of Design and a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Sydney in Australia.

Gauchat has appeared as a guest lecturer for countless organizations through his esteemed career, including the American Institute of Architects, Boston's Architectural Center and the United Nations. He has authored/co-authored numerous articles and papers on a wide range of architectural subjects and also devotes his time to several professional and community organizations including AIA New York's Board of Trustees, Essex Community College's Advisory Board and the D & L Foundation, among others.

Shirley A. Maloney, executive director of the NAIOP Research Foundation, said, "We are honored to have Dr. Gauchat accept the invitation to become a NAIOP Distinguished Fellow. The Distinguished Fellows are integral in connecting the business and academic communities, enabling NAIOP members and the Fellows to stay informed of the trends and information that affect the commercial real estate industry."

About the NAIOP Research Foundation

The NAIOP Research Foundation was established in 2000 to provide objective information and thoughtful insight about issues that affect professionals and organizations in the commercial real estate industry now and in the future. For more information, visit www.naioprf.org.

NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, is the leading organization for developers, owners and related professionals in office, industrial and mixed-use real estate. NAIOP comprises 15,000 members in North America. NAIOP advances responsible commercial real estate development and advocates for effective public policy. For more information, visit www.naiop.org.