Chapter Merit Award

NAIOP Inland Empire

The annual Chapter Merit Award program is an opportunity for our chapters to highlight their tremendous achievements during the past year. They showcase their events, educational programs and legislative efforts, along with recognizing their chapter presidents, chapter executive directors and volunteers. Above all, a chapter will be recognized for excellence in each of the chapter size categories of small, medium and large. The awards are presented at the Chapter Leadership & Legislative Retreat.

Learn more about the 2024 Chapter Merit Award Winners.

Award Categories

  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Education
  • Legislative/Government Affairs
  • Membership
  • Special Event
  • Chapter of the Year
  • Outstanding Leadership by a Chapter President
  • Outstanding Contribution by a Chapter Executive or Administrator
  • Volunteer of the Year
 

Past Winners

As in past years, previous winning entries are not eligible for submission in the same category – unless there have been substantial changes to the program/event or three (3) years have passed since the particulate entry has won. (Repeat winning submissions are open to those having won in 2020 and prior.)

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Small chapter: NAIOP New York City
Medium chapter: NAIOP Raleigh Durham
Large chapter: NAIOP Chicago

Education 
Medium chapter: NAIOP Central Florida
Large chapter: NAIOP Minnesota

Legislative/Government Affairs 
Medium chapter: NAIOP Inland Empire
Large chapter: NAIOP San Diego

Membership
Large chapter: NAIOP Southern Nevada

Special Event
Small chapter: NAIOP Northern Nevada
Medium chapter: NAIOP Vancouver
Large chapter: NAIOP Georgia

Outstanding Leadership by a Chapter President
Small chapter: Lindy Deller, NAIOP Northern Nevada
Medium chapter: Evan Bernstein, NAIOP Oregon
Large chapter: Hayim Mizrachi, NAIOP Southern Nevada

Outstanding Contribution by a Chapter Executive Medium chapter: Barbie Rosario, NAIOP Hawaii
Large chapter: Sally Modjeska, NAIOP DC|MD

Volunteer of the Year 
Small chapter: Lindsey Juriaan, NAIOP Northern Nevada
Medium chapter: T.J. Sellers, NAIOP Central Florida
Large chapter: Steve Neiger, NAIOP Southern Nevada

Chapter of the Year
Medium chapter: NAIOP Oregon
Large chapter: NAIOP Southern Nevada

Chapter of the Year
Medium Chapter: NAIOP Raleigh Durham
Large Chapter: NAIOP Arizona

Outstanding Leadership by a Chapter President
Small Chapter: Nick Lombardi, NAIOP Oklahoma
Medium Chapter: Mike Ferguson, NAIOP Raleigh Durham
Large Chapter: David Strickland, NAIOP Southern Nevada

Chapter Volunteer of the Year
Small Chapter: Matt Harris, NAIOP Northern Nevada
Medium Chapter: Kirstyn Hobler, NAIOP Central Florida
Large Chapter: Rod Martin, NAIOP Southern Nevada

Outstanding Contribution by a Chapter Executive
Small Chapter: Lexi Kopilchack, NAIOP Dayton Area
Medium Chapter: Jessica Freeman, NAIOP Raleigh Durham
Large Chapter: Debbie Koenig, NAIOP Georgia

Education
Small Chapter: NAIOP Austin
Medium Chapter: NAIOP Central Florida
Large Chapter: NAIOP Southern Nevada

Legislative Affairs
Small Chapter: NAIOP Northern Nevada
Medium Chapter: NAIOP New Mexico
Large Chapter: NAIOP Southern Nevada

Special Events
Small Chapter: NAIOP Northwest Florida
Medium Chapter: NAIOP South Florida
Large Chapter: NAIOP Minnesota

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Medium Chapter: NAIOP Greater Philadelphia
Large Chapter: NAIOP Georgia

Membership
Medium Chapter: NAIOP Central Florida

Outstanding Achievement in Membership Growth
Small Chapter: NAIOP Austin

Highest Number of New Members
Large Chapter: NAIOP Arizona

Chapter of the Year

Medium Chapter: NAIOP Central Florida
Large Chapter: NAIOP Southern Nevada

Outstanding Leadership by a Chapter President

Medium Chapter: David Murphy, NAIOP Central Florida
Large Chapter: Julie Cleaver, NAIOP Southern Nevada

Chapter Volunteer of the Year
Small Chapter: Brent Nasset, NAIOP Northern Nevada
Medium Chapter: (tie) Jim Chynoweth, NAIOP New Mexico; and Bob Moser, NAIOP Central Florida
Large Chapter: Rosanne Beattie, NAIOP DC|MD

Outstanding Contribution by a Chapter Executive
Medium Chapter: Lynne Andersen, NAIOP New Mexico

Education
Small Chapter: NAIOP Northwest Florida
Medium Chapter: NAIOP South Florida
Large Chapter: NAIOP Georgia

Legislative Affairs
Medium Chapter: NAIOP Central Florida
Large Chapter: NAIOP Arizona

Special Events
Medium Chapter: NAIOP South Florida
Large Chapter: NAIOP Southern Nevada

Education

  1. NAIOP Northern Nevada
  2. NAIOP Vancouver
  3. NAIOP Massachusetts

Legislative/Government Affairs

  1. NAIOP Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky
  2. NAIOP Raleigh
  3. NAIOP Georgia

Membership

  1. NAIOP Dayton
  2. NAIOP Raleigh
  3. NAIOP Arizona

Special Event

  1. NAIOP Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky
  2. NAIOP Central Florida
  3. NAIOP Colorado

Outstanding Leadership by a Chapter President

  1. Donald Smith Jr., NAIOP Pittsburgh
  2. Lauren Young, NAIOP San Francisco Bay Area

Outstanding Contribution by a Chapter Executive

  1. Brandon Mendoza, NAIOP Pittsburgh
  2. Katrina Bruce, NAIOP Southern Nevada

Volunteer of the Year

  1. James Reeves, NAIOP Northwest Florida
  2. Yvonne Baker, NAIOP Central Florida
  3. James M. Mansfield, NAIOP Colorado

2019 Chapter of the Year

  1. NAIOP New Mexico
  2. NAIOP Washington State

 

Chapter Executive of the Year
Small chapter: Pat Fogelman, NAIOP North Carolina Piedmont Triad
Medium chapter: Jim Villa, NAIOP Wisconsin
Large chapter: Kathie Barstnar, NAIOP Colorado

Chapter Volunteer of the Year

Medium chapter: Paul Silverman, NAIOP New Mexico
Large chapter: Taylor Arnett, NAIOP SoCal

Chapter President of the Year

Small chapter: Paul Williams, NAIOP North Carolina Piedmont Triad
Medium chapter: Joe Rossi, NAIOP Central Florida
Large chapter: Jim Camp, NAIOP SoCal

Chapter of the Year
Small chapter: NAIOP Northern Nevada
Medium chapter: NAIOP Wisconsin
Large chapter: NAIOP Greater Toronto

Education
Small chapter: NAIOP Northwest Florida
Medium chapter: NAIOP New Mexico
Large chapter: NAIOP Georgia

Legislative Affairs

Small chapter: NAIOP Northern Nevada
Medium chapter: NAIOP Wisconsin
Large chapter: NAIOP Colorado

Membership
Medium chapter: NAIOP Wisconsin
Large chapter: NAIOP Maryland

Special Event
Small chapter: NAIOP Northwest Florida
Medium chapter: NAIOP New Mexico
Large chapter: NAIOP Colorado

Chapter President of the Year
Large chapter: Mike Wells, NAIOP Georgia
Medium Chapter: Greg Martin, NAIOP South Florida
Small Chapter: Elizabeth Teske, NAIOP Northern Nevada

Chapter Executive of the Year
Large chapter: Peggi Lewis Fu, NAIOP Washington State
Medium Chapter: Kim Strange, NAIOP Houston
Small Chapter: Randi Reed, NAIOP Northern Nevada

Chapter Volunteer of the Year
Large chapter: Todd Summerfield, NAIOP Maryland
Medium Chapter: Brian Dedekind, NAIOP Central Florida
Small Chapter: Lindy Deller, NAIOP Northern Nevada

Chapters of the Year
Large chapter: NAIOP San Francisco Bay Area
Small Chapter: NAIOP Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky

Education
Large chapter: NAIOP Colorado
Medium Chapter: NAIOP New Mexico and NAIOP South Florida
Small Chapter: NAIOP Northern Nevada

Legislative Affairs
Large chapter: NAIOP Minnesota and NAIOP Washington State
Medium Chapter: NAIOP New Mexico
Small Chapter: NAIOP Oklahoma

Membership
Large chapter: NAIOP Southern Nevada
Medium Chapter: NAIOP Northern Ohio
Small Chapter: NAIOP Greater Philadelphia

Special Event
Large chapter: NAIOP Georgia
Medium Chapter: NAIOP Central Florida
Small Chapter: NAIOP Sacramento Valley

Chapter President of the Year: Mike Shohet, NAIOP Southern Nevada
Chapter Executive of the Year: Cynthia Fusco, NAIOP SoCal
Chapter Volunteer of the Year: Jennifer Levine, NAIOP Southern Nevada

Chapters of the Year
NAIOP Northern Ohio
NAIOP Washington State

Communication Initiative
NAIOP Charlotte
NAIOP Vancouver
NAIOP Arizona

Community Service
NAIOP Central Florida
NAIOP Minnesota

Developing Leaders Program
NAIOP Edmonton
NAIOP New York City
NAIOP Greater Toronto

Education
NAIOP Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky
NAIOP South Florida
NAIOP Georgia

Legislative Affairs
NAIOP Vancouver
NAIOP Arizona

Membership
NAIOP Northwest Florida
NAIOP New Mexico

Special Event
NAIOP Northern Nevada
NAIOP North Texas
NAIOP SoCal

Sponsorship Program
NAIOP Northwest Florida
NAIOP Central Florida

Chapter President of the Year: James Knott, Jr., NAIOP Maryland
Chapter Executive of the Year: 
Kerry Parker, NAIOP San Francisco
Chapter Volunteer of the Year: 
David Ward, NAIOP Greater Toronto

Chapters of the Year
Large chapter: NAIOP Arizona
Medium chapter: NAIOP New Mexico

Communication Initiative
Large chapter: NAIOP Maryland
Medium chapter: NAIOP Vancouver
Small chapter: NAIOP Northwest Florida

Community Service
Large chapter: NAIOP Maryland
Medium chapter: NAIOP Raleigh Durham
Small chapter: NAIOP Northern Ohio

Developing Leaders Program
Large chapter: NAIOP Northern Virginia
Medium chapter: NAIOP New Mexico
Small chapter: NAIOP Tulsa

Education
Large chapter: NAIOP Arizona
Medium chapter: NAIOP South Florida
Small chapter: NAIOP Upstate New York

Legislative/Government Affairs
Large chapter: NAIOP Souther Nevada
Medium chapter: NAIOP New Mexico
Small chapter: NAIOP North Carolina

Membership
Large chapter: NAIOP Greater Toronto

Special Events
Large chapter: NAIOP Chicago
Medium chapter: NAIOP Raleigh Durham
Small chapter: NAIOP Greater Philadelphia

Sponsorship Program
Large chapter: NAIOP New Jersey
Medium chapter: NAIOP Vancouver
Small chapter: NAIOP North Carolina Piedmont Triad

Chapter President of the Year: Megan Creecy-Herman, NAIOP Arizona
Chapter Executive of the Year: 
Reesa Fischer, NAIOP Massachusetts
Chapter Volunteer of the Year: 
Amy Whitacre, NAIOP Northern Ohio

Chapters of the Year
Large chapter: NAIOP Minnesota
Medium chapter: NAIOP Central Florida
Small chapter: NAIOP Research Triangle

Chapter Communication Tool
Large chapter: NAIOP Arizona
Medium chapter: NAIOP Utah
Small chapter: NAIOP Tulsa

Community Service
Large chapter: NAIOP Georgia
Medium chapter: NAIOP Vancouver
Small chapter: NAIOP Northwest Florida

Developing Leaders Program
Large chapter: NAIOP Maryland/DC
Medium chapter: NAIOP San Francisco Bay Area
Small chapter: NAIOP Northwest Florida

Education
Large chapter: MDDC Education
Medium chapter: NAIOP Inland Empire
Small chapter: NAIOP Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky

Legislative/Government Affairs
Large chapter: NAIOP Colorado
Medium chapter: NAIOP Vancouver
Small chapter: NAIOP Charlotte

Membership
Large chapter: NAIOP Minnesota
Medium chapter: NAIOP Maryland
Small chapter: NAIOP Central Ohio

Special Events
Large chapter: NAIOP Georgia
Medium chapter: NAIOP New Mexico
Small chapter: NAIOP Northern Ohio

Sponsorship Program
Large chapter: NAIOP Arizona
Medium chapter: NAIOP Maryland

Chapter President of the Year: Keaton Merrell, NAIOP Arizona
Chapter Executive of the Year: 
The O'Ferrall Group, NAIOP Maryland
Chapter Volunteer of the Year: 
Graeme Silvera, NAIOP Vancouver

Chapters of the Year
Large chapter: NAIOP Colorado
Medium chapter: NAIOP New Mexico

Chapter Communication Tool
Large chapter: NAIOP Minnesota

Community Service
Large chapter: NAIOP Southern Nevada
Medium chapter: NAIOP Inland Empire
Small chapter: NAIOP North Carolina Piedmont Triad

Developing Leaders Program
Large chapter: NAIOP Greater Toronto
Small chapter: NAIOP Research Triangle

Education
Large chapter: NAIOP Colorado
Medium chapter: NAIOP New Mexico
Small chapter: NAIOP Northwest Florida

Legislative/Government Affairs
Large chapter: NAIOP Minnesota
Medium chapter: NAIOP Maryland
Small chapter: NAIOP North Carolina

Membership
Medium chapter: NAIOP Central Florida

Special Events
Large chapter: NAIOP San Diego
Medium chapter: NAIOP Houston
Small chapter: NAIOP Northern Ohio

Sponsorship Program
Large chapter: NAIOP Colorado

Chapter Volunteer of the Year: David Domres, NAIOP Wisconsin
Chapter Executive of the Year: Tim Lawless, NAIOP Arizona
Chapter President of the Year: Bo Johnson, NAIOP Northwest Florida

Chapter of the Year
Large Chapter: NAIOP Greater Toronto
Medium Chapter: NAIOP Maryland
Small Chapter: NAIOP Northwest Florida

Chapter Communication Tool
Criteria: Online or print publication concept and design; achievement of goals and objectives; funding.
Large Chapter: NAIOP SoCal
Medium Chapter: NAIOP Pittsburgh
Small Chapter: NAIOP Northwest Florida

Community Service
Criteria: Community benefit; funding plans; member involvement
Large Chapter: NAIOP Georgia
Medium Chapter: NAIOP Nashville

Developing Leader Program
Criteria: Leadership for Developing Leaders; member involvement; growth of program; non-member outreach
Large Chapter: NAIOP Arizona
Medium Chapter: NAIOP Wisconsin
Small Chapter: NAIOP Northern Ohio

Digital Media Outreach
Criteria: Use of technology; social media engagement; digital presence; member engagement
Medium Chapter: NAIOP Vancouver

Education
Criteria: Concept and content of education program; member engagement
Large Chapter: NAIOP Colorado
Medium Chapter: NAIOP New Mexico
Small Chapter: NAIOP Northwest Florida

Legislative/Government Affairs
Criteria: Achievement of state/local legislative issue; PAC funding/engagement; communication of legislative agenda
Large Chapter: NAIOP Colorado
Medium Chapter: NAIOP New Mexico
Small Chapter: NAIOP Northwest Florida

Membership
Criteria: Membership retention and recruitment programs; Board and member engagement; membership growth
Large Chapter: NAIOP Greater Toronto
Medium Chapter: NAIOP Nashville

Special Event
Criteria: Marketing; strategy; theme development; press coverage; member engagement
Large Chapter: NAIOP Colorado
Medium Chapter: NAIOP Maryland
Small Chapter: NAIOP Research Triangle

Sponsorship Program
Criteria: Sponsor renewal rate; new sponsor recruitment; total revenue generated
Large Chapter: NAIOP Chicago
Medium Chapter: NAIOP Vancouver
Small Chapter: NAIOP Northwest Florida

Chapter Volunteer of the Year: Todd Holzer, NAIOP Arizona
Chapter Executive of the Year: Katrina Bruce, NAIOP Southern Nevada
Chapter President of the Year: Drew Dolan, NAIOP New Mexico

Chapter of the Year
Large Chapter: NAIOP Colorado
Medium Chapter: NAIOP New Mexico
Small Chapter: NAIOP New York City

Chapter Communication Tool
Criteria: Online or print publication concept and design; achievement of goals and objectives; funding.
Large Chapter: NAIOP Washington State
Medium Chapter: NAIOP Vancouver
Small Chapter: NAIOP Tulsa

Community Service
Criteria: Community benefit; funding plans; member involvement
Large Chapter: NAIOP San Diego
Medium Chapter: NAIOP Maryland

Developing Leader Program
Criteria: Leadership for Developing Leaders; member involvement; growth of program; non-member outreach
Large Chapter: NAIOP Georgia
Medium Chapter: NAIOP Maryland
Small Chapter: NAIOP New York City

Digital Media Outreach
Criteria: Use of technology; social media engagement; digital presence; member engagement
Large Chapter: NAIOP Southern Nevada
Medium Chapter: NAIOP South Florida

Education
Criteria: Concept and content of education program; member engagement
Large Chapter: NAIOP Southern Nevada
Medium Chapter: NAIOP Central Florida

Legislative/Government Affairs
Criteria: Achievement of state/local legislative issue; PAC funding/engagement; communication of legislative agenda
Large Chapter: NAIOP Minnesota
Medium Chapter: NAIOP Inland Empire
Small Chapter: NAIOP Hawaii

Membership
Criteria: Membership retention and recruitment programs; Board and member engagement; membership growth
Large Chapter: NAIOP Arizona
Medium Chapter: NAIOP San Francisco Bay Area
Small Chapter: NAIOP Northwest Florida

Special Event
Criteria: Marketing; strategy; theme development; press coverage; member engagement
Large Chapter: NAIOP Greater Toronto
Medium Chapter: NAIOP Pittsburgh
Small Chapter: NAIOP North Carolina Piedmont Triad

Sponsorship Program
Criteria: Sponsor renewal rate; new sponsor recruitment; total revenue generated
Large Chapter: NAIOP Arizona
Medium Chapter: NAIOP Wisconsin
Small Chapter: NAIOP Silicon Valley