It's All Up to You

AS I CONCLUDE MY time as chairman, I offer my appreciation for the honor of leading this organization.  I’m pleased to share that NAIOP is operating strongly and firing on all cylinders. Membership will exceed 19,000 by year-end 2017, we set records for both attendance and sponsorships at CRE.Converge in October and our Research Foundation is publishing best-in-class studies that keep our industry on the cutting edge. Celebrating NAIOP’s 50th anniversary throughout the year, including honoring 22 past chairmen at a special event at the fall conference, has given us many opportunities to reflect on how far we’ve come.

Outgoing NAIOP Chairman Jonathan Tratt passes the gavel to incoming Chairman Jim Neyer, whose term begins on Jan. 1, 2018.

As I write this in early November, the House version of a tax reform bill has kept the major issues relevant to our industry – carried interest, 1031 exchanges and interest deductibility – predominantly intact. While it is still too early to know how the Senate version and reconciliation process will influence the final tax reform effort, NAIOP’s prowess on Capitol Hill and our effective advocacy efforts have certainly played an important role in this process. Congress clearly acknowledges the valuable contributions our industry makes to the economy.

This year, I’ve enjoyed visits to chapters across North America, representing NAIOP at Real Estate Roundtable events and meeting so many of you at NAIOP conferences. All in all, I made 20 trips on your behalf – no small feat for this founder of an industrial development company who splits his time between Phoenix, where my business is based, and Scarsdale, New York, where my family resides. I’d be remiss in not thanking my wonderful wife, Irit, and my cherished children Maya (11), Rachel (9) and Ari (4.5) for generously supporting my travel this year.

As I’ve fondly shared, nothing has helped me build my career more than my active involvement with NAIOP, both in my chapter and on the Corporate level. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work with the remarkable individuals who comprise our industry, and I’m confident that 2018 Chairman Jim Neyer will do an excellent job building upon our successes in 2017 and focusing attention where needed.

In closing, I’d like to share a quote from Trammell Crow, founder of the company that was named NAIOP’s 2017 Developer of the Year:

“Everything that happens to me in my life is my own responsibility, solely and absolutely my own responsibility. I can ask and get help or assistance, or support. But ultimately and absolutely, it’s all up to me. I can stumble or stride – both are up to me. I can succeed or fail … it’s all up to me. I can prosper or lose … it’s all up to me. Now life doesn’t guarantee you everything, no matter how you try, but you’ll only get the best that life has for you when you understand and absolutely observe that … it’s all up to you.”