ORLANDO, FLORIDA. (February 22, 2021) –  The Florida chapter of NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, representing commercial real estate developers, owners and related professionals in office, industrial, retail and mixed-use real estate, has announced its newly elected officers and directors for 2021, led by President Trey Wilson.

“There has never been a more important time to be sure that the voice of commercial real estate is heard in Tallahassee,” said Trey, a commercial real estate attorney at Driver, McAfee, Hawthorne and Diebenow, PLLC in Jacksonville. “This will be a challenging year. But with the hard work of the incredibly talented members of the NAIOP Florida Board, I expect continued successes on behalf of our industry. I am honored to serve as President.”

NAIOP Florida’s 2021 Officers include:

President: Trey Wilson, Driver, McAfee, Hawthorne and Diebenow, PLLC

President Elect: Clayton Bricklemyer, Bricklemyer Law Group

Treasurer: David Smith, Danis Construction

Secretary & Immediate Past President: Darcie Lunsford, Butters Realty and Management

NAIOP Florida’s 2021 Board of Directors includes:

Jody Barry, Project Management Advisors

Brendon Dedekind, Prologis

Brian DePotter, First Pointe Advisors

Brandon McFarren, Catalyst Healthcare Real Estate

Chris Palmer, SVN l Southland Commercial Real Estate

Ron Weaver, Stearns Weaver Miller Alhadeff & Sitterson

NAIOP Florida’s officers and directors will lead the organization through 2021. Each member has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the commercial real estate industry, which will serve the organization’s advocacy efforts. This year’s Florida Legislative Session began on January 11, 2021. 

Florida is the #3 state in the U.S. for overall contributions to state GDP created by CRE development, creating and supporting 220,212 related jobs and contributing $27.7 billion to the state’s economy in 2020. The findings were presented in the annual study, “Economic Impacts of Commercial Real Estate, 2020 U.S. Edition,” released last week by the NAIOP Research Foundation. The study measures the contributions to GDP, salaries and wages generated, and jobs created and supported from the development and operations of commercial real estate.

“Many factors point to a commercial real estate rebound in 2021,” said Thomas J. Bisacquino, president and CEO of NAIOP. “Obviously, we dealt with several unknowns and unexpected challenges in 2020. The pandemic accelerated trends already progressing in real estate. The warehouse sector has flourished as e-commerce demand intensified; office space has been impacted by tenant demand, as remote work options expand and companies rethink space needs; and the retail sector struggled as shoppers preferred to buy online. Nonetheless, commercial real estate construction and development sectors remain solid, valuable contributors to the U.S. economy, and we have a bright future as the economy continues to improve.”

The 1,000-member NAIOP Florida is a coalition between the state’s five regional chapters in South Florida, Central Florida, Tampa Bay, Northeast Florida and Northwest Florida. It works to advance responsible commercial real estate development in the state and advocates for effective public policy.