Earlier this month, NAIOP Arizona announced its incoming class of Developing Leaders for 2014/2015 and the mentors. This is the chapter’s fourth year hosting the mentorship program.
The incoming class and mentors are:
>> Zach Barness, Tratt; Keaton Merrell, Legacy Capital
>> Patrick Boyle, CBRE; Jim Wentworth Jr., Wentworth Property
>> Derek Buescher, Irgens; Pat Devine, Cushman & Wakefield of Arizona
>> Katie Bush, Phoenix Design One; Alisa Timm, Lincoln Property Co.
>> Krystal Dill, Lincoln Property Co.; Jerry Roberts, CBRE
>> Russell Fine, Marcus & Millichap; Barry Gabel, CBRE
>> Traver Jones, Kimley & Horn; Rick Butler, Butler Design Group
>> Todd Kimling, ARCP; Pat Feeney, CBRE
>> Samantha Pinkal, The Weitz Company; David Calcaterra, Deutsch Architecture
>> John Scholl, CBRE; Pat Gallagher, Dermody Properties
>> Alex Wentis, CBRE; John DiVall, Liberty Property Trust
>> Sharon Whitney, MarWest Commercial; Keith Earnest, VanTrust Real Estate
“The selective and intimate format of the program is designed to create career- expanding and lifelong bonds between the one-on-one pairings,” said Jenna Borcherding of Jokake Construction, a member of NAIOP Arizona’s Developing Leaders. “As a tribute to the program’s success, this and previous year’s classes have had high profile mentors from among the commercial real estate community in Metro Phoenix.”
A new dynamic to the program for the 2014/2015 class consists of teams within the class preparing, pitching and competing against each other for the best industrial, office or retail development project.
“The Developing Leaders believe the teaming and educational process will give the protégés, and even mentors, a well-rounded and fundamental understanding of the commercial real estate industry that any employer or business partner will value,” Borcherding said.
All NAIOP members who are age 35 or under qualify to participate in the Developing Leaders program, whether they joined through the DL membership category or as part of a corporate membership.
Building relationships and philanthropy are big parts of the Developing Leaders role in NAIOP Arizona, said Robert Guerena, incoming Chair of the group’s steering committee.
“Our outreach includes the Dream Team (helping feed the homeless in Downtown Phoenix) and Habitat for Humanity,” said Guerena, who works at Seefried Properties. “For our group, it is all about giving back to the community.”
Annual events hosted by the Developing Leaders, such as Rookies and Rockstars held annually at the Sanctuary Resort, open the door for DL members to get to know their peers and industry leaders in a formal but welcoming setting.
