Development is a complicated endeavor requiring coordination across multiple disciplines, companies and governmental entities. That’s why associations like NAIOP Arizona exist to bring industries together, offering opportunities for professionals to network, learn from one another and build solidarity around legislative issues. Every organization needs a leader who can rally people together, draw on a deep well of expertise and provide a clear vision for the future — and NAIOP is no exception.  AZRE magazine sat down with Cheryl Lombard, who started her tenure as the CEO of NAIOP in September, to learn more about her thoughts on leading NAIOP, the state of development and being back in the desert. The following responses have been edited for clarity and length. 

DEEPER DIVE: Here’s where the residential real estate market stands in 2025

LOCAL NEWS: 100 best places to work and live in Arizona for 2025

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS: Want more news like this? Get our free newsletter here

AZRE: For those who don’t know, can you tell us a bit about your background?   

Cheryl Lombard: My career has been focused on how we grow, encompassing critical areas such as water, conservation, environmental protection, infrastructure and more recently, energy. I have been fortunate enough to apply this expertise across the U.S., representing both energy and real estate development sectors.  

This includes a decade with The Nature Conservancy and leading Valley Partnership here in Arizona. Most recently, I spent the past two years in Washington, D.C., at a conservative clean energy think tank, where I led a cross-functional team focused on advancing power, infrastructure, and minerals policy in Congress and across various states. My work there included testifying before Congress, speaking on numerous panels, and drafting federal permitting and judicial reform legislation. 

AZRE: What drew you to NAIOP as an organization you’d be interested in leading?   

Cheryl Lombard: It is incredibly meaningful for me to return to Arizona — this state has given me so much personally and professionally. I’m eager to get to work building on NAIOP’s strong foundation and helping shape what’s next. 

Arizona is at a pivotal moment. The growth we’re experiencing is historic, and commercial real estate is right at the center of it. That means our industry has a major responsibility to lead with vision and purpose. 

NAIOP Arizona already has a strong track record of advocacy and influence. My goal is to build on that — amplifying our voice at the Capitol, with cities and our Congressional delegation, expanding engagement across the state, and making sure we’re driving the big conversations around growth and infrastructure. 

We will be focused on implementing a bold strategic plan, enhancing our events and member experience, growing our sponsorships and solidifying NAIOP as the premier voice for commercial real estate in Arizona. 

AZRE: What role do partnerships play in lifting up the industry? 

Cheryl Lombard: Commercial real estate doesn’t operate in a vacuum. Every project intersects with public policy — whether it’s water, permitting, energy or transportation. That’s where I’ve spent my career, and that’s where NAIOP can have a powerful impact.  

I believe in results-driven advocacy and collaborative leadership. That means listening to our members, engaging with stakeholders, and delivering on a clear vision that supports responsible growth and economic success. 

Beyond metropolitan areas, significant opportunities exist for sustainable growth. NAIOP focuses on fostering connections, advocating for interests and facilitating learning. We can leverage these resources to align with the statewide opportunities for employment and economic prosperity, ensuring the flourishing of all of Arizona. 

AZRE: Can you talk more about NAIOP’s advocacy efforts?  

Cheryl Lombard: First, I’m glad to be working with NAIOP’s Director of Government Relations John Baumer. Having someone with his skills in-house is a great resource for the organization. I have a background in policy, but we’re a statewide organization, and we want to be connecting with not only our state legislature, but key cities and our federal delegation about how we can continue to grow.

There’s plenty of opportunity here in Arizona, but there are also hurdles to overcome. John and I have been talking a lot about energy demand. We’ve done a great job as a state attracting companies like TSMC, but now we need to focus on energy development. That means working with the utilities and our rural co-ops on how to provide affordable, reliable power to everyone. Water is another important topic that we want to partner with people around the state to tackle.  

AZRE: You mentioned meeting with Arizona’s Congressional delegation. Does NAIOP work on federal issues?  

Cheryl Lombard: Our role at NAIOP is to represent the industry in these conversations about how legislation at all levels might affect our state. For example, the reconciliation bill in Congress reauthorized Opportunity Zones and included a lot of tax benefits to encourage economic development in rural areas. John and I are looking at how that tool can be used here and plan to sit with Sandra Watson at the Arizona Commerce Authority to learn more about how their plans. There’s also brownfield legislation that needs to be reauthorized and next year Congress will start working on transportation reauthorization, which we’ll be helping with as well.  

AZRE: NAIOP has a large membership base — some are competitors and others may have differing views on what the best course of action is. How do you present a unified voice on behalf of the industry?  

Cheryl Lombard: All trade associations have to grapple with this, and it can be challenging on the policy side. But that’s why the first thing I’m going to do is put together a strategic plan so we come to an agreement among our board and members on what we stand for. That helps bring focus and alleviate some of those conflicts as members take part in those discussions.  

AZRE: What is your sense regarding the health of the industry as we start wrapping up 2025?   

Cheryl Lombard: Over the past decade or so, Arizona has implemented great policies around taxes and regulations at both the state and municipal levels. The groundwork laid thanks to measures like Prop 479 will set the Valley up for the next 20 years in terms of transportation infrastructure. But we still need to take a closer look at how to build and maintain roads across the state.  

Right now, we have amazing energy resources, but what’s next? We need sustainable, affordable power — how will we move it around? Building transmission infrastructure is similar to highway construction since it takes some time, but people have different reactions when they see power lines going up.  

That said, coming from Washington, D.C., where businesses and residents have to deal with regulatory burdens and instability, it’s clear to me that Arizona has created an environment where economic success can continue. More can be done to ensure predictability across all layers of government, but it’s nice to be outside the Beltway and back in a place where good policy and regulations — meaning less of them — are helping foster growth and innovation.  

AZRE: Any parting thoughts you’d like to share about returning to the Valley?  

Cheryl Lombard: I went to college in Washington D.C., and it’s a lovely place. I learned a lot that I will apply in this new role, but I’m so happy to be back in Arizona. I missed our beautiful sunsets, my friends and the development community as a whole. I’m privileged to be here and getting to focus on commercial development.