NAIOP Pittsburgh Blog – President’s Note

As my second and final term as President for NAIOP Pittsburgh is coming to a close at the end of 2018, I am pleased to report that the Chapter is strong and, more importantly, positioned well for the future of commercial real estate in the region.

David Weisberg NAIOP Pittsburgh President BNY Mellon Wealth Management

David Weisberg
NAIOP Pittsburgh President
BNY Mellon Wealth Management

In my two years as President, we have had a great deal of successes. We have continued to focus on the three core goals that grew out of our 2017 strategic plan – Advocacy, Membership and Communications. These will guide NAIOP Pittsburgh as we plan for the future.  Highlights have included:

  • Hired three outstanding people starting with Brandon Mendoza (Executive Director), David Caliguiri (Public Affairs Consultant) and Erica Loftus (Chapter Administrator).

  • Record sponsorship and greater than 650 guests at our 25th Annual Awards Banquet in 2018.

  • Honored our outgoing Executive Director Leo Castagnari who served NAIOP Pittsburgh well for twenty years. I would encourage others to recognize Leo with a contribution to the Castagnari Family Charitable Fund through pittsburghfoundation.org. 

  • Became active and engaged in local issues impacting commercial real estate investment and development in the region including the City of Pittsburgh’s Riverfront Zoning initiative and the increase in the City of Pittsburgh’s real estate transfer tax.

  • Hosted innovative and attractive programming by our Developing Leaders with project tours across the region including a half-day bus tour for multiple airport properties, a project tour of the Kaufmann’s Grand on Fifth Avenue luxury apartment project and a lunchtime tour of 420 Boulevard of the Allies with special guest speaker Dan Gilman, Mayor Peduto’s Chief of Staff.

  • Continuation of the Mentorship Program for our Developing Leaders.

  • Visits to Harrisburg to discuss commercial real estate development issues with our elected and public officials. Agenda items included:

    • streamlining DEP state permitting processes

    • support of the Bus Rapid Transit between Oakland and Downtown Pittsburgh

    • allow for 1031 like-kind real estate exchanges to be recognized in Pennsylvania

    • pushing for reduction of proposed increase to Electric Standby Tariff with Public Utility Commission

  • Visits to Washington DC to discuss commercial real estate development issues with our elected officials.

    • Support of infrastructure and transportation investment.

    • Ensure capital and credit markets meet the current and future needs of the commercial real estate industry.

    • Support of Environment and Energy Efficiency.

  • Reengaging the Construction Legislative Council and with the Building Owners and Manager’s Association’s legislative affairs committee to combine efforts on shared goals.

The groundwork has been established for NAIOP Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania to continue to thrive as NAIOP Pittsburgh has been investing resources for the betterment of the commercial estate community. It’s been an honor to be at the helm during this exciting time.

Thank you!

Brandon Mendoza