Effort runs parallel to overall mission of offering programming and opportunities that furthers the education and individual development of its members

Connie Rhodes (far right) with Liz Tarran-Jones and Robb Merritt of Merritt Properties

NAIOP Maryland has announced the launch of its new Mentoring Program, a committee designed to match select younger members of the commercial real estate association with established veterans of the industry to forge meaningful and long-term relationships. Connie Rhodes of Rhodes Development, LLC has been named Chair of this program with a mission to provide guidance and support to members that seek advice as they navigate their commercial real estate career.

“One of the best things NAIOP Maryland regularly accomplishes is the development of new talent to perpetuate the mission and accomplishments of our chapter,” explained Connie Rhodes. “This runs parallel with the overall objective of NAIOP Maryland to continually offer programming and opportunities that furthers the education and individual development of its membership base. The Mentoring Program will help foster strong and sustainable working relationship between two members, create a mechanism for success and open up communication channels between younger and more-established professionals.”

The Mentoring Program will arrange up to twenty pairings on an annual basis with professionals working with Merritt Properties, The Howard Hughes Corporation, Blue & Obrecht Realty, Rhodes Development, Saul Ewing and Corporate Office Properties Trust currently identified as mentors. The initial set of mentees has also been established.

“Connie is a highly-organized and dynamic leader and represents the ideal professional to lead this new initiative,” explained Brendan Gill, President of NAIOP Maryland. “Our goal is to encourage relationships that are not unduly time-intensive but, instead, dependent on the specific needs of the individuals and focused on positive outcomes,” Gill added.

More than 380 professionals are involved in NAIOP Maryland, comprised of companies and individuals working in development, investment, construction, brokerage, asset management, finance, architecture, engineering and legal services.

NAIOP is the nation’s leading trade association for developers, owners, investors and other professionals in industrial, office and mixed-use commercial real estate. Comprising 18,000 members in 55 chapters, it provides networking opportunities, educational programs, research on trends and innovations and strong legislative representation.