PHOENIX, ARIZ. (September 6, 2023) — The Arizona Chapter of NAIOP, the commercial real estate development association, today announced the hiring of John Baumer as Director of Government Relations. This new addition to NAIOP’s team marks a significant step forward in the association’s public policy advocacy.
“With major policy issues such as water supply, energy costs and reliability, and infrastructure funding on the horizon, now is the right time for NAIOP to have a dedicated presence at the state capital,” said NAIOP Arizona President and CEO Suzanne Kinney. “John’s experience as a contract lobbyist, legislative staffer, and director of government relations at an industry association has prepared him well to represent commercial real estate at multiple levels of government.”
NAIOP has long been known as the leading voice for commercial real estate at the Arizona State Legislature. With this new hire, the association is poised to take on a broader array of important issues at the state and local levels. Additionally, with NAIOP’s recent expansion into multifamily housing, the association plans to engage more frequently at the municipal level to expedite zoning and approval processes for projects that meet community needs.
"It is an honor to join the Arizona chapter of NAIOP,” Baumer said. “I'm excited to use my experience in government and public affairs to elevate policies that will benefit Arizona's economy and promote development throughout the state."
Going into the 2024 election, NAIOP plans to strategically engage in campaigns to elect pro-business legislators and council members and to support initiatives, especially the Prop. 400 transportation funding extension, that will prepare our market for continued growth.