Michael Tait, Leasing Representative, St. John Properties, Inc., has been named 2025 NAIOP National Developing Leader of the Year. Tait is one of only four other members among the nearly 60 NAIOP chapters to be awarded the honor this year.
The National Developing Leader of the Year is awarded to professionals under the age of 35 for their outstanding professional accomplishments, strong leadership, and significant community involvement. The winners will receive their awards at NAIOP’s CRE.Converge 2025 in Toronto this fall.
Tait becomes the 11th NAIOP-MD member to be cited with this national award, including Kate Jordan, Principal, Lee & Associates|Maryland, and current Chapter President, who won in 2016. See related article here.
“This award is extremely difficult to win given the strong competition nationally, but exemplifies Michael’s professional competency, balanced with his leadership of our DL program and impressive community involvement,” said Jordan. “Since assuming the leadership role of the DL group, Michael has brought creativity, passion, and results to the program with the addition of timely and topical programming and injection of fresh new ideas. His urgency has driven a surge in membership, which attracted new attention to the Developing Leaders and, in turn, will help ensure the chapter’s longevity and active engagement.”
After initially landing a research position at CoStar Group, he earned his first leasing role at Howard Hughes Corporation before segueing to his current role with St. John Properties, Inc.
L to R: Alex Mawry, Merrit Properties; Michael Tait, St. John Properties, Inc.; Shea Cashen, Lock7 Development, LLC and Mason Popham, Thomas Park
In his capacity for the commercial real estate development and investment company, Tait oversees the day-to-day leasing activities for a real estate portfolio encompassing more than 2.6 million square feet of space in the greater Baltimore metropolitan region.
Tait has been a member of NAIOP Maryland and its Developing Leader committee since 2017, assumed chair of the group in 2022, and is a past recipient of the Chapter’s Rising Star Award.
“My engagement with NAIOP Maryland has been the turning point in my career, as it introduced me to numerous professionals who have evolved into leaders and mentors, significantly diversifying my professional network,” Tait explained. “Having exposure to this group accelerated my professional development, provided new perspectives of the industry, and enabled me to take a leadership role in the local Developing Leaders program. I am extremely grateful for and feel lucky to have had these experiences, and I believe NAIOP continues to be a key component in my career.”