It takes a community of talented and hardworking professionals to foster an outstanding commercial real estate industry in Maryland. At the 2022 Awards of Excellence, NAIOP Maryland recognized several individuals for their outstanding contributions to the CRE industry and to the chapter.
David Fritz received the Broker Award, which is presented to an accomplished broker who has made a significant impact on the industry. A current principal with KLNB and 30-year veteran of the industry, Fritz has focused on marketing office and investment properties as well as negotiating for corporate clients and institutional owners. Prior to joining KLNB, Fritz worked as a developer’s representative for MIE Properties and Douglas Legum Development.
Vince Bagli received the Distinguished Merit Award, which is presented to an individual who is an exceptional asset to NAIOP Maryland and the CRE industry in our region. A 25-year professional with Merritt Properties and a mentor/role model to many people, Bagli has served as president of NAIOP Maryland. While president, he helped grow the chapter to more than 400 members (the largest membership in our history) and supported an enhanced communications plan, which brought NAIOP Maryland’s legislative efforts to the forefront.
Nicole Wilhelm Smith received the Greg Masi Volunteer Award, which honors the ultimate volunteer. Wilhelm Smith, currently the Business Development Manager for ECS Mid-Atlantic’s Baltimore office, has worked in the CRE industry for 15 years. She has volunteered with NAIOP Maryland for more than a decade. She ran the Programs Committee for seven years until 2019, has co-chaired the Award of Excellence program since 2016 and has co-chaired the Community Service Project since 2019. She previously won the NAIOP Maryland Service Provider of the Year Award and a national Developing Leaders Award.
Michael Powell received the F. Patrick Hughes Legislative Award, which recognizes an individual who provides distinguished service in advancing a legislative or regulatory priority of the NAIOP Maryland Legislative Committee. An attorney with Gordon Feinblatt’s Energy and Environmental Practice Group, Powell has positively impacted some of the most important pieces of environmental legislation debated by the General Assembly. In 2015, Gov. Larry Hogan appointed him to represent business interests on the Maryland Commission on Climate Change. Since then, Powell has worked pro bono as co-chair of the Commission’s Mitigation Working Group where he has steadfastly advocated for developing cost-effective and practical plans to meet Maryland’s greenhouse gas reduction requirements.
Paul Giulio of Hill Management Services, Inc. received this year’s Rising Star Award, which is presented to a Developing Leader who is a team player, motivates others and advances the chapter’s goals. Giulio has increased the number of young professional members in NAIOP Maryland and, despite the challenges of the past two years, mobilized the Developing Leaders group to organize creative, new, educational programming, events and community service activities.
Bill Libercci received the Service Provider Award, which is presented to an individual who provides high-level service to the CRE industry, thoroughly understands the industry’s needs and supports the industry through their daily business or volunteer efforts. Libercci is a mainstay at NAIOP Maryland events and has diligently assisted with securing sponsorships for the Awards of Excellence. A senior vice president and senior director of the Baltimore regional office at NorthMarq, Libercci is responsible for generating mortgage loan financing, structuring equity investments and consulting on a wide array of CRE investment opportunities.