Bi-annual program celebrates innovation and excellence in regional commercial real estate development and professionals.
BALTIMORE, MD (April 23, 2026) – NAIOP Maryland honored 10 different companies and 10 commercial real estate professionals in 18 separate categories at its bi-annual Awards of Excellence held recently at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront.
The program celebrates innovation in commercial real estate development and honors the developers and industry partners driving success throughout Maryland. Ryan Burrows, JLL, Morgan Gilligan, Stewart Title Guaranty Company, and Nicole Wilhelm Smith, Plano-Coudon Construction served as Co-Chairs.
“NAIOP Maryland’s Award of Excellence recognizes the companies and individuals who demonstrated outstanding achievements in the commercial real estate industry and positively impacted the landscape in the greater Baltimore region,” said Sean Doordan, President, NAIOP Maryland. “We wish to acknowledge both the nominees and the winners for their efforts in shaping our industry, fostering economic development, increasing quality of life, and enriching our communities.”
Lawrence F. Maykrantz, President and Chief Executive Officer of St. John Properties, Inc. was named winner of the NAIOP Maryland Lifetime Achievement Award, based on his accomplishments in acquisition and disposition, development, and investments for more than 44 years, as well as his continued support of NAIOP Maryland and the CRE community.
When asked to list his greatest career accomplishments, Maykrantz responded “successfully navigating the company through several commercial real estate downturns and economic recessions, with the 1991 banking crisis being the most tenuous period.”
“Real estate is unique because it impacts nearly every business and individual daily and is one of the few assets that appreciates over time. Like any industries it has ups and downs, but CRE offers tremendous long-term opportunities,” he said. “I highly recommend it for those looking to build an exciting and fulfilling career.”
Roger A. Waesche, Jr., who passed away earlier this year, was posthumously recognized with the Chapter’s Distinguished Merit Award, an honor that has only been bestowed five previous times since the awards program began in 2000. Waesche, who retired from COPT Defense Properties as Chief Executive Officer in 2016, was remembered as a professional who inspired a culture of hard work and integrity, gave those who worked for him independence and freedom, along with generous support and insight. Waesche was regarded as competitive in business while also being kind, considerate, brilliant but humble.
Other individual award winners were:
F. Patrick Hughes Legislative Award: Christopher Nevin, First National Bank
Government Relations Distinguished Service Award: Kinley R. Bray, YVS Law, LLC, Phil Dales, Dales Associates and Christopher D. Mudd, Venable, LLP
Greg Masi Volunteer Award: Abby Glassberg, KLNB
Rising Star Award: Samantha Eckels, Lee & Associates | Maryland
Broker Award: Matt Laraway, CBRE
Service Provider Award: Howard Perlow, Residential Title & Escrow Company and Commercial Settlement Services, LLC
The project and transaction award winners were:
Best Warehouse: 9107 & 9115 Yellow Brick Road, Knott Realty Group
Best Build-to-Suit Warehouse: Rosedale Roofing Headquarters, St. John Properties, Inc. and Rosedale Roofing
Best Industrial Park: White Marsh Interchange Park, Merritt Properties, LLC
Best Low to Mid-Rise Office Building: 8150 Maple Lawn Boulevard, St. John Properties, Inc. and Greenebaum Enterprises
Best Interior: Howard Hughes Communities Regional Office, Howard Hughes Communities and BCT Design Group
Best Mixed-use Retail: Under Armour’s Flagship Brand House, Bush Construction
Best Adaptive Reuse: Maree G. Farring School Annex, Plano-Coudon Construction
Best Office Lease Transaction: 400 National Business Parkway, COPT Defense Properties
Best Industrial Transaction: Crossings 95, MRP Industrial
Best Community Impact: The Enolia, MCB Real Estate
NAIOP Maryland has nearly 400 members and is comprised of individuals working for real estate development companies, brokerage firms and affiliated companies such as financial institutions, architectural firms, and engineers. 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 more than 21,000 members in chapters throughout North America, the organization provides networking opportunities, educational programs, research on trends and innovations and strong legislative representation.