Q&A With NAIOP Nashville President Lizabeth Theiss
Boom or no boom, real estate organizations are as important to the local industry as they ever were. We recently chatted with NAIOP Nashville president Lizabeth Theiss, VP-business development at Crain Construction, for her insights on the organization and the market.
Bisnow: What's the current focus of NAIOP Nashville?
Lizabeth: NAIOP Nashville has always provided networking opportunities for its membership, and that's a key reason we have a membership the size of a larger-tiered city. As Nashville's been on a rapid growth trajectory, we've been creating initiatives to keep our members updated on city council concerns, such as inclusionary zoning, affordable housing initiatives and TIF changes.
By creating stakeholder meetings, our Government Affairs Committee works to remain a part of the conversation with officials, so we'll have a voice at the table, which includes finding compromises.
Bisnow: How did you get involved in NAIOP?
Lizabeth: I've worked in engineering and construction for the past 20 years. As I entered the world of business development, I found the members of NAIOP are committed to the city. Since joining more than 15 years ago, I've worked to be on a committee or have been involved with NAIOP leadership.
Nashville's always been a community where relationships matter. I have found the organization to be very informative as I worked to grow my network. (Lizabeth's shown in a selfie with other NAIOP Nashville execs.)
Bisnow: What's your outlook for the Nashville market?
Lizabeth: The region offers a diverse quality of life that attracts talent, thus attracting jobs. Nashville's always been very business-friendly. Combine those factors, and you’ve got a home run. Nashville's still growing and will continue to be a market that corporations look to for office growth.
Talent continues to flock to Nashville as a place to live before even having a job—yet knowing they'll find one. The development community will continue to enjoy opportunities for at least the next three to five years. Certain market sectors may plateau, but the diversity of other market sectors will sustain development. All in all, Nashville's got momentum.
