WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov. 14, 2023) – During its REITworld: 2023 Annual Conference, Nareit announced the winners of its prestigious industry leadership and achievement awards.
The Nareit 2023 Industry Leadership Award was presented to Edward J. Fritsch, former president and CEO of Highwoods Properties, and 2016 Nareit chair.
While presenting Fritsch with the award, Lisa Palmer, president and CEO of Regency Centers Corporation, and Nareit’s 2023 chair, noted his lasting impact on the office sector and the industry at large.
“Ed has been an instrumental player in the REIT industry for more than three decades,” Palmer said. “His strategic vision enabled his company to adapt and thrive during challenging economic climates, and he applied his forward-looking approach to the industry at large, particularly when he was chair of Nareit. His vision always helped ensure that policymakers, investors, and everyday Americans truly appreciated the REIT approach to real estate investment and its benefits.”
Nareit presents its Industry Leadership Award annually to a REIT executive who has made a significant and lasting contribution to the growth and betterment of the industry. The award is presented in memory of Edward H. Linde, the late CEO of BXP, formerly Boston Properties.
The Nareit 2023 Industry Achievement Award was presented to Tony M. Edwards, senior executive vice president of Nareit.
In announcing Edwards as this year’s award winner, Matt Kelly, CEO of JBG SMITH, and Nareit’s 2024 chair, discussed Edwards’ influence on the REIT and publicly traded real estate industry over the past 30 years.
“It is not an overstatement to say that Tony has played a significant role in shaping the current REIT landscape,” Kelly said. “He was integral to helping the REIT industry understand, navigate, and implement nearly every piece of REIT legislation in the modern REIT era. Tony is retiring in April, but his influence on Nareit, its work, and the industry will continue to be felt long after his retirement.”
The Nareit Industry Achievement Award is given annually to professionals serving the REIT industry whose acumen and integrity have helped heighten awareness and understanding of the value of REITs and publicly traded real estate. The award is presented in memory of E. Lawrence Miller, the former CEO of one of the industry’s first REITs, Bradley Real Estate Trust.