"His extensive involvement and contributions to NAIOP certainly give him an edge as our chairman, and we look forward to his leadership throughout the year in all aspects of our membership, and especially within our government affairs arena," says NAIOP president Thomas J. Bisacquino.

DeMarco concedes that the economy has taken a toll on the real estate industry, but he professes to be up to the challenges at hand. "We are in a difficult part of the real estate cycle, but it is also a time of great opportunity," he says. "Our challenge is to provide our 10,000 NAIOP members with the tools they need to seize opportunities. We will be working throughout the year to get the job done."