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SIOR Elects New Board of Directors for 2026-2027 Term

On April 21, 2026, the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors® (SIOR), a globally recognized leader in the commercial real estate sector, convened at its annual spring conference held in Palm Springs to elect its officers for the 2026-2027 term. This election is crucial as these leaders will steer the organization through an evolving market landscape. The newly elected board will be officially installed before the SIOR's fall conference scheduled for October in New York City.

SIOR prides itself on serving as a haven for the most experienced and knowledgeable commercial real estate brokers, and this year's elections saw a dynamic slate of candidates, each bringing a wealth of expertise and dedication.

Aaron Barnard, SIOR, a Senior Director at Cushman & Wakefield in Minneapolis, was elected as the upcoming SIOR Global president. A seasoned professional with a 31-year tenure in the commercial real estate industry, Barnard has shown exemplary leadership within the organization since becoming an SIOR office specialist in 2009. His transition into the role of president signifies a commitment to furthering the association's mission of enhancing the real estate profession.

Daniel Smolensky, currently serving as SIOR’s vice president and an industrial specialist with TMG Real Estate Advisors in Chicago, will take on the role of president-elect. Smolensky's presidency will commence in the fall of 2027, setting the stage for continued enhancements within the commercial real estate sector.

The election also saw Scott Savacool of St. Louis being named the vice-president. Savacool, an office specialist, will follow a one-year term as vice president with subsequent ascendance into the role of president-elect, leading to his presidency in the fall of 2028.

Moreover, Bruce Hecht from Dallas has been elected as SIOR Global's treasurer, serving a two-year term. Hecht brings extensive experience as the Executive Vice President and Managing Partner at Swearingen Realty Group, where he has been a dedicated member of SIOR since 1999.

To further bolster the leadership team, several members were elected to two-year terms on the SIOR Board of Directors as members-at-large. The newly elected at-large members include:

• - Adam Collins, SIOR, office specialist in Washington D.C.
• - Nancy Morse, SIOR, office specialist in San Jose, California.
• - Landon Williams, SIOR, dual specialist in Memphis.

In addition to the new Directors, existing board members Rob Renaud, Damian Rivera, and Diana Whisenant were sustained in their roles for another year.

The regional representation within SIOR will be strengthened as well, with new Regional Directors elected across various regions including:

• - Patrick Phillips, SIOR, for Canada, based in Vancouver.
• - Jeroen van der Meer, SIOR, for Europe, based in Rotterdam.
• - Ryan Moen, SIOR, for the Great Lakes region, based in Chicago.
• - Bryan Atherton, SIOR, for the Northeast, based in Shelton, Connecticut.
• - Deborah McGill Smith, SIOR, for the South, based in Birmingham, Alabama.
• - Stephen Kapp, SIOR, for the West, based in San Francisco.

Finally, James (Tripp) Guin will continue his role as speaker of the Chapter Leadership Council for another year, while Grant Pruitt returns as speaker-elect. Further, representatives from important segments of SIOR, such as Past-Presidents and Young Professionals, will also continue contributing actively to the organization.

In the backdrop of ongoing challenges and opportunities in commercial real estate, the new leadership team is set to enhance networking, education, and outreach within the community. SIOR's commitment to maintaining high ethical standards and fostering professional excellence remains unaltered as it looks forward to an impactful term ahead.

For a complete list of SIOR’s current leadership, visit SIOR's official website. To arrange interviews with elected officers or Regional Directors, reach out to Nyequai Harte at the provided contact information.