Real-estate research firm’s leader tapped to lead group

Real estate is like a second language for John Restrepo. He runs a real estate research firm, Restrepo Consulting Group, that helps keep local decision-makers informed.

Now it's Restrepo's turn to serve as decision-maker. He was recently named 2008 president of the local chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties. Restrepo served on the board for 10 years.

"John is a respected economist and consultant uniquely qualified to serve as president," said Tony Dazzio, the local association chapter's immediate past president and vice president of business development with Burke & Associates, a Las Vegas-based general contractor. "He has relationships with brokers, contractors and architects, which gives him an insightful understanding of our industry."

The 22-year-old local chapter boasts 888 members, making the association the state's biggest commercial real estate trade group.

The nonprofit group's membership consists of developers and brokers, architects and engineers, builders and banks. It conducts monthly breakfast meetings with guest speakers that include elected officials and real estate pundits. It holds educational seminars, roundtables and networking events.

Restrepo hopes to further increase public awareness of the group, its activities and its role in shaping the community.

"We want to help the public and our members better understand the issues surrounding the real estate industry and its impact to the local economy," Restrepo said.

Efficient land use, zoning and mixed-use development are some of those issues. Southern Nevada's dwindling land and water supplies coupled with rising construction and real estate costs make it necessary for developers to better plan projects for the best and highest use.

Green building also affects Southern Nevada. In 2006, The association formed a Sustainable Development Committee to examine and analyze green building's significance and progress.

Other issues include transportation and water delivery infrastructure and its importance to Las Vegas Valley businesses and residents. The association recently commissioned a study looking at the high cost of congestion and its potentially crippling effect on freight movement and future land development.

Tony Illia writes for the Review-Journal's sister publication, the Las Vegas Business Press. He can be reached at (702) 303-5699 or tonyillia@aol.com.