"Today's economy has challenged the commercial real estate industry, and I look forward to leading my peers through this difficult time as president," says Milanaik in a statement. "My previous position as vice president of public affairs has helped me to see how important NAIOP is to our industry." Headquartered in Edison, Heller owns and leases more than 15 million square feet of distribution buildings in the US.

At the same meeting, a slate of officers were also elected, including George Sowa of Brandywine Realty Trust as a vice president of public affairs; Michael Seeve of Mountain Development Corp. as VP of special events; James Petrucci of J.G. Petrucci Co. Inc. as VP, education; Edward Russo of Russo Development as vice president of membership and communications; Richard Marchisio of Lee & Associates as VP, associate affairs; and Eugene Preston of ProLogis as treasurer/secretary.

In addition, the following members were elected to the board of trustees: Gil Medina of Cushman & Wakefield of New Jersey, Inc.; Dave Gibbons of Seagis Property Group LP; Gretchen Wilcox of G.S. Wilcox & Co.; Richard Cureton of Whitesell Construction Co. Inc.; Elliot Kosoffsky of Frank Greek & Son; Clark Machemer of Rockefeller Group Development Corp.; Joshua Adler of Adler Development; Michael Alfieri of M. Alfieri Co. Inc; and Seena Stein of Newmark Knight Frank.