Dan Kennedy
By Joshua Burd
Dan Kennedy has joined the leadership team of NAIOP New Jersey, marking the start of a transition period in which he’ll work alongside CEO Michael McGuinness before succeeding him at the helm of the commercial real estate development association.
Kennedy comes to the organization after nearly six years with the Utility and Transportation Contractors Association of New Jersey, with plans to formally assume the CEO role on Aug. 1. McGuinness, meantime, will remain chief executive through late July as he prepares to retire after more than 25 years in the post.
The transition comes as commercial real estate remains largely healthy in New Jersey, but still faces challenges such as the state’s home rule structure and the growing backlash against warehouse development. The chapter said last month that it was also focused on helping mitigate the impacts of climate change through greater reliance on renewable energy and adherence to smart growth principles, along with streamlining efforts to repurpose obsolete commercial assets and reforming the state’s antiquated liquor license laws, among others.
“I am appreciative of the selection committee’s confidence in me and am honored to have the opportunity to carry on the important work of this impactful organization,” Kennedy said last month. “In the interim, I very much am looking forward to my shared time with Mike — who is such an accomplished and respected leader for this group and the larger New Jersey commercial real estate and business communities.”
NAIOP New Jersey noted last month that Kennedy, who was a senior director and director of environmental and utility operations for UTCA, brings an extensive background in association management, public affairs and government relations, strategic planning, coalition building and policy. He is also a former assistant commissioner with the state Department of Environmental Protection and deputy director of the New Jersey Office for Planning Advocacy, while he holds a master’s in city and regional planning from Rutgers University’s Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy and a New Jersey professional planner license.
In an interview last month, McGuinness said Kennedy “just checked all boxes.”
“He had good government experience and effectiveness in government, he had good association management experience and he had good industry knowledge,” McGuinness said. “To me, they were the three most important things.”
