Virtual Town Hall With Akridge Founder Chip Akridge

Chip Akridge, Founder and Chairman of the commercial real estate firm bearing his name, is an innovator in the industry, a committed advocate of community initiatives in the Washington, DC, region, and a dedicated supporter of philanthropic and charitable organizations. Chip founded the firm in 1974 to specialize in commercial real estate in downtown and suburban Washington, DC. Since then, Akridge has acquired, developed, or entitled more than 14 million square feet of office, industrial flex, residential, retail, and entertainment space in the metro area. As chairman of the company, he is responsible for corporate oversight and strategic planning. He continually focuses on developing the highest-quality products and delivering superior Client service. Chip leads the commercial real estate sector in regulatory, legislative, and financial changes in Washington, DC. He was the first to use the “Woodies Act,” which enables developers to lease the air-rights above and below a public area in order to join properties. Chip was also the first to use the DC Tax Increment Financing Program to build a mixed-use complex that revitalized the city’s downtown core. He worked closely with the city government to develop innovative legislation that created the housing linkage program, Business Improvement Districts, and regulatory guidelines to improve the water quality of the Anacostia River. Chip has served as a member of the Economic Development and Executive Committees of the Federal City Council, and as chairman of the Greater Washington Board of Trade’s Emergency Preparedness Task Force. He has received numerous industry awards. A strong advocate for the environment, he has served on the Board of Trustees of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Nature Conservancy of Maryland/DC, and various agencies of the city government. Chip testifies frequently in support of environmentally friendly legislation before the DC Council, and the Maryland State House and Senate. He is committed both personally and professionally to sustainable building design – earning numerous Smart Growth awards, more than any other developer, and the LEED Accredited Professional designation. He is also an EPA Energy STAR partner and has been recognized by the Garden Club of America for his environmental work. Chip is a leader in philanthropic and civic organizations throughout the Washington, DC, area. He is the founder and chairman of the Trust for the National Mall, a non-profit created to assist the National Park Service to restore and improve The National Mall. Previous philanthropic leadership initiatives include: chairman of The John Akridge Homeless Foundation, member of the Board of Directors of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, member of the Board of Trustees of The Georgia Tech Foundation, and member of the President’s Advisory Board of the Georgia Institute of Technology. Chip is a Distinguished Eagle Scout and a Vietnam veteran. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Real Estate Development from Harvard University.