One-on-One with Rhiannon Samuel, NAIOP

Rhiannon Samuel grew up fast.

Samuel is the executive director of NAIOP New Mexico, a commercial real estate company. NAIOP originally stood for National Association for Industrial and Office Parks.

Samuel started her career as a communications intern for the city of Albuquerque in 2013, and she was promoted quickly during her tenure, ultimately becoming the city’s communications director. She was a primary spokeswoman during the launch of the Albuquerque Police Department’s reform effort and several tumultuous events that the city was faced with, including the fatal police shooting of James Boyd, protests and several tragic and highly publicized deaths.

She recalled one night when she was in a meeting with the police chief and high-ranking city officials and public information officers. They were crafting a press release after the man suspected of shooting and killing Lily Garcia — a 4-year-old girl shot in a road rage incident — had been arrested.

“We were figuring out ‘What are we going to do? How are we going to release this news out to the public in a way that honors her family, but says, we got him?’” Samuel said.

The meeting was cut short when the police chief got a call. Officer Daniel Webster had been shot and the shooter was on the run. Samuel and her colleagues raced across town to handle the crisis. Webster would later die from his injuries.

For a less tragic story, Samuel recalled being in a meeting with then-Chief Administrative Officer Rob Perry and others about how people were sneaking into the Albuquerque BioPark zoo at night to collect Pokemon Go figures. Being 20 or so years younger than everyone else in the room, the responsibility fell on Samuel to explain to them that, no, the city couldn’t just go and get the Pokemon Go characters out of the zoo.

“So I was 22 in those rooms. And I was in charge of all of the communications for the city that has 22 different departments. Many of the other public information officers were twice my age,” she said. “It taught me that I needed to lead with humility, learn from those around the table and see what alternative perspective or best practices I could bring to them.”

Samuel left the city in 2017 and co-started Viante, a nonprofit organization that aims to facilitate state lawmakers working across the aisle to come up with solutions for the state’s education system, crime and a lack of economic opportunities.

The nonprofit created scorecards showing how the lawmakers voted or if they were present for votes.

She then was hired to lead NAIOP, and took over in January 2022.

What does NAIOP do and why is in important?

“I’ll start with, NAIOP doesn’t stand for anything. It’s more of a proper noun. But what we are is the commercial real estate development association. The best way I can describe us, is we’re responsible for the built environment, from your infrastructure to your homes, commercial properties, which include retail, industrial, and everything in between. NAIOP members are the ones that build it. And they include bankers, architects, planners, developers and everything in between.”

What is the goal of the organization?

“Most notably, community responsive development. Our community right now is in a housing crisis. So what can we do to aid in that as the private sector, as an organization and why someone would join. It’s a three-legged stool, we do education, advocacy and networking. The education happens by way of our 40 events throughout the year, we’re most known for our lunches. And similarly, networking happens there. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been checking people in (for an event) and I watch a business deal getting done. But the bulk of my time is on the advocacy front. And that entails me working and interfacing with every level of government from the city of Albuquerque to the county and the state. And what can I do to both identify barriers to development and how can I come up with solutions to remove those barriers?”

In terms of the built environment in New Mexico and Albuquerque, what is most needed?

“Time kills all deals. And right now in New Mexico, time is killing deals. It takes a long time. The permitting process, whether it’s with the state or the city, any utilities, whether it’s electricity or water or gas, when all of those agencies have a key part to play in development, and they’re each taking their bit of time, that all stacks up. It becomes quite lengthy and it’s really challenging to get things done. Other states like California, Texas, Georgia, Ohio, have turnaround times. They range from 30 days to 45 days. The entity has that amount of days to get it done. Otherwise, there’s some recourse. In Texas (the permit) is automatically approved. Other places, like Georgia, the permit goes to a third-party reviewer. It’s that predictability piece within the development that allows the private sector to appropriately finance and plan for what is it going to take, from breaking ground to having someone lease an apartment?

What was it like being tapped to lead NAIOP when you were in your 20s?

“It was daunting. I don’t think anyone would disagree with the fact that (NAIOP) was seen as a older, white-male organization and historically quite conservative, none of which I am. But the people who recommended me to apply gave me that confidence that I had a shot. In the city, I was often the only female in the room. I was the only female in the executive committee until the mayor hired Jessica Hernandez to be city attorney. So I knew how to interact with those types of people. And it was fine. And that was almost my comfort space. It wasn’t as though I was putting aside who I am. I just found a way to be true to myself while also contributing. And I knew I could do the same for NAIOP.

So you’re not conservative but you’ve worked for a Republican mayor, started an organization that was intentionally bipartisan and lead NAIOP. So how would you describe yourself?

“I’m registered Independent or decline to state. When I was 18, I thought I was Republican because that’s what people were around me. It took me working for the city to realize that I’m not a Republican, and I’m not Democrat, either. What really frustrates me is that both sides have pieces of the truth, and rarely do they talk in a constructive way. So I find it really challenging to pick one or the other. And that’s why I decided, ‘I’m not picking either of your teams, OK?’ I see it as a tribal mindset, and I just I couldn’t. I often get criticized that I’m a fence-rider. But I disagree. I have opinions and I’m not afraid to share them.”

What were your hobbies when you were growing up?

“I was not athletically inclined at all, although I tried them all. I was cut from several teams. But my parents were adamant that I still be engaged in some way, so I figured that community service and starting clubs was a good way to do that. ... So I started a few clubs in high school, I did Venture crew, which is essentially a co-ed branch of Boy Scouts of America. ... And then I decided I wanted to learn how to play guitar. So I started Guitar Club at St. Pius, and learned from others how to play guitar in the midst.

So you started a Guitar Club not knowing how to play guitar?

I figured what better way to learn than from those who actually know how to do it? Save me some money on lessons. But that’s an example of being a club starter. I did that and I started the Make a Difference club at St. Pius, because I was really interested in community service.

How do you spend your free time?

“I mostly spend it with my husband and my two dogs. My husband and I have been together for 15 years, eight of which married. We have an Albuquerque special — he’s a mutt (Abe) — and then a Rottweiler mix (Daisy). And so we take a lot of walks. And then as of late, my husband and I have been very much preparing for the birth of our first child in December. So that’s been a big life shift.”