VanTrust Real Estate, LLC announced that Derek Flottum, Senior Director of Development for VanTrust’s Phoenix office, has been selected as the 2026 Chairman of NAIOP Arizona, one of the nation’s largest and most influential commercial real estate chapters. His appointment marks a significant milestone not only in his longstanding involvement with the organization, but also for VanTrust– where multiple team members continue to hold prominent NAIOP leadership roles statewide and nationally.
Flottum has been an active leader within NAIOP Arizona for nearly a decade, beginning with four years on the Board of Directors before joining the Executive Committee in 2022. He has served as Treasurer for two terms– leveraging his finance background and previous work as a bank president– followed by his current role as Vice Chairman for 2025. In January 2026, he will step into the chapter’s top leadership position as Chairman, following Phil Breidenbach of Colliers.
“I’ve always believed in dedicating my time to one organization where my involvement could make a meaningful impact” said Flottum. “NAIOP has aligned with my professional values since the beginning, offering a place where I could learn, contribute, lead, and help shape the future of our industry.”
Throughout his tenure at NAIOP, Flottum has played a central role in strengthening the organization’s financial foundation, serving as treasurer and working closely on funding strategy. His efforts have helped ensure resources are aligned with key objectives, including advancing legislative awareness and advocacy on issues impacting commercial real estate development. With NAIOP Arizona recently hiring a new chapter president, Cheryl Lombard, Flottum views the timing of his upcoming chairmanship as a pivotal opportunity.
“We’re entering a moment where education, policy awareness, and industry connection matter more than ever,” he added. “Coming out of a pandemic– paired with unprecedented economic stimulus, shifting interest rates, and a fundamental rethinking of consumer behavior– the commercial real estate landscape has changed dramatically. Our responsibility as an organization is to help our members understand what these shifts mean and how to navigate them.”
Flottum notes real estate trends such as the long-term rise of industrial demand, evolving workplace expectations, and multifamily projects delivering into a more rate-conscious consumer environment present both challenges and opportunities. “Success now requires being extremely selective– right product, right location and strict due diligence,” he said. “Even being a mile off can change everything.”
At VanTrust, Flottum covers all facets of the development cycle including site identification, market evaluation, and execution of development opportunities across the western region. His career began in banking before transitioning to commercial real estate development, with experience spanning both industrial and office product types. Prior to joining VanTrust, he worked with The Opus Group. In addition to NAIOP, Flottum is an active member of the Scottsdale Charros, a non-profit organization supporting Arizona schools in which he served as the 2024 Baseball Chairman, the organization’s primary fundraising activity.
“Derek’s leadership within NAIOP is a reflection of his deep understanding of the market, his strategic mindset, and his commitment to elevating our industry,” said Keith Earnest, Executive Vice President of Development. “We’re truly enthusiastic about the future of the Arizona chapter of NAIOP and the positive influence it will continue to have on the commercial real estate community.”
