President's Award
Awarded to an individual recognized as a founder and catalyst of the industry's growth, including for service to NAIOP and to the community.
2025 President's Award Recipient: James (Jim) Nelson
NAIOP Minnesota is honored to present the 2025 President’s Award to James (Jim) Nelson, in recognition of his exceptional service and inspirational leadership to the commercial real estate industry. Selected from nominations submitted by fellow NAIOP members, the President’s Award is the highest individual honor and celebrates Jim’s enduring legacy and profound impact he made on those around him.
Jim Nelson began his distinguished career in commercial real estate in 1965 when he joined his family’s business, the Eberhardt Company. He became the President in 1976 and CEO in 1990, ultimately selling the family brokerage and property management businesses in the early 1990s and later the mortgage banking business in 1999. Throughout that time, Jim held numerous influential positions, including President of the Mortgage Bankers Association of America and Chairman of the Fannie Mae National Advisory Council. He was also an active member of the Urban Land Institute’s Public-Private Partnership Council.
His dedication to civic and industry leadership was evident in his service on the boards of the Minneapolis Downtown Council, the Minnesota Chapter of NAIOP, the University of St Thomas Real Estate Advisory Board, the Edina Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Courage Center, and Lakewood Cemetery.
After selling his family mortgage business in 1999, Jim Nelson continued to shape the Minnesota commercial real estate landscape as Principal of Eberhardt Advisory, LLC in Minneapolis. Through this firm, he provided strategic planning and implementation services, specializing in complex public-private development projects.
His expertise played a pivotal role in landmark initiatives involving the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, the Minnesota Ballpark Authority, and the Minneapolis Community Development Agency—including the transformative Midtown Exchange project. Jim also contributed to cultural and civic advancements through his work with the Minnesota Orchestral Association and the expansion of the Walker Art Center and Sculpture Garden.
These and many other projects throughout Jim’s remarkable 50-year commitment to the industry remain an enduring source of inspiration to all who knew him and to the industry he helped shape.
Marc Nanne, the 2025 President of the NAIOP Minnesota chapter, noted, "Jim has been a quiet leading voice to me, as he has been for so many others. He acted as a mentor and consummate tactful facilitator and negotiator as my first employer at Eberhardt in the mid-80s, and continued to do so along my career path. Jim is a very deserving recipient of this prestigious award."
NAIOP Minnesota is honored to posthumously recognize Jim and his achievements through this award.