Good balance is key for water skiing. Michael Testa, a recipient of the 2023 Developing Leaders Award and a competitive water-skier, is known for his skill at successfully managing his many commitments in all aspects of his life: work, volunteering and in his waterskiing competitions across the U.S.
As a business development manager and senior broker associate with Ogden & Company, Testa’s brokerage activities include prospecting, negotiating complex lease and sale agreements, marketing, and providing holistic, enterprise-level solutions for clients to maximize value and returns. He acts as a mentor/leader for the broker associate team. In addition, he acts as an advisor for the company’s clients on their real estate needs, providing solutions including property management, brokerage, acquisitions/dispositions, asset management, new development and investments.
Testa is involved with NAIOP Wisconsin as chair of the chapter’s programs committee, is a member of the Developing Leaders committee, and serves on the public planning committee. NAIOP Wisconsin recognized him with the Developing Leader All-Star award annually from 2019-2022 in addition to being honored by the chapter as Principal of the Year in 2019. He is president of the Real Estate Alumni of Marquette University, sits on the board of directors of the Marquette University Center for Real Estate, and is involved with multiple industry mentorship programs.
Outside of commercial real estate, Testa is active in his community, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, Feeding America, Hunger Task Force, Real Estate Alliance for Charity, and many more. He actively serves on the task force for ACTS Housing, a local nonprofit focused on opening the doors to home ownership for underprivileged or underserved community members.
NAIOP tracked down this high achiever to learn more about how he grows as a commercial real estate leader and the key role of mentorship in his career.
NAIOP: How do you continue to grow and develop as a leader?
Testa: I constantly look for opportunities to say “yes.” Since I was in college, I have set a goal to say “yes” as often as humanly possible; this has led me to some of my biggest challenges and to some of my biggest successes. I love finding new ways to get involved with new groups or organizations to see how I can fit in and help them achieve their goals. I get to build new relationships with like-minded people, learn about industries or trends that I didn’t know about before, and make an impact on my community.
NAIOP: How has being a member of NAIOP helped your career?
Testa: NAIOP membership has been instrumental for my career, not only for the educational and networking opportunities, but also for the leadership opportunities. I would certainly not be where I am today without NAIOP and the countless friends I have met along the way; their guidance and leadership have shaped me into the professional I am.
NAIOP: Name a person who has had a notable impact on your career. What did they do that made a difference?
Testa: I’ve had numerous mentors throughout my career, but there are two who really stand out from when I started in residential property management to my current role in development and brokerage. Both Jim Villa [CEO of NAIOP Wisconsin] and Tracy Johnson [president and CEO for CARW – the Commercial Association of REALTORS® Wisconsin] have been my biggest advocates. They have both been there for the highs and lows of my career and have showed unwavering support for me, no matter what I needed. Not only are they trusted industry leaders and amazing mentors, but they are also close personal friends who I know I can lean on for anything, either personal or professional.
NAIOP: What do you like to do outside of work?
Testa: I’m a competitive water-skier – I compete across the country against athletes from around the world. I enjoy spending time outdoors, whether it be hiking, snow skiing, boating or a walk with my dogs. I’m not much of one for sitting around and you usually won’t catch me in one place for too long!
Read more about the 2023 Developing Leaders Award winners in Development magazine.
