John E. Akridge III
Founder and Chair Emeritus, Trust for the National Mall
Founder and Chairman, Akridge
As the Founder and Chairman of the commercial real estate firm bearing his name, Chip is an innovator in the industry, a committed advocate of community initiatives in the Washington, D.C. region, and a dedicated supporter of philanthropic and charitable organizations.
Chip Akridrige is the Founder and Chair Emeritus of the Trust for the National Mall, the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service (NPS), dedicated to restoring, improving and maintaining the National Mall, which has over 36 million visitors annually. Motivated by the need to improve the declining condition of the National Mall and its iconic monuments, Chip worked tirelessly, starting in 2002, to develop a partnership with the National Park Service so the Trust could bring much needed resources to improve the National Mall. In 2007, the Trust became the official partner of NPS, serving the National Mall. Since then, more than $150 million has been invested by Congress and private donors for restoration projects, including earthquake damage repairs to the Washington Monument, replacement of the Lincoln reflecting pool, and the installation of the new natural grass turf panels and supporting irrigation system.
Under Chip’s leadership, the Trust accomplishes its mission by raising funds and awareness for restoration projects that include infrastructure, environmental sustainability, conservation management, as well as education and engagement programs. Chip and the Trust’s team of experts advocate about priority projects, provide counsel on needed restoration efforts, and offer expertise on landscape architecture, environmental planning, sustainability, design, and implementation. Private philanthropy has been instrumental in building every monument and memorial on the National Mall. Gifts from private citizens are likewise essential to the restorations and improvements ahead. Chip served as Chair of the Trust Board of Directors from 2007-2022.
Chip founded Akridge in 1974 to specialize in commercial real estate in downtown and suburban Washington, D.C. 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. He also 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/D.C., and various agencies of the city government. Chip testifies frequently in support of environmentally friendly legislation.
Committed both personally and professionally to sustainable building design, he earned numerous Smart Growth awards 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 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.