What a privilege it is for me to serve as president of NEFBA this year.
While serving on the association’s executive committee as secretary-treasurer and vice president, I witnessed the exchange of ideas, the strong leadership skills and the exercise of good judgment at the top levels of our association.
As a long-term member, I have seen these same qualities demonstrated throughout our councils, committees and member-driven events.
My goals this year are your goals: To increase the strength of our members and their voice in local, state and national decisions affecting the industry; to enlarge our training opportunities to include issues important to builder and associate members; and to encourage stronger business opportunities and relationships throughout our area of influence.
In other words, to help you achieve your business goals, which in turn strengthens our great association — the largest homebuilders association in Florida and the fifth largest in the nation.
I am relying on the support of the NEFBA staff and your active participation as we work together to achieve these goals.
The NEFBA staff, working largely behind the scenes, does a remarkable job of bringing together and meeting the needs of companies and individuals who live and work in six Northeast Florida counties: Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns.
Our associate members are even more diverse, including professional service providers, products and goods purveyors, agencies — everything from A (accounting) to Z (zoning consultants).
Perhaps even more important to our success this year is your active participation in and commitment to enhancing the industry and the association.
Whether it is attending meetings, joining a council or a committee, participating in workshops and social network opportunities, I believe you will find your investment of time financially and professionally rewarding and personally satisfying as well as a significant contribution to the association.
I hope to see you throughout the year and I hope to hear from you about your concerns, your successes and your ideas for ways to improve.
It’s an exciting time to be in the building business in Northeast Florida and I am looking forward to a great year.
Thank you for this opportunity to serve you.
Lee Arsenault, Founder, president of New Leaf Construction