by Edie Ousley
Florida Home Builders Association
“Excited” is a rather inadequate way to describe how Sarasota native Michael Rahn feels about becoming the highest ranking associate member within the Florida Home Builders Association.
This residential lending executive is revved up for his new role as FHBA Second Vice President.
Long-time friend and home builder Lee Wetherington says Mike Rahn was “born to lead.”
“I’ve known Mike since the 1980s and he has always had this incredible desire to be a leader in the home building industry,” he explained. “When I found out he was going to be the FHBA second vice president, I immediately thought, ‘Now he gets a chance to show his leadership skills.’”
Rahn’s take-charge attitude comes with a great deal of reverence and understanding for the needs of FHBA’s more than 19,000 members.
“Mike is full of energy and is a ‘tell it like it is’ kind of guy,” said Dickson Clements, Land Acquisition and Development Manager for John Cannon Homes and formerly the executive vice president of the HBA of Sarasota. “With his energy he brings a great deal of enthusiasm to the causes of FHBA. He is very humbling and compassionate about the survivability of our industry…Mike wants to serve and he’ll serve the members well.”
By all accounts, Rahn’s desire to serve his industry comes natural. It’s the result of both life experiences and the blessings his family has received from the construction industry.
“My job is to serve builders and help them fight for what’s best for our industry,” Rahn explained. “Whether that involves fighting impact fees or inclusionary zoning, or working to make housing more affordable, I want the builders to know that the associate members are on the front lines with them.”
The 44-year-old Floridian devoted 12 years to the U.S. Marine Corps – four years active duty, plus eight years with the Reserves, including deployment during Operation Desert Storm.
Now, with more than 20 years experience in the residential lending field, Rahn serves as the Area Production Manager and a Senior Residential Account Executive for CNL Mortgage Lending.
CNL is one of the country’s largest real estate investment trusts and specializes in resort and restaurant properties. With a net worth of $18 billion, CNL owns properties in 49 states. CNL Bank is an Orlando-based, full service financial institution with offices throughout Florida. In his role, Rahn puts CNL’s financial resources to work for many of the leading developers and builders along the Florida Gulf Coast.
Never one to forget where much of his business comes from, Rahn joined his local HBA of Sarasota early in his professional career and quickly became an active member and well-respected leader.
“I first recognized Mike’s ability to lead when he was serving the HBA of Sarasota – he did a wonderful job,” Whetherington recalled.
Rahn served two terms as the HBA’s second vice president and began a Life Spike as a leading membership recruiter. He was named the Associate Member of the Year in 1996 and 2003. He’s also on the HBA of Manatee County Board of Directors, and served as the Area VI associate vice president before being elected to his current position as FHBA’s third vice president.
At the state level, Rahn continues to serve in many capacities. Currently, he’s a Trustee of the FHBA Foundation and a member of the Non-Dues Revenue Task Force.
His concern for others is not limited to his association. He also volunteers in times of need. Shortly after Hurricane Katrina devastated coastal regions of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi, Rahn could be found distributing relief supplies to those areas hardest hit.
Rahn and CNL’s Mauro Harto joined Bradenton builder Larry Kemick and local resident Dr. Kevin Boyer to fly planes filled with supplies to Columbia, Miss., Poplarville, Miss. and Picayune, La. over the Labor Day weekend.
“I appreciate the fact that Mike is working so hard for our industry,” Wetherington said. “I feel so lucky that FHBA has a man of this caliber, with great passion and intelligence working on our behalf. I trust him 100 percent and know he will do a fine job for the association.”