Special to Realty-Builder Connection
John Fridlington, the executive vice president of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors, is the new executive vice president of the Florida Association of Realtors.
Fridlington, 52, will be based at FAR’s Orlando headquarters. He holds the Realtor Association Certified Executive (RCE) and Certified Association Executive (CAE) designations, earning recognition for specialized industry knowledge as well as association achievements and experience.
His hiring concludes a nine-month long national search for a new person to head up Florida’s largest trade group.
Jerry Matthews resigned from the executive vice president’s position last March after 17 years at the Orlando-based association’s helm.
Fridlington earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Saint Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, and received his law degree from the University of Notre Dame.
While Fridlington began his career as a corporate attorney for a private California firm, he soon accepted a position in the legal department at the California Association of Realtors. After a 22-year career there, he left his position as vice president of CAR’s executive department to take on the top management position at the Massachusetts association, a job he has held for the past four years.
“I look forward to working together with FAR’s management team to accomplish the goals of Florida Realtors,” Fridlington says. “We will strive to enhance our members’ ability to earn their living in an ethical, progressive, efficient way; to protect private property rights; and to advance smart growth solutions addressing Florida’s need to balance growth and quality of life.”
Becoming familiar with public policy, legislative and regulatory issues of concern to Florida residents will be a top priority, he says, particularly with the 2005 Legislature convening in early March.
And what is Fridlington looking forward to the most about coming to Florida?
“Palm trees,” he says. “Having lived in California for so many years and then moving to Boston, the thought of being able to look out on a February day and seeing a palm tree again is very appealing.”