Jerry Linder of The Vintage Group is the 2006 president of the Northeast Florida Builders Association and will be introduced at Friday’s Sales and Marketing Council meeting at the University of North Florida’s University Center.
Linder recently shared his vision of the future of the local building industry and the association.
Question: As you take over the leadership of NEFBA — one of the largest local builders associations in the country — what do you see as your most critical challenges and how will you address them?
Answer: My primary challenge will be to lead the fight to protect a vibrant industry, particularly as it relates to providing workforce housing.
Q: What goals have you established regarding membership growth and why is membership growth so important?
A: The association goals always have been to increase membership on a regular basis while retaining our current members. Membership is the lifeline of our organization. As this industry continues to grow, so does our membership. Growing our membership gives us strength as we continue to reach the objective of protecting and enhancing our industry.
Q: How do you think the influx of national builders will affect our market? Is there still a place in our market for the locally owned builder such as your company?
A: National builders bring a lot of money to the area. In turn, that allows beautiful communities to be developed and they always play a major role in providing affordable and workforce housing. Locally owned builders such as The Vintage Group will always have a place in our market. We cater to many of the niche-type communities, and we have the ability to tailor housing needs to the homeowners in a different way than the national companies. This market certainly can support all builders and is a great place to live.
Q: Each year, our area surpasses the number of permits issued the previous year. Can we sustain this level of growth? If so, for how long?
A: All indications are that the level of growth we have enjoyed will continue - barring any catastrophic events.
Q: What do you see as the association’s role in providing affordable housing?
A: The association needs to continue to work diligently and hand in hand with our local, state and federal government agencies to reduce complicated or unnecessary regulations that drive up the cost of building and to streamline every process involved to make home ownership available to as many people as possible.
Q: How is the association responsible for educating the public on issues such as impact fees?
A: The association’s role is to continue to take a proactive stance on public awareness on housing issues that we face including impact fees. We must educate people so they understand who ultimately pays these fees and their true cost versus the benefits gained. We must all work together - private industry and public parties - to find real solutions for the infrastructure needed as our communities grow.
Q: What are your plans as president of NEFBA to promote a spirit of giving back to the community?
A: Giving back to the community is an area that does not require me to do a lot of promotion to the NEFBA members. NEFBA members and our industry have shown a real passion for giving back to the community. I am very confident that this community will continue to benefit from the good will our industry generates. I do have a goal of finding a way to fill the special housing needs for veterans and their families. We must take the time to show our appreciation and support for those who fight for the freedoms we all enjoy.
Q: How did your year as first vice president prepare you to take the reins of the association?
A: Serving as first vice president allowed me to increase my involvement in several key areas of the association work while spending more time with the great leaders of NEFBA, which has all contributed to prepare for my new leadership role.
Q: What do you want your legacy as president to be?
A: I would like to leave a legacy of being an honest, sincere, family man and business leader who is committed to building bridges across all barriers to accomplish our industry and community goals.
Q: What have you learned from observing the leadership style of NEFBA’s immediate past president, Bryan Lendry?
A: Bryan has been a great president and a great role model for me as I approach my term. Bryan has demonstrated his great leadership by example and by his passionate approach to helping people in need in our community. He has a can-do attitude, and I am honored to have worked under his leadership. It’s a privilege to call him a friend.