by Miranda G. McLeod
Staff Writer
After 34 years with the Northeast Florida Builders Association, Arnold Tritt is handing over the reins to Daniel Davis but he’ll stay on with the association as executive advisor.
Tritt was busy this month, moving everything from his large office in the NEFBA building off Century 21 Boulevard to another office just across the hall. Davis will take over his office and Tritt’s title as executive director.
Both say the transition has been in the works for several months and Davis said it will be several more months before everything is finalized. The title change was effective July 1.
Tritt will still stay involved on the media side, working public relations and putting together NEFBA’s publication, Buildor News, according to Davis.
Tritt said his goal is to assist Davis and the association in being the best builder’s association in Florida and in the country.
NEFBA began in 1944 before the state association of homebuilders was established. Tritt joined the association in 1972. Since then he has seen seven of his staff members go on to serve as executive officers for other associations.
David Ellis is the executive vice president of the Greater Atlanta Builders Association, one of the biggest in the country, and worked with Tritt and NEFBA for nine years. Ellis said Tritt is a national icon in the building industry and noted that Tritt was the first to receive the lifetime achievement award from the association in 1980.
“Tritt is truly an incredible man,” said Ellis. “He really understands the importance of bringing a group together and using that collective strength to build a better community. He always seemed to understand that the Northeast Florida Builders Association could have an impact on the community.”
Ellis also said Tritt was an innovative man and a consistent promoter.
“We would say ‘Let’s build a habitat house.’ Arnold would say, ‘Let’s build 100,’” said Ellis. “He could think bigger and he was extremely driven. I attribute almost all of my success to Arnold.”
Davis said he hopes to continue Tritt’s dedication to the association and the industry.
“That man has taken a selfless approach to promoting the construction industry in Northeast Florida,” said Davis.