by Miranda G. McLeod
Staff Writer
After 34 years with the Northeast Florida Builders Association, Arnold Tritt is handing over the reins to City Council Vice President Daniel Davis, but Tritt will 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 both 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’s involvement will include working with the media, 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 Northeast Florida association in 1972. Since then he has seen seven of his staff members go on to serve as executive officers for other associations.
Paul Thompson is the senior vice president for the Florida Home Builders Association. He started in local builders associations in 1972. He said he’s met thousands of executive officers, but none of them match Tritt.
“Arnold is an incredible professional,” said Thompson. “I’ve watched him for more than 30 years and can honestly say I’ve never seen someone who maximizes every opportunity to promote his association and industry. Arnold creates so most positive energy for the industry and he’s been a model to so many people in our profession of association management.”
David Ellis is the executive vice president of the Greater Atlanta builders association — one of the biggest associations in the country — and worked with Tritt and NEFBA for nine years. He said Tritt was a national icon in the building industry and says 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 down the path Tritt has forged.
“Arnold has taken a selfless approach to promoting the construction industry in Northeast Florida,” said Davis, who has been part of NEFBA for seven years.
Thompson said Tritt is leaving behind a legacy.
“The fruits of his labor are going to be perpetuated in the younger people he has influenced,” he said. “He has influenced so many people to do great things.”
Thompson added that Davis is an excellent choice for the role of executive director.
“Davis is a great leader and a young man that commands a great deal of respect for the way he does his job and the professionalism he bring to it,” he said.
Tritt said he’ll stay on with NEFBA for as long as they let him and that the association is just going to get better with Davis at the helm.
Beyond NEFBA, Tritt served as president for Jacksonville Jaycees and on the boards of Junior Achievement, Bold City Residence, Jacksonville Sister City Association, Northeast Florida Lung Association, Boys & Girls Club of Jacksonville, the Leukemia Association and the Northeast Florida Safety Council. He’s a past chairman of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority.
“I’m proud of my civic evolvement,” said Tritt. “The best way to know what’s going on is to be involved.”