The organization: A not-for-proft trade association for members of the construction industry and invited affiliates that serve Northeast Florida. “We gather the voices of over 2,000 members to speak with one voice.”
How he was selected: A nominating committee proposes a slate of new officers annually to the NEFBA board.
His responsibilities: Downing will lead the way and tackle different issues that will affect the Northeast Florida building industry, he said. This includes helping decide what stance the organization takes on a number of issues in the area.
His business: Downing is president of CornerStone Homes.
His goals as president for 2008: “To improve the mindset and attitude of people in the industry. To help everyone realize what a great industry it is.” He said he also plans on continuing NEFBA’s efforts on giving back to the community and helping the organization persevere during the rough times.
When are meetings and what happens during them: Board meetings are on the third Wednesday of every month at NEFBA’s headquarters at 103 Century 21 Drive. “Every month we get together to talk about the positives within our industry over the past month.”
What organization offers members: Education, training, networking, financial benefits and government representation. “The biggest benefit is to stay informed about the issues. If you’re not up to speed with the changes, it can cost you a lot of money down the line.”
How organization has an impact on the industry: The organization has a voice in many local and national governmental affairs and acts in the best interest of not only its members but for homebuilders across Northeast Florida.