The Northeast Florida Builders Association has served the builder community in Jacksonville for more than 64 years. It provides industry-wide representation designed to strengthen and foster the continued growth of the home and commercial builders, and the construction industry in Northeast Florida. The office is just off Atlantic Boulevard in Jacksonville at 103 Century 21 Drive, Suite 100. The phone is 725-4355.
Daniel Davis
Title: Executive Director
Years with NEFBA: 10
Contact information: 725-4355 ext. 227 or [email protected]
“I believe my job is to educate builders on new techniques and new product,” he said. “I protect our industry through helping local municipalities pass legislation that is business-friendly. We offer insurance programs for our members that are very helpful during a time when insurance is very difficult to find. I oversee the staff and any other services that our members would request.”
Davis represents the builders association on a daily basis.
“I go out to different events and speak on behalf of the industry in some situations and work directly with the executive committee at NEFBA on issues that they see are industry-wide. We focus on tackling those major issues. I manage the staff, building and any other ancillary duties.”
Davis is also a City Council member.
“I’ve been on the City Council for six years now and have served in leadership positions. I work very hard to manage a daunting schedule. I think I have been able to successfully perform both jobs. I think the secret to be able to do that is to have high quality people surrounding you that would do the job as well as you would. I think that has really been the secret to my success.”
Scott Merritt
Title: Event Coordinator/Membership Director
Years with NEFBA: 1 1/2
Contact information: 725-4355 ext. 224 or [email protected]
Merritt orchestrates and plans the meetings for the Commercial Council, Nassau Builders Council and the Remodelers Council meetings. He is also in charge of special events throughout the year such as the NEFBA/St. Johns Builders Council Fishing Tournament.
“We try to bring in speakers that are relevant to what is happening right now,” said Merritt.
As the membership director, Merritt focuses on retention of members, bringing in new members and helping members become more involved in NEFBA.
David “Chris” Hagan
Title: Governmental Affairs director
Time with NEFBA: Two months
Contact information: 725-4355 or [email protected]
“I am a local lobbyist for local and state-wide government with any issues that the Realtors and builders may have. I go out there and fight those battles for them and represent them. I attend the City Council meetings and speak to the members on an individual basis if I need to. I find out where they stand on certain issues and do research to back up our positions.”
Hagan is also responsible for setting up the NEFBA Governmental Affairs committee meetings and for planning the NEFBA Clay Builders Council events including a golf tournament, food basket giveaways and socials.
Carolyn Lambert
Title: Bookkeeper
Years with NEFBA: 30
Contact information: 725-4355 or [email protected]
“I do all the financials for both the NEFBA and SMC. What I do is what any accounting department does. I am not directly involved with any of the builders or any of the sales and marketing people. I just work with the numbers.”
Nellie Flynn
Title: Administrative support
Years with NEFBA: 4
Contact information: 725-4355 or [email protected]
When you enter the offices of the Northeast Florida Builder Association, the first person you will encounter is Nellie Flynn, who provides administrative support to the NEFBA staff.
“I assist anyone who calls or comes in the office,” said Flynn. “Whatever their question or concern is, I will route them to the appropriate person who has the expertise in the particular field they are looking for. I key in information into the database and handle any administrative support needs the staff may have.”
Amanda Randolph
Title: Sales and Marketing Council Director
Years with NEFBA: 2 1/2
Contact information: 904-421-0298, 725-4355 ext. 223 or [email protected]
The Sales and Marketing Council focuses on getting Realtors and builders together in order to sell more new homes.
“That’s our main goal. We hold mixers and general membership meetings where we invite Realtors to come. We hold the Realtor-Builder Tradeshow each year and the SAM Tram a few times a year.”
Randolph brings in national and local speakers for monthly SMC meetings that can provide sales training at the meeting. She also tries to bring in speakers who have local information that would be essential to Realtors and builders. She oversees the monthly awards given to Realtors, loan officers and site agents from SMC.
“The whole premise behind the SMC is to help the builders sell their new properties. We are all about networking.”
Randolph is also in charge of the Parade of Homes and next year will be involved in the Home Buyers Expo as well.
Jamie Atkins
Title: Event Coordinator
Years with NEFBA: 4
Contact information: 725-4355 ext. 226 or [email protected]
Atkins plans all of the major events at NEFBA including the Gala and golf tournaments and she is the assistant to Daniel Davis, the executive director.
“I keep Daniel’s calendar and help him with anything he needs done.” She also lays out the association’s newsletter and puts together the calendar.
photos by Michele Newbern Gillis