by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
Over 65 years, the Northeast Florida Builders Association (NEFBA) has grown from 13 members to 1,600 and has become one of the largest in the nation.
The organization is driven to represent its members through numerous groups, provide training to help improve the skills of its membership and represent the industry on issues affecting it at all levels of government.
The Jacksonville-based organization includes seven active councils: Clay Builders, Commercial Builders, Masonry, Nassau Builders, Remodelers, St. Johns and Sales & Marketing.
Arnold Tritt served as the organization’s executive director for over 30 years and is now its executive advisor, so he helped it grow and prosper.
“The advances we’ve experienced have helped provide better quality construction,” said Tritt, who was hired as NEFBA’s executive officer in 1972. “We’ve always had quality construction, but it’s just better now. We have better products to work with and better trained managers and workers.”
Tritt helped to advance Jacksonville’s “Parade of Homes,” created in 1954, and “Trade Expo,” established in 1967, programs established by NEFBA.
The organization is not just confined to the hammer and nails aspect of the business. It created the Sales & Marketing Council in 1980 to bring together real estate and construction marketers and sales executives.
The organization also reaches out to improve the construction and Jacksonville communities through its apprentice and “Builders Care” programs. Celebrating its 35th anniversary, the NEFBA Apprenticeship program offers education in electrical, plumbing, carpentry and heating and air conditioning trades.
The “Builders Care” program is a faith-based construction ministry serving the Northeast Florida area. It combines professional and volunteer labor with personal, corporate and municipal gifts to provided needed construction services to indigent elderly and disabled people who are without means to afford the services on their own. The program was launched in 2001 and has helped repair over 800 homes so far.
“We are extremely proud of our Builders Care program,” said Tritt. “It’s great to be able to give back to the community and help keep people in their homes.”
Tritt’s successor, City Council member Daniel Davis, is charged with steering the organization through a difficult economic environment and he relishes the opportunity to work with such a dedicated group of people.
“It has been an honor working with NEFBA for the last 10 years. The members of our association have literally built Northeast Florida, put thousands to work and lead the way with charitable giving,” said Davis.
“Our members have had some tough times lately, but they amaze everyone by their resilience and their willingness to help others when the market is not so good. We hope to continue serving Northeast Florida for many years to come and look forward to helping future families secure the American Dream...their own home.”
NEFBA’s newest leader, president Glen Layton, will tap into the history of the organization to help steer it through an uncertain future.
“I couldn’t be more proud to be involved with an organization with the leadership that has helped to build Northeast Florida. Continued success over the years is a true testament to our past leaders,” said Layton. “The door has been open for our current leadership to interact with past leadership to develop strategic plans to deal with the current economic situation we are seeing.”
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