From the Publisher
James F. Bailey, Jr.
If ever there was a wall of distinction for an industry, it is represented by the 65 photos of individuals who have been president of NEFBA in its history.
As I reviewed the photos on page 20 of this issue, and especially when I looked at the men and women who have headed this great organization since its inception in 1944, I was moved and inspired by the quality of leadership, year after year.
These are 65 icons in the building industry, and who also have played key roles in making Jacksonville such a great community.
The list is long.
Charles Commander, Jr., whose name is synonymous with legal excellence, was president in 1947.
Jack Uible, probably still thought of as the face of banking in Jacksonville, was president in 1966.
The universally-loved Henry Bachara led in 1968.
Jack Demetree, who is still going strong, was president in 1969.
And the legendary H.R. “Buddy” James presided over NEFBA in 1987.
Walter Williams, who was an elected member of the very first Consolidated Jacksonville City Council, was president in 1981. And, the current City Council president, Ronnie Fussell, headed NEFBA in 1995.
I’m sure as you look at the photos, you will have your own special memories about several of these fine people. While I could write about many of them, the one I want to fondly remember in this column is Nathan Krestul.
Nate was the president of NEFBA when I first became involved in the organization in 1978.
He is one of the most outstanding individuals I’ve ever known.
I always think about Nate as someone of the highest character and integrity; a leader with compassion who worked tirelessly to improve his community and the lives of people who wanted to realize the dream of home ownership.
Nate built homes in Jacksonville for several decades, and he founded a mortgage company.
Then he turned his time and leadership to the Duval County Housing Finance Authority as chairman, and later as its executive director. It was in that role that he truly made an impact on the lives of a multitude of families.
Upon Nate’s death, his friend and colleague Dick Browdy (1985 NEFBA president) said, “He was a man of incredible character, an individual who had a passion to house those people who were less fortunate.”
Nate was a leader.
He believed in both hard work and team work to make things happen.
Nate knew that having a vision is important, but that it is not enough. He powered his vision of home ownership though affordable housing with the passion and energy to produce incredible results.
That’s leadership.
The president of Columbia University in the late 1800s said that there are a few people who make things happen, there are more who watch things happen, and the rest ask: what happened?
Nathan Krestul was clearly in that first group of the few people who make things happen.
But, as good a leader as Nate was, he also recognized that nothing has more power than teamwork.
Nate truly believed that working together and sharing positive attitudes are keys to any successful organization, whether it’s NEFBA, or the Housing Authority, or a business like the ones that many of us own and operate.
It’s people like Nathan Krestul and all of those who have carried on the 65-year-old tradition of leadership at NEFBA that should give us hope for the future.
Despite enormous economic challenges, our organization will remain strong.
We will not only one day see the light at the end of the tunnel, but NEFBA and the people this great organization represents, will be a bright beacon to help lead the way to our recovery.
- Jim Bailey is president of Bailey Publishing & Communications and publisher of Realty/Builder Connection.