Clayton Bailey is the new membership director at the Northeast Florida Builders Association. He replaced Scott Merritt, who left to become the executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of Metro Orlando.
Bailey’s job is to bring in new NEFBA members and retain existing members. Plus, he is the staff contact for the Commercial and Remodeler’s councils.
How did he get the job?
“I had interviewed with NEFBA a while back and didn’t get the job. Later I came in and talked to Daniel Davis and he gave me some great tips. When this position became available, he contacted me and I interviewed and got it.”
Why work for NEFBA?
“They just stand out in this environment. I came to a few board meetings and events over the years and I enjoyed the energy and being around the folks that work here and those who are involved in it. I really got a lot from them and they are leaders in this industry. It made me want to be a part of it and be around it more.”
Before NEFBA?
Bailey worked for the City of Jacksonville in the Neighborhood Stabilization Program for three years. “It was funded by a large sum of money given to the city to develop a program to purchase foreclosed properties, rehab them and sell them. We did this in specific neighborhoods that were hardest hit by foreclosures. The city was able to buy these homes in distressed neighborhoods and put people to work with them. We put them out for bid and the lowest qualified bidder would win. It was really great for the industry. When they sold the home, they sold them to income qualified buyers.”
What did you learn
from that?
“We dealt with every facet of the industry. We started with acquisitions and dealt with banks and lenders. Once into the rehabilitation, we dealt with the entire process. We also built new construction projects. When you’d go into a home that needed to be remodeled, you’d learn what to look for that may be specific to those neighborhoods. Once you get into it, there was always something new. You’d peel back the drywall and there were always surprises behind it. We also dealt with securing the home. In the end, you had a great family who would purchase the home. I’d go to most of the closings, and it was so exciting to see how happy the family was once the papers were signed and keys were in hand.”
How did previous
experience help?
“I have a more intimate knowledge of the building environment itself. I am more familiar with what the folks here are dealing with on a daily basis, since I’ve been there with it. It’s great, because I understand what they go through including the struggles and triumphs in the industry.”
Helping with the
councils
The board chooses the speakers and he sends out reminders and makes sure everything runs smoothly.
“The people on the board of the individual councils are leaders in their own rights. They are leaders in their area and when you bring that many bright minds together, they put on a good lunch. They get great folks to come in and share. They understand that what is informative for one individual, may not be for someone else, so they try to mix that up and cover all bases. They try to find speakers that would be great for everyone.”
Most interesting thing about new job?
“The energy in this office. The way everyone works together so well. With being new, I didn’t know a whole lot of what this job would hold for me. The way everyone works together so well, both in this office and in the membership is amazing. When you have knowledge from so many backgrounds coming together, it’s amazing what you can get done.”
Best advice he’s ever
received from co-worker?
“You never know who you are talking to. A good example is if someone calls and asks a question, you always want to be best you can be with that individual because don’t know who their brother-in-law is or best friend is. You always want to treat everyone the best you can and be the most helpful with them because you don’t know who they know. Basically, just treat everyone the best that you can.”
Education
Two bachelor’s degrees, one in logistics and one in business management and a MBA from the University of North Florida.
Resides
He lives in Springfield with wife Kelly, a second grade teacher at Old Plank Christian Academy.
— by Michele Gillis