The Northeast Florida Builders Association has had 68 presidents in its 69-year history. The first president, Joseph W. Davin, served two terms. I am the 69th president.
By contrast, two men have served as the association's executive director: Arnold Tritt and Daniel Davis. When the association grew enough to need staff leadership, Arnold was hired and served for 40 years. Daniel led us the past seven.
In June, Daniel resigned from the association to take the helm of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. Our June board meeting was a bittersweet occasion.
Saying good-bye to Daniel was difficult. But seeing the parade of history with so many former presidents in attendance, and the one person whose name was synonymous with NEFBA for more than half a century – Arnold Tritt, was truly an occasion for celebration.
For those of us who have been around for a while, it was reaffirming to see the strength of the foundation upon which NEFBA has been built. Men of character, drive and devotion to the industry paved the way and built an association that has withstood more than one downturn.
The most recent downturn would have undone a weaker association.
NEFBA's foundation was and is solid. And, Arnold's mentoring of a young government affairs director, grooming him to take over the leadership of the association, is an example of Arnold's good judgment and wisdom.
We miss Daniel. We miss his single-minded focus on guiding us through the lean years. We miss his ability to get things done. But we know he's left us stronger, better connected, wiser and motivated to continue the legacy of these two men.
The search is underway for a new executive director. It will be difficult to step into the shoes of Arnold and Daniel, but be assured that their example is the standard and the benchmark against which all candidates will be measured. I am confident that the next executive director will benefit from the strong support of the executive committee, the membership and the NEFBA staff.
Until an executive director is named, we are so very grateful to Greg Matovina, president of Matovina & Company, and past NEFBA president (2004), for agreeing to be our interim director. Greg is moving forward, and we are extremely fortunate to have him in the executive director's office.
Dennis Ginder
President, Landon Homes