by Fred Seely, Editor
Corey Deal thought he never would return to NEFBA. When he left in August 2009 to pursue a law degree, he looked at the association's history of executive directors.
Not many changes. Over the past 50 years, there have been only two, "which is one reason NEFBA is so successful," said Deal. If his career goals with NEFBA included heading one of the nation's most successful builders associations, it would be a long time before he got that opportunity.
But, earlier this year, he got a call from then-Executive Director Daniel Davis. Davis had accepted the position as head of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, and the executive director position at NEFBA would be open.
"I was shocked," said Deal. "Absolutely floored. I never thought Daniel would leave."
It didn't take long to discuss the matter with his wife, Teahna, who agreed to trade Georgia peaches for Florida oranges and embark on this exciting career move.
Deal sent in his resume. Now, he's the association's third executive director, following the 40-year reign of Arnold Tritt and the 10 years of Davis.
"I loved working at NEFBA," Deal said. "It gave me an opportunity to do what I loved, which is government affairs and advocacy. I had great mentors and a great leader in Daniel."
The 35-year-old Deal started at NEFBA in February 2006, hired by Davis to handle the all-important role of government affairs, a job Davis held before stepping into the top position.
"I really bought into the association," Deal said. "But, after a couple of years, I realized there was no opportunity for advancement at NEFBA. The next step up was the executive director slot. By all indications, it seemed Daniel would follow Arnold's example in terms of tenure and that didn't allow for upward mobility within the association."
That's when he decided to try a different approach to advocacy: get a law degree and use that training.
"I didn't have in mind to practice law in a traditional way, but I knew that having a degree in law would better prepare me for the career I wanted to pursue," he said. "I wanted to know and understand the way government works through a legal eye."
After three years, he earned the degree and was quickly hired by the Georgia Department of Community Health in Atlanta.
"It's a good job doing what I wanted to do," he said. "Teahna and I had friends and family there, and everything seemed to be in place. It was a good fit."
Then came the phone call and the young couple's life together took a dramatic change.
The call was the beginning, but the position wasn't a slam dunk.
NEFBA formed a committee of officers and past presidents who worked through the stack of applicant resumes to bring the original list to a manageable final list with four names. There were interviews and then a unanimous recommendation to hire Deal.
"Corey is uniquely qualified to advance the interests of the association and our industry," said NEFBA President Dennis Ginder of Landon Homes. "He has vast experience working in the governmental affairs sector and is very effective at working with individuals and groups to achieve a common goal. We are delighted to welcome him back to our organization."
Deal started this month and says he'll work on keeping the association focused on the same course as his predecessors – improving life in the community by keeping the housing industry strong.
"The association is growing again as the economy continues to improve," he said. "We need to build on the momentum."
His love for government affairs and advocacy will, of course, be at the forefront but he won't do it himself. On his list of priorities is to hire a director of government affairs.
"It's a privilege to be working once again with NEFBA's executive committee, members and staff," he said. "I am grateful for the relationships I have at NEFBA and for the opportunity be part of the team leading NEFBA into an exciting future.
"When I was the government affairs director, I was fortunate to work with committee chairs such as Curtis Hart and Greg Matovina (NEFBA past presidents), Rick Morales (NEFBA's treasurer/secretary) and, of course, the Clay Builder Council chairs Bill Garrison, Angie Claxton and Matt Carlton.
"In addition to working with them, they were and are my friends. It's a warm feeling. It's coming home."