A Southern Gentleman

William "Glenn" East, executive vice president of the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors (NEFAR), is a savvy real estate veteran who serves as a consensus builder, arbitrator and motivator for an organization that boasts more than 7,000 members, many of whom are by nature hard-charging, Type-A personalities.

But the deceptively laid-back East is also a passionate fisherman with a big heart. That's why he helped form the NEFAR Charity Bass Fishing Tournament three years ago. All proceeds from the event, which is held each April along the St. Johns River in Palatka, go to Haven Hospice.

"I feel so strongly about this tournament because our former president, Dan Jones, passed away from cancer several years ago, and I saw firsthand the wonderful services he received from that organization," says East, a 59-year-old Northeast Florida native who graduated from Nathan Bedford Forrest High School and Florida Community College Jacksonville. "Dan fulfilled his dream of making it through his presidency, and it was very special to me to help him do that."

This year's tournament, which raised about $20,000, drew 50 boats and more than 100 participants.

"Glenn East is NEFAR," says Kay Seitzinger, the organization's current president and assistant manager/broker at Watson Realty Corporation in Jacksonville Beach. "NEFAR runs seamlessly because of Glenn. He totally understands what we as Realtors do, and he has a history with the industry and with city that you just can't replace."

East certainly ought to understand what Realtors do. He began his real estate career with his father, William P. East, broker/owner of the William P. East Corporation. He later became vice president and managing broker for Walter Williams Realty. He was also an active member of what was then called the Jacksonville Realtors Association (JAR), and was named the organization's Realtor of the Year in 1991.

Then, when the JAR executive vice president's job opened up in 1993, East decided to go for it. Because of his real-world industry experience, he felt he could make a difference and help the organization become more effective.

"Walter [Williams] was on the JAR search committee, and I interviewed with him and was fortunate enough to get it," East says. "I thought the position would be a challenge. Basically, we went on blind faith, and I feel that both sides were hoping for the best."

The results speak for themselves. NEFAR-the name was changed in 1996 to reflect a more regional focus-has more than doubled its membership in the last four years, in part by merging five smaller associations. In addition, NEFAR has been recognized nine times by the Florida Association of Realtors (FAR) for its outstanding educational programs.

East discussed the stresses and rewards of running a mega-association between a trip to New York, as a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) President's Advisory Group, and a trip to Chicago, for a NAR Leadership Summit accompan­ied NEFAR President-Elect Henry "Hank" Oltmanns.

"As an association executive, you have to continually learn and gain knowledge," East says. "It's no different than our members. I still take courses every month, and really enjoy the flexibility of working with different challenges and different people every day. That's what makes it interesting, and keeps me stimulated and motivated."

East has earned Certified Association Executive (CAE) and NAR Realtor Certified Executive (RCE) designations. In addition, he graduated from the Duke University of Non-Profit Management Program in 2000.

But association work also requires a combination of charisma, empathy and humor.

Friend and colleague Rob Holland, broker and general sales manager with Marsh Landing Realty, describes East as "a kind of good ol' boy who enjoys fishing and is very southern."

Holland, who has known East for more than 25 years, says East's personality traits, combined with his knowledge and experience, make him an effective leader. "What Glenn brings is continuity to an association that's made up almost entirely of volunteers," Holland says. "Plus he's very knowledgeable and understands the nuances of real estate."

Seitzinger says she genuinely appreciates East's friendship and guidance. "Glenn is always there for questions or support," she notes. "The challenge is restraining him from overworking." She says that when she was installed as NEFAR president, East said, "Don't worry-I've got your back."

Fishing buddy and NEFAR attorney Jeff Marks also praises East's work ethic-and his fishing prowess. "Glenn looks out for the very best interests of the members of NEFAR," he says. "As for fishing, we both love all kinds of fishing and we're just as happy catching croakers as we are catching kingfish."

Arnold Tritt, who headed the Northeast Florida Builders Association (NEFBA) for 37 years and is now the organization's executive advisor, has known East for 12 years. Tritt says the two enjoyed "solving world problems" over lunch at Betty's on Atlantic Boulevard before NEFAR relocated to its new digs on Deercreek Club Road in 2001.

"I think Glenn knows how to motivate and use the talent in his organization," say Tritt, who describes NEFAR as NEFBA's sister association. "He's very confident and keeps the organization on an even keel. In fact, our organizations work on projects together, and that's unusual. So much so that people from around the country comment on it."

As for hobbies, East, who lives in Julington Creek with his wife of 19 years, Twila, is an active member and past president of the St. Johns Bass Anglers, the state's first chartered bass club.

He also enjoys photographing the animals he encounters on fishing expeditions. "I like to shoot pictures of wildlife, and have pictures of elk and some eagles and big-horn sheep," East says. "Whenever I travel, I like to take pictures. I travel a lot with my job, and try to see something new every time I go somewhere."

But don't expect East to become a fulltime fisherman or photographer any time soon. He says he intends to remain at NEFAR's helm until it's retirement time. "I love my job," he says. "And I love this profession."

ANATOMY OF A TRADE ASSOCIATION POWERHOUSE

With a membership of more than 7,000 in Duval, Clay, Putnam and St. Johns counties, the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors (NEFAR) is one of the largest trade associations in the region. Headquartered in Jacksonville, it has three satellite offices in Orange Park, Jacksonville Beach and Palatka.

The high-profile group offers members its own Multiple Listing Service through a wholly owned subsidiary called the Northeast Florida Multiple Listing Service (NEFMLS).

In January 1994, three Multiple Listing Services-the Jacksonville Association of Realtors, the Jacksonville Beaches Association of Realtors and the Jacksonville" target="_blank">Clay County Association of Realtors-merged to form a regional Multiple Listing Service that was owned equally by the three associations and the Ponte Vedra Association of Realtors.

Two years later, the four associations merged to become NEFAR. And in 1999, a fifth association and a fourth MLS-the Putnam County Association of Realtors and MLS-also became a part of the mushrooming organization.

Today, NEFAR offers courses for continuing education credit, new technology, required post-licensing credit, non-credited seminars and specialty designation courses. Nine times in the past 12 years, NEFAR has won the Florida Association of Realtors (FAR) Best Overall State Education Program Award. It has also won the FAR Board Achievement Award for Mega-boards.

Seeking to add space for member education and training, NEFAR moved into its new headquarters on Deercreek Club Road in May 2001. Now, with a membership that's more than doubled in the last four years, association leaders are looking to expand again.