Contact:

Jeff Zipper, Vice President of Communications
407/438-1400, ext. 2314
JeffZ@far.org

Marla Martin, Communications Manager
407/438-1400, ext. 2326
MarlaM@far.org

Jacksonville Realtor Elected President of Florida’s Largest Professional Association

ORLANDO, Fla., January 2004 -- Russell Grooms, a Broker with Watson Realty Corp. in Jacksonville, has been named president of the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR), the state’s largest professional association with 103,000 members.

A member of the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors (NEFAR), Grooms has been president of the former Clay County Board of Realtors (now part of NEFAR) and has served his local organization in numerous capacities, ranging from being an officer to chairing virtually all committees. He has been named Realtor of the Year three times during his 31-year career.

On the state level, Grooms served FAR as president-elect in 2003 and as treasurer in 2002. He has also chaired the state association’s Legislative, Realtor Political Action (RPAC), Finance and Executive committees. He has been a member of Recommendations, Nominating, Political Affairs, Professional Standards and numerous other committees for the state association. Grooms also has served as a district vice president for FAR and is a national director for the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), where he serves on the Federal Housing Policy Committee.

In the community, Grooms has been active with the Jacksonville chapter of the conservation group Ducks Unlimited, the Florida Conservation Association, and has served on the Fourth Circuit Grievance and Fee Arbitration committees for the Florida Bar. He has also served as past president of the Kappa Alpha Housing Association of Florida and the Jacksonville chapter of the Kappa Alpha Alumni Association.

As the new 2004 president, Grooms says he will work to help Realtors become more profitable by encouraging them to take advantage of the products and services the state association has to offer.

As the state's largest professional association, making Realtors’ voices and concerns heard in Tallahassee is a top priority, he adds. “When the Governor, the Senate president, the Speaker of the House, and other legislators consider a new tax, a quality of life issue or a private property rights issue, we want them to consider -- ‘I wonder how the Realtors feel about this?’ -- This is our No. 1 priority,” Grooms says.

The Florida Association of Realtors®, the voice for real estate in Florida, provides programs, services, ongoing education, research and legislative representation to its 103,000 members in 70 local boards/associations throughout the state.

© 2004 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS