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

Miami Realtor Named President-Elect of Florida’s Largest Professional Association

ORLANDO, Fla., January 2004 -- Frank E. Kowalski, broker-owner of Metro Dade Realty Inc. in Miami, has been named 2004 president-elect of the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR), the state’s largest professional association.

Kowalski is a member of the Realtor Association of Greater Miami and the Beaches. He has served the local association in numerous capacities, including as president, first vice-president and secretary. On the state level, Kowalski served FAR as vice president-secretary in 2002, and as chairman of the Local Board Presidents Information Exchange and vice-chair of the Building Committee last year. He has been chairman of the Strategic Planning and Florida Statute 475 Rewrite committees for the state association and a member of numerous other committees. He also served as a district vice president for FAR. Kowalski has been a member and chairman of the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) and has served as president nationally of the Council of Residential Specialists (CRS). Nationally, he is a director with the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) and has served on several NAR committees.

In the community, Kowalski has been the director and president of Elephant Forum, a Pop Warner football coach, an adjunct instructor with Miami-Dade Community College and a member of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. He is also active in his church.

Reflecting on what lies ahead for real estate industry in 2004, Kowalski says, “The whole discussion surrounding the quality of life in Florida is one of the biggest issues concerning Realtors today. We want to help maintain the current quality of life and work to meet the state’s infrastructure needs. However, we want to make sure everyone is paying their fair share and that homeowners and Realtors don’t take the brunt of the tax liabilities.”

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