Jarrod Grasso will lead the trade group’s efforts to “deepen engagement with state and local organizations, MLS executives and other critical industry partners.”
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The National Association of Realtors has hired Jarrod Grasso as its “first-ever” senior vice president of industry relations to strengthen connections with its local and state chapters and more listing services, the 1.5 million-member trade group announced Wednesday.
Jarrod Grasso
Grasso was the most recent CEO of New Jersey Realtors and will serve as the primary liaison between NAR and state and local association leaders. He will focus on “raising awareness and promoting the value of NAR programs” so members can use them to improve their businesses, NAR said in its announcement.
Grasso’s first day is March 3.
Asked why NAR decided to hire someone to fill this role for the first time, an NAR spokesperson told Inman, “NAR Executive Director Nykia Wright felt it was important to develop a dedicated leader to manage state and local relations and that the job would fit in. constant feedback, find challenges and deal with them quickly and effectively.
Nykia Wright
“Jarrod has been a thoughtful colleague who has provided valuable insights over the past year to NAR, and Nykia and other NAR leaders felt he was a perfect fit for the new role.”
NAR has pledged to rebuild its relationships with the entire real estate industry after years of antitrust lawsuits, allegations of misconduct, complaints about its spending and backtracking on some of its policies, including its three-way agreement.
That policy requires agents and buyers to join associations at all three levels – local, state and national – if they want to become Realtors. It also requires local organizations to follow and enforce NAR rules, which some local organizations have resented.
Grasso will lead NAR’s efforts to “deepen engagement with state and local organizations, MLS executives and other key industry partners and ensure the organization remains at the forefront of innovation, collaboration and industry advocacy,” the trade group said.
According to NAR, Grasso has more than two decades of experience in housing association leadership. As CEO of New Jersey Realtors, he “successfully advanced legislative priorities, improved member services, and championed efforts to promote professionalism and inclusivity in the profession,” the association said.
Grasso also served as an NAR director and Chair of the 2015 NAR Association of Executives Committee, earned the Realtor Association Certified Executive designation, NAR’s William R. Magel Award of Excellence, and was inducted into the Dr. Almon R. “Bud of the NAR Association Executive Committees” Smith Leadership Society.
“Grasso’s deep understanding of industry convergence and dynamics and his proven track record of building partnerships and fostering collaboration make him uniquely qualified to lead NAR’s expanded focus on industry engagement,” NAR said.
In a statement, Grasso said he is “honored to join NAR in this very important new role” and looks forward to working with colleagues in the industry.
“By fostering strong relationships and addressing industry priorities, we can help members stay more relevant to their customers and communities,” said Grasso.
Earlier this month, NAR announced it hired industry veteran Sherry Chris as special counsel to Wright to help the trade group rebuild its strong relationships with major brokerages after its landmark nationwide antitrust settlement last year.
Email Andrea V. Brambila.
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