The National Association of Realtors (NAR) announced Wednesday that it has appointed Jarrod Grasso as its senior vice president of industry relations, a new position created to engage with state and local Realtor associations, in addition to individual Realtors. NAR’s reputation has been under attack over the last few years and the trade group has taken action to change that.
“Investing in dedicated resources to facilitate state and local relations is critical to ensure we’re hearing real-time feedback about challenges leaders face so they can be addressed quickly,” said NAR CEO Nykia Wright in a statement. “Jarrod’s extraordinary reputation across the industry and with our national, state and local associations make him the perfect fit for this position.”
Grasso has a long history of leadership roles within Realtor associations across the country, most recently serving as the CEO of New Jersey Realtors, where he handled legislation, member services and initiatives on professionalism and inclusivity.
His work with the national association includes a stint as NAR Director, and he was the Chair of the Association Executives Committee in 2015. He’s also been honored with induction into NAR Association Executives Committee’s Dr. Almon R. “Bud” Smith Leadership Society and the William R. Magel Award of Excellence.
“I am honored to join NAR in this pivotal new role and look forward to working alongside my association colleagues, our members and other industry partners to demonstrate how together we can create meaningful solutions for Realtors,” Grasso said in a statement. “By fostering strong relationships and addressing critical industry priorities, we can help members remain indispensable to their clients and communities.”
The need for better relations isn’t a surprise. The trade group’s image has taken a beating after the $418 million agreement it signed to settle class action antitrust lawsuits related buyer agent commission offers on Realtor-aligned multiple listing services. NAR has also gotten entangled in a handful of sexual misconduct and harassment accusations.
Wright, who was named NAR’s permanent CEO in August after taking the position on an interim basis when former CEO Bob Goldberg retired early, has long signaled her intent to improve relations with the industry.
Serving as interim CEO, she outlined how NAR is trying to win back members on the Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered podcast. At the NAR NXT conference in November, she told attendees that the trade group will focus on redefining the member experience, having conducted multiple surveys and focus groups.
The need to woo members is particularly acute at the moment because of challenges to NAR’s three-way membership agreement among local, state and national Realtor associations, which requires Realtors to be a member of all three.
Grasso stands to serve an important function in these efforts.
“Having known Jarrod for nearly two decades, I have personally witnessed his collaborative approach, and I have full confidence in his extensive experience,” said NAR President Kevin Sears in a statement. “He is well suited in this role to showcase the bonds that unite our Realtor family and ensure we’re collaborating effectively at every level.”
