NAR appoints Jarrod Grasso to new industry relations position
The National Association of Real Estate Agents (NAR) announced Wednesday that it has named Jarrod Grasso senior vice president of industry relations, a new position created to connect with state and local real estate agent associations in addition to individual brokers. NAR’s reputation has come under fire in recent years, and the trade group has taken action to change that.
“Investing in dedicated resources to facilitate state and local relations is critical to ensuring we get real-time feedback on the challenges leaders face so they can be quickly addressed,” said NAR CEO Nykia Wright , in a statement. “Jarrod’s exceptional reputation within the industry and with our national, state and local associations makes him the perfect candidate for this position.”
Grasso has a long history of leadership roles within real estate agent associations across the country, most recently as CEO of New Jersey real estate agents, where he focused on legislation, member services and professionalism and inclusivity initiatives.
His work at the national association includes a stint as NAR director, and he chaired the Association Executives Committee in 2015. He has also been honored with induction into the Dr. Almon R. “Bud” Smith Leadership Society of the NAR Association Executives Committee and the William R. Magel Award of Excellence.
“I am honored to join NAR in this critical new role and look forward to working with my association colleagues, our members and other industry partners to demonstrate how we can together create meaningful solutions for brokers” , Grasso said in a statement. “By fostering strong relationships and addressing critical industry priorities, we can help members remain indispensable to their customers and communities.”
The need for better relationships is no surprise. The trade group’s image has taken a hit following the $418 million agreement it signed to settle class-action antitrust lawsuits related to buyer agent commission offers on multi-listing broker-related services. NAR has also been mired in a handful of allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment.
Wright, who was named permanent CEO of NAR in August after taking over on an interim basis from former CEO Bob Goldberg early retirement, has long stated its intention to improve relations with the industry.
As interim CEO, she outlined how NAR is trying to win back members 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 after conducting multiple surveys and focus groups.
The need to recruit members is especially acute right now because of problems with NAR’s three-tier membership agreement between local, state and national real estate agent associations, which requires real estate agents to be members of all three.
Grasso will play an important role 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,” NAR President Kevin Sears said in a statement. “He is well suited to this role to demonstrate the ties that unite our brokerage family and ensure we work together effectively at every level.”
