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Hobe Sound Realtor Takes the Helm As President
of Florida’s Largest Professional Association

ORLANDO, Fla., January 2006 -- Mike Dooley, a broker with Illustrated Properties in Hobe Sound, has been installed as the 2006 president of the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR), the state’s largest professional association with more than 155,000 members.

A member of the Jupiter, Tequesta, Hobe Sound Association of Realtors and also the Realtor Association of Martin County, Dooley has served his local organization in numerous capacities, chairing virtually all committees and as president in 1993. On the state level, he served as FAR treasurer in 2003 and as vice president-secretary in 2001. Also on the state level, he has represented his regional area as district vice president, and served on all major committees. For the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), he is currently serving on the Federal Taxation Committee.

Dooley has always taken an active interest in his local community and has helped to shape public policy issues that affect his local area. A past president of the Hobe Sound Chamber of Commerce, past chairman of the Martin County Board of Adjustment and past member of the Martin County Local Planning Agency, he is always ready and willing to serve organizations that benefit the community.

Looking at the challenges of 2006, Dooley says he sees Realtors addressing many public policy issues such as smart growth planning -- a holistic approach that reconciles demand, resources and quality of life across multiple jurisdictions. “Smart growth requires education to help counties revamp existing zoning laws so they don’t find themselves going head-to-head with their own efforts to implement smart growth strategies,” says Dooley.

He adds that affordable and attainable homeownership is another challenge and Realtors' “Homeownership for All’’ license plate initiative is one of many solutions to this complex problem. The year 2006 and beyond will test Florida’s will, but Dooley says, “Realtors will be there, ready, willing and able to stand up and be counted as a source Floridians can rely on to help solve the complex issues we will face.”

The Florida Association of Realtors®, the voice for real estate in Florida, provides programs, services, ongoing education, research and legislative representation to its more than 155,000 members in 68 local boards/associations throughout the state.

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© 2006 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®