Marla Martin, Communications Manager, or Jeff Zipper, Vice President of Communications 407/438-1400, ext. 2326 or 2314

Jupiter Realtor Takes Office As Vice President
of Florida’s Largest Professional Association

ORLANDO, Fla., January 2009 – Patricia S. Fitzgerald, broker/owner, Coastal Properties in Jupiter, has been installed as 2009 vice president of the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR), the state’s largest professional association with more than 125,000 members.

Fitzgerald, who served as FAR secretary in 2007, considers herself “a visionary” who can help state association members – those who have gone through a “perfect storm” of hurricanes, taxes, insurance and rapid escalation of property values, she says.

“Working to address national disaster insurance is a top priority, along with housing stimulus legislation, to help jumpstart our real estate markets. We have to have a strong presence in the public policy arena in our state and on a national level,” she says.

“Fulfilling the needs of our large and diverse membership is of utmost importance. Constantly changing conditions in our market make it necessary to be fast, fluid and flexible to address the changing conditions and support that our members need. Certainly, using our past experiences as a guide is essential.”

Fitzgerald is long-time member and a past president of the Jupiter/Tequesta/Hobe Sound Association of Realtors. She has also been chair of several key committees, including Professional Standards and Nominating. Since 1997, she has served on and/or chaired numerous FAR committees, including both the Communications and Public Policy committees. Fitzgerald has also been an elected director for the National Association of Realtors (NAR) since 1999 and has been chairman of its Communications committee, as well as serving on the Multiple Listing, and Meetings and Conventions committees.

In her community, Fitzgerald is the immediate past president of the Executive Women of the Palm Beaches. She graduated from Leadership Palm Beach County in 2004, actively supports her area’s chambers of commerce and the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts organizations, among other groups.

Fitzgerald notes that her past leadership experience will aid her in her new position. She says “bringing young professionals into the fold is essential. Providing products and services that are multigenerational is paramount. … My mentoring skills will be beneficial in bringing in our future leaders and, I hope, as a true team player, I will be an asset to the leadership team.”

The Florida Association of Realtors, the voice for real estate in Florida, provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to its 125,000 members in 67 boards/associations. FAR's Media Center Web site is available at http://media.floridarealtors.org.