Joe Ventrone of Arlington, former National Association of Realtors (NAR) vice president of federal policy and industry relations, on June 5 received the Carl A.S. Coan Sr. Lifetime Achievement Award for Public Service at the National Housing Conference’s annual Housing Visionary Awards Gala.
The event honored individuals whose unwavering commitment and innovative solutions are making significant strides in addressing the nation’s critical shortage of affordable housing.
“Joe has truly dedicated his life to moving the needle on affordable housing,” said NAR president Kevin Sears. “We applaud him for all his hard work over the years, rallying NAR members and staff, as well as countless other industry stakeholders, to advocate for everyone to have the opportunity to achieve homeownership. I would like to congratulate Joe on this prestigious award; no one is more deserving!”
Also present from NAR was chief advocacy officer Shannon McGahn.
“Throughout Joe’s career, he has been steadfast in advancing policies that strengthen the housing industry and expand opportunities for all Americans,” McGahn said. “From his time on Capitol Hill to his role at NAR, Joe has worked tirelessly to develop and advocate for initiatives that promote affordable homeownership, improve access to financing and address the diverse needs of all communities.”
Among those Ventrone thanked during his remarks was his wife Jeanne Broyhill, an Arlington civic leader and chair of Advance Arlington (formerly the Arlington Committee of 100). Broyhill “has put up with me for 36-plus years,” he noted.
In his remarks, Ventrone said his own approach to addressing housing needs is akin to that of the National Housing Conference.
“I would summarize my work ethic as connecting the dots in a bipartisan fashion, through transparency and a strong spirit of cooperation and collaboration, successfully bringing folks to the middle, time and again,” he said during the awards presentation.
He also pointed to challenges in the industry – “I have always said, ‘Housing is a contact sport and not for the faint of heart’” – as well as the impact of technology and the need to improve both on results and communications.
“Let’s continue to move the needle,” he said. “We must charge ahead – it can be done.”
