ARA taps former NAR exec for top lobbying role
John Blount, who advocated for the industry on behalf of NAR in the 1980s and early 1990s, joins the association at a moment of fast-paced growth.
The American Real Estate Association (ARA) is bulking up its advocacy efforts with the appointment of John Blount as its first chief lobbyist.
The announcement, first reported by Inman, follows a handful of new partnerships the association has forged over the summer and marks its "most significant investment yet in its policy and government-affairs muscle," according to a news release.
"We are really honored to be working with John. Strong federal advocacy is part of our evolution and growth as a trade association," ARA Co-founder Jason Haber said in an email to Real Estate News.
Blount's appointment "supports our vision of becoming the industry bat signal, as we now have a top lobbyist in DC on our team," Haber said, adding that the ARA is "only getting started."
Who is John Blount? The ARA highlighted Blount's extensive lobbying experience in its announcement, noting that he possesses contacts in the federal government's legislative and executive branches.
Blount has worked for decades as a consultant and policy advocate. He most recently served as senior vice president of global government affairs at Ervin|Hill Strategy and held leadership roles at Capitol Hill Consulting Group and the American Benefits Council, among other organizations.
Blount also worked at the National Association of Realtors in the 1980s and early 1990s, where he served as vice president of congressional affairs.
Gaining 'real firepower' in nation's capital: With Blount's hiring, the ARA said it is adding a strong Washington, D.C.-based advocate with deep knowledge of the industry's needs and priorities.
"When John Blount is on your side, you have the best advocate in the business," Haber said in a news release.
"John didn't just work in real estate advocacy, he defined it," Haber added. "Our members told us they wanted a trade group that comes running when they flash the bat signal. With John leading our advocacy, we can answer that call with real firepower in Washington."
Speaking up for agents: Blount praised the ARA for "building something the industry hasn't seen before, an organization agents actually want to join."
"The energy, the growth, and the willingness to modernize how this industry advocates for itself are exactly what drew me here," Blount said. "I'm looking forward to making sure agents' voices are heard in every room where decisions about their livelihoods get made."
A summer of growth: The ARA — which has emerged as a potential competitor to NAR since Haber and The Agency Founder and CEO Mauricio Umansky co-founded it in 2024 — has entered into multiple key partnerships over the past few months as part of its ongoing growth efforts.
The ARA began the summer by aligning with REMAX and welcoming the franchise giant's president and chief growth officer, Chris Lim, to its board of directors. Shortly thereafter, the ARA teamed up with the Missouri Association of Realtors to lobby against state policy proposals — its first collaboration with a Realtor association — and aligned with Compass International Holdings a few weeks later.
As of late last month, the ARA had approximately 30,000 members and was in a position to grow significantly as a result of its brokerage partnerships.