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Illinois REALTORS® announced the promotion of Gideon Blustein to Senior Director of Local Government & External Affairs effective immediately.
Blustein will oversee several significant changes to the Illinois REALTORS® Local Governmental Affairs Director (GAD) program, and succeed Mike Scobey, Director of Local Advocacy, who will retire at year end.
Before serving as Director of Member Outreach within the Marketing & Communications Department, Blustein was one of the association’s local GADs and he is intimately familiar with the program’s processes.
The GAD program has been recognized as a model for local government advocacy among REALTOR® organizations nationwide. Created more than 20 years ago, the GAD program is an extension of the substantial public policy advocacy resources provided by Illinois REALTORS®. The program’s GADs are responsible for the passage of numerous pro-REALTOR® and pro-real estate policies at local governmental bodies across the state.
GADs situated across the state help local associations and their members organize for or against public policy proposals that impact the industry or private property rights. Also, GADs play critical roles in promoting RPAC and identifying local leaders who should be supported politically.
Under Scobey’s leadership, the GAD program has firmly embedded itself locally across the state. When informed of his intention to retire at the end of the year, the Illinois REALTORS® leadership team reviewed the program as part of its commitment to providing the highest level of value and service to members.
The result of that analysis was the decision to elevate Blustein, who substantially expanded the association’s outreach program, increased member awareness of programs and resources, and managed external partnerships critical to the association’s success.
Among the changes that will be launched this fall is the consolidation of the GADs who serve in the northeast portion of the state. This consolidation will allow the GADs to cover more ground and effectively allocate resources where necessary. The arrangement also will increase GAD resources in the city of Chicago, Cook County and the surrounding collar counties.
Illinois REALTORS® is “The Voice of Real Estate in Illinois.” Changes to the GAD program represent the state association’s confidence in the program and how it helps ensure the association’s motto remains true.
