NAHB Mourns Passing of Former EO Arnold Tritt

NAHB mourns the passing of Arnold Tritt, who served as executive officer for the Northeast Florida Builders Association (NEFBA) for more than 30 years. Tritt passed away on July 1.

During his tenure at NEFBA, from 1972 to 2006, Tritt grew membership in the association from approximately 180 members to one of the largest associations in the country. He also expanded the outreach efforts of the HBA to include a governmental affairs arm, a student chapter at the University of North Florida and the NEFBA Charitable Foundation, as well as the NEFBA Apprenticeship Program to promote careers in construction. His efforts to grow the home building industry through mentorship didn’t stop at the apprenticeship program.

Tritt also personally mentored a number of professionals on their leadership journeys within NEFBA who continued to grow in roles in various HBAs around the region.

“He was the inspiration for all of us to get into the industry and do what we did,” recalled David Ellis, director of business development at Heatherwood Construction Company and former executive officer for the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association. “He’s got a legacy that goes beyond even just what he did while he was working. He was still making a difference through his impact.”

Tritt was one of the earliest recipients of NAHB’s Lifetime Achievement Awards and was inducted to the Florida Housing Hall of Fame in 2007. He also gave back to the local community through service on boards and organizations, including the Jacksonville Jaycees, Jacksonville Sister Cities Association, Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Florida, Jacksonville Transportation Authority, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida and the Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension Fund.

Tritt is survived by Virginia (“Ginger”) Lee Ford Tritt, his wife of nearly 60 years; his sons Arnold, Jr., Lee-ford and John; and their families.