Gerald M. Howard

Jerry Howard, Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Home Builders, has over 30 years of association experience and a lifetime in the housing industry. Howard began his association career at the National Association of Realtors, where he served as a Legislative Analyst for tax issues. Prior to joining NAHB, Howard served as the Chief Lobbyist for the National Council of State Housing Agencies where he was instrumental in the development of the low-income housing tax credit as part of the Tax Reform Act of 1986.

Howard came to NAHB as tax counsel in 1988 and served in a variety of roles, including Chief Lobbyist. He was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer in February 2001.

Before embarking on his association career, Howard practiced real estate law in his home state of South Carolina. His exposure to the housing industry has literally encompassed a lifetime; Howard grew up working in a variety of roles for his father, a developer.

Howard earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Vermont and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of South Carolina. He, his wife Christina and their children Eirann, Meaghan and Sean live in Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C.