WASHINGTON, DC - The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) announced that James Tobin has been named as its new senior vice president for government affairs and chief lobbyist. A dedicated government affairs professional with more than 15 years of policy and management experience, Tobin will serve as the association's lead lobbyist and oversee its federal government, state and local government, and grassroots advocacy teams.
"Jim's broad policy background, which includes tax, environmental and transportation and land use issues, along with his leadership and management skills working previously as the vice president of government affairs, makes him the ideal candidate to lead one of the best lobbying shops in Washington," said NAHB Chairman Bob Nielsen, a home builder from Reno, Nev.
"The government affairs team has already enthusiastically embraced the new leadership and is energized about tackling the many issues before us," added Nielsen. "With Jim at the helm, the team will continue to advance the cause of housing on Capitol Hill without missing a beat."
For the past 13 years, Tobin has represented NAHB on Capitol Hill. From 1998 to 2004, he served as a congressional representative and federal legislative director, where he managed the association's environmental and land use policy, including issues related to the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and transportation. He served as NAHB's tax lobbyist and managed the association's grassroots program from 2004 to 2006, and during the previous five years he was vice president for government affairs.
"Having worked closely with Jim during his entire tenure at NAHB, I am absolutely confident he is the right person to lead our government affairs team, particularly during these challenging times for the housing industry,"
said NAHB CEO Jerry Howard. "Jim has the full support of our organization to take the lead in promoting and advancing NAHB's political and legislative objectives and making the strategic hires to help supplement an outstanding team that is already in place."
The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington-based trade association representing more than 160,000 members involved in home building, remodeling, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. NAHB is affiliated with 800 state and local home builders associations around the country.