JOSEPH R. MOLINARO
Washington, DC

AFFILIATION: Director, Smart Growth Program, National Association of Realtors

AREA OF EXPERTISE: Planning, zoning, public policy, and real estate

BACKGROUND & EXPERIENCE: After working as a planner for a major consulting firm and for a land developer, Joe spent 14 years working for the National Association of Home Builders, where he was director of the Land Development Services department. While at NAHB he introduced Smart Growth and New Urbanism to the curriculum and produced conferences and tours of early New Urbanist projects. He also was editor of NAHB’s Land Development magazine. Chosen by the National Association of Realtors in 2000 to manage its new Smart Growth Program, Joe has provided resources to state and local Realtor associations to increase their involvement as a positive force in their communities. The NAR Smart Growth Program includes training and technical assistance to Realtor associations on planning, zoning, and Smart Growth; tracking of state legislation and assistance with writing Smart Growth legislation; a Smart Growth grants program for local Realtor associations; and the publication of On Common Ground, NAR’s semi-annual Smart Growth magazine, of which Joe is the editor. Under Joe’s leadership, NAR has extended its public policy focus to include transportation and public schools. Joe is certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners and is one of the original signers of the Charter for the New Urbanism.

RESEARCH INTEREST: Joe is studying successful involvement of real estate organizations in community building and attempting to develop a typology that can predict which real estate associations are the best candidates to be supportive partners in community-building activities.