FHBA Mourns the Passing of Jay Carlson

Jay Carlson, FHBA 2009 President and CDBIA 1989 & 1995 President, passed away on December 7, 2018.

Jay was a 3rd generation builder who moved to Port Charlotte in 1975. Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, Jay became a building contractor and joined the local builders association. Starting in the early 1980s, Jay worked to ensure the Charlotte County chapter of the Five County Builders and Contractors Association made a smooth transition to becoming its own local association. After securing a Charter from the National Association of Home Builders, Charlotte Builders and Contractors Association began addressing governmental issues and organizing the various committees necessary to run an association. As President of the Charlotte-DeSoto Building Industry Association (CDBIA, formerly known as the Charlotte Builders and Contractors Association) in 1989, Jay began to turn his focus to representing Florida through the Florida Home Builders Association. Workers’ Compensation issues attracted his attention and he began the long and arduous task to reform the system. In 2002, all that time and effort led to a victory for FHBA.

In 1994 as the building industry was going through a challenging time, it was hard to find someone who could commit to being the president of the CDBIA, and Jay once again stepped up to the plate to lead our association with a successful year.

Jay became more involved at the FHBA serving and chairing on over 40 different committees and being the chairman of the  FHBA Policies & Procedures Task Force, Workers’ Compensation Task Force, Nominating Committee, Governmental Affairs and Past Presidents’ Council.

As President of FHBA in 2009, Jay traveled the state visiting local associations in an effort to bring information and resources to the members during the severe downturn in the economy. Jay worked closely with his fellow Senior Officers nurturing a unified effort to unravel the association’s deteriorating financial condition that a falling real estate market brought to bear. With the help of past leaders, the team made real progress with that effort without compromising vital services to the local associations.

Jay continued to be a voice for the building industry with his appointment from Governor Scott as Chairman of the Florida Building Commission. Jay’s focus was a “common sense” approach to the Florida Building Code keeping public safety first and a watchful eye on unnecessary, costly codes and regulations. He was a gentle giant with a silent power to get this done for our building industry.

In 2016, Jay was inducted into the Florida Housing Hall of Fame for unwavering dedication and improvements he has made to the building industry locally and throughout the Florida.

Jay’s legacy will continue on through his wife Gina and the 4th generation of builders, sons Jacob and John and his building industry family.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

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