Building a boardThese efforts have started to catch the attention of leaders across the real estate industry who want in on the action. This movement began slowly last summer when real estate technology firm RLTYco partnered with the organization and its CEO and co-founder Briggs Ellwell joined the association’s board of directors. “I think it is clear that we are out of startup mode, and we are becoming more established in the real estate community.” For Haber, the American Real Estate Association’s recent board expansions and membership growth is just the start. As the American Real Estate Association heads into its next phase of growth and development, Haber said he is more focused on things like impact than membership count.