April 26, 2016 | In the News
Founder of LGBT Advocacy Organization Affiliates with Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate
Jeff Berger joins the company’s Jupiter office
WEST PALM BEACH, FL (April 26, 2016) — Jeff Berger, founder of the National Association of Gay & Lesbian Real Estate Professionals (NAGLREP) and a licensed Realtor®, has changed brokerage firm affiliations and is now an independent sales associate with Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, the largest residential brokerage in Florida. He will continue in his advocacy role as president and chief executive officer of NAGLREP.
Berger founded NAGLREP in 2007 after identifying a need for LGBT advocacy in real estate. His voice for LGBT families led to significant achievements for families that dream of owning a home but face discrimination. Most notably, Berger led the initiative to include sexual orientation and gender identity as a protected class in the National Association of Realtors (NAR) Code of Ethics. The protections were included during NAR annual meetings in 2011 and later 2013. Berger’s influence and leadership have helped shape the future of LGBT rights in real estate.
Earning his real estate license in 2012, Berger continued his advocacy through NAGLREP and built a network of LGBT supporters while increasing his influence as a leader in the industry. Looking to expand his influence to a company with national and international reach, Berger decided to affiliate with Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, where he will work out of the company’s Jupiter office.
“We are so proud to have Jeff now affiliated with the Coldwell Banker brand as we consider his work for equality in real estate with NAGLREP to be vital and we have supported his efforts for many years,” said Budge Huskey, president and CEO, Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. “We look forward to furthering his success in the future.”
“Jeff has a widespread social influence in South Florida’s LGBT communities and in the real estate community as a whole, and he’ll be able to build his business even further the strong international presence and connections of Coldwell Banker,” said Clark Toole, president of Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate in Florida. “We are truly thrilled that he is affiliating with our company.”
Originally from Jericho, New York, Berger began his career in finance. He thrived in a sales environment and after a rewarding career on Wall Street, he relocated to Florida in 1996.
“I began a career in real estate because I truly enjoy sales and the dynamics of the industry,” said Berger. “With the success of NAGLREP, I felt it was time for me to make a move to a company where I can continue to make a difference by becoming a larger voice for LGBT advocacy.”
Jeff Berger may be reached at 561-865-6117 or Jeff.Berger@floridamoves.com