About Us

1911 - 1936

• Greater Tampa REALTORS® was founded March 18, 1911 as the Tampa Real Estate Board when the National Association of Real Estate Boards elected it to membership and conveyed upon it the privilege of using the designation “REALTOR®” The Tampa Real Estate Board was the first real estate board in the state of Florida.
• Thomas C. Hammond becomes the first President of the Tampa Real Estate Board (TREB) from 1911-1916
• Hammond initiated the movement that resulted in the formation of the Florida Association of Real Estate Boards (now Florida REALTORS®), and became its first President from 1916-1921
• Charles N. Chadbourne coins the term “REALTOR®” and sells the rights to the word to the national association in 1916
• In 1923, the TREB helped establish a Florida Real Estate License law in 1923 and the Torrens system for registering land titles.
• In 1926, the Tampa Real Estate Board was incorporated under the laws on the State of Florida as a not-for-profit organization.

1937 - 1961

• Consistent growth pushed for expansion, the Tampa Real Estate Board (TREB), headquarted in downtown Tampa, moves to a new location on Tampa Street.
• By late 1950, membership increases demanded the board build a brand new facility on East Jackson Street.
• In 1954, President John Biggar drew up plans and members bought and sold non-interest bearing bonds to raise money for the new headquarters, which was dedicated in 1959.
• The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) begins in the early 1950’s, when a group of 13 REALTORS® decided it needed to operate more efficiently.
• In 1957, President Robert Smoak sold the idea of a Multiple Listing Service to the National Association of Real Estate Boards (NAREB), and MLS becomes a separate corporation from the Tampa Board of REALTORS®.

1962 - 1986

• As membership continues to balloon throughout the 1960’s and early 70’s, the Jackson Street office is no longer adequate.
• The Tampa Board of REALTORS (TBR) purchases a lot on Kennedy Blvd., and builds its new headquarters, dedicated in 1973.
• In 1970, Realtron comes to Tampa and the MLS is computerized. Computers become the norm and necessity to conducting real estate.
• The Tampa Board hires Carol Austin on staff as a MLS clerk in 1970. She eventually becomes the associations 4th CEO in 1994. She served with the Association for over 41 years.
• In 1979, Evelyn Drew becomes the first woman President of the TBR.
• In 1985, the Tampa Board is the 8th largest trade association in the nation, and the largest in Florida.

1987 - 2016

• In 1988, the Tampa Board becomes known as the Greater Tampa Association of REALTORS® (GTAR).
• In 1989, association members voted to become an “ALL REALTOR®” Association.
• In 1993, GTAR made renovations to its headquarters to comply with the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• In 1993, Herbert Fisher becomes the first black President of GTAR.
• In 1998, GTAR launches its original website.
• Electronic signatures become legally valid in 2000, marking the beginning on electronic transactions in real estate.
• In 2002, the association joined the Mid-Florida Regional MLS, now the Stellar MLS.
• In 2016, Dennis MacDonald joins GTAR as its 5th Chief Executive Officer.
• On Sept. 1, 2016, the Greater Tampa Association of REALTORS® (GTAR) shortens its name to become Greater Tampa REALTORS® (GTR).

2017 - Present

• In October of 2018, Greater Tampa REALTORS® merges with the East Pasco Association of REALTORS®.
• In 2022, Ruth Bryson becomes the first female black President of GTR.
• In 2023, GTR launched a rebranding campaign for the new tagline "Your Future. Our Focus."
• In 2024, Jason Outman joins GTR as its 6th Chief Executive Officer.
• On May 19, 2024 (officially changed with the State of Florida on June 5, 2024), Greater Tampa REALTORS® merged with Pinellas REALTOR® Organization & Central Pasco REALTOR® Organization to form the 6th largest REALTOR® association in the nation, representing the interests of over 26,000 real estate professionals in the greater Tampa Bay region. Known as Greater Tampa REALTORS® and Pinellas REALTOR® Organization & Central Pasco REALTOR® Organization (GTR + PRO/CPRO).
• On April 22, 2025, Greater Tampa REALTORS® and Pinellas REALTOR® Organization & Central Pasco REALTOR® Organization (GTR + PRO/CPRO) received approval on the new association name, Suncoast Tampa Association of REALTORS®.