By Nancy Eagleton….
Martha Bullman has retired after 18 years as CEO of the Realtor Association of Miami-Dade County.
The organization merged with the Realtor Association of Greater Miami and the Beaches on Aug. 1, and Bullman, a Coral Gables resident,
said it was time for this change.
“I believed in this merger so much that I stepped down from my position so the merger itself wouldn’t get slowed down,” Bullman said . “We’ve tried to make this merger work in the past, but we always got caught up in leadership issues. The timing is right for me to make a change.”
As a result of the merger, the Miami Association of Realtors emerges as the third largest realty association in the nation, behind Long Island and Houston, with almost 22,000 members.
“As one of the largest associations in the nation, the group can offer even more benefits and services to its members,” Bullman said. “This will also be to the advantage of local buyers and sellers.”
Bullman is serving as a consultant to the new association until mid-October to ensure a smooth transition. She said she really hasn’t had time to decide what lies ahead for her.
“This has all happened so fast and has required great focus,” she said. “When October comes, I’ll have time to contemplate the next step. I have my broker’s license, so I may do something on my own, with a firm or even do more consulting.”
Bullman said she has fond memories of her time at the Realtor Association of Miami-Dade County.
“It’s been a wonderful 18 years. I’ve formed great friendships with the members and staff.”
She continued, “When I started with the association, there were 1,000 members. We grew to an all-time high of 14,600 members. We were the largest in Florida and fifth in the nation.”
Victor Ulloa, district sales manager for the Keyes Company, who served as president of the Realtor Association of Miami-Dade County, said that Bullman is the perfect example of a business professional.
“Through the years, Martha always proved to be an honest, fair and ethical business person with the highest values and respect for her fellow colleagues,” Ulloa said. “She is an excellent leader and a hands-on manager who consistently displays diligence and expertise in all that she involves herself with.”
Before her career as association CEO, Bullman was with Amerifirst Bank for 20 years and when she left the company, she was divisional vice president. Bullman grew up in Miami after moving from Ohio as a young child. She has one daughter and two grandchildren who live in Orlando.
Bullman said that she and her husband, Dick, have a passion for music and used to perform together at local churches. They also love to take cruises and Bullman is hoping that they will be able to fit in a few Caribbean cruises in the near future.
