NHAR 2020 President Marc Drapeau, right, shakes the hand of the organization's new CEO Bob Quinn, left. Photo courtesy of NHAR

The New Hampshire Association of Realtors has picked its longtime chief lobbyist and interim leader to be its permanent CEO.

Bob Quinn fills the shoes of former CEO Paul Griffin, who died following a heart attack on May 4. Quinn, 53, has been NHAR’s government affairs director for 11 years and filled the interim CEO post after Griffin’s death. President Marc Drapeau announced the appointment Thursday.

“Bob’s work during a uniquely challenging time has been remarkable,” said Drapeau, who was part of a seven-member search committee which pared down a long list of applicants to three before a final vote of the organization’s Board of Directors to hire Quinn. “He was essentially asked to step in and guide a 7,000-member organization through a global crisis, amidst the loss of a beloved and successful leader.”

In a statement announcing Quinn’s promotion, Drapeau praised Quinn’s work making sure real estate was deemed an “essential service” by Gov. Chris Sununu at the start of the coronavirus pandemic this spring, when many other industries were subject to stay-at-home orders.

“He had to lead during a time of both emotional and business upheaval,” Drapeau said. “It cannot be overstated how masterfully he has done it.”

Quinn said he looks forward to putting his two decades of experience in and out of state government to good use.

“As the real estate industry evolves, the association needs to continue our engagement in public policy matters affecting real estate more than ever,” he said in a statement. “We will continue to elevate our business standards through education and training while underscoring to consumers the advantages of transacting business with Realtors.”

Quinn praised Griffin for his leadership of NHAR.

“Paul set a very high bar,” he said, “and I look forward to building upon the solid foundation he created.”