Harley W. Snyder of Valparaiso, Indiana, was elected 1983 president of the National Association of Realtors® after serving under as the chairman of the Institute Advisory Subcommittee. Snyder was also the president of the Harley, Snyder Company, Inc., a full-service real estate brokerage with four offices.
Snyder testified before the Senate Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs Committee on the thrift restructuring proposal, originally introduced by Senator Jake Garn (R-Utah), which resulted in the Association, supported Depositary Institutions Act of 1982. Snyder also strongly supported the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982, which contained such NAR-backed provisions as the improvement to the mortgage revenue bond program, the long-term safe-harbor status for real estate independent contractors, and the expansion of the savings-stimulating Keogh program.
Snyder was also on the NAR leadership team to promote the Paralysis in Government (PING) program, which resulted in more than two million messages sent to member of Congress and the president of the United States urging passage of the budget resolution and the reconciliation act to lower the federal deficit and government borrowing, and reduce interest rates.
When Snyder was chairman of the REALTORS® Legislative Committee, he worked for federal legislation beneficial to the Association, property owners, and the entire real estate industry. Snyder has been a director of the National Association since 1972 and a member of the Executive Committee. He was also regional vice president for Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin and was chairman of the Equal Opportunity Committee. Additionally, he is a triple-life member of the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC), was appointed chairman of the Ad Hoc Task Force on Mortgage Credit, and was chairman of the Committee to Study Franchise Operations.
At the state and local levels, Snyder served as president of the Indiana Association of REALTORS® in 1972 and was 1969 president of the Valparaiso Board of REALTORS®. He was named REALTOR of the Year at the state level in1977 and received the honor at the local level in both 1970 and 1977. He also has held committee memberships and chairmanships at both levels.
The federal budget deficit was the major issue confronting the nation during his term as president of the National Association of REALTORS®. Rising interest rates and a slowdown in home sales activity led President Snyder to initiate his comprehensive “Three for all” campaign.
The campaign aimed to conserve tax revenues and provide spending cuts through direct contact with Congressmen. Snyder urged his fellow REALTORS® to use all forms of media to encourage their U.S. Senators and Representatives to support the “Three for All” plan. The name “Three for All” was derived from the joint lobbying efforts of the National Association, State Associations, and local boards.
Long active in civic and religious affairs, Snyder is a member of the Rotary Club, past president of the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce and a member of the President’s Advisory Council at Valparaiso University. He was 1981 campaign chairman of the United Way. He was also a past director of YMCA and Junior Achievement.
From April 1997 to February 2000, he served as Senior Vice President, Real Estate, of Whiteco Industries, Inc., a company engaged in outdoor advertising, family entertainment, hotels and restaurants, land development and construction. Mr. Snyder previously served on the board of directors of Countrywide Mortgage Investments, Inc. (now IndyMac Bancorp, Inc.). Mr. Snyder was President of the National Association of Realtors in 1983 and has served as a director of that organization since 1972. He currently serves on the boards of directors of Countrywide Bank, FSB, Porter County Community Foundation, the Northwestern Indiana Regional Development Authority and serves on the board of trustees of Valparaiso University.
Snyder still lives in Valparaiso and is an active member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.
Source: Presidents of the National Association of REALTORS®, (Chicago: NAR, 1980).