The Kentucky Association of REALTORS® (KAR) has named Steve Stevens as its Chief Executive Officer, effective May 17, 2016.

Stevens had most recently been president and CEO of Greater Spokane Incorporated (GSI), the 1,200-member chamber of commerce and economic development agency for eastern Washington. In his role, Stevens’ focus was on recruitment and expansion of business and industry, government relations, workforce development and member services. During his tenure, strong legislative advocacy by the organization helped secure over $1.7 billion in new funding for the region.

“We are excited to have Steve on board,” stated Lamont Breland, president of KAR. “His diverse background in public policy and perspectives on business management issues at the local, state and federal levels will serve our Association well going forward.”

Before joining GSI, Stevens served for eight years as president and CEO of the 2,000 member Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce located in Ft. Mitchell. Prior to that appointment, he was the Chamber’s Senior Vice President of Public Affairs and spent more than 12 years advocating for the advancement of pro-business issues, community priorities and trade development, as well as serving as the Chamber’s legislative agent in Frankfort. Stevens also served the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce as the Director of Government Affairs for three years.

“I am thrilled to be coming home to Kentucky to apply my expertise and years of experience to help support such an important segment of Kentucky’s businesses. Working as a dedicated business advocate for most of my life, it’s been my ‘calling’ and I am energized to be part of this team. Nearly 10,000 members count on KAR’s strong advocacy to advance issues and provide important member services that help them grow and maintain strong businesses in Kentucky.”

Stevens is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, the Institute for Organization Management, the Center for Creative Leadership and Leadership Kentucky. In a volunteer capacity, Stevens served as president of the state association of Chamber of Commerce Executives in Kentucky and has been an active member of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). He earned the Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) designation from ACCE and was named Chamber Executive of Year in 2011 by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.

Stevens and his wife, Marilyn, have two sons, Stewart, who is also a University of Kentucky graduate and Logan, who will soon graduate from Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Virginia. The Kentucky Association of REALTORS® is one of the largest and most influential associations in Kentucky.

Founded in 1923, KAR represents more than 9,600 REALTORS® who are involved in all aspects of real estate, including residential and commercial real estate brokers, sales agents, developers, builders, property managers, office managers, appraisers and auctioneers.