Our Story

History of the Florida REALTORS^® Land Institute

The Florida Chapter of RLI (REALTORS^® Land Institute) was formed around 1941 and was designated as Chapter #26. It was an early leader in recognizing women on leadership with Alice Lockmiller as President in 1942. At its heyday, the Chapter had over 1,200 members in Florida in the 1970s.

The previous name was the Farm and Land Institute of Florida and the designations were AFLM and AFLB for Farm and Land Member and Farm and Land Broker. Barbara “Bobbi” Douglas was the Florida Land REALTOR® in 1988 and Florida Chapter President in 1989. Bobbi went on to become the RLI National President in 1997 and served in 1995 and 1996 as President of the RLI National Foundation.

Member Highlights - Florida REALTORS^® Land Institute

Danny Smith, ALC, CCIM was honored with the National Land Realtor of the Year award for 2012.

Bill Eshenbaugh was honored with the Florida REALTORS^® Commercial REALTOR^® Achievement Award for 2010.  Bill Eshenbaugh also received the National Land REALTOR^® of America in 2003 by RLI.   

Chuck Bundschu, ALC, CCIM was awarded the Florida Land Broker of the Year in 1991 and was the Florida RLI Chapter President in 1992. Chuck Bundschu was one of the early leaders who held both the ALC and the CCIM designations and was the predecessor American Farm and Land member #237. 

Today, we believe the Florida Chapter has the most number of designees in the nation holding both the ALC (Accredited Land Consultant) and CCIM designations

Bobbi Douglas, ALC and Bruce Erhardt, ALC kept the Chapter together during very tough land brokerage years in the early 1990s as Bruce served as the Chapter President for 3 or more years followed by Bruce Register, ALC .