Bob Hale has been the president and chief executive officer of the Houston Association of Realtors® (HAR) since 1988. Through Bob’s leadership, HAR has grown to become the largest trade association in Houston and the second largest local Realtor® association in the country, with more than 24,000 members. Thanks to his vision and drive, HAR.com is a household brand in the greater Houston area and the most frequently visited website for Houston real estate.

Inman News honored Bob with its 2008 Innovator of the Year Award, considered one of the most prestigious and coveted recognitions in the real estate industry. He has also earned recognition from the National Association of Realtors®’s (NAR) Realtor® Magazine, as one of the 25 Most Influential People in the American real estate industry in both 2003 and 2006 (the last two times the list has been published). He was also recognized by Inman News as one of the 100 Most Influential Real Estate People in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Bob is a native Texan and a graduate of the University of Texas, where he received his bachelor’s degree in business administration, majoring in international business, and a law degree. Upon graduation from UT Law School, Bob served as the director of governmental affairs for the Texas Association of Realtors® in Austin.

He began representing the Houston Association of Realtors® in 1973 as legal and legislative counsel, with an emphasis on association and anti-trust law. In 1988, he assumed the role of president and CEO.