John Smaby, a REALTOR® from Edina, Minn., was the 2019 President of the National Association of REALTORS®.
A second-generation REALTOR®, John has been in the industry for 40+ years. He is a broker at Edina Realty, where he specializes in residential real estate.
John is a member of the Minnesota Association of REALTORS® (MNAR), and has held numerous leadership positions there. He served as MNAR president in 2015 and treasurer in 2013. John was the RPAC chair from 2013 to 2015 as well as the RPAC Trustees chair in 2014. That same year, he chaired the Public Advocacy committee. He has been a member of the MNAR Board of Directors since 2013. In 2013, John received the Ed Anderson Political Achievement Award and in 2014, MNAR named him their REALTOR® of the Year.
John has been dedicated to serving his industry since the beginning of his career. While at the Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS® (MAAR), he participated on numerous committees beginning in the 1980s, including professional standards, education, communication, risk management, and MLS, to name a few. He served two terms on the Board of Directors and in 2004 he served on the Regional MLS Board of Directors.
John’s spirit of service doesn’t stop at his profession. In Edina, he has led the Minnesota Youth Forum, Washburn Community Ministries, and the City of Edina Adult Education Board. He has also tutored students at Minneapolis Washburn High School. He has been a member of the Edina Rotary Club and the Edina Chamber of Commerce. John has been married to his wife, Linda, who is also a REALTOR®, for more than 30 years. They enjoy spending time at their cabin in Northern Minnesota.