The CEO has once again been recognized as an iconic real estate industry leader for leading diversity initiatives and completing a new national headquarters for real estate leaders.
ORLANDO, Fla. (Feb. 3, 2025) – Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association (ORRA) is pleased to announce that CEO Cliff Long has been selected as one of RISMedia’s 2025 Real Estate Newsmakers – a dynamic group of key influencers making headlines because of their newsworthy contributions to the real estate industry and their efforts to positively affect the consumers and communities they serve.
RISMedia, the leader in U.S. real estate news and information, announced its more than 300, 2025 Real Estate Newsmakers on February 1, in both an online directory on RISMedia.com and in the February issue of its flagship publication, Real Estate magazine.
RISMedia’s 2025 Real Estate Newsmakers were nominated by RISMedia's readers and editorial team for their headline-making accomplishments in 2024. The eighth annual class of Newsmakers are showcased in the following categories: Influencers, Trailblazers, Futurists, Achievers, Crusaders, and Luminaries, in addition to RISMedia's annual Hall of Fame inductees.
Long was recognized as a Crusader – a champion of a better way.
In 2024, Long guided ORRA to the completion of its new headquarters, designed to meet the needs of the organization’s growing membership. Situated off I-4 near Lee Road, the new building offers local REALTORS enhanced educational and meeting spaces, setting the stage for ORRA’s continued growth and innovation in the real estate sector.
The 45,000-square-foot, four-story building serves as a national hub for real estate leaders, featuring three classrooms, creativity pods, a gym, and a cutting-edge media studio with a dedicated podcast room.
Under Long, ORRA launched its first-ever diversity council in 2023, connecting multiple organizations under one roof. Throughout 2024, this council continued to give members educational, networking, and event opportunities, bringing together individuals with diverse backgrounds and allowing for organizational changes that drive initiatives forward.
“In my personal life and business, everything I do is to improve people’s lives,” Long said. “It’s an honor to be recognized as a RISMedia Newsmaker for a fourth consecutive year, and to be known as someone who champions this better way for our members and community. ORRA is just getting started – there’s so much more to come in 2025.”
RISMedia will induct the 2025 Newsmakers Hall of Fame honorees during a gala awards dinner held during its 37th Annual CEO & Leadership Exchange, September 3-5.
"This year's Newsmakers shine a spotlight on the innumerable ways this industry bravely confronted the sea change brought about by the historic commission lawsuits, and went to work helping their companies, agents and homebuyers and sellers understand and adapt to the fundamental shift in the way real estate business is conducted," said RISMedia Founder & CEO John Featherston. "Our 2025 Real Estate Newsmakers demonstrate the grit, tenacity and resilience that dedicated real estate professionals have long been known for."
About ORRA
The Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association, recognized as one of the country's most innovative local real estate associations, represents more than 20,000 real estate professionals throughout Central Florida.
About RISMedia's Real Estate Newsmakers
RISMedia's Real Estate Newsmakers is designed to recognize those individuals making headlines as a result of their newsworthy contributions to the residential real estate industry, and their efforts to positively affect real estate professionals and the consumers and communities they serve.
RISMedia’s Real Estate Newsmakers are chosen based on nominations received through an online nomination process on RISMedia.com, and by nominations from RISMedia’s in-house editorial team and other industry sources.
Nominations for RISMedia’s Real Estate Newsmakers are collected on an ongoing basis throughout the course of the year. There is no fee to nominate a Newsmaker or be recognized/featured as a Newsmaker.
Due to deadline and production criteria, RISMedia’s 2025 Real Estate Newsmakers Online Directory may not currently be in its final format. Please check back for ongoing updates.
