NAR Recognizes Pennsylvania FPC for More than 25 Years of Service

The National Association of Realtors® recently recognized for the first time a group of federal political coordinators who have served for more than two decades, operating as the face and voice of the real estate industry on Capitol Hill. This special award honors the individuals who have strengthened the role of the federal political coordinator, the key contact and grassroots advocate role in the real estate industry and in society – through service, writing, networking, speaking, teaching, advocating and fundraising.

One Pennsylvania Association of Realtors® member, Janice Smarto, was in the group of 40 FPCs honored during NAR’s NXT Conference. As a FPC, Realtors® connect with legislators and build NAR’s gold star reputation on the Hill.

Smarto, a past PAR president and a Realtor® for 45 years, served more than half that time as an FPC. She is a member of the Realtors® Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh and the Realtors® Association of Westmoreland, Indiana and Mon Valley.

She first served as a federal district coordinator for U.S. Rep. Frank Mascara in 1995 through 2003. She was also the FPC for Rep. Melissa Hart (2001-2003), Rep. Ron Klink (1993-2001), Rep. Tim Murphy (2003-2017) and Rep. Conor Lamb (2018-2019). Smarto is currently the FPC for Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, who was elected in 2019.

“As a FPC, you have to know the issues that affect our industry,” Smarto said. “Our elected officials don’t know all of our issues, so it’s important as a FPC to explain how an issue affects our industry as well as consumers.”

Building relationships with the legislators is also important as an FPC or state contact. Smarto has been politically active at the state level as well, serving as PAR’s key contact with Sen. Kim Ward, who recently made history becoming the first woman to be appointed as president pro tempore of the state Senate.

Over the years, Smarto has hosted events for legislators and supported them through their campaigns. “I remember working when I was PAR president to pass the consumer notice legislation – Pennsylvania was the last state to enact it and Gov. Tom Ridge signed it into law,” she noted.

Smarto encourages other Realtors® to become more involved and understand the issues and how they affect the industry. “I like to invite other young people to attend events and get them involved,” she added.