EDWIN J. SHANAHAN

Edwin J. Shanahan, who has spent nearly two decades running one of the state’s most powerful real estate associations, is stepping down from his post to become a full-time lobbyist.

Shanahan, chief executive officer of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board, will be leaving that post at the end of the year to start up a government relations practice.

He announced his decision at a staff meeting last Thursday.

“It gives me an opportunity to do what I really, really enjoy and what I think I do really well,” Shanahan told Banker & Tradesman. “It’s been a great run at the board, and I’m leaving the board in good, solid condition.”

Known as a fierce and articulate advocate for the real estate industry, Shanahan, 50, is largely credited with helping to make GBREB into a political powerhouse. Throughout the years, he has earned a reputation as a persistent and persuasive presence on Beacon Hill pushing for legislation that protects property owners, real estate developers and Realtors.

“We have worked very well together as colleagues on many legislative issues,” said Joy Conway, senior vice president of government and industry affairs for GBREB. “I think Ed very much likes participating in the political process and sees the opportunity to do something new and we wish him well,” added Conway, who has worked with Shanahan since he joined the board 19 years ago.

In the past several years, Shanahan has led many political battles, including the successful statewide effort to eliminate rent control in 1994. Last year, Shanahan successfully lobbied against an effort to reintroduce rent control in Boston. In 1998, he created the GBREB Political Action Committee.

Shanahan’s departure didn’t come as too much of a surprise to many people who know him. “I think if you’ve been in a place as long as Ed has been in this position it’s not a surprise to seek someone thinking of a next step. I wouldn’t say that this comes as surprise,” said Conway.

Shanahan said he takes a lot pride in the fact that GBREB has earned a reputation as a respected political force in the state. “We’ve got the board positioned where it is recognized as an authority on all matters real estate,” he said.

“Ed has been a true professional and has really served all facets of the board,” said Richard J. Loughlin, president of the GBREB’s Greater Boston Association of Realtors and president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Central and Southern New England. “He’s done a great job.”

Shanahan said he had been considering starting his own government relations practice for several months and discussed it with several people in the real estate industry, but said it was a tough decision to leave GBREB.

He also expressed confidence that the real estate board was in good condition, both financially and in terms of its staff.

Shanahan also has been instrumental in joining with other business leaders, the building industry and affordable housing advocates to bring housing issues to the forefront of the state’s agenda. And to the dismay of many local tenant advocates, he has consistently fought initiatives that, in his view, would diminish the rights of property owners and landlords.

Just two weeks ago, Shanahan testified at two hearings urging lawmakers to support a bill that would require tenants to continue paying rent into an escrow account during tenant-landlord disputes over health code violations.

“He’s a respected lobbyist and I think he will do well in his career,” said Nancy Edmond, past president of GBAR.

A Peabody resident, Shanahan joined GBREB in 1984 as the managing director of the Rental Housing Association. He was appointed chief executive officer of GBREB in 1999. The association represents more than 6,000 professionals in all sectors of the real estate industry.

Prior to joining GBREB 19 years ago, Shanahan had served as deputy director of management and budget under Boston Mayor Kevin White.

GBREB will begin a search for a new chief executive officer. Loughlin told Banker & Tradesman last week that discussions have occurred about establishing a search committee that would include all the presidents of GBREB’s divisions.

“I will be helping the board with that search as they deem appropriate,” said Shanahan.

“I’ve put two decades of my life into this organization, and I want to ensure that it continues to succeed as we move forward,” said Shanahan.