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The Presidents' Forum
February 17, 2005

Harley Rouda, Jr.
CEO & Managing Partner

Real Living

Speaker Biography:
Harley E. Rouda, Jr. is chief executive officer and managing partner of Real Living, the largest residential real estate firm in the Midwest and the fifth largest in the nation. Harley spearheaded the creation of Real Living in February 2002, by uniting HER Realtors of Greater Columbus, Huff Realty of Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky and Realty One of Northern Ohio to create a new kind of residential real estate company. One focused on family, innovation and results – an agent-focused company that would lead the industry in marketing technology, training services and support.

Harley earned the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in June 2002, in recognition of his industry leadership, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. And under Harley’s direction, Real Living, Inc. was named (in its first year of operation) an Ohio 200 company by Ohio Business Magazine – a designation shared by the top 100 privately-held and top 100 publicly-held companies in the state.

Harley speaks frequently, nationwide on trends and changes affecting the real estate industry, and is extensively involved in various industry organizations. He also writes a weekly newspaper column and is often quoted in national trade publications and local business papers.

Before entering the real estate industry, Harley worked for the national law firm of Porter, Wright, Morris and Arthur, specializing in capital information, securities work, and intellectual property.

Harley serves or has served on the Board of Directors of numerous for-profit and not-for profit companies including Rocky Shoe and Boots (NASDAQ: RCKY), The Realty Alliance, Real Living Mortgage and the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce.

His participation in community organizations includes Columbus Theatrical Association; Upper Arlington Cultural Arts Commission; March of Dimes; Prevent Blindness; Mid-Ohio FoodBank; Columbus Area Leadership Program; Ballet Met; St. John’s Church; Upper Arlington Civic Association; Southern Theatre Restoration; COSI (Center of Science and Industry); World of Children; The Fisher College/The Ohio State University; and Capital University Law School.

Harley resides in Upper Arlington, Ohio, with his wife Kaira and their children Trace, Avery, Shea and Dylan.

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