Builder advocate to retire

Michael Reitmann, the longtime building industry advocate, told the board of the Lee Building Industry Association he plans to step down from his post as executive vice president next July.

Reitmann, who will turn 71 next month, has led the Lee builders' association for 26 years and has been the public face of the builder lobby, tirelessly defending the industry from regulators and politicians seeking to curb growth in Lee County.

He leaves at a time when politicians chastened by the economic downturn are most favorably disposed to the building industry.