by Michele Newbern Gillis
Staff Writer
The year is coming to an end and it’s time for new presidents to step up.
Kea Blalock of Re/Max 100 Realty is replacing John Chapman of Century 21 A1A Realty as president of the St. Augustine/St. Johns County Board of Realtors and is very excited to take on her new role.
“I’m nervous and excited,” said Blalock. “I’m looking forward to this next year. As John has done, I want to continue the involvement of the Realtors in our community. I also want to continue the positive Realtor exposure in the media and organizations so that they know that we are out there and a positive influence on the community. We do have a purpose and it is a good purpose because we are out there to protect them and guide them.”
Blalock would like to hold some charitable drives and get the membership more involved in local politics.
“We have just now been able to start a program called Voter Voice, so I’m going to educate people about what that is and how it can help up so we can stay on top of the political issues,” she said. “We need to stay on top of things and let our voice be heard if we think what they are doing is wrong. This program will allow us that.”
Blalock will continue Chapman’s goal of membership participation.
“I will mainly be encouraging people to get involved in the board,” she said. “It is very hard to get people to take their time out of their schedule and get involved in the board. I just got back from the National Association of Realtors convention. One of the things that impressed me were the people that are involved at the state and national level were also being recognized for being the top producers of their state. So, there obviously is a balance where you can participate and still succeed at your business.
“I just want to stress that point. Our board is growing so fast. We are getting 20 new members a month. We are up to about 750 board members now. At that continued pace, we’ve got to have people coming in, getting involved and keeping the ideas going so we can keep it this level that we are at.”
Chapman was very pleased with how his year went.
“I think the year went pretty well,” said Chapman, who is now moving into the district vice president of the Florida Association of Realtors’ position. “I would have liked to have accomplished more in affordable housing and had some actual projects off the ground.
“There are some projects coming, but they didn’t go yet, not as much as I would have liked. I do think there is more awareness in the county regarding affordable housing. We’ve had a lot of folks working in that direction.
“Some people like Irene Arriola of New World Realty and Property Management, Inc. have just done phenomenal work in affordable housing. So, I am very grateful to her for bringing us to the forefront. Membership participation is good which was my secondary goal. I’m very pleased with that. We’ve had people stepping up to the bat to all of the various committees.”
Chapman said he will miss being president.
“I’m going to miss this board,” he said. “This has been a very supportive board. I’ll still be involved, of course, but it’s hard when you’ve been sitting at the head of the table and now you will sit at the side or the back. Kea is going to do a great job, so I know the board is still in good hands. She is going to be a fantastic president. It’s going to be wonderful around here. I expect to see this board shine. There will be no problems whatsoever. We have a fantastic staff here so they’ve made it easy for me. It’s been a ball.”
Not only was Chapman happy about how his year as president went, but he said his business didn’t suffer at all.
“Getting involved in the board was good for business,” said Chapman. “If I had a nickel for every time I heard a negative comment like ‘Don’t do that, it’s a waste of time.’ It’s not true. Being involved in the board leadership has been excellent for business. Moving into the FAR slot is even better. I got two referrals yesterday from people I met a an FAR leadership conference. It’s good for you.”
Also during the event, John Evans of Century 21 A1A Realty was installed as president-elect, Buddy Haynes of Crown Commercial was installed as secretary, Barbara Goll of All-Pro Realty was installed as treasurer. Pat Smith of Watson Realty, Inc., Sue Richerson of Thompson Bailey Baker Realty, Inc., Michael DeLorenzo of Old Carriage Realty and Katherine Delaney of Century 21 St. Augustine Properties were installed as directors. Andrew Birchall of Prudential Network Realty was installed as an alternate director.
Andrew DeLorenzo of Olde Carriage Realty was installed as president of the St. Augustine/St. Johns County Multiple Listing Service. Teresa Mercurio of Re/Max 100 Realty was installed as president-elect, Robert Mays of Sunliner Realty was installed as secretary/treasurer, Frank O’Rourke of Premier Properties, Charles Pacetti of Pacetti Home Star, and Donna Wendler of St. Johns Realty Group were installed as directors. Robert Asselta will also be a director, but was not present at the installation.