Jill Streit
NEFAR Ponte Vedra Council
The organization: The Ponte Vedra Council is made up of members of NEFAR who are involved in real estate in Ponte Vedra either as Realtors or as Affiliate members. The Council promotes networking, socializing, and promotion of their listings on caravan among the members. Quarterly meetings include speakers on subjects relevant to the industry.
What she’ll do: “Continue the legacy of having an active council of Realtors focused on promoting and selling the Ponte Vedra Community. Promote camaraderie through continued social gatherings. Provide opportunities for members on a weekly basis to showcase unsold properties; and to network with other agents and expand their knowledge base through quar#terly meetings.”
How selected: Appointed by NEFAR’s executive committee.
Meetings: Formal meetings are held quarterly. The Council also previews and tours properties almost every week.
Her business: Broker/manager of the Prudential Network Realty Ponte Vedra branch.
Plans to increase membership: “My focus is not only on growing membership but increasing participation from existing members. My approach will be tapping into the existing members by providing informative, timely and value adding information along with opportunities to gather on a social and professional level in hopes that they promote the value of the council to other members and non-members.”
Inspirational quote: “Be the change you want to see in the world.” - Mahatma Gandhi
Janna Thomas
Jacksonville Women’s Council of Realtors
The organization: The Women’s Council of Realtors is a national organization and Thomas heads the local affiliate. The chapter meets monthly to network and hear speakers of interest to the real estate industry. Despite the name, it is not a female-only organization.
What she’ll do: “Expanding awareness of our Chapter is very important. Our Chapter is one of the most active in Florida and we base our collective efforts on encouraging involvement at all levels. We look forward to providing networking opportunities and educational programs. We will also continue to unite our local real estate associations through the semi-annual Jacksonville Real Estate Leadership summits.”
How selected: #Elected by the membership.
Meetings: Monthly at the San Jose Country Club.
Her business: She is the Internet liaison and marketing associate for
Mercedes Homes Jacksonville Division
Plans to increase membership: “We are listening to the requests of our membership and listening hard. We have eliminated the traditional concept of a monthly ladies luncheon group. As the 12th largest women’s organization in the country, our members are respected and progressive real estate professionals who do what it takes to get the job done. We’ve expanded our membership packages, offer monthly Business Resource Meetings, Network Mixers, Educational Scholarships plus Leadership Travel opportunities.”
Inspirational Quote: “We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face... we must do that which we think we cannot.” - Eleanor Roosevelt
Marc Jernigan
NEFAR Southwest Council
The organization: The Council is an affiliate of NEFAR that serves Realtors and invited Affiliates in Clay County and western Duval County with educational seminars and networking meetings.
What he’ll do: “Get as much participation as possible. I believe this is extremely valuable to not only the Realtors but also to the lenders, title companies, inspectors, appraisers and everyone else we work with. We need to have strong relationships with our different partners to help make our transactions so smoother. It helps greatly when we know and have built a relationship with each other.”
How selected: He was the chair in 2010 and volunteered to be so again in 2011.
Meetings: Leadership meetings monthly at the Southwest Service Center in Orange Park. They also have caravans, various events, breakfast meetings and mixers spread throughout the year.
His business: Vice president/managing broker of Watson Realty’s Westside/Chaffee office.
Plans to increase membership: “We had increased participation in each event we had in 2010 and I believe with proper communication and leadership support we will be able to have more Realtors and business partners participate in the events. We will be having our luau, chili cookoff, golf tournament and Christmas banquet again. We will also have mixers.”
Inspirational quote: “The real winners in life are the people who look at every situation with an expectation that they can make it work or make it better.” - Barbara Pletcher
Dane Leslie
NEFAR
The organization: The Northeast Florida Association of Realtors is a trade association of licensed Realtors and invited Affiliate members in Duval, Clay, Putnam and Baker counties. It provides training and other education programs and oversees the Multiple Listing Service. NEFAR also serves as the lobbying arm of the local real estate industry.
What he’ll do: “Continue to pursue the association’s Strategic Plan while improving communication between the association and our members. We want to encourage our members to share what they want regarding education and member services as well as encourage them to become actively involved in the association. The best way to make things happen and to get good ideas into reality is to #take part in the process.”
How selected: He was nominated to serve on the leadership team as a result of being involved with various committees within NEFAR and MLS over the years.
Meetings: The board meets at NEFAR’s main office each month. General
membership meetings are held three or four times annually.
His business: Vice president/managing broker at Watson Realty.
Plans to increase membership: “The association will continue to provide educational opportunities and member services/benefits which may attract licensees from other neighboring associations to join our organization. The market will dictate any growth from new licensees.”
Inspirational quote: “The only man who makes no mistakes is the man who never does anything,” - Theodore Roosevelt
Michael Bourré
NEFBA
The organization: The Northeast Florida Builders Association is a not-for-profit trade association for members of the construction industry and invited affiliates that serves the Northeast Florida area. NEFBA provides its members education, training, networking, financial benefits and representation in government and community affairs.
What he’ll do: “Grow the association and support our members and the community.”
How selected: Elected by the membership..
Meetings: Board meetings are montly. There’s also an annual meeting andnumerous programs that require his attendance.
His business: He is the president/owner of Bourré Construction Group, LLC.
Plans to increase membership: “Showing the advantages of membership to include protecting our industry.”
Inspirational quote: “He’s not heavy, he’s my brother”
Cammie Thomas
NEFAR Beaches Council
What she’ll do: “We probably have the most active council in NEFAR. My plans are to build on the strengths of our membership and keep things growing.”
How selected: She was elected vice chair for 2010 and moved up to chair this year.
Meetings: Almost every Thursday at the Beaches NEFAR Service Center. “We try to keep them informative and make them fun, too. We schedule speakers for each of our meetings who bring timely information on the market and market conditions, real estate related issues, financing options and changes in the law that relate to real estate.”
Her business: Agent with Exit Real Estate Gallery in Jacksonville Beach.
Plans to increase membership: “I want to increase the participation in our Beaches Council events. When people come out and participate, they realize it’s really a fun group. I’d like the members to know that NEFAR is more than a place you have to pay dues to. There are plenty of activities for members to get involved in. We hold monthly social get-togethers and give our members a voice in what they want from their organization by letting us know what is important to them. We ask the members what they want to hear and line up meetings and speakers to address them. By interacting with other Realtors in our own area, who know the local market, we’ve found that there are benefits from sharing property information on new listings and sharing experiences to help each other.”
Inspirational quote: “The principle was right there. You couldn’t miss it. The more you did for others or you customers, the more they did for us. Give us an opportunity to help you!”
Sally Suslack
Downtown Neighborhoods Council of Realtors
The organization: DNCR began many years ago with just a handful of Realtors working in the “traditional Jacksonville neighborhoods’ old city limits.” They get together to network and review downtown projects.
What she’ll do: “For one thing, we would like to involve our members in giving back to the community. This year (2010) we applied for and got a grant from the NEFAR Community Affairs Task Force to pay for and serve lunch to approximately 400 people at the Sulzbacher Center. We would like to step this up this year and do a charity project quarterly. Also, we would like to build on the excitement and momentum of Riverside-Avondale being na#med one of the 10 best neighborhoods in the country and get the word out to everyone in the city that the downtown neighborhoods are alive and well. Groups from all over the country seem to notice how great our neighborhoods are except the people in (or close to) our own backyard.”
Chair before? Yes, she was vice chair before being chair and this is her fourth or fifth year as chair. Riley Williams of Williams Law Firm is the vice chair.
How selected: By NEFAR’s executive committee.
Meetings: Meetings are held once a month, always on the third Wednesday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. “We found that a Happy Hour concept allows more folks to attend as lunchtime gets really busy for everyone.”
Plans to increase membership: “We plan to reach out to NEFAR’s general membership to showcase what the ‘downtown’ historic and traditional neighborhoods have to offer. Most of our members live and work in the amazing communities of Springfield, St. Nicholas, San Marco, Ortega, Murray Hill as well as Riverside and Avondale.”
Her business: Owner and managing broker of Traditions Realty LLC.
Inspirational quote: “Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.” - Gen. George Patton
Patsy Wilson
St. Augustine Women’s Council of Realtors
The organization: The Women’s Council of Realtors is a national organization and Wilson heads the local affiliate. The chapter meets monthly to network and hear speakers of interest to the real estate industry. Despite the name, it is not a female-only organization.
What she’ll do: “Provide members with opportunities to contribute to change, and to be changed, personally and professionally. Also want to build a greater community awareness of Women’s Council of Realtors and our contribution to local charities.”
How selected: Selected by #a nominating committee as president-elect for 2010. and moved up to president last month.
Meetings: Business meetings on the first Thursday of each month. They also have networking functions every other month.
Her business: Agent with Keller Williams Realty in St. Augustine.
Plans to increase membership: “I will promote membership value by increasing educational programs to focus on building effective business strategies, leadership development, networking skills and fun.”
Inspirational quote: “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” - Harold R. McAlindon
Sue Ellen Hooten
NEFAR Putnam Council
The organization: The council, an affiliate of the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors, serves Realtors and invited affiliates in Putnam County with educational seminars and networking meetings.
What she’ll do: Her emphasis will be on education, involvement in the community and government affairs.
How selected: Elected by the membership.
Meetings: This year they are changing to quarterly meetings interspersed with educational “Lunch and Learn” and after-hours mixers.
Her business: Agent with Coldwell Banker Ben Bates.
Plans to increase membership: “I have planned to visit all member’s offices and affiliates that did not continue with us.”
Inspirational quote: “If it is to be, it is up to me.”
Missi Howell
NEFAR International Real Estate Council
The organization: The council provides education to Realtors on how to deal with and handle clients of multiple ethnic characteristics. The organization’s Web site lists members who speak different languages and the names of those involved in related services, such as attorneys and financial consultants.
What she’ll do: “Offering education opportunities to our members is important. In addition, we would like to see more collaborative efforts between other area associations related to inbound and/or outbound trade missions, upgraded technology for our website and MLS enhancements.”
How selected: She volunteered to chair and was selected along with her co-chair, Martha Vidal of Prudential Network Realty.
How often are meetings held? “Our task force meetings meet monthly at NEFAR. We also host quarterly breakfast meetings where members can network and also be updated on current civic, commerce or cultural activities or issues are presented by subject matter experts in the field, again related to the global customer.”
Her business: Agent with Watson Realty’s Ponte Vedra Beach office.
How she will increase membership: “Continue to market our efforts to our membership. Slowly, the Realtor members in Northeast Florida are beginning to realize that the global business is in Northeast Florida, and growing every month. While this area of business is not for everyone, all members should have an awareness that the way to do business with the global customer differs in many ways from our domestic customer routines, and to have an understanding of what they will do with that business when it arrives at their doorstep.”
Inspirational quote: “People walk in whatever truths they are exposed to.”
Chuck Pacetti
St. Augustine/St. Johns County Board of Realtors
The organization: The board is a trade association of licensed Realtors and invited Affiliate members in St. Johns County. It provides training and other education programs and oversees the Multiple Listing Service. The board also serves as the lobbying arm of the local real estate industry.
What he’ll do: “Attend the state and national conferences and learn from other attendees what is working or not working at their association. The main idea is to gather information that can be put to use locally#.”
How selected: Chosen by a nominating committee, elected by the membership.
Meetings: The board of directors meets monthly and general membership meetings are held every other month.
His business: Broker and co-owner of Homestar Pacetti Realty Network.
Plans to increase membership: “Work to retain existing members by bringing relevant cutting edge programs, communicating effectively and doing our best to give the members the tools they think are important.”
Inspirational quote: “Cheers to the new year ahead and another chance to get it right!”
Amber Williams
Sales and Marketing Council
The organization: The Sales and Marketing Council was founded in 1986 as the marketing arm of the Northeast Florida Builders Association. Monthly breakfast meetings attract up to 450 industry professionals who come to hear speakers, network, receive awards and enjoy the company of their peers. SMC offers educational opportunities, hosts social activities and does charity fundraisers.
What she’ll do: “‘Reach for the stars’ and give our members exactly what they need to succeed in our industry. We are one of the biggest and best Sales and Marketing Councils in the nation. It is my intention to deliver the best of the best service to our membership.”
How selected: Nominated by the membership in 2007 to be on the Executive Committee, and moved through the chairs.
Meetings: Monthly meetings, usually the second Friday of the month.
Her business: Marketing manager for Ryland Homes.
Plans to increase membership: “I have an entire team dedicated to our membership efforts in 2011. We will be holding call-a-thons, more efficient follow up with current members, and educating people on the benefits of being a member.”
Inspirational quote: “Walking backwards in high heels.”
Laura Gonzales
Commercial Real Estate Women of Jacksonville
The organization: The Commercial Real Estate Women of Jacksonville promotes the advancement of women in the commercial real estate industry by facilitating the exchange of information and ideas, providing a forum for the discussion of issues and providing educational programs.
What she’ll do: “My strategic theme for 2011 is ‘Strengthening Relationships’. This will build off our theme from last year of ‘Creating Connections’. It is very important to be active in the community networking with your peers; however, we sometimes only get to know people on the surface. Our goal is to learn what our members and guests do and how we can work together. CREW Jacksonville strives to do business with our members and refer business to one another.”
How selected: Elected as president-elect last year by the membership and automatically moved up.
Meetings: CREW meetings are held monthly typically at lunch on the first Tuesday of the month. This year they are going to have some meetings at alternate times including after-hours to serve the needs of their members.
Her business: Vice president /relationship manager commercial real estate for BBVA Compass Bank.
Plans to increase membership: “CREW Jacksonville plans to increase membership in 2011 by focusing on strategic recruiting of experienced commercial real estate members within the industry. The only way to be successful at increasing members is to retain members. We are committed to offering members-only benefits such as our luncheon ladder and brown bag luncheons as well as discounted fees.”
Inspirational quote: “The task of leadership is not to put greatness into people, but to elicit it, for the greatness is there already.” - John Buchan
Karl Hanson
NAIOP
The organization: The National Association of Industrial Office Properties represents industrial and commercial real estate professionals and Hanson heads the affiliate that serves Northeast Florida.
What he’ll do: “In 2011 we plan to build on our successes of 2010 by providing a voice for the commercial real estate industry in local governmental affairs, education for our members through quality programs, and a variety of networking events.”
How selected: By election of the members of the NAIOP Northeast Florida chapter.
Meetings: In 2011 the chapter will have quarterly meetings, but will also have many other events throughout the year that provide the members with opportunities to network and to be involved in the community.
His business: Vice president at Flagler Development Group.
Plans to increase membership: “We will reach out to commercial real estate professionals who are not currently members and show them the value of being a NAIOP member. The events that we are planning for this year coupled with the increased role that NAIOP intends to play in advocating the interests of our members will have great appeal.”