David Wakefield and Liz McMahan are this year’s co-chairs of the Realtor Builder Tradeshow in October at the University Center at the University of North Florida.
The show is a cooperative venture between NEFAR and NEFBA; Wakefield represents the builders, McMahan represents the Realtors.
Here’s a look at the co-chairs by Realty/Builder Connection writer Michele Gillis:
Liz McMahan
She’s the broker of the Watson Realty’s South Beach office and president of the Jacksonville chapter of the Women’s Council of Realtors. She’s been at that office for 21 years and became the broker in 2005. “I oversee the day-today office operations, recruit new agents and motivate my sales agents.”
Why co-chair the Tradeshow?
McMahan was asked by former NEFAR president-elect Stephanie White to co-chair the event. “I have a hard time saying no and I’ve been involved in it on the task force for the past several years doing the decorations and other things.”
Working with David Wakefield?
“Thank goodness for David. I got pretty sick the first part of the year and David really stepped up. Thank goodness for him being there because we couldn’t have done it without him. We’ve been great together.” They hadn’t really worked together before, but have a mutual respect for each other in the business, so it has gone well. McMahan added, “Since David has already co-chaired the event last year, his expertise is invaluable.”
Before real estate?
Real estate has been her first and only career. “I was a stay-at-home mom, doing daycare out of the house and my husband said I needed to get out of the house. So, he brought me to meet Mr. Watson and I signed up that day.”
Best professional advice received?
“Make sure you have a great sense of humor.”
Advice for a new agent?
“Don’t ever give up. Just when you think things are really bad, give it that one more day and you can be surprised at what can happen.”
Balancing act?
“I will call for help. I have a wonderful administrative assistant and wonderful slate of line officers in WCR, so I can call on them for just about anything. I can also call on David and we have a great taskforce that has been involved for quite a few years, so they are wonderful to call on if I need help.”
Family
McMahan has been married to Bill, a civil engineer for 30 years. They have three children.
David Wakefield
He’s been a senior loan officer with PrimeLending for four years and is the NEFBA co-chair for the second time.
Why do it?
“If I feel I am able to step up and help out, I’m just one of those guys who like to step in and help out.”
Teaming with McMahan
“We were kind of hit and miss in the beginning due to the health issues, and we are not as far along as we were this time last year, but we have had some good meetings lately. Liz is calling on some people, I’m calling on some people saying it’s time to button down, get busy and make sure everything is take care of. I feel we are much more on task than we were before.”
Strengths McMahan brings to table?
“Liz has brought some great ideas and she is very creative. She helps keep things on task in presenting a nice agenda, which I am certainly lacking in. She’s got the plan, I’ve got the experience, so we’re working together to create a good tradeshow. We think it’s really going to be a good one.”
His history
Wakefield started in the mortgage industry in 1994 with Florida Home Loans, then worked for Fidelity National Bank until he joined Pinnacle Financial as an office manager. When that office closed, he joined CTX Mortgage for five years as a loan officer. When that company was closing, the mortgage group at CTX interviewed mortgage companies and banks together. As a group, they chose to join PrimeLending, which opened an office in Jacksonville with Wakefield as a senior loan officer.
Advice for a new loan officer
“Every day is a gift and a challenge. I look at every day as a gift and every day presents challenges whether it is personal, physical or work-related. You have blessings every day and opportunities every day. So, you need to try to find out how to make the most of your day. When you get up, figure out how you are going to positively contribute to society and reach your goal today.”
Best professional advice?
“Be tenacious, don’t take no for an answer and don’t give up.”
College
He has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of North Florida.
Family
Wakefield moved to Jacksonville when he was 10 years old. He has been married to Serena for 18 years and they have three children.