CRBriefcase

By CRB, Real Estate Business Magazine, June/July 2006

2007 President

Bonnie Sparks, ABR, ABRM, CRB, CRS, GRI, Davenport, Iowa

Sparks serves as president of the Real Estate Brokerage Division of the Mel Foster Company, the largest independently owned brokerage company in Iowa and the fourth largest in Illinois. She oversees 410 licensed sales associates and 150 employees who are spread among seven departments. Sparks puts into practice the valuable concepts that she teaches as a Master Instructor for the Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers. In addition, she owns Bonnie Sparks Seminars of Bettendorf, Iowa, and has traveled the United States, Canada and Mexico teaching various aspects of the real estate industry to brokers and sales associates. She has been active in real estate since 1976 and has served on various committees within the Council.

2007 First Vice President

Jonathan D. Nicholas, ABR, CRB, CRS, GRI, Indianapolis, Ind.

Nicholas is a regional director for RE/MAX of Indiana, where he oversees the day-to-day operations of 100 offices and 1,700 sales associates. He has been in brokerage management for more than 17 years. In that time Nicholas has owned three companies and acquired and merged others. He is a speaker, trainer and strategist on real estate topics both nationally and abroad. Nicholas is also a frequent contributor to the media and hosts an industry technology and future trends blog. He serves on various committees for the National Association of REALTORS® as well as the CRB Council.

2007 Finance Vice President

James Kinney, ABR, CRB, CRS, GRI, Chicago, Ill.

Kinney serves as president of Rubloff, No. 1 in average sales volume per associate in Chicago. In addition to that role, he served as the Chicago Association of REALTORS® representative director at the MLS of Northern Illinois and was president of that organization. He was named to the Illinois GRI Committee in 1996 and is past dean of the REALTOR® Institute. Additionally, he is a member of the International Real Estate Federation. Kinney was named as a member of Who's Who in Luxury Real Estate in 1996 and in 2004 was honored with REALTOR® of the Year. In addition, Jim is the National Association of REALTORS® Presidential Liaison to Ireland. Prior to entering real estate, he enjoyed a career in advertising. Kinney serves on the Executive Committee for the National Association of REALTORS®, as well as CRB Council committees.

William C. Furst Jr., CIPS, CRB, CRS, GRI

Furst will continue to serve on the Board of Directors as Immediate Past President.

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Board of Directors

New members with terms beginning in November 2006:

• David Cocks, CRB, Charlotte, N.C.
• Eugene Gibbins, ABR, ABRM, CIPS, CRB, CRS, Port St. Lucie, Fla.
• Louis Ludwig, CRB, e-PRO, Boca Raton, Fla.
• John Mayfield, ABR, ABRM, CRB, e-PRO, GRI, Farmington, Mo.
• William Trask, ABR, ABRM, CRB, CRS, GRI, Standish, Maine

Members with Continuing Terms

• Miguel Berger, CRB, e-PRO, GRI, Loudonville, N.Y.
• Bob Imperato, CRB, CRS, GRI, Boston, Mass.
• R. Brian Matza, ABR, CRB, CRS, e-PRO, San Francisco, Calif.
• Cliff Perotti, CRB, e-PRO, GRI, Corte Madera, Calif.
• Adrienne (Abe) Wagner, CRB, CRS, Donegal, Pa.

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New CRB Course

Managing Diversity for the Broker, Owner & Manager

Two-Day Course / Three CRB Credits

This course focuses on educating brokers, owners and managers about diversity in the real estate profession and teaches real estate professionals to increase their sensitivity and adaptability to changing trends. The course addresses issues of diversity, fair housing and cultural differences. A full description is available online in the Education section at www.crb.com.

For more information or to bring the course to your company, REALTOR® board or chapter, contact Tracye Davis, manager of education, at 800.621.8738, ext. 4431 or via e-mail at tracye@crb.com.

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Council Welcomes a New CRB Chapter in Alabama

The Council has a nationwide network of Chapters offering education, networking events and CRB promotion activities. By joining your local Chapter, you're increasing many times over the number and range of benefits, referrals and networking opportunities you receive.

Congratulations to Alabama, the newest Chapter in the CRB family!

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Webinars in 2006

Cliff Perotti, CRB, e-PRO, GRI, president of TheBrokerCoach.com will present a series of Webinars on recruiting beginning June 2006. Pack a lunch and stay at your desk to attend these events. Details on how to participate are available in the Education section.

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New Product Comes to the Marketplace

Broker Personal Coaching Program

CRB members receive a discount! This highly personalized and confidential program is designed to help brokers, owners and managers focus on and improve their operation. Participants in this program engage in a monthly 60-minute group conference call and an individual, bi-weekly 45-minute personal telephone appointment with their coaches.

Coaching is a uniquely focused, accountability-based professional relationship that can help you:

• Grow your company — in size, profitability and productivity
• Align individual and organizational interests to make better, achievable goals
• Accomplish radical, revolutionary recruiting results
• Realize success and growth, regardless of circumstances
• Plan and create a legacy through your business

Visit the e-Marketplace today for more information or to sign up for your OWN personal coach!

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The CRB Board of Directors and Committees convened during the REALTORS® Midyear Legislative Meetings in Washington, DC and discussed current and upcoming Council initiatives.

Key topics centered on the positive strides in membership and education. Membership continues to grow and educational programming continues to expand!

Membership

• Recruited highest number of new members since 1993
• Highest total membership since 1999
• Highest number of candidates since 1996

Education

• 87% growth of education program offerings in one year, 76% growth in the past six years
• Course attendance is up 52% in one year, growth of 80% in the past six years