Talking Points
Don is the best-qualified candidate to be Treasurer of the California Association of REALTORS® in 2010-2011. He has extensive leadership experience at every level of organized real estate.
The Treasurers' first and foremost responsibility is to Chair the Strategic Planning and Finance Committee. This Committee is critical because it not only sets the California Association of REALTORS® strategic goals, it also protects members' dues dollars and reserve funds through judicious investment. As the current Vice Chair of Strategic Planning and Finance, Don brings several years of experience in articulating the member's needs in the budgetary process.
Don is well-rounded. As a member of the California Association of REALTORS® leadership team he will be able to draw from his past experiences of being on CAR's Executive Committee, Chair of the Membership Committee, Liaison to the Public Policy Committees, Regional Chair, member of the Public Policy Reorganization Task Force, 2008 Vice Chair of Strategic Planning and 2005 Vice-Chair of the Federal Issues Committee. In 2009, he will Chair Federal Issues and will meet in Washington D.C. with our California Senate and House Members as part of the CAR Leadership's lobbying team.
Don is experienced in all facets of the business. Licensed for 21 years, Don has not only represented home buyers and sellers as an agent; he has also been a managing broker for 10 years. He understands what REALTORS® need to be successful in this business. More importantly, he has initiated programs and services for agents to meet the unique challenges of each real estate market. Whether in his leadership roles at his local association, the Bay East Association of REALTORS®, in his California Association of REALTORS® leadership positions or as a mentor to his agents, Don has a proven track record of translating agents' needs into successful programs and services.
Don is an industry leader in his area; he is a managing broker of 2 offices with 90 agents for an independently owned company in the San Francisco Bay area that is nationally ranked in the top 10 by Real Trends.
Overseeing a budget of $28 million, the California Association of REALTORS® Treasurer must bring strong experience to the position. Don has over ten years in strategic planning and finance at both the local and state level. He understands the unique challenges of agents, local associations and the California Association of REALTORS®, and he has helped them create annual and long term strategic plans. He is also a managing broker, responsible for the Profit & Loss Statements for two offices which require him to make critical financial decisions that keep those businesses viable. Don's strong experience in this area makes him the best candidate for the job.
With his experience as an agent, manager, and association leader, Don has a strong foundation with MLS issues. He has chaired his local Association's MLS Committee, served as a Director on a regional MLS Board of Directors, and has helped select MLS vendors as a member of Vendor Selection Committees.
Don has been active in the national arena. As a National Association of REALTORS® Director, he has served on the Federal Housing Policy Committee and the Business Issues committee.
Don has the ability to get a group of people in a room to work together by empowering them to all move toward the common goal of putting the members first.
