2013 Election – Board of Directors

Voting Details
(Please read the information and review the Slate of Candidates by scrolling down)

2013 REALTOR® Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach, Inc. Board of Directors Election

Start Date & Time: Thursday, October 18, 2012  9:00am
Close Date & Time: Thursday, November 1, 2012  3:00pm

• Voting is scheduled for Thursday, October 18, 2012 at 9:00am through Thursday, November 1, 2012 at 3:00pm. Please take the time to review the candidates, and read their biographies before casting your vote.
• There are two (2) candidates for the position of President-Elect, vote for up to one (1).
• There are four (4) 2-year Directors positions and 6 candidates, vote for up to four (4). Starting October 18, 2012 at 9:00am, follow the instructions on each page and review your choices before casting your vote.

Your Login and Username and link to your ballot is included in your e-mail which you receive prior to voting. Your log in information is located below the instructions.

NON-Elective Positions for the 2013 Board of Directors

2013 President Doreen Falcone Doreen Falcone has over 25 years of experience in the real estate industry. Her real estate career began as a property manager of residential and commercial property in the historic district of Philadelphia, Pa. and continued as sales associate, Community association manager and Broker/owner in southwest Florida. She has served as a two-year director on the board of The REALTOR® Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach, as well as a Director for the Florida Association of REALTORS®. Doreen enjoys having the privilege of serving on several committees, forums and work groups within both organizations and will continue to serve the public and her fellow REALTORS® with grateful enthusiasm.

2013 Treasurer James Williamson As a transplant REALTOR® from Georgia, I found the long sunny days, warm Gulf waters and a love for SW Florida in 2002. I joined with REMAX Realty Team in Cape Coral from day one and am part of a top producing Team. My involvement for the last 8 years has been some of the most rewarding time of my career. As an active member in several committees, I have been honored to have been asked to serve as Affordable Housing Committee Chair, and as Public Policy Chair. My time on Grievance has also been very rewarding. For the last years I have also served as a Florida REALTORS® Director and serve on several committees at the State level. A few of my beliefs include 100% commitment to the cause, there is always a way, and it is paramount to always be respectful of others. To serve as a member of the Board of Directors is truly be a privilege and a job I take seriously. As an officer, I believe it is important to have a clear focus on goals so the REALTOR® Association of Greater Fort Myers remains a model to others across our State and the country. My commitment to our REALTOR membership would be to continue to foster professionalism toward my fellow REALTOR®s and the public, to provide education opportunities for REALTORS®, and always practice conservative fiscal responsibility.

2013 Secretary Connie Gustafson Connie Gustafson has been a Realtor with Prudential Florida Realty since 1999 and holds the ABR and PMN designations. She has served the Realtor Association as a Director, Chair of Communications, Chair of Knowledge Services, Chair of Grievance, and has served on various committees. She was honored as Humanitarian of the Year in 2006 and 2008. She has served as a Florida Realtors Director and President of Women’s Council of Realtors She was awarded the WCR Realtor of the Year in 2010, WCR Presidents Award in 2011, and Business Woman of the Year. Connie presently volunteers as a Guardian Ad Litem representing abused and neglected children in the Dependency Court system in Lee County and works with elder citizens to navigate housing and medical issues.

2013 Past President Marion Briggs     A Florida REALTOR® since 1981, I became the Broker for Sun Country Realty of Fla., Inc. in 1997. I started volunteering for the Association by serving on the Golf Crisis Committee and in 2004 was the chairman of that committee. The past years I’ve worked on the Affordable/Attainable Housing Committee. I obtained a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from the University Of South Florida in 1994 as well. I have the time, energy, passion and skills necessary to be a part of your leadership team and pledge to serve you to the best of my abilities.

2013 Slate of Candidates (on the Ballot)

President-Elect Candidates

There are two (2) candidates for the position of President-Elect, vote for up to one (1).

(In alphabetical order by last name, from left to right)

Candidate President-Elect Deborah Murray Real estate is my passion…I have survived and thrived in the Southwest Florida real estate industry for more than 25 yrs. I have experienced the highs & lows of our unique area firsthand. I understand the issues affecting each of you and understand our current marketplace. I will carry that knowledge to your Association Leadership Team to work for YOU, our Customer! You will have someone on your Board of Directors who is not afraid to ask the tough questions and fight hard for our Members and the issues impacting our industry. In 2008 I was honored to be chosen the REALTOR® of the Year. I am driven by a desire to achieve and pride myself in the fact that I have always upheld my personal values of honesty and integrity. My service to our Association includes Communications, Core Biz, MLS, Public Policy, Knowledge Services and New Member Orientation where I have been an instructor for the NAR required Ethics Class because I have a commitment to the professionalism of our industry. I have been on the Board of Directors and held the office of Treasurer in 2012. I would be honored to serve in a Leadership position at the REALTOR® Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach and I thank you for your support.

Candidate President-Elect Karen Swanbeck, CIPS, AHWD I moved to Fort Myers in 1983, immediately after graduating from Ithaca College with a B.S. in Communications to work for WINK Radio. In 1985 I became a licensed Insurance Agent and in 1991 opened Tenney Insurance Services which later became RTI Insurance Services of FL. I was the Director of Florida Operations for RTI, which included managing four locations. In 2000 I joined my husband Tom in the Real Estate Business, forming Team Swanbeck at Coldwell Banker. In 2010 we moved Team Swanbeck to VIP and opened the Fort Myers Beach Office of VIP Realty Group. I have been married to Tom for 21 years, our son Robert is a junior at Florida State University, and our daughter Sarah is a freshman at George Washington University. We enjoy boating and travel, and selling real estate! REALTOR® Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach, Inc. 2012 Secretary, 2010 -2011 Board of Directors, Public Policy Committee, RPAC Chair, CORE Biz, MLS Task Force, Finance Committee, Affiliate Business Partner from 1992-2000, REALTOR® Member from 2000 to current, Business Partners Work Group, NAR District 5 Task Force. Florida REALTORS® Honor Society, 2010-2012 FR Director, FR Global Networking Forum, FR Insurance Sub-committee, FR Board Leadership Forum, RPAC Statesman Award for 2012. Community Involvement Fort Myers Beach Library District Board(elected), Lee County Coastal Advisory Council, American Cancer Society Relay for Life Fort Myers Beach (Past Chair), Fort Myers Beach Pilot Club, Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation Charter Member.

Two-Year Director Candidates

There are four (4) 2-year Directors positions and 6 candidates, vote for up to four (4). Starting October 18, 2012 at 9:00am, follow the instructions on each ballot page and review your choices before casting your vote.

(In alphabetical order by last name, from left to right)

Candidate 2-Year Director Donna Guido Donna Guido relocated to the Fort Myers area in 1998 and shortly after became licensed as a REALTOR®. She has been an active member of the Realtor Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beaches, Inc since joining in 2000. Donna has served on many committees throughout the years as well as chaired the Orientation Committee in 2010 & 2011 and currently serves as the 2012 MLS Forum Chairman. She serves on the 2012 MLS Committee, Orientation Committee and Grievance Committee. Donna is a 2011 Graduate of the Associations Leadership Academy. She was honored to receive the 2011 Humanitarian of the Year award for her leadership within our industry and her work with The American Cancer Society. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of the industry with enthusiasm and integrity and is committed to serving the membership of our Association.	Candidate 2-Year Director Paula Kiker Personal: I began my career in real estate in 1996 when I moved here from Illinois. I started as a personal assistant, then managed a seasonal rental division and then moved into sales. I purchased and became the Broker of Lahaina Realty in 2003. My Goals for the Association: Holding the Association to a higher standard; that is what being a Board of Director has meant to me. In our business and professional lives we strive to be better at what we do. We work hard to be as professional, caring and knowledgeable as we can be to serve our clients. These qualities should be in your elected officials’ nature. My focus will be education, communication, diversification and consensus to continue our positive efforts within our membership and the community Service to the Association: Member – Professional Standards – 2010/2011 Chair of Knowledge Services 2011 Member – Core Biz – 2010/2012 Member – Legal Task Force – 2011-2012 Knowledge Services – 2010, 2012 Graduate of Leadership Academy 2009 Chair of Grievance – 2009 Awards Committee – 2009 Member – Grievance 2008 Strategic Planning Committee, 2010 & 2012Current Core+ Broker Firm of Excellence 2012 Community Service: Community Service includes fundraising for Bay Oaks Recreational Campus (Youth & Senior programs), VIP After School programs and food bank, Habitat for Humanity, Voices for Kids and Educational Lunch & Learns for our Beach Realtors in conjunction with Town Hall. For all of those who I have had the pleasure of crossing paths with during my 16 years at the Association, and for those who I hope to meet in the future…thank you for the support. I look forward to the opportunity to serve you.
Candidate 2-Year Director Kevin Pickett Kevin Pickett was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. Upon graduating from The Florida State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate and Finance, he moved to Southwest Florida to pursue a career in finance. Once in “paradise,” Kevin’s passion for Real Estate quickly pushed him to change career paths not long after his arrival. Recently married to a Fort Myers native and fellow Seminole Alum in 2010, Kevin enjoys golfing and spending time with his wife and their two dogs. His education, background as a Journeyman-Carpenter, and experience in the construction industry enhance his ability to better serve his clients. Kevin volunteers his time to multiple committees. As a member of the Events Committee, he most recently chaired the Board’s Annual Golf Tournament where the committee raised more donations than any previous year. He co-chairs the Young Professional Network that encourages young professionals to get involved in the community. This year Kevin had the honor to spend most of the week, including a trip to Disney World, with the beneficiary of the Vacation for Veterans trip sponsored by the Annual Charity Golf Event. His pride for the community and pride for Real Estate makes him a perfect candidate for the Realtor Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach Board of Directors.	Candidate 2-Year Director Holly Quesinberry -Marth A proud Graduate of last year’s Association’s Leadership Academy, Holly Marth has packed in a wallop of involvement and experience since joining our association and the real estate industry, almost 5 years ago. Leaving behind a career in construction and engineering project management, she joined Real Living Cypress Realty, Inc., where she still hangs her license. Holly has served on our MLS and Events Committees, and chaired this year’s extremely successful Events Committee, where she oversaw the execution of a very well received Trade Show, various Member Mixers, our first ever District Bowling Tournament, and our upcoming District Softball Tournament and Holiday Party. Holly also works with the “Wallflower” Team for our Realtor Build to benefit our Habitat For Humanity efforts. Holly’s desire to witness the growth and positive changes of our industry is obvious to all who know her. She is also one of two Realtor Members of our association to be chosen to represent us at the District 5 booth at this year’s National Association of Realtors’ Trade Show and Convention in Orlando this November.Outside of her real estate involvement, Holly is also in her 3rd year serving as President for Fort Myers High School’s Athletic Booster Club, her own Alma Mater. A long term local success story, the club dedicates much time and efforts to benefit the school’s student athletes. Holly was also the local Lee County’s YMCA Volunteer of the Year for her many years of tireless involvement in the youth soccer program. Holly is the proud Mother of three wonderful children, and recently married her best friend, Andy. They live on 10 beautiful acres in North Fort Myers, where they raise Pembroke Welsh Corgis and enjoy the peaceful country life.
Candidate 2-Year Director Eleanor Redar I started my real estate career in 2005 as a sales associated later became a licensed real estate broker and owner of Redar Golf 2 Gulf Realty Group specializes in Golf Country Club Communities in Fort Myers. I am the first of three siblings born to an immigrant family. I grew up in the Greater Los Angeles area — back in the 70’s when hot pants where the fashion of teenage girls. And…the music of the Beatles was still blasting in everyone’s homes. I am the first child from my household that went to college and graduated with my nursing degree (RN) at the age of 23 years old. Upon graduating from nursing school, I accepted my first RN job at a nearby hospital in Lynwood, California. My career as an RN lasted long after raising my 3 adorable daughters. In the year 2000, my husband and I relocated to the State of Maryland for a promotion in his career. I continued to practice nursing until the year 2005 when my husband took an early retirement and had us relocate to the Sunshine State of Florida. Since my arrival in Florida, I began my second career in the real estate industry. Florida’s housing market had been booming in early 2000, and I found myself mesmerized by its potential to succeed in another field. Thus, I began my passion in dealing with the housing market – the sale and purchase of homes, as well as managing rental properties for my clients. I received my broker license in the State of Florida, January 2009. With the loving help of my husband and family, I have established my own business as a Broker and Real Estate Agent here in Fort Myers and surrounding areas. Redar Golf 2 Gulf Realty Group is a combination of efforts from both me and my husband — whose passion for golfing brought us to this state and not to mention his contribution to the business name and he now has his Real Estate License. I have an extensive knowledge in business including short sales, foreclosures and seasonal rentals. I’m still active in nursing with the Red Cross when disasters hit SW Florida and the South East. I am active in several committees of our Board. Outgoing personality and creative attributes has launched me into a realm of outstanding customer service and success. I would look forward to serving as a director with the REALTOR Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach, Inc.	Candidate 2-Year Director Kevin Williamson Kevin was born in New York and was raised on Long Island. After obtaining his MBA in Finance from St John’s University and working with two Fortune 500 companies in New York, his love for the water, fishing and scuba diving motivated him to move to Florida in 1986. He moved to Lehigh Acres and immediately went into Real Estate. Kevin obtained his Broker’s license and became Sales Manager of his current firm. In 1992 Kevin joined Realty World C Bagans First as the Broker/Manager and also became a part owner of the company. Kevin has helped to make Realty World one of the leading offices in the Lehigh Acres area. Kevin has an in-depth knowledge of the today’s real estate market in general and is currently one of the leading foreclosure experts in Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties. He has served in various positions on the Board including Treasurer, Secretary, and Director; participated in committees such as Grievance and Professional Standards and currently is on the Finance Committee. Kevin is also a past recipient of the Humanitarian of the Year award for the Association. Kevin is married to Nancy and at this time they are enjoying their two youngest sons as they play travel hockey throughout the State of Florida. Kevin has served as past president for two different Kiwanis Clubs in Lehigh Acres. He also went on three overseas mission trips (two to Russia and one to Kenya). Mostly, Kevin likes to fish or dive whenever he can get away.