2009 Board of directors-

2009 Officers-

Suzanne Sherer, ABR, GRI – 2009 President
Born in Stuttgart, Germany, Suzanne was raised near Munich and educated in both English and German. Suzanne’s commitment to the real estate profession goes beyond just “doing the job”, or “house sitting” – real estate is her full time career and passion. Since 2002, Suzanne has chaired, co-chaired and served on numerous committees at the Association. In 2002 she was elected to the Board of Directors and serves on the MLS Committee, Award Committee, Nomination Committee, Orientation Committee and Chaired the International Committee. She was awarded the 2004 President’s award and became a member of the FAR Honors Society. On a state level she served on the Florida Association of REATLORS® (FAR) Board of Directors and has been a member of the International Committee since 2004.



Christie Knight, Preferred Choice Realty Group – 2009 President-Elect
Raised in the Panama Canal Zone, Christie moved to Lee County in 1995 after graduating from Florida State University and working overseas for a few years. Upon moving to the area she earned her teaching certificate from USF and began her career teaching special education in the Lee County schools. In 2000 she switched careers and became a REALTOR® and then a broker associate in 2003, the same year she became active in the Association. Since 2003 Christie has served as Chair for several committees including the Tradeshow, RPAC Fundraising and Finance and has served on various others. In 2005, she was elected to the Board of Directors, served as Secretary in 2007 and this year is the Association’s Treasurer. Christie is also active at the state and national level, serving on the Florida Association of REALTORS® Honor Society and as a Board Director; she is also a National Association of REALTORS® Director.


Gary Verwilt, GRI, Realty Executives of Fort Myers – 2009 Treasurer
Gary has been a licensed REALTOR® for over 23 years, first in Monmouth County, NJ and now in Lee County, FL. Since 1984, Gary has been a member of the National Association of REALTORS®. For the past two years, Gary has served as chair of the Public Policy committee and as a Florida Association of REALTORS® (FAR) Director. He has been a Director on the Association’s Board since 2006 and this year is serving as Board Secretary. As a veteran of the US Navy, Gary has continued his involvement in promoting boating safety and protecting life and property by providing assistance to the Coast Guard Auxiliary as a Flotilla Staff Officer. Last year Gary was recognized for these efforts with the REALTORS® Making a Difference award.


Kevin Williamson, Realty World -C. Bagans First - 2009 Secretary
Kevin Williamson is a native of Long Island New York and moved to Lehigh Acres in 1986. While in NY, he worked in the corporate environment with companies like Sterling Drug, Dupont and Berg Manufacturing. After moving to Lehigh, Kevin began his real estate career and is currently managing broker/owner of Realty World - C. Bagans First. Kevin has served as a Director, Secretary, and Treasurer for the Board as well as sitting on committees such as Grievance and Professional Standards. He now serves on the Finance and Member Value Committees. Kevin is married to Nancy and they have six children.

First Past President Ron Carpenter, Realty Executives of Fort Myers

                            
Dave Duffy, VIP Realty Group
Dave Duffy,ABR, Broker Achievements: Chairmans Club, Languages: English Dave Duffywas a licensed Real Estate Broker in New York City for almost 25 years before moving to Fort Myers in 1999, when he earned his Florida Broker's license. Dave has continually been one of VIP's top producers and a lifetime member of VIP's President's Club, the highest level of recognition until 2005, when the Chairman's Club was created to recognize the "best of the best". Dave was a charter member of this most elite group. He was accorded the honor of being elected by his peers to be a Director of the Realtor® Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach. Dave has also served for many years on the MLS Committee and as Chairman of the MLS Forum. Although Dave has always specialized in upscale country properties East of I-75, he has a comprehensive knowledge of all of Lee County. In fact, he was one of those selected to update county maps.

Terri Lodge, Century 21 Sunbelt Realty
Terri began her real estate career in 1972, during that time she was one of the first women to serve as a real estate salesperson for a developer. When the development sold out, Terri moved into general real estate in Cape Coral.  She and her husband purchased their first real estate office in Cape Coral in 1980. Since 1998 Terri has been Broker/Manager for Barbara Watt at the CENTURY 21 Sunbelt Realty #1, Inc. office on Daniels and Six Mile Cypress Parkway. Terri has always been one to give back to her profession. She has been a Director for NAR, a director for FAR and served on numerous state committees. For the past two years she has served on the Grievance Committee and Professional Development Committee for the REALTOR® Association of Greater Fort Myers & the Beach, Inc.  Terri's favorite charities are: St. Jude's Children's hospital, Easter Seals, Humane Society, Boys and Girls Ranch, MDA, American Cancer Society and several others. "I have been very blessed in my career. If you love what you do, you will never work one day of your life. I can't 
                                honestly say I have never worked, but I can emphatically say I am able to work with my best 
                                friends, my associates, everyday and for that I am the luckiest person I know."

Cindy Roberts, REALTY WORLD Roberts Assoc
Cindy Roberts has been an active member of the Association since 1979, and in 1982 became a Broker. She graduated from Florida State with a BS Degree and has been a Fort Myers resident since 1960. She has earned the following designations: ABR, CRS, and GRI. She is the owner/broker of REALTY WORLD Roberts Assoc., Inc. since 2002. The company was founded by her Mother, Faye Lynn Roberts in 1978. She has served as Secretary for the Association, a director for 6 years, has served on the Professional Standards Committee, Grievance Committee, Nominating Committee, Chairperson of Private Property Week, Chairperson and committee member of the Sales Excellence Award Committee for three years, and was a past instructor of the Success Series. Cindy is a member of the 99 club for RPAC. She is a sustainer member of the Junior League of Ft. Myers and a member of the Fort Myers Woman's Community Club.

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 couple of years I’ve worked on the Affordable/Attainable Housing Committee and this year I joined the Public Policy Committee. For 2007 and again this year I am a Director for the Florida Association Of Realtors as well as being a Director this year for our association. 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.





Marie Gilestra
Originally from Puerto Rico, Marie came to Florida in 1993. She is presently the Qualifying Broker for AGM Real Estate & Development and has practiced real estate in the area since 2003. Marie specializes in residential sales in Lee & Collier County. Some of the organization’s that Marie takes pride in being a part of are REALTOR® Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach, Inc., Women’s Council of REALTORS®, and Fort Myers’s Women’s Network. As part of the REALTOR® Association she has participated in various committees since 2004 such as The Golf Crisis Tournament Committee as well as the Trade Show committee. Marie also belongs to the Fort Myers Women’s Network, where she has been a part of their governing board for multiple years as the Membership Chair. However Marie finds it a priority to give back to the community by participating in different Charity events. Over the past 3 years she has enjoyed being able to be a part of the Pet  
                                Therapy, Inc. Group with Lee Memorial Hospital. 


Connie Gustafson
Connie Gustafson is a native of Indiana and received her B.S. and M.S. degrees from Indiana University. She is a former educator who worked in both public schools and psychiatric hospitals with emotionally disturbed children. Connie is a former Dale Carnegie instructor and was employed as a sales consultant and national trainer for an educational publishing company. In this capacity she trained teachers, administrators, and account executives. Her real estate background spans over 20 years. She originated loans as a mortgage banker and worked as an account executive with a mortgage insurance company where she mediated customer and underwriter relationships and was responsible for regional training in the Southwest US. Connie moved to Fort Myers in 1999 and, after receiving her real estate license, joined Prudential Florida WCI Realty. Connie is currently a member of the Board of Directors for the REALTOR® Association of Greater Fort Myers & the Beach, Inc., Chairman of the Grievance Committee, and a member of the FAR Board of Directors. She has
                                served on the Grievance Committee, Finance Committee, and Fantasy Auction Committee. She was
                                the 2006 Humanitarian of the Year. Connie was the 2007 President of the Women’s Council of
                                REALTORS®, 2006 & 2007 WCR Member of the Year, and 2008 Co-Chair of the Past President’s
                                Council. She has been involved as a Guardian Ad Litem for over 10 years and volunteers with
                                Sunshine Kids and Meals on Wheels.


Marge Mathers
Marge is a member of several committees and sub-committee events for the local Board and on committees and task forces for FAR and the state WCR chapter.

2008 Ft Myers Board of Directors 2008 Public Policy/RPAC Chair 2007 REALTOR® of the year with the REALTOR® Association of Greater Fort Myers & the Beach, Inc. 2007 President, Cape Coral WCR 2006-2008 Federal Political Coordinator 14th District (Fl) with Congressman Connie Mack







Deborah Murray
My desire to serve the Association is driven by my passion for this industry and true aspiration to help make a difference. Having been both a residential and commercial associate and Broker/Manager during my career will enable me to bring diverse real estate experience to the Board of Directors. My positive energy and enthusiasm can be a benefit to the 2009 Board of Directors.

In addition to being Chair of the 2008 Orientation Committee, I teach Ethics to our new members and have worked to create an inviting, interactive atmosphere to welcome new members to our Association. Also in 2008 I have been a member of the Communications and Knowledge Services committees, where I was asked to serve on the Leadership Development Task Force and Course Review and Development Work Group. I also have devoted many hours to the MLS Committee and worked on the Short Sale Task Force and Forms Work Group. In addition, I am a member of the Trade Show Task Force and Public Policy/RPAC committee where I was chosen for The Candidate Screening Task Force. This group interviews candidates on a state and local level to determine who our Association and industry recommends for support, as well as funding, for their campaigns. In previous years my involvement in the Association has included both Chair of Knowledge Services, and an instructor of the continuing education “Success Series”.

I have proudly served our Membership as an FAR Director in 2007 and 2008. In FAR Leadership I have served on the Professional Development and Forms Committees and the Short Sale Task force that resulted in the Addenda for Short Sale Transaction that are available on the FAR Website in Forms and on Transaction Desk. This past year, FAR President Chuck Bonfiglio appointed me to the first Leadership Academy Committee. The work of this group resulted in the 2008 Leadership Academy at FAR. The purpose is the enhance the leadership skills of our Members with a desire to move forward not only in our industry but in governmental and other leadership positions.

As a professional licensed to practice real estate in the State of Florida, since 1984, I pride myself in the fact that I have always upheld my personal and professional tenants of honesty and integrity. I would be honored to serve on the Board of Directors for the REALTOR® Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach. I thank you for your support and vote.