Marion Briggs, Sun Country Realty of FL, Inc- 2012 President
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.



Doreen Falcone, Prudential Florida Realty - 2012 President Elect
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 worked for a range of companies from small independent firms to operating her own franchised real estate company.








Deborah Murray, Florida Platinum Realty - 2012 Treasurer
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 currently serve as the Managing Broker for EXIT Platinum Realty with offices in Lee, Charlotte and Collier counties with more than 100 real estate professionals. I know the issues affecting each of you and can feel your pain in 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.




Karen Swanbeck, VIP Realty Group, Inc.
Karen Swanbeck moved to Fort Myers in 1983 to work for WINK after earning her Bachelor of Science Degree  Communications from Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York. In 1985 she became a licensed Insurance Agent, and opened her firm Tenney Insurance Services in 1991. In 1997 Tenney Insurance Services merged with RTI Insurance and Karen managed their Florida Operations until 2000 when she became a Realtor and joined her husband Tom in their real estate business, TeamSwanbeck at Coldwell Banker, Fort Myers Beach. She has been a member of the Realtor Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach since it was formed, and recently completed the Association's Leadership Academy.  Karen has her ABR, AHWD, Previews Luxury Home Specialist, Certified Negotiation Specialist and Certified Home Marketing Specialist designations. In addition she currently serves on The Fort Myers Beach Library Board, The Community Services Advisory Board for the Town of Fort Myers Beach, and is the Co-Secretary of the Pilot Club of Fort Myers Beach. Karen and her husband Tom enjoy boating, traveling and living on Fort Myers Beach with their children Robert (17) and Sarah (15) who are attending Fort Myers High School. 


Gary Verwilt, GRI, Realty Executives of Fort Myers - Past President
Licensed in 1984, Gary Verwilt has been a member of the National Association of REALTORS® for over 25 years. In that period of time he has marketed Residential, Commercial and Vacant Land in the Real Estate Field.  Currently Gary is manager of Realty Executives Southwest Florida. He holds the Graduate REALTOR® Institute designation (GRI), the SRES designation, and the "At Home With Diversity" Designation. Gary's activities with the REALTOR® Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach began with committee memberships in various committees, progressing to chair of the Public Policy & RPAC Committee, to a member of the Board of Directors, to Secretary, Treasurer, and President of the Association for 2011.

 

  Two-Year Director

Blanca Contreras, Century 21 Birchwood Realty, Inc
My greatest satisfaction is seeing the smile on buyer’s faces as they receive the keys to their first home. As a member of Southwest Florida’s real estate industry since 1998 I’m dedicated to helping fulfill the dream of homeownership. I teach at the monthly Homebuyer Education Class and I’m on the Board of Directors for our Association’s Housing Foundation.

My professional designations include AHWD, CIPS, TRC, CDPE and ‘En Confianza – Code of Trust’ from the Nat’l Assoc. of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Business Admin. from the University of Miami. I’m also a 2010 Realtor Assoc. Leadership Academy graduate. (more)



Deborah Cullen, Century 21 Sunbelt Realty
Debbie is an established fulltime Realtor in the residential real estate market whose resume includes transactions in both Massachusetts and SW Florida. Her passion is real estate and she is always ready to do what she can to make it a better profession to work in. When making decisions that will affect the Association she always considers what is best for the full membership and has their best interest in mind. Her involvement in the MLS Committee during the most challenging market time in our history has proven she knows what it takes to get the job done.(more)

Jason Jakus, Leisure American Realty
Jason Jakus moved to Fort Myers in 2006 to work for Chico’s FAS, Inc. from Dallas Texas where he was an executive for RadioShack. Jason has been involved with real estate since 2002 when he formed Platinum Edge Ventures, Inc. a real estate investment and holding company. Jason has been an active Realtor in Florida since 2009 for Leisure American Realty where he is the Sales Director. Jason has earned his AHWD, Certified Negotiation Specialist and SFR designations. He graduated from the Realtor Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach’s Leadership Academy in 2010. (more)






Paula Kiker, Lahaina Realty
I began my career in real estate 16 plus years ago 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. I spent several years renovating my 1969 year old building and re-organizing my business to bring ourselves current with our market trends and needs of the island. Once I felt the business was running smoothly I turned my time and efforts to giving back to our association. (more)





James Maginness, Florida Platinum Realty
Realtor, licensed as a real estate sales professional in Florida in 2003, joined Exit Realty in Lee County Florida in 2004, specializing in residential properties.

Member of the Realtor Association of Greater Fort Myers and The Beach since 2006.

Global Sourcing Manager for a Fortune 500 electronic equipment manufacturer (Motorola), responsible for a team of Regional Commodity Managers around the world that select and manage suppliers, negotiate and manage multi-million dollar contracts to provide components for the manufacture of electronic communication products (Cellular phones, etc.) in manufacturing facilities around the world.
Married with three adult children and four grandchildren. (more)


Robin McKeever, Paul Homes Realty
Robin McKeever, certified new home sales professional, is a Realtor sales associate specializing in new home custom design and construction with Paul Homes of Florida, LLC, a custom builder of luxury homes serving Cape Coral and Southwest Florida. Robin has served on the following committees at the Association: Attainable/Affordable Housing Committee (2008 & 2009); Member Value Committee (2008 & 2009); Events Committee (2007-2011); Special Education programs “Champions” (2007) and “Top Guns” (2008 & 2009); and Strategic Planning Committee (2010). Robin is a 2009 graduate of the Association’s Leadership Academy (inaugural class). (more)