2024 Slate of Candidates
The Nominating Committees have selected your GAAR & SWMLS Candidates for the 2024 Board of Directors Election.
Vote online Monday, October 9th - Sunday, October 15th.
GAAR Board Positions Open
Director Positions
• 5 Director positions for 2024-2025 (2-year term)
Officer Positions
• President-elect (1-year term)
• Vice President (1-year term)
• Treasurer (2-year term)
GAAR Candidate Questionnaires
Candidate: Janet Burks
Company: eXp Realty
Position: Director
Challenges Facing the Current Real Estate Industry:
Supply and demand imbalance which can cause affordability concerns for home buyers. This, in hand with financing challenges, especially for first-time home buyers, creates a challenge for our community.
How Do You Feel GAAR Could Be More Relevant to Our Members?
I think GAAR is already relevant. However, maybe some things could include helping to create opportunities for mentorship across brokerages and provide opportunities to help our members survive a market downturn. Offering more training to embrace technology tools and to add opportunities to model exceptional customer service.
What Do You Feel Will Be Unique About the Next Two-Year Time Frame?
I feel like this is an opportunity for growth. I have been a part of this profession for a while, and I want the opportunity to grow in knowledge and ability to help our community of realtors. It would be an honor to have an opportunity such as this to learn and help serve with this group.
Janet is running for GAAR Director, download her full answers HERE.
View Janet's video HERE.
Candidate: Amanda Champine
Company: Dragonfly Capital RE
Position: Director
Challenges Facing the Current Real Estate Industry:
The challenges facing the association are similar to those facing the industry. Locally, we have all watched the market change drastically over the last few years. During these changes to our local market, I believe the challenge facing the local association is a higher number of Realtor participation at GAAR and Realtor professionalism. With innovation and changes with technology, some Realtors have lost some of the ethics, professionalism, and a sense of community expected of them. The association faces the challenge of continuing to encourage professionalism and that sense of community, not just to our community of Realtors but the broader community we live and work in.
How Do You Feel GAAR Could Be More Relevant to Our Members?
Continuing to listen to the needs of the members and continuing to offer resources for growing and innovating their business.
What Do You Feel Will Be Unique About the Next Two-Year Time Frame?
I think there is a great opportunity in the next two years for Realtors to step into our communities we work in and really foster ideas for navigating high-interest rates, low inventory, and first-time home buyer affordability.
Amanda is running for GAAR Director, download her full answers HERE.
View Amanda's video HERE.
Candidate: Helen Chan
Company: ERA Summit
Position: Treasurer
Challenges Facing the Current Real Estate Industry:
We still work within a limited housing inventory and increasing interest rates with wages that have not aligned.
How Do You Feel GAAR Could Be More Relevant to Our Members?
The last few years have seen progress through asking members what they want and need. Implementation of those requests has started and will continue to provide value if we continue adjusting to changes in the city and demographic needs. Active communication is a helpful tool in gaining understanding and collaboration.
What Do You Feel Will Be Unique About the Next Two-Year Time Frame?
This next two years will be an additional period of growth as I learn the role of Treasurer to add to my experience as a Director and assist in goals to maintain our place of importance in the city and surrounding areas, especially as we have a new event center that will be a centerpiece for the Association.
Helen is running for GAAR Treasurer, download her full answers HERE.
View Helen's video HERE.
Candidate: Shane Dolinski
Company: Realty One of New Mexico
Position: Director
Challenges Facing the Current Real Estate Industry:
I feel like the biggest challenge in the industry currently is Supply. Without enough supply, the demand, and as a result prices, keep many players on the sidelines. Sure, interest rates are HUGE, but even when rates were low, there was not enough supply, which made it very difficult for buyers to have fair treatment (i.e., multiple offer situations, waiving important items-inspections/appraisals, offering more than what a property is worth, not having enough choices, etc). With more supply, prices will come down as demand decreases, and the market will be more fair for both parties involved in a transaction.
How Do You Feel GAAR Could Be More Relevant to Our Members?
Being the Vice Chair of the GAAR Committee and the MC of the Last 3 GAAR Events (The last 2 G.R.E.A.T Events, and the QB Summit), I feel like that sort of outreach provides value to GAAR's members. Having local and nationally renowned guest speakers speaking about relevant topics (Such as AI at the latest event) helps GAAR members stay in touch with the market that is always evolving. Additionally, doing philanthropic activities (Like the Backpack Drive for underserved children) shows our community that we are invested in more than making sales but being a positive force in Albuquerque.
What Do You Feel Will Be Unique About the Next Two-Year Time Frame?
We will very likely see many members fall out of active status as interest rates stabilize higher than the last 4 years (as they are now). There will be good cause for us as Leaders in this space to help train and provide avenues for success to those that are struggling. It is easy to say 'less competition means more for me,' and I have heard that from several different realtors, but as someone who has invested in others' success, I think there is plenty for everyone who has the desire and drive to be successful, and it is our duty as leaders to help those with the will and work ethic find success.
Shane is running for GAAR Director, download his full answers HERE.
View Shane's video HERE.
Candidate: Laura Garner
Company: ERA Summit
Position: Director
Challenges Facing the Current Real Estate Industry:
I think that we will see a continuation of the challenging market that we are currently in. Both a lack of housing inventory and rising interest rates will be the main difficulties that our industry will face. More than ever, it will be important to create deep relationships and to adequately show our value to consumers.
How Do You Feel GAAR Could Be More Relevant to Our Members?
I think that GAAR provides a tremendous value to its members. I do think there is room for improvement in our communication to the members. We need to be more varied in our outreach and inclusive in our communications so that everyone feels welcome in the capacity that works for them.
What Do You Feel Will Be Unique About the Next Two-Year Time Frame?
I think with continuing legal battles over clear cooperation and rule of compensation litigation, it will be more important than ever that Realtors understand our role and be able to articulate that to their customers. I think that we may see a shift in how compensation is provided, and that we need to be prepared. I could see that buyer-broker agreements may become the norm as well. I think that GAAR needs to play a large role in educating and preparing our Realtors for impending changes in the way that we do business.
Laura is running for GAAR Director, download her full answers HERE.
View Laura's video HERE.
Candidate: Deva Khalsa
Company: Lisa Hebenstreit Realty LLC
Position: Director
Challenges Facing the Current Real Estate Industry:
- Lack of housing inventory.
- Relatively high-interest rates.
- Inflation due to the pandemic.
- Racial inequity in the availability of resources.
How Do You Feel GAAR Could Be More Relevant to Our Members?
Inspire members to get involved. Create engagement and talk WITH the members rather than AT the members. More outreach and connection with the brokers.
What Do You Feel Will Be Unique About the Next Two-Year Time Frame?
How to come out of this high inflationary historical time of the pandemic with home buyers discouraged with high interest rates hence they hold onto their current homes with low-interest rate mortgages. We are also seeing an influx of out-of-state homebuyers and investors due to the relatively low average cost of housing in NM.
Deva is running for GAAR Director, download her full answers HERE.
View Deva's video HERE.
Candidate: Jenn Cody Martin
Company: New Mexico Real Estate Group
Position: Treasurer
Challenges Facing the Current Real Estate Industry:
We are in a shift of our market. The industry is going to change in the next few years. Most of our membership have been licensed for less than 10 years and they don't know how to effectively navigate a changing market. I think that understanding how to pivot and getting back to basics will be crucial for maintaining production.
How Do You Feel GAAR Could Be More Relevant to Our Members?
To be more relevant, GAAR needs to continue investing in and listening to the members. GAAR is on the right track with having unique speakers from around the city coming in to talk about relevant issues. If GAAR could help the members find the source in which we can cite in our daily practice, that would help grow the professionalism and knowledge of our membership.
What Do You Feel Will Be Unique About the Next Two-Year Time Frame?
With our building being open and almost finished and our rental property being rented, a large issue that the Board has been dealing with over the last few years is done. With that off of the table, I think there will be an energy shift back to how the Board can better serve the membership through the programs provided, events provided, and responding to their needs. In the next two years, our industry will continue to shift, and the Board will have to respond to that shift and change in a manner that is beneficial to our membership.
Jenn is running for GAAR Treasurer, download her full answers HERE.
View Jenn's video HERE.
Candidate: Eanika Nunez
Company: Realty One of New Mexico
Position: Treasurer
Challenges Facing the Current Real Estate Industry:
Challenges facing the current real estate industry are supply and demand imbalance, affordability in an era of uncertainty. In many regions, there was an imbalance between housing supply and demand. This led to rising property prices and affordability issues, making it difficult for many people, particularly first-time home buyers, to enter the market. High property prices and stagnant wage growth were making it challenging for individuals and families to afford homes. This issue was especially pronounced in urban areas where housing costs were significantly higher. However, our industry is one of the largest contributing segments contributing to our economy and American Dream, therefore there will always be a demand for homeownership in spite of the rising rates or inflation.
How Do You Feel GAAR Could Be More Relevant to Our Members?
GAAR is relevant to our members. How can they be MORE relevant? By possibly encouraging more realtors such as myself and others to post videos on social media and draw more realtors into involvement using industry peers. Since social media is the new generation hub, possible calls to action on the GAAR website could assist in realtor involvement.
What Do You Feel Will Be Unique About the Next Two-Year Time Frame?
In the next two-year time frame, changes in the climate of real estate due to interest rates, supply vs demand, world trade, and the rise or fall of inflation, plus many others are sure to come. There will be unique industry changes where adaptation will be critical.
Eanika is running for GAAR Treasurer, download her full answers HERE.
View Eanika's video HERE.
Candidate: Joshua Price
Company: Maddox Management LLC
Position: Vice President
Challenges Facing the Current Real Estate Industry:
Everyone will tell you inventory, and they are right. With rising interest rates and low inventory, it is arduous being in this business for every caliber of agent. The biggest challenge is making sure that our association is at the forefront of discussions that shape policy and legislation which effects our day to day businesses. We need to assist in shaping legislation towards private property rights and economic growth with conscientious development in mind.
How Do You Feel GAAR Could Be More Relevant to Our Members?
Once you understand all that GAAR has to offer in the ways of meeting space, education, and services it could not be more relevant. However, what I have been hearing from other members lately has been that not every new realtor, or even old ones for that matter, feel as if they are actually members. What I mean by this is that they don't actually see themselves as part of the group. I will do my best to serve the membership by getting the word out that all of us are part of a huge GAAR family and all of us are welcomed at dinner, even the creepy uncles in the family.
What Do You Feel Will Be Unique About the Next Two-Year Time Frame?
Over the next few years, we will continue to see record growth in Albuquerque as long as we can continue to promote policy that allows for more housing development and better usage of inventory already on hand. The industry wants to move here, and good policy can make sure that happens.
Josh is running for GAAR Vice President, download his full answers HERE.
View Josh's video HERE.
Candidate: Winnette (Wendy) Rhoades
Company: Platinum Properties and Investments
Position: Director
Challenges Facing the Current Real Estate Industry:
One of the biggest challenges we face as an industry are the lawsuits and class actions currently moving through the court system. These cases will affect the future of every MLS and more importantly the buyer’s ability to receive proper representation.
How Do You Feel GAAR Could Be More Relevant to Our Members?
This is one of the hardest issues of any association. Realtors are very busy people. They juggle family, friends, community involvement, and the ever increasing needs of their customers at the same time. They desire to help people and serve their communities. The association’s role is come along beside the membership to provide knowledge and services to assist them in reaching their goals as Realtors and citizens.
What Do You Feel Will Be Unique About the Next Two-Year Time Frame?
More than anytime prior, advocacy is going to be at the forefront of the next two years. Advocacy for the realtor, the community, and the individual. Advocating for realtors in the courts, advocating for the rights of consumers in a housing market that is shifting, and advocating for the rights of all citizens through fair housing solutions toward the goal of homeownership.
Wendy is running for GAAR Director, download her full answers HERE.
View Wendy's Video HERE.
Candidate: Victoria (Torie) Robinson
Company: RE/MAX ELEVATE
Position: Director
Challenges Facing the Current Real Estate Industry:
Inventory, affordability, cyber security
How Do You Feel GAAR Could Be More Relevant to Our Members?
I think GAAR is doing a very good job; however, I believe that we could offer more opportunities to engage more mature REALTORS® with the younger generation to enhance knowledge, resources, and solutions to current market challenges. We could create more opportunities for members to connect and collaborate with each other through networking events and mixers.
What Do You Feel Will Be Unique About the Next Two-Year Time Frame?
It will be a great challenge to protect our sellers' equity while at the same time, creatively negotiating on our buyers' behalf to help them enter the realm of homeownership.
Torie is running for GAAR Director, download her full answers HERE.
View Torie's video HERE.
Candidate: Kiki Salcido
Company: K2 Simply Real Estate
Position: Director
Challenges Facing the Current Real Estate Industry:
Transparency to consumers and ethical performance for all parties.
How Do You Feel GAAR Could Be More Relevant to Our Members?
Show members all that GAAR does, addressing concerns about transparency.
What Do You Feel Will Be Unique About the Next Two-Year Time Frame?
Challenges include interest rate hikes, low inventory, presidential change, and economic uncertainty.
Kiki is running for GAAR Director, download his full answers HERE.
View Kiki's video HERE.
Candidate: Kristina Salcido
Company: K2 Simply Real Estate
Position: Director
Challenges Facing the Current Real Estate Industry:
We are entering into a shift from a very high bull market, and many newer brokers don't know how to navigate that or educate their clients on the shift in the market. Higher than previous years interest rates are halting many uneducated buyers from entering the market and thus are not stimulating the economy. I think also, since the market was very fast-paced in the past few years, many brokers were not trained properly on the whole process and are getting into situations they don't know how to handle.
How Do You Feel GAAR Could Be More Relevant to Our Members?
I feel that GAAR does a great job of changing its tech and education already, but I think different outreach avenues would help bring more bodies to trainings and events. I think making a conscious effort to visit with different brokerages to show the resources GAAR offers would help spread the word.
What Do You Feel Will Be Unique About the Next Two-Year Time Frame?
We are stepping into a new market as the shift approaches and I believe this will be an important time to be a great support system for our fellow brokers as they navigate this change and adjustment in their businesses. Touchpoints to the brokers and events and trainings will be very important to make sure we can all weather the storm together.
Kristina is running for GAAR Director, download her full answers HERE.
View Kristina's video HERE.
Candidate: Chris Shain Tanner
Company: Coldwell Banker Legacy
Position: President-elect
Challenges Facing the Current Real Estate Industry:
Housing affordability, market volatility, sustainability concerns, and adapting to technological advancements.
How Do You Feel GAAR Could Be More Relevant to Our Members?
Focus on tailored professional development opportunities, mentorship programs, networking events, and gathering member input.
What Do You Feel Will Be Unique About the Next Two-Year Time Frame?
Factors include post-pandemic shifts, technology integration, affordability challenges, regulatory changes, evolving buyer preferences, alternative housing models, data privacy, and diverse investment opportunities.
Shain is running for GAAR President-elect, download his full answers HERE.
View Shain's video HERE.
Candidate: Alice Tozer
Company: Keller Williams Realty
Position: Director
Challenges Facing the Current Real Estate Industry:
Higher interest rates, lack of inventory, lack of affordable housing.
How Do You Feel GAAR Could Be More Relevant to Our Members?
Improve listening to members, offer relevant education classes, and adapt to changes in real estate practices.
What Do You Feel Will Be Unique About the Next Two-Year Time Frame?
Concerns regarding lawsuits against the National Association of Realtors and changes in real estate practices.
Alice is running for GAAR Director, download her full answers HERE.
View Alice's video HERE.
Candidate: Christopher Venegas
Company: Keller Williams Realty
Position: Vice President
Challenges Facing the Current Real Estate Industry:
Affordable and available housing, lack of public knowledge regarding housing.
How Do You Feel GAAR Could Be More Relevant to Our Members?
Prioritize engaging on social media to reach and connect with new members.
What Do You Feel Will Be Unique About the Next Two-Year Time Frame?
Shift towards a tech-driven approach in the real estate industry, with a focus on virtual home tours, online marketing, and the impact of the pandemic on digital tools and technology adoption.
Chris is running for GAAR Vice President, download his full answers HERE.
View Chris's video HERE.
SWMLS Board Positions Open
Officer Positions
• President-elect (1-year term)
• Treasurer (1-year term)
SWMLS Candidate Questionnaires
Candidate: Cathy Colvin
Company: Vista Encantada REALTORS, LLC
Position: President-elect
Please share your experience, qualifications, skills, knowledge, and any other relevant information that would make you an asset to the SWMLS Board of Directors and SWMLS Participants/Subscribers.
Having served in this capacity, I have the experience to lead the SWMLS in the right direction. I anticipate some difficult and critical decisions may need to be made in the near future, and I have the institutional knowledge and experience to make sound decisions.
What leadership skills do you bring to the role?
I bring strong leadership skills to the role, built upon my experience in this capacity.
What is the role of SWMLS and what are the challenges facing SWMLS moving forward?
The role of the SWMLS is to be the premier provider of accurate information and MLS services to our Participants and Subscribers. Challenges facing SWMLS include issues related to professionalism, disruptors, and impending lawsuits.
What is one thing you would like to change that is in the purview of SWMLS?
I would like to see the SWMLS separate from being under the GAAR umbrella. That will provide more options for the MLS, as many MLS' around the country are doing so. We have seen them thrive and not be under the purview of many NAR rules and guidelines.
Cathy is running for SWMLS President-elect, download her full answers HERE.
View Cathy's video HERE.
Candidate: Teri Vasquez-Hatcher
Company: Realty One of New Mexico
Position: Treasurer
Please share your experience, qualifications, skills, knowledge, and any other relevant information that would make you an asset to the SWMLS Board of Directors and SWMLS Participants/Subscribers.
I have been a Realtor for many years and have experienced various roles within the industry, including being a small "part-time" broker and working as a sales manager and trainer for local brokerages. Currently, I am a Qualifying Broker for one of the larger brokerages in our MLS, supervising the activities of 20 associates while being considered a top producer myself. My experience has given me valuable insights into the challenges brokers face daily.
What leadership skills do you bring to the role?
I have had the pleasure of serving on our local MLS board for the last several years, which has provided me with a strong foundation in leadership within the industry.
What is the role of SWMLS and what are the challenges facing SWMLS moving forward?
The goal of SWMLS is to be the premier provider of accurate information and MLS services to our Participants and Subscribers. The challenge lies in navigating the constant influx of "bigger, better, faster" technological options and determining what is most valuable for our members in an ever-evolving industry.
What is one thing you would like to change that is in the purview of SWMLS?
It's not necessarily in our purview, but I would love to encourage less seasoned brokers to get involved alongside more experienced brokers. The newer brokers tend to approach things differently mainly because they aren't in a "groove," they are still figuring things out, and I always appreciate their questions being presented. Some have easier answers, but others cause us to stop and think about how we are approaching projects and view them from various angles. I think that makes us stronger overall when we can look at things from more than just one perspective, especially when it comes to technology and how it's enabling (or prohibiting) business. Less seasoned brokers often ask questions that we tend to lose sight of after having worked in the industry for years, and I find the fresh perspective to be valuable. I would also like to see SWMLS continue to try and educate on what the MLS is, what it does and doesn't do, and how it fits into supporting our members. I have learned so much about that from serving on the board, and I hope to impart what I can to my colleagues.
Teri is running for SWMLS Treasurer, download her full answers HERE.
View Teri's video HERE.