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PRESIDENT'S CORNER
2022 Year-End Presidential Insight
Final message from your 2022 GTR President Ruth Bryson
The quote “time flies when you are having fun” by Albert Einstein sums up my rewarding, insightful and unforgettable year as the 2022 President of Greater Tampa REALTORS®.
I have fond memories of mingling, listening and learning from members during the many GTR Mixers conducted throughout the Tampa Bay Area as a convenience to members. Mixers were held in Brandon, Wesley Chapel and Citrus Park. Other in-person events held to allow members to mingle and renew connections include: Meet The Candidates at The Pub, our 2022 General Membership Meeting, Affiliate Tradeshow at Armature Works and GTR Global Mixer at Brio Italian Grille. All were planned and well executed by our dedicated staff.
Advocacy efforts were a resounding success starting with Great American REALTORS® Days (GARD) in Tallahassee. A group of new and experienced members headed to Tallahassee in February to meet with legislators on pending legislation and to discuss important issues impacting Florida’s real estate industry. Casino Night and Auction at Westin Tampa Bay was a successful fundraising event for RPAC as well as a networking opportunity with casino games, a cigar roller and food and drinks.
Significant acknowledgements and awards include a proclamation from Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners in recognition of our efforts during Fair Housing Month in April. The proclamation was presented by Commissioner Kimberly Overman. A Focus on Fair Housing was presented by REFAA (Real Estate for All Alliance) on April 21, 2022, with an outstanding line up of speakers. GTR earned the prestigious Platinum Global Achievement Award presented by NAR (National Association of REALTORS®) for the fifth consecutive year. GTR’s Young Professionals Network returned with a vengeance in 2022. A wildly successful 2022 YPN Kickoff Event in June featured a Pirate Water Taxi Tour followed by a Mixer at Jackson’s Bistro. Fun was had by all at the 3rd Annual Blue Party in September at the fabulous Westin Tampa Bay and The Tacky Sweater Party in December at Zydeco Brew Works in historic Ybor City.
We held the first Awards luncheon to celebrate and honor fellow members for their exemplary professionalism, commitment and selfless attitude. I had the distinct honor to present 2022 Presidential Awards to four professionals for their untiring efforts, advice and unwavering assistance helping me achieve my theme of Moving Forward in 2022!
GTR was also a sponsor for the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) Annual Conference and Celebration of the 75th Founding Anniversary in Tampa.
Your amazing Board of Directors exercised remarkable due diligence during a year full of challenges such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, shortage of inventory, lawsuits and huge venture capital investments. Let’s not forget skyrocketing home and rental prices, rising interest rates and rampant inflation. I’m especially proud of their sound decisions and commitment to move forward with the search for a new CEO and contracting for an Interim CEO. The Board is laser focused on providing programs, products and series to help members thrive and succeed in an ever-changing marketplace.
As this unprecedented year comes to a close, I want to thank each of you for the honor to serve as your 2022 President. I’m thankful for the opportunity to work with an exceptional Board of Directors, resourceful Affiliates, competent and efficient staff and amazing volunteers. All the best to Incoming President Jay Quigley and the 2023 Board of Directors. Wishing everyone a safe and joyous holiday season.
GREATER TAMPA REALTORS® CORE VALUES
MEMBERS FIRST
We consistently serve our members with passion and purpose to anticipate their needs and exceed their expectations.
TRANSPARENCY
We maintain open lines of communication, striving to do what’s right with integrity.
PROFESSIONALISM
We are the face of Greater Tampa REALTORS® and exemplify professionalism at all times.
UNITY
We support, respect and appreciate others, and embody principles of collaboration, diversity and inclusion.
INNOVATION
We encourage creative and inspirational ideas that challenge the status quo.
TAMPA
REALTOR®
Volume 6 | Issue 6
tamparealtors.org/magazine
813.879.7010
2022 OFFICERS
President: Ruth Bryson President-Elect: Jay Quigley Vice President: Adam Grenville Treasurer: Annette Newkirk Secretary: Marie Gregorio Betlow Immediate Past President: Ellie Lambert Interim CEO: Carol Austin
2022 DIRECTORS
Lorenzo Acevedo, Kimberly Aguilar, Bree Allison, Keianna Carty, Tina Marie Eloian, Melanie Norris, Quan Remmer, Jack Rodriguez, Ann Thompson and David Gonzalez
EDITOR/DESIGNER
Kimberly Chin, Communications/PR Manager
ASSISTANT EDITORS
Jennifer Lalji, Communications Coordinator Parker Lewis, Marketing Manager
ASSISTANT DESIGNER
AJ Hlavac, Creative Content Coordinator
The Greater Tampa REALTORS® Inc. (GTR) is the largest Tampa Bay-based professional association of real estate brokers and sales associates conducting business throughout the Bay. GTR provides educational programs, ethical guidance and other services that enable licensed real estate professionals to help people buy and sell homes in the Greater Tampa area. For more information, please visit tamparealtors.org.
REPRODUCTION
Tampa REALTOR® magazine is published bi-monthly for members of GTR in the interest of informing, promoting, and improving the real estate industry. With the exception of articles and materials from other publications reprinted in this magazine, members and affiliate members of GTR are hereby authorized to reproduce articles appearing in this publication, provided each such reproduction gives the following credit:
Reprinted from the Tampa REALTOR® magazine,
Greater Tampa REALTORS®.
ADVERTISING INFORMATION
For advertising information/sales, please contact 813.879.7010 or news@tamparealtors.org. All advertising is subject to the approval of the GTR Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer.
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✓ Fill the Board vacancy with Elaine Pumarejo was adopted. ✓ Approve the 2023 budget ✓ Approve a one-time adjustment to the Florida REALTOR® director reimbursement policy from $1500 to $1700. ✓ Approve RPAC funding of an additional $1,000 for Jen McDonald, Florida House 65.
✓ Approved by unanimous consent the contribution of $10,000 to the Florida REALTORS® Disaster Relief Fund to support the REALTOR® families impacted by Hurricane Ian.
GTR retains Platinum designation for global business leadership
Greater Tampa REALTORS® has earned the Platinum Global Achievement Award presented by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) for the fourth consecutive year.
The Global Achievement Program is designed to recognize and reward the most active associations in global business. Each applicant is reviewed by a 10+ person NAR staff review team.
GTR’s Global Business Council “set the bar” among 130 global business councils nationwide, according to Lisa Calarco, Manager, Global Programs and Outreach/Engagement for NAR.
The Tampa Bay Global Business Council is committed to providing members with the necessary education and tools to conduct real estate transactions with foreign buyers and sellers. As part of the Council, GTR members have opportunities to broaden their knowledge of international tax and immigration laws, discover the latest international trends and opportunities for business and expand their referral base through networking with local and state and national entities.
Kathy Razzano has been a C2EX member since it started three years ago and just completed her renewal for another three years.
