Working Their Way To Great Heights

Meet the 2012 Class of Rising Stars –

A bright, energetic group full of potential and great ideas. Their backgrounds are as varied as the communities they hail from. But they do share one common trait: They’ve been in the business of real estate for less than five years and are already taking the industry by storm. We congratulate them for their success!

Stephen Long Keller Williams Realty Winston-Salem Regional Association of REALTORS®

Since becoming a REALTOR® in 2008, Long has influenced his board in multiple ways. In 2010, he spearheaded the effort to form a Young Professionals Network (YPN) in WinstonSalem and in 2011, served as chair of YPN for the NC Association of REALTORS®. Long is currently serving his local association as the YPN Technology Director, along with serving on the Strategic Planning Committee, and the Board of Directors. At the state level, he is chair of the Information Management Advisory Committee.

Tom Kemble

Go Realty, LLC

Durham Regional Association of REALTORS®

With just over four years under his belt, Kemble has been an asset to his local association, particularly when it comes to legislative issues. Since becoming a member in 2008, Kemble has served on the Legislative Committee, and this year also is serving on the Candidate Selection/Funding Committee, which reviews local candidates seeking government offices and determines those who support the ideals and principles of the Durham Regional Association of REALTORS®.

Jason Gentry

RE/MAX Executive Realty

Charlotte Regional REALTOR® Association

Selected as the 2011 Vane Mingle Rookie of the Year, Gentry has accomplished a lot in just over two years as a REALTOR®. Soon after transitioning from architecture –his first career – to real estate, Gentry quickly created a personal website, received real estate related certifications, and went to work with a team to develop a one-stop shop for green residential services, ReBILT. Gentry has also been active on the Charlotte Regional REALTOR® Association’s Government Affairs Committee, has served as a site captain for REALTORS® Care Day and was instrumental in starting the local chapter of the Young Professionals Network.

Deborah Davis

Lindsay Residential Properties

High Point Regional Association of REALTORS®

Davis’ local association credits her with bringing energy and excitement to all the projects she works on and in just four years, there have been many. She has served the High Point Regional Association of REALTORS® as co-chair of both the Community Services Committee and the REALTOR®/Home Inspection Council. Davis is presently serving as vice- chair/RPAC chair of the Governmental Affairs Committee, and also serves on both the Member Services & Business Basics Committee and Property Management Council. Davis is active with her church and the local Civitans Group.

Paul Campanaro

RE/MAX at the Beach, Calabash

Brunswick County Association of REALTORS®

Described as having a “bigger than life” attitude, Campanaro was licensed in the summer of 2010, joined RE/MAX at the Beach and has been involved in about a dozen or more sales transactions in the past 12 months. While he’s been successful in real estate, it’s Campanaro’s personality that has impressed his local association the most. Campanaro is also actively involved in his community and is enrolled in the Sherriff’s Civilian Academy, a 12-week work program that highlights all that the Office of the Sherriff does to keep the citizens of Brunswick County safe.

Laurie Smith

Realty World Cape Fear

Wilmington Regional Association of REALTORS®

Smith became a REALTOR® because she loves working with people – and in the last two years, she’s proven how much she cares about the real estate industry, too. With service on her local association’s Professional Development Committee and Foreclosure Task Force, along with participation in a number of fundraisers, seminars, and banquets, she has proved to be a strong asset for her local board. Smith is also active in her community and has volunteered with numerous agencies throughout Wilmington. v