Together We Win with 2020 President David Clapp

It’s hard to find a leader more enthusiastic, more energized, or more focused than David Clapp, Managing Broker at RE/MAX Alliance Group, and the newly installed President of the REALTOR® Association of Sarasota and Manatee (RASM). Guests of the 2019 Installation and Awards Banquet learned this firsthand as RASM installed the 2020 officers and directors and recognized seven award winners. New President David Clapp presented the Association’s 2020 strategic plan to advance the professionalism and expertise of the area’s 7,000 Realtor® members.

During his speech, David thanked outgoing 2019 President Amy Worth, and the many RASM volunteers for their past and continued service to the Association. He also outlined his commitment for 2020 and goals for his presidency, emphasizing a commitment to the RASM strategic plan.

“I am excited for the opportunity to serve as your president in 2020. Some say that it’s ‘my year.’ But I view it more as ‘our year,’ and look forward to challenging our Board, Committees, and staff to grow this association to new heights. I am privileged to be surrounded by so many great people that will enable us to accomplish great things in 2020.”

2020 RASM Officers at the 2019 Installation and Awards Banquet.

Jesse Sunday, RASM.

WHO IS DAVID CLAPP?

David has always had a passion for helping people. Born and raised in the Philadelphia suburbs of Pennsylvania, David understood the value of serving others early in life. When his father passed away at a young age, David found support from his youth pastor. This experience inspired him to return the favor by becoming a youth pastor after college. Soon after working in the Church, David’s friend asked him to join his real estate brokerage. Almost 41 years later, he is still helping others in his real estate career.

In his first year of business, he sold just under $2 million in real estate, when the average sales price was $45,000, and he quickly became the top producer in his office. Later, he shifted to the corporate world as a management consultant for corporate Century 21 of Eastern PA, consulting with over 100 offices. Additionally, David was the Director of Education for

Century 21 of Eastern PA, where he personally trained over 5,000 agents. He eventually moved back into the marketplace when he became a top broker/owner of a multi office Century 21 franchise in Pennsylvania.

When he moved his family to Florida in 1999, he continued in real estate. Today, David is the Managing Broker and Director of Education for RE/MAX Alliance Group, a real estate company with 11 offices and 350 agents in Sarasota and Manatee counties as well as the Tampa area. In addition to his management role, David still occasionally lists and sells real estate.

David’s always been actively involved in anything he does. He was previously a member of the Montgomery County Association of Realtors® in PA, where he served in many different roles and received several award recognitions, including Realtor® of the Year in 1993. While involved at RASM, David has served on several committees and was recognized as RASM’s Realtor® of the Year in 2015. He is also actively involved in Florida REALTORS® on several committees, including the FR BAR Contract revisions committee. His commitment to excellence and winning attitude allowed him to succeed and excel in his business each step of the way. He credits his values for a large part of his past and continued success.

Angela Moon Photography

VALUES-DRIVEN LEADERSHIP

As a leader, David holds his values closely in order to set an example to his team. He is passionate about helping people, striving for excellence, and making a difference.

“My values drive who I am and represent what I do,” said David. “I am so excited about 2020 and I promise that the same values I use to run my business and live my life will be brought to the table as we travel together in the next year.”

David defines five values in his business, in his life, and now in his position as RASM President:

1 | Going above and beyond “average.” David and his leadership team will Reach Further™ in everything we do at RASM.

2 | Committing to excellence. David says, “anything worth doing is worth doing right.”

3 | Treating the customer, and likewise the RASM members, as number one. Service always comes first.

4 | Honesty and integrity must rule above all else. 5 | And creating a win-win solution for all.

TOGETHER WE WIN

David has dedicated his life to creating “win-win” solutions for those around him. Whether he’s working with a customer, serving on a committee, or managing a brokerage, David’s primary focus is on others around him. “People who are only inward-focused create win-lose environments because it’s all about the individual,” said David. “But together we can create a win-win environment because the focus is on the group.”

For 2020, David has adopted the phrase “Together We Win” as a theme to keep the leadership focused on teamwork and the overall membership of RASM.

“‘Together We Win’ is more than just a theme or a motto, it’s a way of life for me,” said David. “I feel that we live in a world that seems to be focused only on ‘me,’ or ‘it’s all about what I want.’ But ‘Together We Win’ is all about pulling together to make greater advancements, opposed to what we can achieve on our own. As an organization, we need to come together, using each other’s strengths to make us stronger and better.”

“When our committees work together: Together We Win. When our Board of Directors work together: Together We Win. When our members use the resources provided, attend classes, participate in events, and volunteer their time and talents: Together We Win,” said David.

Working Together in 2020, David is committed to:

• Focusing on the Strategic Plan, curating bold ideas and strategies.

• Focusing on Realtor® Success.

• Bringing members great value, as evidenced by the Strategic Plan.

• Actively listening to members through surveys, focus groups, and one-on-one conversations.

• And bringing passion to the table by leading from the heart.

SETTING EXPECTATIONS

The Strategic Plan was created to provide goals and strategies for RASM in 2020. During RASM’s Strategic Planning Session back in September, RASM officers, directors and committee chairs came up with goals for the association in 2020. Led by David, RASM’s main goals are to add more member value, such as a new video studio and to reduce the cost of education classes to help our members become successful.

David introduced the Plan at the 2019 Banquet. During his speech, he challenged the Board of Directors, committees, and staff to support the Plan’s initiatives.

The Strategic Plan has 5 strategic priorities for 2020, with 10 main goals, and 52 sub-goals:

1 | Member Engagement: Create an environment that conveys the value provided to our members.

2 | Public Relations: RASM will Reach Further™ to elevate the community awareness of the vital role of Realtors®.

3 | Professional Development: Be the premier source to educate and elevate our Realtor® members focusing on member productivity and profitability.

4 | Advocacy: Protect and promote the real estate profession and private property rights.

5 | Professionalism: Elevate member professionalism with a focus on etiquette, communication, respect, skill level and adherence to the code of ethics.

When a leader sets expectation, people will rise to meet those expectations. With a plan in place, David is ready to set the example and support his team as they work together toward victory for all members of RASM.

“I want to be a leader who sets expectations right away,” said David. “But I can’t do that alone. I am appreciative of the relationship that I have with my RASM family. Together, we can tackle this journey, because ‘Together We Win,’ and we will make it a great year in 2020!”

2019 INSTALLATION RECAP

The newly installed officers are President David Clapp, RE/MAX Alliance Group, President-Elect Adam Chicoine, RE/MAX Alliance Group, Treasurer Georgina Clamage, Michael Saunders & Company, Secretary Alex Krumm, NextHome Excellence and Immediate Past President Amy Worth, RE/MAX Platinum Realty.

The directors serving in 2020 are Michael Bruno, Jody Carlson, Jaymie Carter, Michelle Crabtree, Cor Donovan, Lee Forbes, Bill Furst, Sharon Gould, Melinda Gray, Mike Holland, Debbie Judge, Maryellen Paterson, Roger Piro, Brian Tresidder, Tony Veldkamp, and Steve Zeris.

At the banquet, seven members were also recognized for their contributions and achievements in 2019. The following recipients were nominated by their peers:

2019 Award Winners at the 2019 Installation and Awards Banquet.

Jesse Sunday, RASM.

REALTOR® of the Year: Denise Oyler, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices; President’s Award: Tony Veldkamp, SVN Commercial Advisory Group; Distinguished Service Award: Barry Grooms, SaraBay Suncoast Realty, Inc.; Humanitarian Award: Kristina von Kessel, Michael Saunders & Company; Newcomer of the Year: Alexandria Twigg, Keller Williams on the Water; YPN Member of the Year: Derek Patti, NextHome Excellence; Business Partner of the Year: Bree Carotti, Carotti Engineering, LLC.

2019 BANQUET AND ANNUAL CORPORATE SPONSORS

The Installation Banquet is possible through the support from sponsors. Thank you to our Platinum Installation sponsors, Michael Saunders & Company and Stellar MLS. Our Gold sponsor was RE/MAX Platinum Realty, and our Silver sponsors were KB Homes and Supra. Our Bronze sponsors were Premier Sotheby’s International Realty and Wagner Realty.

We’d also like to thank RASM’s 2019 Annual Platinum Sponsors for their continued support in 2019. The 2019 Platinum Sponsors were: Berlin Patten Ebling, Caliber Home Loans, Cornerstone Home Inspection, Cross Country Mortgage, Law Office of Nicole L. Jordan, Michael J. Belle, P.A., Pillar to Post Home Inspections and Stock Development.

Cover story photography provided by Angela Moon Photography.