2013 YPN Advisory Board

Chair
 

Region 8: Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska
Rob Mehta, ABR, CIPS
Coldwell Banker Burnet
Plymouth, Minn.

Rob Mehta is a native of the Twin Cities and has been in the real estate industry for 15 years. He is currently sales manager for Coldwell Banker Burnet in Minneapolis. Prior to joining the Coldwell Banker organization, Mehta was the founder and owner of RE/MAX Real Estate Group and spent a decade with the RE/MAX organization. He also co-founded a real estate brokerage and consulting practice in Bangkok, Thailand in 2006. Mehta is a graduate of the Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS® Compass Academy and of the National Association of REALTORS® Leadership Academy. He serves as a continuing education instructor for the National Association of REALTORS®, the Minnesota Association of REALTORS®, the Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS®, and Coldwell Banker Blue University. Rob has previously served on the executive committee of both the Minneapolis and Minnesota Association's of REALTORS®, and AREAA (the Asian Real Estate Association of America), and has served as president of the Minnesota Association of REALTORS®. He is currently chair of MNAR's Government Affairs Committee. Mehta was a founding member of the Minneapolis Yo Pro's, the first official YPN Network in the United States. He has served on NAR's Board of Directors and on the CIPS Advisory and Risk Management Committees, and was recently President’s Liaison to Technology and Business Issues. You might also recognize Rob as guest host on several season's of the DIY Network hit show Sweat Equity.

If you have any questions or comments for the board, or if you would like to contact an individual board member, please contact YPN Manager Rob Reuter at rreuter@realtors.org or 312-329-8433.

Vice Chair
 

Region 1: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut
Matt Phipps, CRS, CIPS, e-PRO, SFR
Phipps Realty
Providence, R.I.

Matt Phipps is a fourth-generation real estate practitioner from Providence, R.I., who is licensed in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Matt was recognized as one of REALTOR® Magazine's 30 Under 30 in 2008. He was appointed the chair of NAR’s Communications Committee in 2009 and has also served as a member of Research, Equal Opportunity/Cultural Diversity, and Strategic Planning committees.  Phipps co-founded the RI YPN group and has been a national YPN member since its inception.  After earning a degree in journalism from American University in Washington, D.C., he applied his media knowledge and skills as the creator/producer/host of Providence’s ABC6/RI News Channels’ “Real Estate Minute,” and is the producer/creator of Fox Providence/The Rhode Show’s “House Talk.” He has been featured or quoted in several local and national publications including The Washington Post, The Real Deal (NYC), USA Today, Real Estate Times, and The Providence Journal. Taking lessons from a decade of experience, Phipps has spent the last few years earning his stripes as a local teacher, creating courses for Rhode Island Association of REALTORS®, and serving as a national speaker (Orlando, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Chicago).

Advisory Board Members
 

Region 2: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania
Michael Oppler, GREEN, e-PRO
Prominent Properties Sotheby's International Realty
Northern New Jersey

Michael Oppler is the vice president of career development and a broker-associate for Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty located in New Jersey. Oppler is an advocate, strongly promoting the culture of RPAC, and he proudly serves on the RPAC Major Investors Council. His committee appointments for 2013 include the National Association of REALTORS® Strategic Planning Committee, New Jersey Association of REALTORS® Legislative Committee, Eastern Bergen County Board of REALTORS® RPAC chair and YPN. He is also executive vice president for HomesInYourTown.com.

Region 3: Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia, West Virginia
Drew Fristoe, ABR, ePro, SFR
Coldwell Banker Elite
Fredericksburg, Va.

Drew Fristoe, raised in Fredericksburg, Va., graduated from the University of Mary Washington in 2006 with a B.S. in business administration.  A first-generation real estate professional who was licensed in 2008, Fristoe is active in his state and local association. He is a co-founder of the Fredericksburg Area Association YPN, which Drew chaired in 2012, and has served on the Virginia Association of REALTORS® Information Management Committee since 2012.  He was also chair of the Fredericksburg REALTOR® Foundation for 2011 and 2012.  In addition, Fristoe has worked on the Federal Political Coordinating Team for 1st District Rep. Rob Whitman (R-VA) since 2009.

Region 4: North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee
Brandi Pearl Thompson, ABR, CRS, GEI
Keller Williams Realty
Chattanooga, Tenn.

Brandi Pearl Thompson has been licensed in real estate for seven years and currently works at Keller Williams Realty in Chattanooga, Tenn. She has a degree in education, and before going selling real estate she owned a small business. Combining these to talents has allowed her to work with buyers and sellers educating them on the market.

Region 5: Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi
Eben Moran
Prudential Florida Realty
Naples, Fla.

Eben Moran, a Sterling R – RPAC contributor, is a sales associate with Prudential Florida Realty in Naples, Florida. Eben currently serves as a director for the Naples Area Board of REALTORS®, and is a founder who served as the first chairperson of the NABOR YPN network. Eben also serves as a director for Florida REALTORS® and is a member of the Florida REALTORS® YPN Advisory Committee. Additionally, Eben has served nationally on the NAR Business Issues Committee.

Region 6: Ohio, Michigan
Matt Case
Coldwell Banker Schmidt
Traverse City, Mich.

Matt Case is a 15-year veteran of the real estate industry and has served in his local, state, and national associations in various roles. Case co-founded the YPN Michigan network and is a member of the NAR Leadership Academy class of 2011. He is passionate about the development of the next generation of great real estate professionals. As vice president of Business Development for Coldwell Banker Schmidt, Case leads recruiting efforts for the third largest Coldwell Banker Affiliate in the nation.  Case loves technology, leverages the power of social networks, and is taller in real life.

Region 7: Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin
Kyle Killebrew, CRS, GRI
The Real Estate Group, Inc.
Springfield, Ill.

Kyle Killebrew is a first-generation real estate professional who focuses primarily on residential real estate sales as the broker/partner of Kyle Killebrew & Co. - The Real Estate Group in Springfield, Ill. Having graduated from Western Illinois University in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in business and finance, Kyle chose to embark on a real estate career and started selling full-time in 2004. Since that time, he has become one of the top producing real estate agents in his area, having sold well over 1,000 homes.  In 2007, Killebrew received the “Rising Star” award from his local association, and was featured in REALTOR® Magazine’s 30 Under 30 class of 2010. Kyle served as a founding member and chairperson for the Illinois Association of REALTORS® YPN, and has participated on a variety of Capital Area Association of REALTORS® committees.

Region 9: Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas
Bobbi Howe, CRS
RE/MAX Professionals of St. Joseph
St. Joseph, Mo.

Bobbi Howe is a second-generation real estate professional who first started helping her mother sell real estate when she was 8 years old. Howe officially received her real estate license when she turned 18 and has also spent time working as an escrow agent for a title insurance company. Howe is the president of the St. Joseph (Mo.) Regional Association of REALTORS®, sits on the Missouri Association of REALTORS® Executive Committee, and is serving on the Council of Residential Specialists (CRS) Strategic Planning Committee. Howe was a 2008 member of the Missouri Association of REALTORS® Leadership Academy and co-founded the Missouri YPN Chapter in 2009. In her spare time, Howe enjoys running marathons and is addicted to Draw Something.

Region 10: Texas and Louisiana
Philip B.W. Becker, ABR, TRLP
Becker Properties
San Antonio, Texas

Philip B.W. Becker is the broker/owner of Becker Properties in San Antonio, Texas. Founded in 2009, Becker Properties currently consists of seven agents specializing in residential and farm and ranch real estate. Philip’s team utilizes professional video and unique Web marketing strategies in their day-to-day business. Upon receiving his license, Philip quickly became involved with the REALTOR® organization. Philip was named the San Antonio Board of REALTORS® Rookie of the Year in 2010. He was elected vice chair of the Greater San Antonio YPN for 2010, and served as chair in 2011. Philip also served on the Texas Association of REALTORS® YPN Advisory Council in 2011 and the TAR Political Affairs Committee in 2012. Philip was the youngest member of the San Antonio Board of REALTORS® Board of Directors in 2012, and will continue to serve in that position in 2013 and 2014 as well. Philip also serves on the Texas Association of REALTORS® MLS / Technology Committee and on the National Association of REALTORS® Housing Opportunity Committee.

Tiffany Curry, ABR
Heritage Texas Properties
Houston, Texas

Tiffany Curry, a native Houstonian, entered real estate in 2006 after a pact with a fellow classmate during her senior year in college. She is a multi-million dollar sales associate with one of Houston’s leading luxury real estate firms where she specializes in residential sales, including relocation, entertainment and sports. In 2011, she was awarded Houston real estate’s highest honor of REALTOR® of the Year (the youngest in the history of the association). Most recently, she has been selected as one of the Houston Business Journal's Top 40 Under 40 professionals in business, and in 2010 she was awarded Top 20 Under 40 Rising Stars in Real Estate by the Houston Association of REALTORS®.  A STERLING R – RPAC contributor, Tiffany has served as a director for the Houston and Texas Association of REALTORS®, Houston YPN chair, and president of Women's Council of REALTORS®, Houston. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Texas Southern University.

Emily Hunt
The Buehlers & Associates, Keller Williams Realty
Flower Mound, Texas

Emily Hunt is third-generation real estate professional in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, who grew up around both parents selling real estate and started working in the real estate industry in high school. After receiving her residential real estate license in 2011, Hunt worked with buyers helping them find their dream home in DFW. Since graduating from Texas Tech University in 2012 with a degree in advertising, she has worked with the Buehlers & Associates team with Keller Williams Realty as a buyer specialist and marketing director. Emily is also currently working as the land development coordinator in Houston for David Weekley Homes, while holding her position as advisory board member for the Young Professionals Network.

Kristin Smith
Dave Perry-Miller & Associates
Dallas, Texas

Kristin Smith is a native Texan with a degree in psychology from the University of Texas at Tyler.  She is a third-generation real estate professional.  Her grandfather, Harley E. Rouda, is a past NAR President. Smith works with her parents and brother as a real estate team with Dave Perry-Miller & Associates, an Ebby Halliday company in Dallas. Kristin will also be serving on the 2013 Social Media Advisory Board for the National Association of REALTORS®.

Region 11: Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona
Keith Kanemoto
Prudential Rocky Mountain REALTORS®
Longmont, Colo.

Keith Kanemoto is a second-generation commercial real estate professional and shareholder in Prudential Rocky Mountain REALTORS® in Longmont, Colo. He graduated from the University of Denver with a degree in finance and real estate in 1999. Since joining the business, he has served as president of the Longmont Association of REALTORS®, director for the Colorado Association of REALTORS® (seven years), Northeast District Vice President for CAR, co-founder and chairperson of the CYPN Young Professionals Network, and chair of the Longmont Area Economic Council. Currently, he is the president of the Colorado Association of REALTORS®. He was one of REALTOR® Magazine’s 30 Under 30 in 2005, Boulder County Business Journal's 40 Under 40 in 2010, and listed as one of the Top 25 Influential Young Professionals in Colorado Biz Magazine. Kanemoto is a graduate of the NAR 2011 Leadership Academy class. 

Region 12: Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Alaska
Kerri Hartnett, PMN, GRI, Earth Advantage Certified Broker
Keller Williams Realty Portland Central
Portland, Oregon

Kerri Hartnett is a third-generation real estate professional with more than 10 years of experience in the business.  As a technology trainer and principal broker licensed with Keller Williams Realty PDX Central, Hartnett has proven to be an invaluable resource to her colleagues in Portland and around the country. She has served in several leadership positions throughout her local real estate community, including 2010 president for the Greater Portland Area Women’s Council of REALTORS®, serving on the board of directors at the Oregon Association of REALTORS® 2010-2012, and is a founding member of the Oregon REALTORS® Young Professionals Network, serving as the current chair. Hartnett has also been elected to serve as the Oregon State Women's Council of REALTORS® president-elect in 2013. In addition, Hartnett served on the Federal Housing Policy Committee from 2011-12 , and on the National Women’s Council of REALTORS® Professional Development Committee in 2012. Most recently, Kerri was appointed to serve on the 2013 Global Business and Alliances Committee, and to the National Women's Council of REALTORS® Outreach and Influence Committee. Hartnett was featured on HGTV’s My First Place in 2010, and has sustained as a top-producing agent working with buyers, sellers, and investors in the Portland area. In addition to serving the real estate industry, Hartnett volunteers regularly at her son's school, along with other community organizations. Her passion is helping people and having fun with everything she does.

Georgia Lee Wall
The Wall Team - John L. Scott Realty
Bellevue, Wash.

Georgia Wall was first licensed in real estate in 1999 while earning a B.A. in communication at Seattle Pacific University. As a second-generation real estate professional,  Georgia works side-by-side with her mother in the Greater Seattle area in residential re-sale and foreclosures. She was awarded 2011 “One to Watch” by Seattle King County REALTOR® Association. Wall dedicated herself to the expansion of the local SKCR Young Professional Network the following year. She is serving her third year on SKCR YPN as chair. She was honored to accept the Small/Medium YPN of the Year Award for 2012 on behalf of SKCR YPN. A die hard Seahawk fan and Sea Gal of the Year in 2007, Georgia uses her love of football and cheerleading to expand her network and sales production. She has grown a healthy business, making Presidents Gold Circle for sales for John L. Scott Realty. Wall currently serves as a Women's Council of REALTORS® state director, and started her third year on the SKCR Board of Directors. Georgia is known by @KirklandPeach on Twitter and Tweets about real estate, Seahawks, and great coffee.

Region 13: California and Hawaii
Tamara Suminski, GRI, ABR, ASP, e-PRO
Harcourts Prime Properties
Hermosa Beach, Calif.

Tamara Suminski is a REALTOR® with Harcourts Prime Properties in Hermosa Beach, Calif. She was raised among a family of real estate investors, and received her bachelor's degree from Pepperdine University - George L. Graziadio School of Business and Management. As a young professional, Suminski is a leader in the industry and pioneering the latest real estate technologies. Suminski donates a portion of all her earnings to the Children's Miracle Network and volunteers countless hours to the South Bay Association of REALTORS® as a member of the Government Affairs Committee and chair of SBAOR YPN. In 2010, Suminski was awarded "REALTOR® of the Year," just two years after being awarded "Rookie of the Year" for her involvement at the association and professionalism in the industry. She also serves as a state director for the California Association of REALTORS®, vice-chair of the C.A.R. YPN and a Legislative Liaison. As a former hotelier, Suminski is dedicated to perfecting the real estate experience through continuous innovation and the highest standards of service.

Association Executive Representative

Mark Epstein
Chief Operations Officer, Citrus Valley Association of REALTOR®
Greater Los Angeles Area

Mark Epstein is the chief executive officer of the Citrus Valley Association of REALTORS® – Glendora, Calif. He began his venture into the field of association management in September of 2002. Epstein was the 2012 chair of the NAR Association Executive Young Professionals Network, serves on the NAR REALTORS® Association Executive Committee, and also serves as an advisor to the California Association of REALTORS® Young Professionals Network. In addition to his association work, he also serves on the board of directors of the Asian Real Estate Association of America’s Southern California Tri-County Chapter.

Global Representative

Amie Trinder-Ferris
Erie's Edge Real Estate Ltd.
Ontario, Canada

Amie Trinder-Ferris is a sales representative for Erie's Edge Real Estate and third-generation real estate professional from Ontario, Canada. She currently chairs the Ontario Real Estate Association's YPN and serves as president of the Simcoe and District Real Estate Board. Amie has been a licensed real estate professional since 2007 and held various volunteer positions since 2008. Real estate is Amie's full time profession and she is passionate about giving back to the industry.