I know it’s not fair to compare myself to baseball legend Derek Jeter, the all-star Yankee shortstop who retired last year, but I can’t resist.
Why? Because 2015 will be my last year as your NVAR CEO. Like Jeter, I want to go out still swinging the bat, playing the field and running the bases. I also want plenty of time to say thank you and goodbye to the members I have come to know and love over the past 25 years.
It’s hard to believe that when I started my journey in 1989 I really was a rookie in the big leagues. Yes, I had ten years of experience as an association executive in the Boston area, but that was the minor leagues compared to Northern Virginia!
I came to NVAR as a fresh-faced “new kid” on the block. While it’s true I knew much about the REALTOR family and how it operates, I knew nothing about Virginia. The 1989 Board of Directors, led by President Teddy Goodson, took a chance when they hired me as their first woman CEO. Pam McCoach, 1987 Board President, chaired the Executive Search Committee that selected me. She, Teddy, Renee Miller, Gayl Warman and David Howell were among the REALTORS who voted to offer me the position. I immediately felt a special bond with these courageous leaders and knew I could not disappoint them.
My first three years at NVAR were chaotic, stressful and totally invigorating. I loved the challenge almost as much as I loved the people I worked with every day.
I was given a free reign to re-invent NVAR and prepare it for the age of technology. Nothing escaped my attention – from converting a tired MLS system to one that eventually was able to handle the size and demands of our membership, to upgrading our mechanical lock box system, to restructuring our staff. I must admit I felt overwhelmed at times.
“Like Derek Jeter, I will leave on a high note, waving to the crowd, full of pride and with a big smile on my face.”
What kept me going, when I questioned my ability and courage, was the volunteer leadership. They were, and remain today, nothing short of miraculous. The thousands of hours that dedicated REALTORS volunteered during the turbulent years of budget deficits, falling membership, housing recessions and an aging headquarters building inspired me.
Volunteers from every size firm, franchise and real estate specialty answered the call when NVAR needed them. How could I be discouraged while working beside such dedicated members?
I followed the lead of these talented and generous REALTORS who served on the Board of Directors, committees and other REALTOR-related entities. With an ever changing staff, hired and retained because of the skill set they brought to the job, we persevered. Today NVAR is considered by some as the “Gold Standard” of REALTOR Associations!
And that standard will no doubt be upheld by my successor. A nationwide search is underway. Our 2015 Chair Mary Bayat has appointed an experienced search committee headed by Tom Stevens, with David Howell, Florence Daniels, Frank Dillow, Pat Kline, Scott MacDonald and Trish Szego. They will be assisted by a professional recruiter.
As I wind down my career at NVAR, I will continue to work with your current volunteer leadership to develop a new strategic plan while they search for your new CEO.
It will be a bittersweet year for me. I will take a few celebratory laps around the ball park as I remember and thank those I had the privilege to work with.
Like Derek Jeter, I will leave on a high note, waving to the crowd, full of pride and with a big smile on my face.