The Nominating Committee presents the following Candidates for the 2023-24 Board of Directors:
2023 President-Elect (Choose 1): Kadi Brown
2023 Secretary-Treasurer (Choose 1): Bev Boss OR Ellis Gardner
2023-24 Directors (Choose 4): Connie Brewer, Jill Christy, Rich Downing, Holly Harwell, Matt McDonald, Karen Parris, James Streeter
Those elected will serve alongside the 2023 Officers & Directors: President Steven Sharpe, MLS Chair Jeff Nixon, Immediate Past President Derek English, and Directors Brian Erwin, Robert Fisher, Ryan May, Rolanda Pullen, Mike Purcell.
Online voting begins Thursday, November 10, when each REALTOR® member eligible to vote will receive an email from announcement@associationvoting.com containing the secure voting credentials unique to the email recipient. Voting will remain open until 5 pm on Wednesday, November 16. Election results will be announced on November 17.
2023 President-Elect
KADI BROWN, RCC/CNHS (The Group Real Estate Brokerage)
After serving a 2 year term on the board of directors I believe I have found my footing and I have a better understanding of the board’s importance within our local Association. I want to continue representing a voice for our Association and REALTOR® body. I want to contribute to our organization’s forever-evolving needs and to be the best steward to our local members and community. I feel confident I can bring a level of observation and, from my real estate and personal experience, an open mind to consider all options and thoughts before interjecting my opinion. And of course I always strive to have a little fun along the way.
LOCAL: Board of Directors (2021-2022); Governmental Affairs Committee (2017); Placemaking Task Force Chair (2020)
CHAPTERS & COUNCILS: WCR Member (2015-17); 2016 Co-Chair of WCR’s Bras for the Cause
COMMUNITY: NNH Board Member (2015-18) and Co-Chair Not So Silent Auction (2015-16, 2020); Baylor School Alumni Board (2019-20); Unfoundation (2016-17); Wine Over Water (2017-18)
BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Co-founder/Co-owner of The Group Real Estate Brokerage, a small boutique real estate company that focuses on quality versus quantity and has ranked in the top 10 of local real estate brokerages.
2023 Secretary-Treasurer
BEV BOSS (Scout REALTOR® Group)
I genuinely enjoy being able to grow REALTOR® membership engagement and feel that there is more I can do to add value to the Association and mentor and encourage others to be involved. I would love to continue serving as Treasurer for a second term.
LOCAL: Board of Directors (2019-21, 2022 Treasurer); Budget & Finance Committee (2021, 2022 Chair); Community Education & Scholarship Committee (2021 Director Liaison), Community Involvement Committee (2016-20, 2018 Co-Chair); Diversity Inclusion Committee (2017-2020, 2020 Director Liaison); Governmental Affairs Committee (2021-2022); Leadership Academy Graduate (2017); Leadership Development Committee (2018-2020, 2022); Placemaking Committee (2021-2022), Professional Development Committee (2018-2020); RPAC Committee (2022)
STATE & NATIONAL: Tennessee REALTORS® Board of Directors (2021-2022; Tennessee REALTORS® YPN Forum
CHAPTERS & COUNCILS: Home Builders of Greater Chattanooga (2018-20); WCR Attendee
COMMUNITY: Habitat for Humanity (2016-22); Junior League (2018-22); Teacher Support (2005-22)
BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 2008-09 Teacher of the Year; Agent of the Month; Multi-Million Dollar Producer
ELLIS GARDNER, ABR, AHWD, CRS, GRI, SRES, SRS, C2EX, e-PRO (Keller Williams Realty)
My contribution to Greater Chattanooga REALTORS® in a word: Governance. As I progressed from local rep to state and national officer for CRS/Residential Real Estate Council, I learned and gained specific skills about motivating volunteers along a shared path. Likewise, as a leader in the national and state Young Professionals Networks, I enjoy mentoring the next generation of REALTOR® leaders just as my mentors guided me. Additionally, my NAR national exposure has forged lasting friendships with REALTORS®across the nation, and I can bring their experience/ perspectives back to Greater Chattanooga Realtors.
LOCAL: Budget & Finance Committee (2022); Community Partnerships Committee (2018-2022); Diversity Inclusion Committee (2008-2022); Education/Professional Development Committee (2019-2022); Grievance Committee (2009); Leadership Academy Graduate (2004); Member Services Committee (2006-7, 2007 Chair);
STATE/NATIONAL: Tennessee REALTORS® YPN Forum (2021, 2022 Chair); National Association of REALTORS® Federal Financing & Housing Policy Committee (2019-2020)
CHAPTERS & COUNCILS: 2018-19 CRS/RRC Regional VP (Region 9); 2020 CRS/RRC Regional VP (Region 4); 2017 CRS/RRC TN President; 2015-16 CRS/RRC TN Finance Chair; 2011-20 CRS/RRC TN Chattanooga Representative
COMMUNITY: Chattanooga Connected Diversity Committee (2014-20); The Ed Johnson Memorial Project Committee (2016-20); Mountain Art & Community Center Board (2018 – present)
BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 2007 Crye-Leike Circle of Excellence; 2015 CRS of the Year for Tennessee; 2008-2018 RE/MAX Executive Club
Certifications: Digital Marketing, Inside Sales, Luxury Home, Residential Listing, RE Investing, Smart Home,
2023-2024 Directors
CONNIE BREWER, AHWD, GRI, MRP, PSA, C2EX (Coldwell Banker Pryor Realty)
As a REALTOR®, I want to continue to increase my involvement in our industry and community. The opportunity to serve on our board would give me a broader knowledge of our Association, expand my leadership skills, and allow me to represent our colleagues.
LOCAL: Grievance Committee (2020, 2021 Chair); Education/Professional Development Committee (2019-2020); Leadership Academy Graduate (2020); Leadership Development Committee (2022); RPAC Committee (2019-2021); RPAC Major Investor (2020-2022); RPAC Trustee (2022)
STATE: Tennessee REALTORS® Grievance Committee (2022); Women’s Council of REALTORS® (2015-present, 2021-2022 Liaison, 2021 Nominating Committee, 2015-2021 Social Media Committee)
CHAPTERS & COUNCILS: Women’s Council of REALTORS® (2015-present, past Membership Director, Project Teams, 2019 President-Elect, 2020-2021 President); CRS/RRC (2020-present); Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga
COMMUNITY: Hydrocephalus Walk Chattanooga; Life Group Leader (2020); Sleep in Heavenly Peace (2020-present); TN Dachshund Animal Rescue (2019-present); Make-A-Wish Foundation, Santas for Seniors
BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 2002 Presidential Award with major insurance company; 2019 Presidential Award Women’s Council of REALTORS® (Tennessee)
JILL CHRISTY, RENE, SRS, C2EX (Keller Williams)
I desire to develop further cohesiveness and community between the Association and its members. I plan to build engagement at the Association with its members by establishing both interpersonal rapport and secular value - for more than CE classes. The goal is to raise the standard of competency and professionalism among REALTORS®. It's important to me to engender confidence with the Chattanooga community in our roles as REALTORS® within local and state issues.
LOCAL: Budget & Finance Committee (2021); Community Involvement Committee (2016-2018); Diversity Inclusion Committee (2016-2018); Elev8 Tech Conference Committee (2022); Governmental Affairs Committee (2016-2018, 2019 Chair); Leadership Academy Graduate (2021); Placemaking Committee (2022); RPAC Committee (2018-2022): RPAC Major Investor; RPAC Trustee (2022)
STATE & NATIONAL: Tennessee REALTORS® Spring Conference & Hill Visits (2018-2019); Tennessee REALTORS® Fall Convention ( 2018-2019); NAR Legislative Meetings & Hill Visits (2019)
CHAPTERS & COUNCILS: Certified Residential Specialist, Women's Council of REALTORS®
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Clifton Hills Elementary (2013-2020): Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga; Medal of Honor Donor & Committee (2020-present); SnackPacks Donor & Volunteer (2017-present): Warm Coats for Kids (2017-present)
BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Top 20% at Keller Williams East (2018-present); Top 25 Individual Agents (2020-2022); KW Leadership Council (2019-2023);
RICHARD DOWNING (TN Valley Homes and Land)
We will again go through serious challenges over the next 2-3 years where our industry will have to change, or good people and offices will fall by the wayside. In my many years of leadership, I have found that some people can build a vision and see their way toward the vision. Unfortunately, many people can’t see beyond today’s problems and need to be able to turn to someone who has climbed out of the hole before. From my military and business experiences, I offer that leadership, direction, and experience.
LOCAL: Obtained Principal Brokers License (2008)
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Dayton City Chamber of Commerce (2021-2022); United Way (1997-1998)
BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS: United States Navy (1969-1975); Computer Industry (1978-2008), including VP ACER Computer, Senior VP for Seagate Tech managing $8,800,000,000 revenue, President of MCIS, and President & CEO of Financial Institute Technology; Current owner of DSD Insurance, Founder/owner TN Valley Homes and Land, and DSD Developers
HOLLY HARWELL (Real Estate Partners)
As a REALTOR® for 20 years now, I feel I have the experience that would greatly help our board. I have spent most of my adult life giving back to my community by being involved in many organizations and now have the time to give back to our Association. As Chattanooga continues to grow, it brings some housing challenges. Thus, we need experienced leaders who know the community and the real estate industry. I am excited about the opportunity to help.
COMMUNITY SERVICE: American Heart Association Board of Directors (1990s); Friends of the Festival Board of Directors (2001-2013, 2012-2013 President); Hosanna Community Board (2002-2006, 2005-2006 President); Arts & Education Council Board (2006-2010); North Chattanooga Chamber Board of Directors (2008-2012, 2012-2013 Chair); Memorial Hospital Foundation Board (2009-2015, 2013-2014 Chair); Girls Preparatory School Board of Directors (2013-2021, 2017-2019 Chair)
BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Leadership Chattanooga (1999); Women of Distinction (2013); Girls Preparatory School Margaret Rowlings Lupton Award of Excellence (2014)
MATT MCDONALD (The Group Real Estate Brokerage)
I have been prepared for effective leadership on a Board of Directors by the Greater Chattanooga REALTORS® Leadership Academy and by my position on the Historic Zoning Commission. I have had a wonderful career as a REALTOR® and want to give back to help lead.
LOCAL: Leadership Academy Graduate (2017)
BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Chattanooga Historic Zoning Commission (2018-2023)
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KAREN PARRIS, AHWD, SHC, GREEN, C2EX (Coldwell Banker Pryor Realty)
I want to increase my overall scope and knowledge of the decisions made at the board level. The experience I have gained serving on other committees and 14 years as a REALTOR® has prepared me to serve as a Director alongside the other board members to accomplish our goals in the coming years.
LOCAL: Grievance Committee (2017-2019; Diversity Inclusion Committee (2021-2022); MLS Committee (2021-2022); Placemaking Committee (2021-2022); Professional Standards Committee (2020-2021)
STATE & NATIONAL: Professional Standards Committee (2020-2022)
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Participated with the Placemaking Committee to clear trailheads for Lookout Mountain Conservancy (2022); Ronald McDonald House Volunteer (2018-2020)
BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Certified Relocation Specialist (2010-present); Rising Star Award (2009); Multi-Million Dollar Producer (2013-present); International Sterling Society (2015)
JAMES STREETER (Keller Williams)
Through the Community Partnerships Committee, I have had the privilege of being directly involved with the 2021 Tee Up & Wine Down and the 2022 Trivia Night. I believe these events are important to the success of the charities they benefit and are good for the community we serve. Additionally, I believe the leadership academy is valuable to those who are interested in becoming involved with the Association and bridging the gap between the Association and the membership it serves. At this point, these are the areas I have had the most involvement and interaction. I have truly enjoyed this time and feel it has been well spent. I have learned a great deal and wish to have an opportunity to learn, grow and give back even more. I come with a servant’s heart and a willingness to contribute in any way that is helpful and beneficial. I consider myself to collaborate and work well with others while being thought-provoking and considerate of any possible outcomes.
LOCAL: Community Partnership Committee (2020-2022); Education/Professional Development Committee (2019-2020); Leadership Academy Graduate (2019); Leadership Development Committee (2020-2022)
COMMUNITY SERVICE: East Ridge Masonic Lodge (2010-present; Helf all appointed and elected positions); Chattanooga Scottish Rite (2011-present); Alhambra Shrine/Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals (2011-present); Ronald McDonald House; Snack Pack Ministries (2020-present)