The Nominating Committee presents the following candidates for the 2025-2026 Board of Directors:
Robert Baker, Christian Chacon, Rolanda Daniel, Brian Erwin, Steven LaMar, Jeff Nixon, Karen Parris
The five members selected from the seven candidates will serve alongside the 2025 Officers & Directors: President Ellis Gardner, Immediate Past President Kadi Brown, and Directors Paige Batten, Teresa Clegg, Denise Murphy, and Mike Purcell. Also serving will be the 2025 President-Elect and 2025 Secretary-Treasurer, both of whom will be elected by the current and incoming Directors on October 31, and the 2025 MLS Chair, who is appointed by the President.
Online voting begins October 16, 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 October 22. Election results will be announced on October 22.
2025-2026 DIRECTOR CANDIDATES
ROBERT BAKER, GRI (Zach Taylor-Chattanooga)
We are facing unprecedented times as real estate professionals. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) Settlement has had a profound impact on all of us. While individual agents and brokerages have adapted to many of the changes, there is still uncertainty ahead, with more lawsuits and other challenges potentially arising. To address to those challenges, the board needs to implement a revision of the 2019 Strategic Plan utilizing a SWOT analysis, examining our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. I believe we need to work towards creating relevant, practical, and attractive educational opportunities, classes that our members want to attend. I further believe in reshaping our social and professional development events to focus on business success. And most importantly, I believe in fostering engagement by truly listening to our members and responding to their needs. Our association members are at their best when our association is serving their interests. I look forward to serving with our board and leadership in 2025.
LOCAL: Budget & Finance Committee (2022-2023, 2024 Chair); Bylaws Committee (2022, 2023 Chair); Governance Presidential Advisory Group (2023)
COMMUNITY: Chattanooga Civitan Club (2018-2021, 2021 Director); Homebuilders Association of Greater Chattanooga (2018-2021)
BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Education: B.B.A., Finance (Mercer University); M.Div. Theology (Concordia Seminary); M.S. Bioethics (Creighton University); Previous professional experience includes: International Bank Marketing Officer (Bank of America, Frankfurt am Main, Germany); Pastor, Lutheran Church of the Redeemer (Vero Beach, FL); Senior Editor (Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO); Adjunct Professor of Bioethics (Lindenwood University, Belleville, IL); Founder and Owner, Tinker, Dicker & Doc (St. Louis, MO)
CHRISTIAN CHACON, AHWD (Crye-Leike)
There are many reasons I wish to be a member of the Board of Directors. After serving on the MLS Committee since January 2023, I see the value in serving on boards and committees whose decisions directly affect my agents and peers. Being a Director would give me even more opportunities to serve our community and help advocate for the people that are directly impacted by the decisions that are made. My hope is to glean wisdom and counsel from those who have served and to bring new ideas and a fresh perspective to the table.
LOCAL: Leadership Academy Graduate (2020); MLS Committee (2023-2024)
COMMUNITY: Snacks Packs; Coaching Staff for Rivermont Baseball Fall (2022, 2024); Volunteer for Normal Park Museum Magnet School (2021-2024); Volunteer for Chattanooga Christian School (2023-2024); Preparing grocery boxes for Chattanooga Food Bank (2023)
BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Crye-Leike (2018 Rookie of the Year, Managing Broker since 2021); US Army (2005-2008); Military awards include: Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, and Campaign Star Overseas Service Ribbon
ROLANDA DANIEL, CMS, CNHS (Coldwell Banker Pryor Realty)
I am running for the Board of Directors because I want to make sure that we are protecting the interests of our REALTOR® community. Also, I want to make sure that we continue to look out for the interests of consumers who buy and sell real estate. I have been awarded the team player award at Coldwell Banker a couple of times. I am still a team player. I look at the Board of Directors as a team, and I want to be part of this team that does strategic planning and makes decisions that affect our REALTOR® community.
LOCAL: Board of Directors (2020-2023); Budget & Finance Committee (2024); Bylaws Committee (2024); Community Involvement Committee (2017-18, 2020-2021); Consumer Education & Scholarship Committee (2021); Diversity Inclusion Committee (2020-2021); Education & Professional Development Committee (2022); Grievance Committee (2019); Government Affairs Committee (2017); Leadership Academy Graduate (2016); Leadership Development Committee (2017-2020, 2018 Chairman, 2024); RPAC Committee (2023 Chair, 2024); Strategic Planning Task Force (2019)
STATE: Director for Tennessee REALTORS® (2022-2023)
CHAPTERS & COUNCILS: Member & Historian of NAREB (2020-2022)
COMMUNITY: Member of Olivet Baptist Church (1998-present, past photographer/event planning committee); Member of the PTA & Volunteer at Wallace A. Smith (2017-2023); Hunter Middle School PTSA Volunteer); Order of the Eastern Star-Lookout Chapter (2013-present, 2017-2018 Secretary, 2021 Associate Matron, 2023-2024 Worthy Matron)
BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Coldwell Banker International Sterling Society (2020); Coldwell Banker International Diamond Society (2016-18); Coldwell Banker Circle of Excellence (2017-18, 2022); Coldwell Banker Office Top Listing Associate Runner-Up (2018); Coldwell Banker Honorable Mention (2018); Coldwell Banker Multi-Million Dollar Producer (2016, 2020, 2022-2023); Coldwell Banker Team Player (2019-2020); Featured in Hamilton County Herald (2011 & 2022)
BRIAN ERWIN, ABR (Real Estate Partners)
After taking a year off from an Association leadership role, I feel recharged and motivated to continue guiding our Association forward. I learned so much about our membership and Association structure, budget, financing, vendor agreements, etc., in my previous term that I will be a valuable asset to next year’s Board. I wish to run for the Board of Directors most importantly for collaboration with leadership to showcase our Association’s value to members and the REALTOR® influence in our community. We have a platform and a duty to grow the REALTOR® brand and protect our industry from misinformation and mishandling. I wish to be an experienced leader to protect and guide the future of Greater Chattanooga REALTORS® and enhance membership/broker involvement.
LOCAL: Board of Directors (2020-2023); Community Partnerships Committee (2018 Chair, 2015-2018); Education Professional Development Committee (2019 Chair); Governmental Affairs Committee (2017, 2021, 2023 Director Liaison); Leadership Development Committee (2021 Director Liaison); MLS Committee (2019-2020); RPAC Committee (2018); Strategic Planning Task Force (2019); RPAC Investor; Leadership Academy Graduate (2017)
STATE & NATIONAL: Director for Tennessee REALTORS® (2020-2024)
CHAPTERS & COUNCILS: WCR Member (2017-2018)
COMMUNITY: Chattanooga Preparatory School Mentor Program (2019-2026); Habitat for Humanity Volunteer (2016-present); Emerging Leaders United Way of Greater Chattanooga (2016-present, 2019 Executive Committee, 2021-2023 Volunteer Advocate); McCallie School Alumni Council (2021-present)
BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Broker License Upgrade (2023)
STEVEN LAMAR, ABR, CRB, CRS, C2EX, GRI, SRS (Crye-Leike)
I wish to serve my fellow practitioners in action supporting and sustaining our members in their careers, to set an example for others in real estate practice while promoting diversity, outreach, and understanding.
LOCAL: Board of Directors (2018-19), Leadership Academy Graduate (2016), Bylaws Committee (2022-2024); Placemaking Committee (2021-2024); Professional Development Committee (2017); Budget & Finance Committee (2022-2024)
STATE/NATIONAL: Tennessee REALTORS® Forms Committee (2017-20, 2021 Vice Chair, 2022 Chair), Tennessee REALTORS® Risk Management Forum (2024 Chair), Alabama REALTORS® Director (2012)
CHAPTERS & COUNCILS: Member of RRC, REBAC; Chattanooga CRS Group (2016 Chair); North Alabama Chapter of CRS (President 2011); North Alabama Chapter of YPN (Founding Member, 2012 Treasurer)
COMMUNITY: Scenic City Trail Runners, Running for Brews, Fleet Feet Chattanooga (2015-present), Wild Trails; Placemaking projects with Greater Chattanooga REALTORS® (2020-2024), Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theatre Board of Directors (2009-10 President)
BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS: GRI, ABR, CRS, CRB, SRS, Master CSP (NAHB), C2eX; University of Alabama (BS in Real Estate Finance 2001)
JEFF NIXON, AHWD, C2EX, ePro (Crye-Leike)
Over the past two decades, I have had an ongoing involvement in REALTOR® Association business, first in Huntsville and now in Chattanooga since 2017. I have a great appreciation for what the leadership team can accomplish for the Association and membership as a whole. I also find serving the Association personally beneficial for the interaction with other industry professionals and staying informed on the most current trends.
LOCAL: Board of Directors (2023-2024); MLS Committee (2021, 2022 Vice Chair, 2023-2024 Chair); Budget & Finance Committee (2023-2024); Governance Presidential Advisory Group (2023); Previous involvement with Huntsville (1996-2017) includes the Board of Directors, MLS Director, Budget & Finance Committee, and Professional Standards Committee.
STATE/NATIONAL: Director for Tennessee REALTORS® (2023-2024); Tennessee REALTORS® Grievance & Professional Standards Committees (2022-2024); Alabama REALTORS® Director (2016-2017)
CHAPTERS & COUNCILS: Member of RRC
BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHEMENTS: Qualifying Broker since 2009; Current Regional Manager for Crye-Leike South, Inc.; University of Alabama at Huntsville (BSBA Management 1991)
KAREN PARRIS, ABR, AHWD, C2EX, GREEN, SRS (Coldwell Banker Pryor Realty)
I’ve been in the real estate industry for more than 15 years. My strong background in customer service has helped me in all aspects of my real estate career in working with the diverse population in the Chattanooga area. I wish to be part of decisions made for the betterment of our REALTORS® and the Association. I will encourage others to get involved with the Association and its functions, and I will use my experience and skill set to serve on the Board to the benefit of those I serve with at the Association.
LOCAL: Board of Directors (2023-2024); Community Partnerships (2024); Grievance Committee (2017-2019), 2021-2022); Diversity Inclusion Committee (2021-2022, 2023 Chair); MLS Committee (2021-2022); Placemaking Committee (2021-2023); Professional Standards Committee (2020-2021)
STATE & NATIONAL: Professional Standards Committee (2020-2023)
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Habitat for Humanity (2024); Participated with the Placemaking Committee to clear trailheads for Lookout Mountain Conservancy (2022); Ronald McDonald House Volunteer (2018-2024); Snack Packs (2024)
BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Certified Relocation Specialist (2010-present); Rising Star Award (2009); Multi-Million Dollar Producer (2013-present); International Sterling Society (2015)