Board of Director Candidates for 2024/2025

Board of Director Candidates for 2024/2025

Bay East Association of REALTORS® Nominating Committee is proud to present the candidates for the 2024/2025 Board of Directors.

In accordance with the Bylaws, Article X, Section 20, Nominations the Candidate slate is sent to the Board of Directors as an FYI. The slate is considered elected unless a petition is filed.

In accordance with Bylaws Article X, Section 20, additional candidates for President-Elect, Treasurer and Directors may be placed in nomination by petition signed by at least ten percent (10%) of Bay East REALTOR® Members eligible to vote (approximately 630). The petition shall be filed with the Chief Executive Officer, or their designee, at the offices of Bay East by end of business May 3, 2023. Such petition shall contain a statement signed by the candidate that he or she meets the criteria for the Board of Directors position as set forth in the Bylaws and is aware of the duties and responsibilities of the office and agrees to serve.

Petition forms are available by contacting Kelsey Murphree. Once a petition is received, staff will verify that the petition has been signed by 10% of Bay East REALTOR® members in good standing. Once verified, there will be an election for that position on the Board of Directors.  Election will be by electronic ballot and will open June 9 and close at 2:00 pm on June 23. If no petitions are received or the petition does not meet the requirements the Nominating Committee’s candidate slate will stand as approved.

Click Here for Important Information about the Election

President Elect – Tracey Esling

Treasurer – Bill Espinola

REALTOR® Directors – Don Faught, Viviana Cherman, Dolores (Dee) Johnson, Joe LoParo, Simi Puri, and Geraldine Ramirez

Platinum Affiliate Director – Trevor Frey

I have been a Realtor for 31 years, 27 in the state of California. I have a deep understanding of how staying engaged in our business is important to our success. We have come so far past “our business is changing”, we are now in a place of finding solutions to the change. Being involved at the local level allows me to be your voice to solutions. Let’s find those solutions together!

I am honored to be serving as your association Treasurer for 2024 and look forward to working with the BayEast leadership team.

As I look at the landscape we find ourselves in today, it is constantly changing. New threats are all around us, but not the “traditional” threats we have had in the past, like ethics, professionalism and the MLS. With new technologies, venture capital, and the NAR litigations these new threats are quite real and diverse! Acquisition after acquisition of segments of our industry pose these new threats.

Another area of concern is how cities will handle the huge deficits they continue to have from COVID. I’m certain they will seek to raise any and all taxes they can. Their choices for revenue raising will be both traditional (business licenses, assessments, property transfer, etc.) and new (such as special taxes on our professional services). In my opinion, residential real estate will be hit hard.

That being said, I feel strongly that we need experienced leaders on our Board of Directors from day one in today’s environment.

Political advocacy, affordable housing, and the strong belief that all who want to own a home should have the ability to achieve their American dream of home ownership are principles that fuel my passion for Real Estate. I truly believe that real estate is one of the biggest investments in someone’s life, and everyone should be afforded that opportunity. I am very driven to get involved, to influence change, and to be the voice for those who don’t currently have a voice.

I’m Delores “Dee” Johnson, Broker Associate, born and raised in Oakland, I have been a member of Bay East since September 2002, I have served on the Membership Committee back when they had one, I have served on the Grievance Committee and I still serve on the Pro Standards Committee. I love Bay East and wanted to serve on the board, to have a seat at the table, you know the adage if you are not at the table, you are on the table.

I’m excited to have the opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of Bay East, to gain different aspects of Bay East, to develop my leadership, communication and problem-solving skills. I also serve on Alameda County Assessment Appeals Board, I have served on the board of Associated Real Property Brokers (ARPB), also as President of the Women’s Council of ARPB, served on the board of California Association Real Estate Brokers (CAREB). My passion is serving, I love to serve, I love helping people learn to build wealth.

Helping my community and other REALTORS® is my passion. I consider all REALTORS® as my colleagues. I am excited to serve on the Board of Directors so that I can be a resource of information for members, acting as a channel for information to flow from the Board to the membership and vise versa. I believe it is important for everyone to have the information they need in order to make informed decisions. I volunteer because I want to help others learn and grow because it helps me learn and grow as well.

As a Director Nominee, I would like to be the means of communication between the REALTORS®, Affiliates and members of the community regarding the many opportunities offered by The Bay East Association of REALTORS®. I would like to give voice to real concerns and great ideas of all the members to the Bay East Board. As an active REALTOR® selling homes throughout East Bay, I hope that my experience and insight into the challenges and opportunities facing all agents during this volatile market help as I continue my service to the Bay East Association of REALTORS®.   

I received my B.A. in Modern Languages and my MBA from the Midwest. After a long career in corporate Sales I became a REALTOR® and a Bay East member. I served for six years on the Bay East Foundation first as Trustee, then Treasurer for a year, followed by President and then as Past President. I was an active member on the Housing Opportunities Committee and am currently on the Leadership Development Committee at Bay East.

I have been a REALTOR® in good standing for over 17 years and have served in Women’s Council of REALTORS® as a Local Network President, State District Vice President for 2 consecutive terms and chaired and co-chaired committees at the State Level.  I currently serve at Bay East as one of your Directors-at-Large, and also serve on the LDC, LGR and Pro-Standards Committees.

I believe strongly in helping others.  Not only our clients, but also our colleagues in our Industry.  There are many ways to serve in our community, it is my belief that by staying involved in our Local Association, C.A.R., N.A.R. and Women’s Council, I can stay abreast of issues of importance to our industry that affect homeownership. This allows me to be a source of information to my clients and fellow REALTORS® that maybe do not have the opportunity to participate in these conferences.

Our Industry is being challenged with different issues, some of the latest ones the Broker Buyer Agreement, ADU’s, increases in Property Taxes, Rent Control and other issues that affect our clients and REALTORSâ.  This information can be brought back to our members and mobilize them to fight for what we stand for: Homeownership. That is why I am running for Tri Valley Director, so that through BayEast we can keep our members informed and involved and at the same time with this knowledge become a better professional to better service my clients.  I humbly ask for your vote and the opportunity to serve.

One Vacancy

With twenty years in the mortgage industry, Trevor is honored to be serving on Bay East’s Board of Directors.  His community efforts include local municipalities, such as the City of Brentwood, and non-profit organizations Board of Director seats (previous) – Rotary International, Police Activities Leagues, Bay East’s own Foundation, etc.  He is excited about the opportunity to shine light on matters that mean most to real estate professionals, while also representing the real estate community, at large, in the greater public.