GAIL ANDERSON

Gail Anderson received her undergraduate degree and law degree (cum laude) from the University of Illinois in 1985. Ms. Anderson represents developers, lenders, real estate brokers, title companies, and other businesses. She is a past chairperson of the Real Property Law Section of the State Bar. Ms. Anderson has authored numerous articles in the Michigan Real Property Review and is a frequent lecturer on real property law matters for both the Real Property Law Section and the Institute of Continuing Legal Education.

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DEBRA J. ASHER

Ms. Asher started her real estate career in 1982 as a salesperson with DeSimone Realty Inc., one of New York's largest independent real estate brokerage companies. She was significantly instrumental in the growth of the DeSimone Organization to 18 offices and over 200 agents throughout New York. In 1993 Debra joined the Century 21 Real Estate Corp. as a Regional Trainer for the Northeast Division, where she was responsible for training over 1500 new and experienced REALTORS'. In that role, Debra developed and delivered seminars, programs and workshops for REALTORS' at every experience level as well as speaking and presenting at Century 21 National Conventions. In 1997 Debra took on new challenges with the co-founding of ProCalibre Associates Inc. ProCalibre Associates has assisted over 300 real estate companies and professional organizations and more than 8,000 agents in achieving exceptional levels of productivity and profitability. Also, Debra is a popular, inspirational and uplifting speaker. Her effective communication style is based on a keen awareness, understanding of and empathy for the challenges facing REALTORS' in today's Market Conditions. A mix of humor, focus on serious business and 'out of the box' thinking inspires new and mid-level agents to be confident and motivated toward achieving greater success.

KATHY BALLARD

Kathy Ballard, now an instructor for the Greater Lansing Association of REALTORS', graduated Cum Laude in 1970 from Anderson College in Anderson, Indiana. For ten years after graduation, Kathy pursued a career in education, where she worked with elementary school children throughout the mid-west. In 1978, however, Kathy began her career in the real estate industry in Chicago as an agent for the Charlotte Vickstrom Real Estate Company. In 1980, Kathy relocated to the Lansing area and became a Real Estate Sales Agent at Moore-Jensen and Associates. Within 6 years, Kathy made two more transitions, moving from agent at Coldwell Banker Hacker to Creator, Owner and Residential Appraiser of Ballard Appraisal Services. This position she held for ten years before assuming the position of Loan Originator at Pacesetter Mortgage in 1996. Now days, Kathy can be found working as Loan Originator at Progressive Mortgages, where she averages $40 million in residential loans per year. Kathy's professional recognitions include, achieving Lifetime Member Status in the GLAR President's Million Dollar Club during the recession of the 1980's, Co-Chair of the year in 2000, Affiliate member of the Year in 2001, and GLAR Board of Directors, from 2001-2003.

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JOSEPH BANYAI

After 30 years in the industry, Joe has become one of the state’s top commercial real estate brokers.  He specializes in industrial and high tech brokerage and is a vacant land/build-to-suit expert.  Many local business owners and municipalities utilize his expertise as a real estate consultant.  His expertise also includes sale-lease backs, investment sales and sophisticated multi-property transactions for tax-deferred exchanges.  He was named 1992 Michigan Commercial REALTOR® of the Year, Local REALTOR® of the Year in 1991, and was named the Top Salesperson in 2006 for Signature’s Industrial Division.  Joe is also a Founding Partner of Signature Associates, a Cushman & Wakefield Affiliate.  In 2003 and 2006, respectively, Joe served as President of the Michigan Association of REALTORS® and Regional Vice President of the National Association of REALTORS®.

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CAROL BRITO

Carol has worked in Real Estate industry since 1985 and as a licensed REALTOR® since 1997.  She began her work with the State of Michigan in 2000 with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation in the Real Estate Commercial Development unit. There, she worked as a Site Development Specialist assisting new and expanding businesses in their search for Michigan land and buildings. She joined MSHDA in 2005 as a Marketing Specialist for the Homeownership Division. Carol is responsible for statewide outreach to Real Estate Professionals, Lenders, Builders, Consumers, and Nonprofit and Governmental entities, increasing awareness and utilization of MSHDA Homeownership programs.

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SHARON BROWN

Sharon is acting Vice President and Regional FHA Sales Officer for Independent Bank Corporation.  She has worked as a mortgage originator in the Bay City market, where her entire customer base is lower income, credit challenged customers. In 1996, Sharon was a Top 10 producing originator for MSHDA mortgages for the entire state. Since 2002, she has been with Independent Bank and has been an originator specializing in FHA mortgages since 1995. 

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CAROLE BULLION

CRAIG HARRINGTON

As an appraiser for 33 years, Craig Harrington's private appraisal and consulting practice specializes in litigation issues and he also provides consulting on a variety of appraisal-related projects. Craig's career includes eight years in appraisal management as a consultant to several financial institutions. He has taught courses and seminars for the Appraisal Institute in over 35 states from Alaska to Maine, including Hawaii and Puerto Rico. He has been an online instructor for the Appraisal Institute since 1999. Mr. Harrington is a Certified National USPAP Instructor and was the developer of The Appraisal Foundation's 2004 and 2005 National USPAP Update Course. In 2004 Craig developed courses for the Appraisal Institute, the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, and the American Society of Appraisers. In 2005 Mr. Harrington was presented the William N. Kinnard, Jr., PhD Award by the Appraisal Institute for this work. In his native Minnesota Craig Harrington has taught seminars and courses for the Office of Land Management, Minnesota HUD Office, University of St. Thomas, Minnesota Association of Assessing Officers , PROSOURCE Educational Services, Metro/Minnesota Chapter of the Appraisal Institute and he has been a faculty member for the Minnesota Institute of Legal Education in several real estate related seminars.

JERRY HOLLOWAY

After earning his Michigan Broker’s License in 1965, Jerry Holloway assumed the role as President and Owner of Holloway’s Institute Inc in 1978.  Holloway’s Real Estate Institute Inc. has been family owned and operated for over three generations. Founded in 1953 in Flint, Michigan by Wayne Holloway, the company has quickly grown to become the leader in Appraisal and Real Estate education. Holloway’s has currently served over half a million students in over 40 cities across Michigan. Jerry, himself has been creating and teaching real estate-related education in the State Of Michigan for over 44 years.  Courses taught by Jerry include, Real Estate Law, Broker’s Preparation and Commercial Brokerage. Mr. Holloway is a proud member of both the Greater Lansing Association of Realtors and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.  With his unsurpassed knowledge base and sense of humor, Jerry makes learning not only interesting and informative but enjoyable and fun too.  

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CYNTHIA HOLM

As Director of Strategic Accounts, Cynthia Holm works directly with LoopNet’s corporate clients to foster long-term partnerships. She has traveled extensively throughout the United States training commercial brokers on techniques to maximize their searching and marketing efforts. Her 8 year contribution at LoopNet has given her valuable insight on how the internet has and will continue to impact the Commercial Real Estate industry.

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SAUL KLEIN

Saul Klein is a 1972 graduate of the United States Naval Academy and served in the Navy for 5 years as a Surface Warfare Officer. He has been a licensed California Real Estate broker since 1977, and was President of the San Diego Association of REALTORS® in 1993.  He was Designated REALTOR® of the Year there in 1999.  Mr. Klein is an e-PRO, GRI, and a Certified Financial Planner.  His real estate activities include residential brokerage and management, investment brokerage, real estate syndication, and property management. Saul has authored numerous courses on real estate ethics, agency, buyer brokerage, and financial management for the New Real Estate Professional, as well as online technology courses for Kaplan University and the National Association of REALTORS®. Saul Klein is a REALTOR® and nationally recognized speaker and consultant who, over the last 16 years has spent more than 15,000 hours in front of real estate professionals, consumers, association staffs and volunteers. In addition, Saul has spent 15 years traveling over 1,500,000 miles, delivering a message on technology and its role in the future of the real estate industry. Saul was selected by the National Association Of REALTORS® as one of the “25 Most Influential People in the Real Estate Industry” in 2003 and one of the “100 Most Influential Real Estate People” by Inman News in 2005.

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TOM KOTZIAN

Tom Kotzian is an experienced manager with a wide background in real estate. He has been a manager for the past 25 years in REALTOR® associations and residential brokerage. Tom's educational background includes an undergraduate degree in education from Central Michigan University and a Juris Doctorate degree in real property law from Detroit College of Law. He is also an experienced real estate educator specializing in license law, professional standards, association management and real estate curriculum design. Tom is a certified instructor and administrator in professional standards for the National Association of REALTORS®. He was selected as the Michigan Association of REALTORS® Instructor-of-the-Year and is the author of the GRI I and GRI II courses. Tom is currently a GRI I and II instructor for the Michigan Association of REALTORS® and was the contractual researcher for the State of Michigan's mandatory continuing education course outline from 1989-92. Tom has personally trained over 70,000 REALTORS® in Michigan and throughout the United States. Tom is a past-president of the Metropolitan Consolidated Association of REALTORS®, REALTOR®-of-the-Year and past Chairman of the State of Michigan Board of Real Estate Brokers & Salespersons. He was also the Birmingham-Bloomfield WCR Member-of-the-Year.

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DAVID LAYNE

After 20+ years in Michigan working as a recruiter and trainer-coach, David Layne now contracts, consults and coaches for some of the finest brokers throughout America. During that time, David served as Director of Career Development and Director of Recruiting at two of America’s Top 100 Billion Dollar firms.  David brings passion & high energy to his sessions, using open discussion formats.  He is knowledgeable in relevant topics such as recruiting, coaching and retention as they pertain to brokers specifically.  David’s sessions can truly help any business discover where it's greatest opportunities for growth truly are.  

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MICHEAL LOHMEIER

Micheal R. Lohmeier is a high energy, versatile and results-oriented senior appraiser having a professional deportment encompassing significant expertise in real estate, appraisal, and property taxation.   He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Oakland University.  He has acted as instructor for such institutes as Mott Community College and Northwestern Michigan College and organizations like the Equipment Appraisers Association of North America and the Association of Machinery and Equipment Appraisers.  As a speaker, Micheal has appeared in front of local organizations including the Oakland County Bar Association, the Southeast Michigan Assessor’s Association, MAR and other government agencies and special interest groups.  In addition to developing various appraisal and taxation courses and seminars, Micheal has authored various professional publications. He is also involved as a committee member on task forces for the Appraisal Standards Board and the American Society of Appraisers, both locally and nationally. Micheal now serves as Senior Manager in charge of Real Estate Appraisal services in Virchow Krause’s Dispute Resolution Services practice.

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IRA LUNTZ

Ira Luntz has spent over twenty years as a nationally recognized expert in the field of real estate information systems, including software design and system integration. Between 1981 and 1996 Ira acted as Technical Director and Executive Vice-President of BORIS Systems- an early MLS company of 140 employees. In 1993, Ira was personally involved with the $15M acquisition of BORIS by Norwest Mortgage, a $52B financial entity. Following the acquisition, Ira co-founded Clareity Consulting in 1996. In 1999 Ira spearheaded the creation of a new Internet MLS system with HomeSeekers.com. Between April and June of 2001, Ira also acted as the COO for the HomeSeekers.com. In 2003, Ira accepted the position of President and CEO of an exciting new startup company- Threewide Corporation. In early 2005, along with Scott Waggoner, Ira founded Visient Corporation, a privately held real estate data and technology company based in Sarasota, Florida. In April 2007, Ira joined a Greensboro, NC real estate technology company called Listingbook. Listingbook provides consumer access to MLS data as authorized by MLS members . Today, Ira is their EVP and COO.

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MARK MAIRE

Mark Maire is a loan consultant with AmeriFirst Financial, a Michigan based mortgage bank since 1982.  AmeriFirst has 26 offices throughout the Midwest and southeast including, South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida and Wisconsin.  AmeriFirst’s corporate headquarters are located in Portage, MI.  Mark and his team have over 20 years of mortgage banking experience.  Mark grew up in Coldwater, Michigan and is a graduate of the University of Michigan.   Mark is one of the nations top licensed and certified Accelerator Mortgage consultants, as he has helped over 100 clients with Accelerator mortgages.

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GREGORY L. MCCLELLAND

Gregory McClelland acts as primary outside General Counsel to the Michigan Association of REALTORS®, Michigan  Association of Home Builders, Small Business Association of Michigan, and  as counsel for numerous local REALTOR® Boards and Associations. He authors a regular article in the Michigan REALTOR® and the Michigan Home Builders’ Association News. He also has acted as litigation counsel for associations, developers, general contractors, owners, and businesses for the past 20 years in bankruptcy, state, and federal courts and has testified as an expert witness with respect to real estate and business practices and litigation.

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DOUGLAS MCCLURE

Now attorney and partner with Conlin, McKenney and Philbrick, P.C., Doug McClure graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Political Science and Mathematics, from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in 1984.  Doug earned his law degree in 1987 from the University of California, Berkeley.  Doug’s more recent activities include being an Adjunct Professor at Law for the Ave Maria School of Law in Ann Arbor, Michigan, a member of the Public Policy Committee for the Ann Arbor Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the State Bar Association of Michigan and the American Bar Association.  From 1995-1997, Doug was the Chairperson of the Washtenaw County Bar Association’s Environmental and Real Estate Law section.   Overall, Doug has accumulated 20 years  of experience in environmental law, commercial real estate law and negotiation.   

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JIM RUTHERFORD

Jim has been in the Public Health profession for the past 18 years.  Currently he is the Deputy Health Officer with the Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department.  He earned his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Central Michigan University and his Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Biology from Olivet College.  Jim is also a Registered Environmental Health Specialist, (REHS) both in Michigan and Nationally.  After spending a year developing the specific regulations, in October of 2006 Jim created and implemented the Methamphetamine Contamination Response Program for Kalamazoo County. This program is unique in that it is the only regulated methamphetamine program in the state of Michigan. 

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JOSEPH SABELLA

Joseph Sabella began his Real Estate career with an independent Real Estate company on Long Island in 1985. In 1987 he joined an office, which was part of a large national company, and in 1988 he won the awards for top listing agent and Top Producer within his organization. Between 1989 and 1995 Joe managed two different offices where both he and his associates grew and prospered. In 1992 he won the award for most improved office within his company.  In his current position as President of RealPro Training and Consulting, Joe is fulfilling a career goal of sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience with those Real Estate Professionals who are dedicated to their own personal success.  Because of his extensive Real Estate education and training by two national companies, a decade of practical and award winning experience, and his unique capabilities to integrate advanced computer technology within the successful operation of a Real Estate Office, today Joe is a highly sought after consultant and has provided over 2,500 hours of training to over 6,000 participants.

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BARB SCHWARZ

Barb Schwarz pioneered the concept of Staging a home. She has traveled the country extensively for 22 years, teaching close to 1,000,000 real estate agents and Home Stagers on the concept of Staging.  As a seasoned speaker, Barb Schwarz has logged over 16,000 hours on the platform. Her wonderful gift for speaking and her ability to educate, motivate, and entertain was recognized by the National Speakers Association in 1990 when they awarded her the designation of Certified Speaking Professional, earned by less than 250 speakers worldwide.  Barb Schwarz has published articles in numerous national publications addressing a variety of real estate topics. She is the author of the best seller “How To List And Sell Residential Real Estate Successfully”, and one of four featured authors in the “Speaking of Success.” Barb was honored with the title of instructor of the Year by The Seattle King County Association Of REALTORS® for the year 2006 and was voted the Most Influential Person in the Real Estate Industry by Realtor Magazine, 2005.

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LISA SCOBLE

Lisa has managed the Real Estate Errors and Omissions program for Pearl Insurance since 1994.  In addition to her responsibilities in Michigan, she is currently Pearl’s VP of National Sales, managing Pearl’s outside Real Estate E&O sales force.   Lisa assisted in the development of Pearl’s risk management program, which includes industry-wide information, claim data provided by XL Insurance Group as well as information from National Association of Realtors.   Her years of experience working in the Real Estate E&O arena have provided her with the background necessary to discuss typical areas of risk as well as emerging trends.  She has conducted risk management seminars for Pearl insurance as well as state and local associations throughout the country.   Lisa has also held her Real Estate license in Michigan for over 10 years in an effort to keep abreast of issues in the Real Estate market.  She has been a licensed Michigan insurance producer for over 15 years with licenses in Property and Casualty, Life and Health, Excess and Surplus Lines as well as an Administrative Service Assistant License.  She is also a graduate of Dale Carnegie and has served as a Graduate Assistant to the program.

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KERN SLUCTER

Kern G. Slucter is the owner and president of Abbey Realty Advisors in Dimondale, Michigan. Mr. Slucter operates a general appraisal practice that accepts both real estate appraisal and consulting assignments.  As an international instructor, Kern holds both the MAI and SRA designations from the Appraisal Institute. He teaches Marshall Valuation Cost Seminars, Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice as well as a variety of appraisal courses. He is a past chapter president of the Greater Michigan Chapter of the American Society of Appraisers and the Mid-Michigan Chapter of the Appraisal Institute. Currently, he serves as Chair of the Mexican Appraisal Education Initiative Task Force and serves on the national Appraisal Standards Committee of the Appraisal Institute. Mr. Slucter earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Northwood University and Masters of Science degree in Real Estate Appraisal from the Shenehon Center for Real Estate, University of St. Thomas, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

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GREG STEVENS

As a Guaranteed Loan Specialist Greg is responsible for reviewing and approving lender applications for guaranteed loans. Greg also markets the guaranteed loan program to prospective lenders and borrowers with a special emphasis on increasing Native American participation in the program. He also assists in the processing of foreclosure files for the Traverse City Local Office. His service area is primarily the Northern Lower Peninsula.

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ART THAYER

Art has been in the energy field for the past 30 years, spending time with Bechtel Intl and Consumers Energy before coming to WaterFurnace, where he currently is Territory Manager.  WaterFurnace Int., Inc., is the largest manufacturer of residential geothermal equipment in the United States.  Art is also the President of the Michigan Geothermal Energy Association and was the Chairman of the Local District Finance Authority responsible for bringing a major automobile supplier to southern Michigan.  He also served as Chairman of the Zoning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals for the Village of Parma and has served as a Director of the Michigan Association of Home Builders.  He is also active in many other Associations including the Home Builders Association of Jackson, Home Builders Association of Saginaw, Michigan Air Conditioning Contractors Association, Michigan Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors Association, Michigan Interfaith Power & Light, and the Tri-County Economics Club.

ANDREW TILLMAN

Andrew Tillman is the Senior Research and Software Architect for the Center for REALTOR® Technology.  Originally from California, Andrew was raised primarily in central New York.   Andrew has worked in the software industry since moving to Chicago in 1998.  Before coming to the Center for REALTOR® Technology, he worked at Backstop Solutions Group, a software company for the hedge fund industry. There, he helped the company flourish from a small start-up to a thirty person company, in only a three year time span.  Andrew has designed software for companies and associations in several industries including, mobile operators, alternative asset management and banks.

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MARCUS A. WALLY

Marcus A. Wally earned his bachelor and master's degrees in Business Administration from the University of North Florida and then entered the real estate profession in 1991. Later he earned his Graduate REALTOR' Institute designation along with his state certification as a Licensed Real Estate Instructor. Marcus is proud to be on the Florida Association of REALTORS' and the Georgia Association of REALTORS', teaching faculty for the REALTOR' Institute programs. Marcus is excited about global real estate and is one of only 2,000 professional REALTORS' to be designated as a Certified International Property specialist. Additionally, Marcus is one of the National Association of REALTORS' faculty members for the CIPS program, and facilitates these classes all over the globe. As a former Multiple Listing Service President at his local board, the St. Augustine & St. Johns County Board of REALTORS', Marcus has been featured in his state's Florida REALTOR' magazine on several occasions and was voted the 2004-2005 "Best Real Estate Broker" through a local newspaper contest. Marcus now runs classes and programs for real estate professionals and is proud to be a REALTOR'.

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Brian has served as MAR’s Manager of Legal Affairs since August of 2004. He did his undergraduate work at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and attended law school at Michigan State University School of Law, graduating in 2004. His role at MAR encompasses a concentration in Fair Housing Law and Education, RESPA Compliance and Education, policing Unlicensed Real Estate Practice, Mortgage Fraud, and Research and Legal Writing for MAR publications. Brian also facilitates meetings of the MAR Legal Action Committee and handles all requests made for Legal Action Fund Assistance.

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THELL WOODS

As Past National Director of the National Association of REALTORS®, Thell Woods is the Founder and first president of the first state chapter of the Real Estate Securities and Syndication Institute.  Thell is currently operating manager of Qualified Intermediary Services L.L.C., a company which facilitates tax-deferred exchanges of real estate investments and business property. His additional involvement in the real estate industry includes a title as REALTOR® of the Year for the Gratiot Isabella Association of REALTORS® in 1969, participation on a Michigan Governor’s Real Estate License Law Study Commission, and a stint as Vice President of MAR itself.

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MARK A. WYCKOFF

Mark Wyckoff is a community planner with 30 years experience and a fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners. He received his Master's Degree in Urban Planning from Michigan State University and his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Michigan. After 5+ years working for the State of Michigan, and another 2+ years before that for the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, Mark formed the Planning & Zoning Center, Inc. and launched its flagship product, Planning and Zoning News  in 1982. Wyckoff served as Executive Director of the Michigan Association of Planning for three years in the mid 1980’s while also teaching as an assistant professor in the School of Urban Planning and Landscape Architecture at Michigan State University for three years. He was a visiting assistant professor working with the Extension Service in the MSU Department of Resource Development from 1993-1999. In February 2006, he and his associate, John Warbach, reinvented the Planning & Zoning Center at MSU where they are now professors. Wyckoff is also Senior Associate Director of the Land Policy Institute at MSU. Mark Wyckoff is widely considered an expert on Michigan land use and planning law and on statewide land use trends. He feels very fortunate that this vocation is also his avocation.

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NELSON ZIDE

Nelson Zide entered the real estate industry thirty years ago in 1977, after graduating from UMASS Boston.  There he obtained the knowledge and marketing skills it takes to be successful in real estate.  In 1980, Nelson became a member of the Multi Million Dollar Club and has maintained that status every year since.  As a member of the National ERA System, Nelson has been in the Top 10 in Volume and Units Closed and has been a finalist for Broker of the Year.  Nelson is very involved in the real estate industry as he is a member of many boards and associations including, the Greater Boston Real Estate Board, the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® Speakers Bureau, NAR, ERA, the REALTORS® National Marketing Institute and the Framingham Fair Housing Committee.

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• Gail Anderson
• Debra J. Asher
• Kathy Ballard
• Joseph Banyai
• Carol Brito
• Sharon Brown
• Carole Bullion
• Dwayne Carte
• Jon Cheplak
• Danielle Eason
• Daniel Farr
• Sandy Geroux
• Chris Griffin
• Craig Harrington
• Tom Heinemann
• Jerry Holloway
• Cynthia Holm
• Saul Klein
• Tom Kotzian
• David Layne
• Micheal Lohmeier
• Ira Luntz
• Greg McClelland
• Douglas McClure
• Jim Rutherford
• Joseph Sabella
• Barb Schwarz
• Lisa Scoble
• Kern Slucter
• Greg Stevens
• Art Thayer
• Andrew Tillman
• Marcus Wally
• Brian Westrin
• Thell Woods
• Mark Wyckoff
• Nelson Zide