THE FEDERAL ROAD AHEAD - AN INTERVIEW WITH NAR'S CHIEF ADVOCACY OFFICER SHANNON MCGAHN
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VOLUME LV NUMBER 1 / DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021
THE FEDERAL
ROAD AHEAD
An interview with NAR’s
Chief Advocacy Officer
Shannon McGahn
Page 14
6 A Gala for the Airwaves
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
FEATURES
A GALA FOR THE AIRWAVES 6
BOYD CAMPBELL’S LIFETIME
OF ACHIEVEMENT 10
AN INTERVIEW WITH
SHANNON McGAHN,
NAR’S CHIEF ADVOCACY
OFFICER 14
OPEN DOORS TO STRONGER
NEIGHBORHOODS 19
MEET THE STAFF 20
MEMBER BENEFITS 24
CELEBRATING MEMBERS
WORKING WITH NAR 30
WHAT’S NEXT IN WASHINGTON, DC?
14
WE ASKED NAR’S CHIEF ADVOCACY OFFICER, SHANNON MCGAHN
DEPARTMENTS
PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE
MEMBER’S VIEWPOINT
4
27
SELL MORE WITH MARYLAND 28
LEGAL HOTLINE 34
SPECIAL LEGAL HOTLINE:
THE OMBUDS PROGRAM 35
A GALA FOR THE
6 10
BOYD CAMPBELL’S OPEN DOORS
19
AIRWAVES LIFETIME OF TO STRONGER
ACHIEVEMENT NEIGHBORHOODS
www.mdrealtor.org MARYLAND REALTOR® DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021 1
2020 Maryland REALTORS®
Leadership Team
REALTORS®
Maryland REALTORS®
200 Harry S Truman Parkway | Suite 200
Annapolis, MD 21401-7348
443.716.3500 | www.mdrealtor.org
Leadership Team
Dee Dee Miller Craig Wolf Dee Dee Miller | President
President President-Elect Craig Wolf | President-Elect
Long & Foster Real Estate American Home Shield Dale Ross | Treasurer
541B Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard 907 Autumn View Court Yolanda Muckle | Secretary
Severna Park, MD 21146 Bel Air, MD 21014 John A. Harrison | Immediate Past President
443-995-2297 443.643.6742 Chuck Kasky, RCE | Chief Executive Officer
deedee@lnf.com cwolf@ahslink.com
Editor
Daniel Patrell | dan.patrell@mdrealtor.org
Advisory Committee
Marilyn Rhodovi | Chair
Amanda Smith | Vice Chair
Advertising
Arlene Braithwaite | 410.772.0820
Publication Design
HBP, Inc., 952 Frederick Street, Hagerstown, MD 21741
800.638.3508 | www.hbp.com
Yolanda Muckle Dale Ross Mission Statement
Secretary Treasurer Maryland REALTORS ® exists to support all segments of its
Long & Foster Real Estate Pioneer Realty, Inc. membership and their specialties. Maryland REALTORS®, through
12220 Central Ave. 7917 Declaration Lane collective efforts with local boards/associations and the National
Mitchellville, MD 20721 Potomac, MD 20854 Association of REALTORS®:
301-249-1600 301.466.1067 ■ Develops and delivers programs, services and related products
yolanda.muckle@lnf.com daleross1067@gmail.com that maintain and elevate the high standards of the real estate
business and the professional conduct of its practitioners;
■ Assists members in ethically and professionally serving the public;
■ Promotes and preserves the right to own, transfer and use real
property; and
■ Protects the right of members to conduct business within a
framework of fair and reasonable laws and government
regulations.
In principle and in practice, Maryland REALTORS® values and seeks
diversity and inclusive participation within the field of real estate and
recognizes each member as a unique individual.
Maryland REALTOR® (USPS 0016-017) is published bimonthly by Maryland REALTORS®, Suite 200,
200 Harry S Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401-7348. Periodical postage paid at Annapolis
John A. Harrison Chuck Kasky, RCE and additional mailing offices. Postmaster send address changes to: Maryland REALTOR®, Suite 200,
200 Harry S Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401-7348.
Immediate Past President Chief Executive Officer Member subscriptions of $3.81 are paid with annual dues.
This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information regarding the subject
RE/MAX Executive Maryland REALTORS® matter covered. It is offered with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering
professional advice. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent
8432 Veterans Highway, Suite A 200 Harry S Truman Parkway, Suite 200 professional should be sought. Articles that appear in Maryland REALTOR® are an informational
service to members. Their contents are the opinions of the authors alone and do not necessarily
Millersville, MD 21108 Annapolis, MD 21401 represent those of Maryland REALTORS®.
443.274.1900 800.638.6425 Permission to reprint articles appearing in Maryland REALTOR® magazine must be requested in
writing. Also include purpose for request.
johnh@remax.net chuck.kasky@mdrealtor.org While this magazine makes a reasonable effort to establish the integrity of
its advertisers, it does not endorse advertised products or services unless
specifically stated. ©2020 Maryland REALTORS®, Inc.
2 MARYLAND REALTOR® DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021 www.mdrealtor.org
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President’s Perspective BY DEE DEE MILLER
The Resiliency of REALTORS®
N
othing feels more certain than the fact that we’re installations and awards ceremonies. The number of
living in uncertain times. In times like these, I focus times we’ve already engaged each other through Zoom
on resiliency, the art of bouncing back, of taking meetings has drawn us closer as colleagues and as a
what is provided at a given moment and using that to family of unified REALTORS® across the state.
propel me (and my business) forward. As REALTORS®, As legislative previews go, this issue of Maryland
this is what we do. Living and working through 2020 has REALTOR® contains something unique. Our very own
been a daily test of our collective resiliency. Bill Castelli sat down with NAR’s Chief Advocacy
Yet, what 2020 has taught me is how much closer we, as Officer Shannon McGahn for a post-election interview
members of an association, are because of the trials we’ve about NAR’s legislative priorities as it makes its plans
faced. Last March, we had to pivot quickly to new ways of to engage the 117th Congress and the new, incoming
doing business and new ways of communicating. Each of Biden Administration. Following this interview, Bill then
us did this at the granular level in our own business, but discusses Maryland REALTORS®’ legislative agenda and
the association did so, as well. Committees had to meet, our issues mobilization effort, ”Open Doors to Stronger
the Legal Hotline had to operate, and the interests of Communities,” as Maryland begins its legislative session.
REALTORS® statewide had to be addressed. See Page 19 for more.
Technology has brought This issue also contains something that I hope can
“Even after we beat us together in ways we become an annual feature: a recognition of all Maryland
never really embraced REALTORS® members who have been appointed to
this pandemic, before the pandemic. NAR committees. To see the number of our members
technology like While virtual meeting who give their time at the national level speaks highly
tech existed for years, it of our members and their commitment to REALTOR®
virtual or hybrid took a pandemic for its and industry excellence. More than that, our cumulative
meetings will forever viral-like adoption. Now, presence at the national level also helps to raise the
everyone can participate profile of Maryland REALTORS® nationally. Turn to Page
change how the in committee and other 30 to see a list of our members in action.
association engages meetings from anywhere. So, yes, 2020: hello, goodbye, get out of here. Let’s
with its members.” This opens tremendous take with us what has brought us closer—new ways of
volunteer opportunities working together collaboratively—as we head into 2021.
for our members who
I wish you the happiest of holiday seasons for you, your
might not live and work within an easy drive from our
friends, and family, and a prosperous, happy, and
association’s headquarters in Annapolis and that’s a big,
productive New Year.
unifying deal.
Even after we beat this pandemic, technology like
virtual or hybrid meetings will forever change how the Dee Dee Miller is Maryland REALTORS®’ 2021 President
association engages with its members. I’ve noticed this
change already as I’ve visited local boards for officer
4 MARYLAND REALTOR® DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021 www.mdrealtor.org
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A Gala
for the
Airwaves On screen, everyone wears make-up, including Chuck Kasky, CEO.
In lieu of our
L
et’s face it: COVID has given us a lot of lemons.
But in typical REALTOR® fashion, our members have
traditional risen to the occasion, providing essential services
inaugural gala,
(socially distanced) for buyers and sellers with their
masks on. You’ve found a way—and many of you have
we broadcasted
thrived—to move forward in this strange world we find
ourselves in.
ours instead Maryland REALTORS® has done the same—adapting
to the realities of COVID—which is why we opted for a
live event shared on Facebook rather than our traditional
celebration. During our televised event we celebrated
our state REALTOR® of the Year (congratulations to our
new Secretary, Yolanda Muckle!); announced our Life
Achievement winner (read more about Boyd Campbell,
page 10), announced other award winners, and swore in
the officers and president who will guide us into 2021.
And, while fun and memorable, with a few technical
glitches and only one—one!—live swear word, we will
echo the words spoken by both our 2021 President Dee
Dee Miller and CEO Chuck Kasky: Maryland REALTORS®
hopes that everyone enjoyed what we hope will be the
first—and last—televised inaugural event.
Until the next inaugural comes around, here are
some images from our event: the award winners, the
celebration, and the installation of our 2021
Leadership.
6 MARYLAND REALTOR® DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021 www.mdrealtor.org
Chuck Kasky served as the event emcee. 2021 President Dee Dee Miller hands 2021 Secretary Yolanda Muckle
her award for State REALTOR® of the Year...
...And what’s really nice is that Yolanda didn’t see it coming. 2020 President John Harrison unveiled the Life Achievement Award
Congratulations, Yolanda! for Boyd Campbell. Read more about Boyd on page 10.
Elbow bumps everywhere. Chuck thanks John for his Proclamation to John bestows the coveted Omega Tau Rho Award to Merry Tobin,
the Maryland REALTORS® staff. 2019 President.
www.mdrealtor.org MARYLAND REALTOR® DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021 7
2021 President-Elect Craig Wolf had the honor of celebrating two Chuck presents John with an original artwork by Maryland artist
CARE Award winners, the Howard County Association of REALTOR® Ellen Byrne. All local association logos were placed upon an
and the Coastal Association of REALTORS®, and the Community illustrated map of Maryland.
Service Award winner, Duane Hilghman.
2018 President and Life Achievement recipient Boyd Campbell
swears in the new slate of officers.
Community Service Award winner, Duane Hilghman President-Elect Craig Wolf, Secretary Yolanda Muckle, and
Immediate Past President John Harrison take their oaths. Not
pictured: Treasurer Dale Ross, who participated via live feed.
8 MARYLAND REALTOR® DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021 www.mdrealtor.orgCindy Ariosa, an NAR Director, swears in Dee Dee Miller as 2021 President. Dee Dee delivers first remarks as president. Meet your 2021 Officers! www.mdrealtor.org MARYLAND REALTOR® DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021 9
Achievement of a Lifetime
Boyd Campbell reflects on
four decades in real estate
BY: CHRISTIANNA MCCAUSLAND
B
oyd Campbell, supervising broker of Century 21 early 1960s and the burgeoning development advertised
New Millennium’s Bowie office, was recognized a special welcome for veterans.
in September with the Maryland REALTORS® Life “I said to my dad, “We should buy a house there,”
Achievement Award. It’s a fitting acknowledgment of Campbell states. “My father looked at me like I had
Campbell’s 43 years in real estate, during which time he’s three heads and said, ‘Boy, what are you talking about?
been president of both Maryland REALTORS® (2018) Negroes can’t buy those houses.’”
and the Prince George’s County Association (2002) and
As a REALTOR®, Campbell would be self-employed and
a member of the BrightMLS Board of Directors among
knew he could bring a fresh perspective to the business
numerous other contributions. It’s a career shaped by two
that might alter that narrative. In 1976 at age 21, Campbell
pivotal moments in the young life of the Bowie native.
obtained his real estate license. By 1981 he was given the
“I got a job as a journeyman at a printing company right opportunity to manage the firm where he was working and
out of high school,” he recalls. Less than two years later, then to have an ownership interest. That firm was Century
the company folded. “I told myself then, there’s no way I 21 Home Center, which he would later own in its entirety
can survive and be at the behest of someone telling me (four years ago, he merged this company with his current
I could or could not work. I decided I needed to work company). As he built his career, he saw areas where he
for myself.” could make an impact at the industry level.
Desire for self-employment was a strong motivator, but a “There was a lack of proficiency in the business then,
memory from childhood also inspired his choice of real and a lack of a contemporary vision in leadership of what
estate. As a 10-year-old, his father, a decorated World real estate could be,” he says. “I had a perspective and
War II veteran, drove the family to church and passed the only way to convey that was to be at the table.”
the Levittown subdivision, Belair at Bowie. It was the
10 MARYLAND REALTOR® DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021 www.mdrealtor.org“I want to have a platform where people understand what home is, that home is a state of mind. We as practitioners must embrace that and set aside prejudice, greed, and bias to enable people to buy a home.”
Campbell quips that he got his foot in the door of Campbell pushed forward, even when his ideals clashed
industry leadership by volunteering to be on the Holiday with how some REALTORS® wanted to do business. He
committee, though it was his perseverance, honesty recently participated at the national level in the passage
and professionalism that gained him respect among of the Clear Cooperation policy that requires listing
colleagues. Boyd served as director, chairman, or member brokers to submit their listing to the MLS within one
of numerous committees of Maryland REALTORS®, from business day of marketing the property to the public.
Finance and Equal Housing Opportunity to Public Policy “We believe a policy needed to be in place that pocket
and Professional Standards. In the 1990s, he was a listings are bad and fly in the face of fair housing,”
member of the state’s Affordable Housing Commission. says Campbell.
He’s been at the forefront of
According to Donnellan, “In
legislative issues, testifying
both our private discussions
in Annapolis and speaking
and publicly [about Clear
one-on-one with lawmakers.
Cooperation], Boyd was
Yolanda Muckle, 2021 not shy in expressing the
Secretary of Maryland critical need for a market
REALTORS®, and Immediate where no potential buyers
Past President of the Prince would ever be deliberately
George’s County Association excluded from viewing and
of REALTORS®, describes purchasing properties. Boyd
Campbell as “fearless.” has lived this experience,
“I have never seen him shy and his story made an
away from any situation and not make a thoughtful, indelible impression on me as well as others in our Board
well-reasoned decision,” she says. of Directors and the real estate community at large.”
She adds that, “Although Boyd has been in the real Campbell was integral to the creation of Bright MLS, now
estate industry for 40-plus years, he remains committed the second largest MLS service in the country, serving
to elevating the professionalism of our industry by approximately 85,000 real estate professionals.
leading by example. He continues to invest in continuing While Campbell continues to represent buyers and
education classes and obtaining designations to stay on sellers, he’s moving more into commercial real estate.
top of his craft.” He intends to start spending more time with his three
Campbell has long been a proponent of industry grandchildren and traveling with his wife, Sherri. He’s
professionalism not only for himself but for the profession. optimistic about the state of the industry, with its
“Professionalism touches every facet of the real estate more sophisticated buyers, efficient online tools, and
transaction and the damage in its absence can be progressive leadership at the association level.
greater than you think,” he explains. “It disadvantages the Yet he still wants to bring his perspective to the decision-
consumer, and the spirit of cooperation that is so important making table. He sees alarming trends of slipping
in the practice of residential real estate is put at risk.” minority homeownership as well as a general lack of
Brian Donnellan, president and CEO of BrightMLS, has empathy around the topic of racial disparity.
worked on several MLS initiatives with Campbell. “I want to have a platform where people understand
“Boyd is committed to asking bold questions, what home is, that home is a state of mind,” he says.
challenging established processes and inspiring others “We as practitioners must embrace that and set aside
to find innovative ways to better serve all real estate prejudice, greed, and bias to enable people to buy a
professionals,” says Donnellan, adding that Campbell’s home. There’s a change [in industry leadership] for more
“devotion to fair housing is unmatched.” emphasis on what is fair and what is right. I’m excited
about that, and I want to be a part of that.”
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ROAD AHEAD
A conversation with NAR’s Chief Advocacy Officer
Shannon McGahn
A
s the Chief Advocacy Officer for NAR, Shannon McGahn represents
the voices of more than 1.4 million members in Washington, DC.
McGahn manages NAR’s Federal Legislative and Political Affairs and
Political Representative teams in Washington. The DC team’s work early into
the pandemic helped tremendously in keeping real estate listed as an essential
service, while also working to expand federal assistance to its members.
McGahn is the first woman to hold the Chief Advocacy position in NAR’s 110-
year history, and she brings to this role nearly two decades of legislative and
executive experience in federal government.
Bill Castelli, Maryland REALTORS®’ Senior Vice President for Government
Affairs, interviewed McGahn recently for her take of what members can
expect from NAR with a new administration and a Senate likely controlled by
Republicans.
Maryland REALTORS®: We know you didn’t
sleep much before COVID, but NAR really went
Shannon McGahn
into overdrive advocating for REALTORS® and
sharing critical information about how to access
federal assistance. How do you think the federal
government will treat independent contractors in
the future because of the efforts of NAR and other
industries advocating for the self-employed?
Shannon McGahn: The benefits secured for REALTORS® really were
unprecedented. I like to say we were able to get three magic phrases into
the COVID bills, which opened up a raft of benefits to ensure the economic
health of REALTORS® through the early months of the pandemic: Self-
employed, independent contractors, and sole proprietors. These groups
covered a wide swath of our members. Without these phrases, many
REALTORS® would have been cut off from Pandemic Unemployment
Assistance, Paycheck Protection Program loans, Economic Injury Disaster
Assistance loans, and paid sick and family leave. A recent NAR survey
shows that one in five members applied for a PPP loan, so it is clear these
www.mdrealtor.org MARYLAND REALTOR® DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021 15programs were critical. It is very difficult in Washington to put the “benefit
cat” back in the bag. I think future governments will be much more open to
unemployment and small business assistance to these groups during a crisis
or recession, and we will be able to advocate convincingly for it now that
we have the data to back it up. Real estate makes up nearly one-fifth of the
entire American economy, and no party or politician wants to be responsible
for turning this foundation of our economy into quicksand.
“Real estate
makes up nearly Maryland REALTORS®: COVID has also impacted
one-fifth of the our local and state government budgets, which rely
entire American heavily on real estate taxes to fund their operations.
How do you think future federal COVID assistance
economy, and might provide more direct funding for state and
no party or local government budgets?
politician wants McGahn: This is one of the sticking points for the next round of COVID
to be responsible aid. The first four relief packages sped through Congress, including the
for turning this CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act, with sometimes
unanimous support. With trillions already out the door, the process has
foundation of turned more traditionally political. Democrats and President Trump wanted
our economy to go big, while the Senate GOP is looking for a more tempered $500 billion
plan—only only in Washington is a half-trillion-dollars referred to as “skinny!”
into quicksand.”
All sides are coming in line with the need for a COVID bill this year. The
election results ensure that a more centrist agenda will prevail. Deals will
be made for each side to get their key priorities. It’s the way the system is
supposed to work. Very few times in our history has one party held absolute
power, and never for very long.
We will be dealing with the economic fallout of COVID for years. State and
local budgets will need assistance in some way, and we are putting the power
of NAR behind that effort. A report from Moody’s recently showed that states
are facing the biggest cash crisis since the great depression, so I am hopeful
cooler heads will prevail in a post-election Washington.
Maryland REALTORS®: The racial unrest
experienced by many communities this year
called attention once again to systemic racism in
our country. The Black homeownership rate lags
the white homeownership rate by 30 percentage
points. While we can’t ever forget the role that
organized real estate played in housing inequality,
16 MARYLAND REALTOR® DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021 www.mdrealtor.orgit is also true that NAR and organized real estate
have pushed aggressively to protect and expand
housing opportunities, including GSE reform and
federal mortgage programs. What policies will NAR
advocate for to bring greater housing opportunity
to black and minority families?
McGahn: NAR continues our work to acknowledge and redress the harm
caused by discrimination in American real estate. Last year, even before racial
inequality broke into the open, NAR was positioning fair housing as a signature
issue. NAR created a Fair Housing Policy Committee, and we hired a new
Director of Fair Housing, Bryan Greene, who spent 29 years at HUD as the top
government official overseeing Fair Housing Act enforcement. We also rolled
out our ACT Plan (Accountability, Culture Change, and Training) for members.
A lot is being done in-house, but there is certainly a federal legislative and
policy component as well. Overall, the issues of fair housing and racial
discrimination are complex and deep-rooted, and they cannot be solved
by one person, policy, or politician. There is a fair housing component to
every issue, and our new fair housing focus and infrastructure allows us to
see issues through that lens, whether it is GSE reform or access to credit.
“Zip codes should NAR will promote and support tax policies that address affordability and
the homeownership gap between white Americans and diverse populations.
never determine We will push for a robust first-time homebuyer tax credit that gives qualified
anyone’s destiny. individuals without the ability to save for a down payment a pathway to
homeownership. We will also remind lawmakers about the significant wealth-
And race should building benefits of homeownership, which could help bring families of color
never determine into the middle class and encourage federal tax law that incentivizes local
governments and municipalities to amend zoning laws and ease land-use
anyone’s zip restrictions. Zip codes should never determine anyone’s destiny. And race
code.” should never determine anyone’s zip code.
Maryland REALTORS®: Maryland is experiencing
a historically low housing inventory. This, in turn,
pushes prices higher and locks new buyers out of
the home market. Unfortunately, Maryland is not
the only state where housing construction has fallen
behind population and economic growth during the
last decade. Given that infrastructure plays such a
key role in land-use decisions, how do you think the
federal government will promote infrastructure in
2021 and beyond?
www.mdrealtor.org MARYLAND REALTOR® DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021 17McGahn: President-elect Joe Biden has expressed support for a large
infrastructure package during his first year in the White House. This is an
area with heavy bipartisan interest, so I think this issue has some serious
wind in its back—especially for green initiatives. In addition, surface
transportation funding expired on September 30, so there will be pressure to
strike a deal. The pandemic has also created incentives for stimulus through
transportation and infrastructure projects and broadband expansion, both
key NAR priorities.
Overall, investments in transportation infrastructure spur growth in the
housing market and America’s overall economy. As REALTORS®, we
recognize the importance of sound federal infrastructure policy, with our
members even identifying the issue as their top policy priority in 2019.
Maryland REALTORS®: Last year, the Maryland
Legislature passed legislation to permit certain pass-
through entities to file income taxes at the entity
level rather than the individual level to avoid the
limit on the deductibility of state and local taxes.
After the election, do you see Congress revisiting tax
reform and what that reform might look like?
McGahn: Most of our issues come down to taxes sooner or later. We are
on the watch for any new attempts to raise revenue through tax changes that
might seem like an easy pot of gold but are actually harmful.
For example, proposals to eliminate the 1031 like-kind exchange tax benefit
would cost the government revenue, not raise it.
Under a Biden presidency and a Republican-controlled Senate, it would
be unlikely to see major changes to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (President
Trump’s signature tax reform bill). Republicans will use all their power to
preserve this measure.
President-elect Biden has called for a first-time homeowner’s tax credit,
something that has bipartisan appeal, and NAR would advocate for it actively.
Earlier this year, NAR called in an official policy announcement for more tax
incentives for homeownership.
18 MARYLAND REALTOR® DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021 www.mdrealtor.orgOpen Doors to
Stronger Communities
BY BILL CASTELLI
I n Maryland and many other states, housing
opportunities were at risk before COVID-19.
New residential construction has not kept pace with
the type of severe housing crisis seen in some Western
states like California.
Some of the housing proposals in the 2021 Legislative
population or economic growth in the last decade, and Session include:
the signs of that underproduction have shown up in ■ Legislation to strengthen the “housing element”
higher prices and limited housing inventories. in comprehensive plans.
The challenges of shrinking housing opportunity ■ Creation of a work group staffed by the
are most evident in the growing gap in the Department of Housing and Community
homeownership rates of white and black owners. Development to recommend strategies to close
Before Congress passed the historic Fair Housing the homeownership gap.
Act in 1968, the difference between white and black ■ A bill to provide a no-net loss of residential units
homeownership rates was 26 percent. That gap when local government downzones.
shrunk to 23 percent in the 1970s but is now about
■ Expansion of local accessory dwelling unit laws.
30 percent nationally.
■ Increased residential density for certain
Maryland REALTORS® is undertaking a campaign commercial properties.
to raise the profile of housing issues. We’re
■ Tax incentives for existing homeowners who free
calling this campaign “Open Doors to Stronger
up affordable housing units.
Communities.” This effort will focus attention on
In addition to the housing agenda, Maryland
policies that will expand housing opportunities for all
REALTORS® supports legislation requiring many
Marylanders and close the persistent gap in white and
property managers—who are not currently licensed by
black homeownership rates.
the regulatory agency—to become registered with the
No single solution will address Real Estate Commission. That legislation passed the
growing housing challenges. House of Delegates last year but was never considered
Rather, many proposals in the Senate due to the legislative session’s early
will be needed to ensure closing due to COVID-19.
that housing and its key
Although it is unclear how the 2021 Maryland General
role in wealth building
Assembly will conduct business when many committee
is attainable for
hearings and other activity will be conducted virtually,
all Marylanders.
there is no question that the Legislature will consider
Addressing
many important issues that will impact homebuyers,
these problems
homeowners, and our industry.
now is critical.
Maryland is already the fifth most densely populated
state in the country. Each year solutions to expand
Bill Castelli is Maryland REALTORS®’ Senior Vice President,
housing opportunities will become more difficult as
Government Affairs
our population grows. Postponing tough decisions now
creates harder decisions for the future and result in
www.mdrealtor.org MARYLAND REALTOR® DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021 19Meet
the Staff Chuck Kasky April Sheesley Joanne Gleason Rebecca Baker
C
hief Executive Officer Joanne Gleason joined Maryland members to identify and define the
Chuck Kasky was elevated REALTORS® in 2020 and is the association’s policy goals.
to CEO in October 2015, Administrative Assistant serving both In addition to Susan’s lobbying
after having served as Maryland the Administration and Housing responsibilities, she also works
REALTORS® top in-house legal officer Programs Departments. Joanne with local boards/associations
for 10 years. In addition to overseeing assists Maryland REALTORS® to assist in providing Maryland
the Association’s operations, administration with the planning of REALTORS® and NAR expertise on
he works closely with volunteer logistics for meetings, events, and local issues such as land use and
leadership to develop and implement volunteer coordination, and supports zoning. Susan oversees Maryland
policies and initiatives to promote various other administrative functions. REALTORS® Local Government
the real estate industry and private Additionally, she works in conjunction Affairs Director (GAD) Program,
property rights. Chuck is continuing with the Housing Department supervising the local GADs that
the Association’s primary focus on programs such as Housing Maryland REALTORS® provides to
on representing member interests Opportunity Certification (HOC). all local boards/associations who do
before the legislature and advocating Receptionist Rebecca Baker greets not employ local lobbyists. This local
REALTOR® professionalism with and talks to more members as program is designed to strengthen
members and the public. the first point of contact at the REALTOR® voices in those local
Prior to joining Maryland Association office, than any other jurisdictions. Additionally, she also
REALTORS®, Chuck was engaged staffer. She answers hundreds directs Maryland REALTORS®
in the private practice of law, served of questions every week from grassroots advocacy efforts,
as Counsel to several Committees members and the public, referring including Calls for Action, and our
of the Maryland General Assembly, them to the appropriate staff advocacy outreach, customizing
and was Deputy Chief Administrative person or other resources. Rebecca mobilization efforts on key issues.
Officer for Howard County, Maryland. assists with meeting logistics, Prior to joining Maryland
April Sheesley is the Executive mailings, and other tasks requested REALTORS®, Susan was the
Assistant to the CEO. April joined by other departments. Government Affairs Manager/
Maryland REALTORS in April 2020 Washington Representative
and is responsible for managing
Government for Bristol-Myers Squibb
the administrative functions of the Affairs pharmaceutical company in
Association. As a member of the The Government Affairs Lobbying their Washington DC office, with
senior leadership team, April is Team includes Senior Vice responsibilities for both the federal
the point of contact for the CEO, President, Bill Castelli and and state grassroots lobbying
staff, and volunteer leaders. In Director of Government Affairs, program & PAC and served as the
addition, she staffs the Governance Susan Mitchell. Bill, an attorney industry Washington Representative
committees, the Awards and former aide to Rep. Steny to the pharmaceutical trade
committees, and Real Property Hoyer, develops and directs the association.
Operations committee, and also Association’s legislative strategy in Both lobbyists represent Maryland
supports the Board of Directors and representing Maryland REALTORS® REALTORS® on various industry and
General Membership meetings. in the Statehouse. He is the staff other coalition groups and coordinate
liaison for the Public Policy and state efforts with NAR in representing
Legislative Committees working with REALTOR® interests before
20 MARYLAND REALTOR® DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021 www.mdrealtor.orgBill Castelli Susan Mitchell Kathleen Dartez Colette Massengale Mark Feinroth Sandi Frazer Reese Lesko
Maryland’s Congressional delegation. she conducted research, drafted program, Maryland REALTORS®
The team also includes contract orders, and prepared legal opinions provides resources and support to
lobbyists and attorneys Joel Rozner and memoranda in the areas of civil, local boards/associations, members
and Frank Boston. Government criminal, and family law. and the public regarding ethics
Affairs committees include Public Mark staffs the RPAC Trustees, cases, arbitration proceedings
Policy, Legislative, Issues Mobilization, Legal Action Fund Committee, and alternative dispute resolution
and Legal Action. Lockbox Consortium and the processes. Sandi manages the
Maryland REALTORS® Political Dispute Resolution area of the
Legal Affairs Fund. Mark served as an Assistant Maryland REALTORS® website,
Maryland REALTORS® Legal Secretary at the Maryland which addresses dispute resolution
Department, headed by Director Department of Labor, Licensing issues and alternatives.
of Legal Affairs Kathleen Dartez, and Regulation where he was Kathleen, Colette, Mark, and Sandi
includes Staff Attorneys Colette responsible for the Real Estate staff the Maryland REALTORS®
Massengale; Mark Feinroth, Commission and more than two Legal Hotline, the service members
Director of Political Advocacy; dozen other licensing programs. He routinely identify as one of the most
and Sandi Frazer, Professional also has worked on Capitol Hill for a valuable Maryland REALTORS®
Standards Administrator and Legal Maryland Congressman and with a membership benefits. Members call
Affairs Assistant. litigation law firm in Silver Spring. or submit questions via an online
Kathleen staffs the Global Business Staff Attorney Reese Lesko joined form, available on the Legal tab of
and Real Property Operations Maryland REALTORS® in February the Maryland REALTORS® website.
Committees. Prior to joining the 2020 and staffs the Commercial Department attorneys also provide
Maryland REALTORS®, Kathleen Alliance Committee. In addition in-house legal and compliance
served as General Counsel for to answering the Legal Hotline assistance to the other Departments
a regional real estate brokerage and teaching CE classes, Reese within Maryland REALTORS®.
where she performed the full also assists in producing the As a service to member boards/
array of in-house functions, yearly Commercial Symposium for associations, Maryland REALTORS®
including legal analysis, form commercial practitioners. Prior Legal Department teaches
development, professional standards to joining Maryland REALTORS®, continuing education classes
representation, human resources Reese served as Corporate Counsel on risk reduction, brokerage
compliance, and continuing for a brokerage, ran a title company, relationships and disclosures, real
education teaching. and spent eight years as foreclosure estate contracts, Code of Ethics,
Colette staffs the Statewide Forms counsel for the largest foreclosure fair housing, legislative and legal
Committee. She also enjoys law firm in the state. Reese has updates and broker supervision. To
educating members about their been very active in the title industry assist in compliance with the NAR
legal and ethical obligations. Prior and has volunteered her time to Professional Standards program, the
to joining Maryland REALTORS®, assist the Education Committee of Department provides annual training
Colette worked at several law firms the Maryland Land Title Association. to local Grievance and Professional
and non-profit organizations in Sandi serves as the Legal Affairs Standards Committees. Kathleen and
Washington, DC. She also clerked Assistant and the Maryland Colette are the primary resources
for Washington, D.C. Superior Court REALTORS® Professional Standards on Professional Standards issues
Judge Rhonda Reid Winston where Administrator. Through this and oversee local board/association
www.mdrealtor.org MARYLAND REALTOR® DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021 21Lisa Kinsman Lisa Haynes Daniel Patrell Joshua Woodson Laurie Benner
compliance with NAR requirements question members may have. She remain a vibrant social
regarding governance and services. provides additional support services gathering place for members.
Legal Affairs also has responsibility to other departments as needed. ● Housing Stats, released to
for member services. Kathleen, Maryland REALTORS maintains
® the members and the media
Colette, and Mark provide outreach an extensive educational database every month.
to firms, speaking at brokerage and whereby attendee records (member ● The bi-weekly and recently
branch office meetings on hot topics and non-member) are updated updated HotSheet is sent
from the legal hotline or on topics for every CE or non-CE program to all members every
suggested by the broker or branch Maryland REALTORS® offers. This other Thursday.
office manager. The Department system verifies attendance and ● The Association’s website,
develops videos, webinars and confirms classes taken to track mdrealtor.org, is frequently
articles for Maryland REALTOR® designation courses, mandatory state updated with important news
magazine based upon trends on the licensing renewal courses and any and information.
legal hotline and issues identified association training required sessions. ● The Maryland REALTORS®
by members. Webinar series provides
Strategic engaging presenters and
Education Communications topics important to members
Director Lisa Kinsman has been The Department of Strategic on a bi-weekly basis.
a Maryland REALTORS® staff Communications is managed by ● The Annual Conference take
member since 1981. She supervises its Senior Director, Daniel Patrell, place every autumn (next
the activities and staffing for the who joined in March 2020, dates: October 12–14, 2021).
REALTOR® Institute (GRI) and and Joshua Woodson, its Digital ● Brochures and pamphlets,
Leadership Academy committees Communications Specialist, who print or digital.
and programs. The department arrived in August 2020. Strategic By the time you read this, you
coordinates the education programs Communications manages may have already listened to our
for the Annual Conference, provides the public voice of Maryland first podcast for the association,
administrative services for various REALTORS® in all its forms, which hosted by CEO Chuck Kasky.
other departments; and oversees the speaks to a variety of audiences Coming soon will the adoption of
recording of all continuing education including members, consumers, Alexa technology, to bring the latest
credits earned for all CE programs media, and the general public. Maryland REALTOR® news to your
provided by Maryland REALTORS® The department manages many of smart speaker. This department
and contracted providers. the communication channels that also manages the Association’s
Education Assistant Lisa members use on a daily basis: Member Benefits program, finding
Haynes provides all Department ● Maryland REALTOR® unique commercial partnerships
administrative support and is magazine is published that benefits members, while also
responsible for CE monitoring, CE bi-monthly and mailed to providing non-dues revenue.
recording at the Maryland Real all members. Strategic Communications staffs the
Estate Commission, handling
● The Association’s social Communications & PR Committee
replacement certificate requests for
media channels (Facebook, and the Conference & Events
any Maryland REALTORS® program;
Instagram, Twitter, YouTube) Program Advisory Committee.
and any other general education
Before coming to Maryland
22 MARYLAND REALTOR® DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021 www.mdrealtor.orgPatti Schmitt Janelle Shannon Kim Knopp Michael Cunningham Victor Pessima
REALTORS®, Daniel had managed programs, fair housing, homebuyer fourteen years before selling her
the communications for health- education, foreclosure prevention, interest to her partner.
science organizations; before that, and housing policy initiatives in their As Assistant Controller, Kim Knopp
he published a statewide lifestyle communities. administers Maryland REALTORS®
and culture magazine. Joshua Laurie has extensive experience in accounts payable and assists with
is a digital creator who uses a residential real estate and affordable daily financial transactions. Kim also
combination of storytelling and housing including legal work, maintains financial records for RPAC.
strategy to align a brand’s identity finance, housing redevelopment, Kim joined Maryland REALTORS®
across digital platforms. Prior to grant administration, and nonprofit in 2001, first in the Legislative
joining the Association. he had management. She holds a master’s Department and then moving to the
worked the non-profit sectors of degree in Nonprofit and Association Finance Department in 2005.
higher education, human resources, Management and recently Janelle Shannon is the Accounting
and international development. completed an MBA program. She Specialist. She administers
earned the REALTOR® Certififed
Housing Executive (RCE) designation from
Maryland REALTORS® accounts
receivable and assists with
Programs NAR in 2018. daily financial transactions.
The Housing Programs Department, Janelle also administers RPAC
headed by Director Laurie Benner, Finance and raffle sales, requests for state
researches and identifies programs Technology candidate campaign contributions,
benefiting first-time homebuyers Patti Schmitt, Maryland REALTORS®, and maintains major investor
and low-to-moderate income buyers Vice President of Finance has contributions.
offered by federal, state and local primary responsibility for developing IT Director, Michael Cunningham
government agencies as well as and tracking Maryland REALTORS® worked with Maryland REALTORS®
community-based, nonprofit housing annual budget, managing for almost ten years as a consultant
organizations. Laurie is Maryland Maryland REALTORS® and affiliate before joining the staff in 2005.
REALTORS® liaison with NAR on organizations financial operations, Michael provides IT support and
its housing related public policy and working with its auditors and management, custom software
programs, and with other statewide financial advisors. She provides development and programming, and
and national housing coalitions. The economic and financial information website design and management for
Department administers Maryland to the CEO, Board of Directors the Association, staff, and affiliate
REALTORS® consumer website and officers, Finance Committee, organizations.
www.marylandhomeownership.com, and staff. Patti also oversees
and its social media channels, Membership Administrator Victor
the operations and staff of the
manages consumer-focused Pessima, who joined the
Technology Department. Prior to
communications, and oversees the Association in February 2020,
joining Maryland REALTORS® Patti
Housing Opportunity Certification maintains member databases for
was Assistant Controller for HRi,
(HOC) education program. It also Maryland REALTORS® and assists
ASO & PEO Outsourcing, serving
staffs the Housing Affordability in helping staff with computer
more than 150 employers with over
and Equal Opportunity committee, hardware and software systems.
1,700 employees across 17 states.
which develops efforts to encourage Victor is also responsible for
Patti also successfully started and
Maryland REALTORS® to learn about maintaining office supplies and
operated a contracting business for
financial literacy, housing finance other office equipment.
www.mdrealtor.org 23REALTORS®
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www.mdrealtor.org MARYLAND REALTOR® DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021 25You can also read
