For the Greater Chattanooga Association of Realtors, Tuesday was a time of looking back at past accomplishments and looking ahead at the work still to be done. During the Association’s 2015 Installation & Awards Ceremony, 2014 president Vicki Trapp and others recognized the members who served in 2014 and installed those who will serve in the year to come.
“This has been a busy and a fun year for me,” said Trapp as she started the ceremony. “I want to thank the 2014 officers and directors for serving alongside me. It was a pleasure to be elected by you, my peers, and to serve the membership with this group.”
Trapp also thanked the more than 120 members who served the Association on various committees and task forces in 2014. “This Association is your Association, and volunteer leadership at all levels is key to the success of our organization,” she said.
Byron Kelly, 2014 MLS president, then took the podium to thank his board of directors. Kelly and his group of 11 had a busy year preparing for this month’s implementation of the Realtors Property Resource and guiding the Association’s transition to the new MLS platform, FlexMLS, which goes live Feb. 16. “Thank you for your leadership and for taking us to the next level so our data and technology stay on the cutting edge,” Trapp said to Kelly.
Trapp then took a moment to reflect on the Association’s accomplishments in 2014. During her time as president, the Association entered into a long-term partnership with Habitat for Humanity as part of its effort to refocus its community partnerships. “This partnership will be about more than building a home once a year,” she said, “it will be an ongoing effort we anticipate our members will engage in a variety of ways.”
The Association also increased its presence on social media in 2014.
Trapp then installed the 2015 Northwest Georgia Council officers and the 2015 MLS officers and directors.
Northwest Georgia Council officers for the upcoming year include President Teresa Hogg, President-elect Mandy Bandy Melton, Secretary Denise Lindsey, Treasurer Michele Dills Hudson, and Directors Eddie Floyd, Jake Kellerhals, and Becky Maples.
The 2015 MLS officers and directors include President Wells Eady, President-elect Trapp (who will also serve as a director), Treasurer Barry Hamilton, and directors Kim Bass, Travis Close, Jennifer Cooper, Jason Farmer, Dan Griess, Hamilton, Happy Huddleston, Kelly, Paula Palmer, Ron Tucker, and Sabrena Turner.
Trapp then invited Sue Gee to the podium to install the 2015 directors of the Association. These include Robert Backer, Bass, Close, Jennifer Cooper, Russ Elliott, Robert Fisher, Fidel Fonseca, Hamilton, Hogg, Huddleston, Denise Murphy, Brenda Pargeon, Geoff Ramsey, Janice Robertson, Trapp, Turner, and Nathan Walldorf.
“As directors, you will play an important part in shaping and establishing policies, acting as a liaison between the members and the board, and being responsible for the well-being of this Association,” Gee said as she installed the group.
Gee then installed Walldorf as the Association’s 2015 president-elect and Close as president for the upcoming year.
Before installing Close, Gee offered a few words about why she was honored to be a part of his installation. “We go back a long way. I’ve watched him grow into a successful young man,” she said. “He was licensed in 2006, and quickly developed an outstanding career as a top producer and became a well-respected agent.
“Travis has been diligent in obtaining continuing education at the local, state, and national levels, and has served on many boards and committees, ... which has helped to maintain the quality of our industry. We are fortunate to have Travis Close as our 2015 president,” she said.
After all of the past-presidents who were at the ceremony lined up and passed down the gavel to Close, with Trapp being the one to place the token of responsibility in his right hand, Close offered a few words of gratitude.
“Some of you might know that when (my wife) Tina and I bought our present home, Sue represented us,” he said. “She encouraged me to get my license, and I did.”
Then, looking at Gee, he said, “You’ve been a great friend and mentor. Thank you.”
Close also thanked Trapp for her leadership of the Association in 2014. “You’ve served us all with grace and charm, and with unending energy, even in your high heels on Capitol Hill in D.C. and on the cobblestone streets of New Orleans,” he said as he handed Trapp the engraved gavel she used throughout the year.
Close then ended the ceremony with a brief look at the year ahead. In addition to working with Eady and the MLS board on the transition to the new platform, Close will be overseeing the Association’s new partnership with Habitat for Humanity, making an effort to re-engage the broker community, and stressing the importance of RPAC. “Our collective contributions really do make a difference in our industry,” he said of the latter.
Other events this year include partnering again with the Mortgage Bankers and Home Builders Associations for an evening at a Lookouts baseball game, co-hosting the economic update luncheon with the Home Builders, and the Affiliate Council’s spring fling.
“I’m excited about 2015, and about building on the things started by the presidents who served before me,” Close said.