1. Mentor Biographies NAR 2017

2. Rob Reid Business Development, zipLogix
Rob has been in the Real Estate Industry for the past 25 years. He started in the MLS system space with BORIS Systems and helped position the company for a successful merger with Norwest Mortgage. Staying in the MLS System space, Rob went on to hold management positions with Moore Data Management and Fidelity National Information Systems. In 2003, he became Executive Vice President of Threewide Corporation and helped the company build ListHub, the listing syndication product designed to help real estate agents market their properties to home buyers on the Internet. After a successful merger with Move in 2010, Rob worked with Equifax and Chase Mortgage on property data and industry relations projects in the real estate industry. Since 2014, Rob has been working with zipLogix, the providers of zipForm™, to expand their Business Development division including their zipAlliance Partner Program.

3. Dave Hiller National Vice President, Realogy Holidngs Corp
Dave is rsponsible for growing brand presence throughout United States. Creation of marketing and sales initiatives enabling Realogy the ability to grow their franchisee network / market share throughout major metropolitan markets, in addition to secondary markets.
Directly reporting to Senior Vice President of Franchise sales of real estate divisions throughout the United States. Looking for suitable Merger and Acquisition candidates and conversion opportunities.

4. David Siroty Founder, Imagine Productions
David has more than 30 years in communication and has earned a stellar reputation within the industry. He has won numerous awards including those from PR News and the Public Relations Society of America. David has a people-first approach with a proven track record of exceeding goals and objectives by unleashing the power of integrated communication campaigns.
Most recently David was VP, North American Public Relations, for Coldwell Banker Real Estate. He managed a four-person staff and outside agency while interacting daily with the C-Suite executive team and leadership of franchise companies in the U.S., Canada and 46 other countries around the globe. He was responsible for all internal and external communication, cause marketing, MarCom, sponsorships and partnerships, including leading Coldwell Banker’s leadership in the Smart Home space.

5. Denee Evans CEO, Council of Multiple Listing Services
As the chief executive officer of this premier membership organization dedicated to leading the multiple listing service (MLS) industry in North America, I am responsible for implementing the organization’s strategic plan; overseeing its daily operations; empowering members to stay ahead of advancing technology, legal issues, and cutting-edge management; and raising the presence of this organization and a membership that includes 203 MLS providers that represent over 1.2 million subscribers.

6. Chris Phenner Enterprise Business Development, Foursquare
Foursquare helps firms understand where people and things are located, offering APIs, SaaS & SDKs for mobile apps that enable more personal, location-aware experiences.

7. Danielle Cossick Business Development, Goby
Danielle is an experienced Business Development Representative with a demonstrated history of working in the information technology and services industry. Skilled in Negotiation, Microsoft Word, Sales, Retail, and Customer Satisfaction. Strong sales professional with a Bachelor's degree focused in Language Arts from Eastern Michigan University.

8. Gregg Alvarez Partner, Hindsite 20/20 Real Estate
Gregg Alvarez – CEO | Co-Founder of MyHouseBy, Gregg is an experienced and passionate Internet and Real Estate executive, investor, advisor, co-founder and industry leader with pre and post launch experience with companies such as Citysearch.com, Cars.com, Realtor.com/Move, and RealSavvy.com. Gregg is a partner/owner of Hindsite 20/20 Real Estate which produces $150MM+ in transactions annually.

9. James Rabinowitz Managing Director, Hot Glass Ventures
WHAT I DO: I help entrepreneurs and technology executives raise money for investments by providing unique perspectives on the real estate industry, FinTech, and startup mentoring. HOW I DO IT: I analyze problems and break them down into simple steps. I understand and capitalize on emerging technologies and developing market trends to create plans that make companies profitable and successful.  WHY IT WORKS: I invented convergent billing for multifamily properties in 1999, and developed that solution along with transaction processing and utility expense management solutions to simplify property management. My company was sold and merged with another market leader in 2015.  My work has led to broad experience over 20 years in real estate, business development, FinTech, executive leadership, P&L responsibility, and commercialization of technology. Having learned the ropes of successful business building in these market niches, I am well positioned to help others through this process.

10. Wes Wiggins CEO, Jupiter-Tequesta Hobe Sound Association of REALTORS
Wes joined JTHS after serving as General Manager for what was Regional MLS. Wes moved to Florida from Tucson, AZ. where he served as MLS Vice President for the Tucson Association of Realtors®. Wes is very active with state and national Realtor® committees and is on the board of directors for CMLS, the national MLS resource.

11. Liz Harris Owner, Liz Harris Realty
Liz Harris has a true passion for real estate and as a resident of Arizona since 1999, she has made a name for herself in the Phoenix Metro real estate market by specializing in the Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Mesa and Queen Creek areas.
Harris guides her clients through every step of the real estate process, providing information with enthusiasm and superior service. As a highly respected and hard-working agent she is always taking the time to educate herself and raise her already high level of expertise.
As a proud wife and grateful mother of 3, she finds fulfillment both in her personal life and her business life. That is the key to her success, she loves her job and can be often heard saying just that.
Her other areas of specialty include Residential , Relocation, Short Sales, Luxury Homes, Representing Buyers and Sellers and New Construction.

12. Robin LaSure
VP Corporate Marketing, Leading Real Estate Companies of The World
As Vice President, Corporate Marketing for Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, Robin LaSure manages the company’s Solutions Group program, which introduces select business resources to LeadingRE’s global network of 565 real estate firms. She also oversees the company’s event sponsorship program, as well as public relations, social media and industry relations.

13. Steve Baird CEO, Baird & Warner
Stephen Baird is the President and CEO of Baird & Warner and serves as chairman of The Realty Alliance — a consortium of the nation’s top real estate firms — and has testified before the U.S. Congress on matters of vital interest to the real estate community.  In addition, he has long worked for the preservation of open space as past-president of CorLands, The Openlands Project and, currently, as a national board member of the Trust for Public Land.  He holds memberships in the World Presidents Organization, the Chief Executives Organization and the Commercial Club of Chicago.  He serves as a trustee of the Morton Arboretum and has recently been appointed to the boards of Children’s Memorial Hospital, Chicago Public Radio (WBEZ) and the local advisory board of US Bank. He also was selected by Fortune Small Business Magazine as a “Best Boss” for 2004.

14. Kim Prior Vice President, Marketing and Sales, FBS Data Systems Inc
Kim leads product marketing efforts for FBS’s Flexmls System.
Kim held prior executive roles at OnBoard Informatics and Lyon Real Estate. Anyone who has met Kim knows she is very dynamic, straight forward, and simply gets things done.
Kim lives in and will be working from Sacramento, CA, where she loves to spend time with her family and many adopted pets.

15. Gino Blefari
Chief Executive Officer, HSF Affiliates LLC, parent company to the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Prudential Real Estate and Real Living Real Estate
Gino Blefari has joined the leadership team at HSF Affiliates LLC, parent company to the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Prudential Real Estate and Real Living Real Estate brokerage networks. He will become CEO of HSF Affiliates January 1, 2015.
Previously, Blefari was president and CEO of Intero Real Estate Services, Inc., a leading U.S. real estate brokerage based in Cupertino, CA. Blefari founded Intero in 2002 and built the company into one of the fastest growing firms in real estate. Real Trends ranked Intero No. 12 for sales volume in its 2013 study of the 500 Largest Brokerages in the U.S.
In 2007, Blefari was recognized as the Italian American Businessman of the Year by the Italian American Heritage Foundation. In acknowledgement of Blefari’s green practices and support, EcoBroker Community Service Award out of more than one million brokers and agents nationally.

16. Mark Ladd
With over 25 years of leading design and technical innovation for large multi-national companies and emerging services companies, Mark is an entrepreneur and architect of design and information technology with a forte in the development of 3D visual solutions in highly data-driven and design oriented settings, with a specialty in interactive augmented reality (AR), building information modeling (BIM), and connected devices (IoT). Adept in developing sophisticated built and virtual design environments, Mark has comprehensive management, business development, world class team building, and marketing skills with a proficiency in merging disparate technologies and personnel into team and customer service-centered business units. Technical specialties include virtual environments, augmented reality (AR), connected devices (IoT), mobile gaming, and building information modeling (BIM), and 3D Printing. Mark has a proven track record executing complex management initiatives while engaging stakeholders towards successful implementation of new methodologies, next generation systems and scalable technologies.

17. Michael Hart
SVP, JLL
Mike leads a team and technology platform that manages property, company, lease, sale and tenant demand data for our brokerage and investment sales organization. He also drives the strategy and data management of JLL’s public property listing site. Furthermore, Mike tracks, categorizes and manages relationships with over 70 CRE Tech startups companies that can add value to the JLL’s platform.

18. Rajen Shastri Founder, Akara Partners
Rajen Shastri has spent over 12 years working in senior management roles across the spectrum of the commercial real estate value chain, from being an investment professional at a global real estate institutional investor to acting as a Principal at an operator/developer. His vision for Akara partners is to offer investors the ability to participate with a vertically integrated real investment firm, allowing them to capture value from the elimination of the inherent information asymmetry between investors, operators and developers.
Prior to founding Akara Partners in 2013, Rajen was a Principal, CIO and Co-COO of Campus Acquisitions (“CA”) a developer and operator of student housing assets from While at CA, Rajen led the capitalization and monetization of over $1 billion in student housing assets across the U.S., including the $627 million sale of a portfolio of assets to American Campus Communities (NYSE: ACC) in 2012.

19. Sherri Cuda VP of Leasing, Magellan Development Group
Sherri is responsible for overseeing the day to day pricing, performance and leasing operations of the national Magellan residential luxury rental portfolio, 4,000+ residential units in Chicago, Nashville and Miami, including properties under construction, in lease up or stabilized. Develop and execute performance management and training programs. Provide leadership to 50 onsite leasing and management team members, conceptualize and execute market strategy to meet core business needs. Analyze data to create measurable plans and systems utilizing key performance indicators. Headed implementation of technology and software upgrades across residential portfolio.

20. Mark Filler
CEO, Apex Real Estate
Mr. Filler has primarily been in the mortgage banking business since 1994, when he was a Co-founder of Prism Financial Corporation. During his tenure at Prism, revenues grew from $1 million to $275 million; annual pretax profits grew from $100,000 to $50 million; and annual mortgage volume increased from $100 million to over $15 billion. Mr. Filler was President (and a member of the Board of Directors) when Prism completed an IPO in He was CEO when the Company was successfully sold to Royal Bank of Canada, where he served until Mr. Filler gained experience in construction and rehabilitation lending at Prism; the Company acquired a national lender that provided construction lending for builders. In 2002, Mr. Filler joined American Home Mortgage Corp. American Home was a New York Stock Exchange Company, with a market capitalization of $1.7 billion, and the 11th largest mortgage lender in the U.S., when he left in 2006.
Mr. Filler left American Home to form a new mortgage business, Prospect Mortgage Company. He was the sole founder and raised over $160 million in institutional private equity. According to HUD figures, Prospect was the largest residential renovation lender in the U.S. Prospect was successfully sold in During Mr. Filler’s tenure at Prism, American Home, and Prospect, those companies successfully acquired approximately 35 mortgage banking firms.

21. Craig McClelland Chief Operating Officer, BHGRE Metro Brokers
Craig McClelland is Chief Operating Officer at BHGRE Metro Brokers. Craig is a proven top strategic executive building real estate systems, technology, marketing, franchising, expansion, sales and management. He has the strategic business skills to establish and expand dynamic organizations with domestic and international presence. Craig has demonstrated strengths in identifying and capitalizing on market opportunities and emerging technologies to increase market share and create new revenue streams.

22. Matt Fagioli Founder, Xplode! Conference
My mantra... "Live an Inspired Life with Character. Challenge and break the status quo. Question (if not break) any rule".
23 years in technology (only some of them in the real estate industry). I'm passionate about business development through relationships & thoughtful partnership. Connecting great businesses with more great business is a blast!
Conferences that connect people with technology for business is my focus lately. The Xplode Conference Series has quickly become the #1 independent real estate conference series in the United States (based on total annual attendance). In 2013, we will touch 5000 top real estate professionals.
My past conference building successes include REtechSouth & New Media Atlanta.

23. Kylie Andersen Research Analyst, JLL
Kylie Andersen is a Research Analyst at Jones Lang LaSalle. Prior to this, Kylie was with CBS Sports Corporation.
Kylie earned a BA in Public Relations from Illinois State University.

24. Michele Conn SVP of Research and M&A, T3 Sixty
Michele is SVP of research and the mergers & acquisition division of T3 Sixty, and as a T3 Consultant provides her experience in the strategic evaluation, design, negotiation and management of mergers and acquisitions within the residential real estate brokerage and technology sectors.
She has served as Principal at Moderne Ventures, an early stage venture fund and accelerator program; Vice President of Corporate Development for Move, Inc. where she led over $55M of acquisitions including ListHub, TigerLead and FiveStreet; and 10 years at the Tribune Company, conceiving and executing strategy initiatives through new products, acquisitions and joint ventures such as CareerBuilder.com, Apartments.com, HomeFinder.com, ShopLocal.com and metromix.com.

25. Eric Potter Director of Innovation, Waterton
Highly experienced angel investor, award winning Project Management Professional (PMP), and commercial real estate professional. 14+ years of experience designing, deploying and leading multi-million dollar, business-critical programs. Skillfully identifies procedural deficiencies and engineers and implements improvements through proven and effective business methodologies. Guides large, cross functional teams through excellent leadership, communication, and management skills. 
In addition to acting as Waterton's subject matter expert on venture investments and startups, I champion and lead the strategic innovation process, including developing methods and tools for idea generation. I also develop the methodologies for ideation of the strategic innovation process. I am also responsible for leading innovation projects through implementation. In addition to managing the enterprise innovation program, I am responsible for budgeting, planning, forecasting, and analysis of financial information for the innovation projects.

26. Tom Hurdelbrink
President and Chief Executive Officer, Northwest Multiple Listing Service
Tom is currently President & CEO of Northwest Multiple Listing Service, Inc. (Northwest MLS). Northwest MLS is a trade association of about 2000 member real estate firms and delivers services to over 23,000 real estate licensees spanning western and central Washington State.
Besides the primary services of providing active and off-market real estate listings, public property records, and key-boxes, Northwest MLS also provides the standard residential real estate forms for Washington State. Additionally, Northwest MLS actively supports the governmental affairs efforts and funding for many local Realtor® Associations, aids the state Realtor® association with funding and collaboration for special projects, and maintains close relations with regulatory agencies.
Prior to working at Northwest MLS, Tom’s association management career included roles as:
Vice President of Products for the California Assoc. of Realtors® subsidiary, Real Estate Business Services
Vice President of MLS Relations for Realtor.com and Move
President & CEO for Northern Ohio Regional MLS
EVP for Lorain County (OH) Association of Realtors®
Legislative Analyst for National Association of Realtors®

27. Wendy Forsythe COO, Homesmart International
Wendy has leveraged her passion for real estate, operations and branding to help build successful real estate networks in both Canada and the United States. She was recognized in 2017 as one of the Swanepoel Power 200 and as a 2017 Inman Real Estate Influencer. Wendy has completed several marathons and in 2017 became an Ironman finisher.

28. Bill Lublin Owner, Century 21 Advantage Gold
BILL LUBLIN  operates a successful multi-office real estate firm and has been recognized as a thought leader for his insights regarding technology, social media, ethics and risk management in the real estate business.  An international speaker and trainer, he makes complicated things simple in a fast paced entertaining manner. Entering the real estate business at the age of 21, Bill rapidly gained recognition as one of the best salespeople in the marketplace. From his earliest days he began a career of service to both the community and the industry, always embracing the latest tools and technology. In 1983 Bill opened Lublin Corporation REALTORS at 7104 Castor Avenue. Its successor firm,  CENTURY 21 Advantage Gold, has been recognized by both Real Trends Magazine and Real Estate and Relocation magazine as one of the largest real estate firms in the United States since CENTURY 21 Advantage Gold is currently Pennsylvania’s Largest Century 21 firm.
Bill has served as a member of the National Association of REALTORS Professional Standards Committee, MLS Issues and Policy Committee, and Risk Management Committee. and the Data Strategies Committee. He was also appointed to serve on the Interpretations and Procedures Sub-Committee, the Article 10 Standards Revision Working Group, the Commercial Membership Recruitment Group, the BPO Workgroup, was appointed Chair of the NAR Short Sale Workgroup, and the Emerging Trends & Technology Advisory Board. In addition, Bill has was Vice-Chair of the Professional Standards Forum and the Professional Standards Committee, was Chairman of the Committee in 2008, the Association’s Centennial Year, and chairing the Interpretations and Procedures Sub-Committee of Professional Standards in In 2017 Bill serves as the Chair of the Data Strategies Advisory Board for NAR and as a member of the Board Policy and Jurisdiction Committee.