RE/MAX Gold Associates: Outstanding Agents, Outstanding Leaders
At RE/MAX Gold, many of our agents are not only outstanding Realtors®, they’re outstanding leaders in their Associations and communities. In this feature, we will highlight a few members of Gold Nation who actively lead throughout the real estate industry.
Gabriella Alvarez
President of Women’s Council of REALTORS® - Gold Country
How did you get involved in WCR Gold Country?
Gabriella Alvarez - El Dorado Hills Office
I have been a Women’s Council of Realtors® member since 2011, with our sister Network in Sacramento. At that time, our now State President, Cheryl Keller, was President-elect for that network. Since the day I joined Women’s Council, Cheryl has had her hand out encouraging me to get more involved within the Council and leadership. Fast forward to March of 2017, when I get a phone call from Cheryl. She says “I’ve been thinking and I have an idea for you: The El Dorado County network disbanded a few years ago and it has been brought to us at the state and national level that the members at large are voicing their wants of having a network be brought back to the local area.” This is where I like to refer to myself accepting this challenge as being “volun-told.” I am the kind of person that likes a challenge; I’m competitive & I like to win. So, when Cheryl presented me with the challenge I said “Absolutely, lets do it.”
How long have you been in your leadership role?
I am serving my second year as President for the the Women's Council of Realtors® Gold Country Network.
What is your favorite part of your role?
Every day I strive to be professional, lead by example, appreciate my team and do whatever task needs to be done. I try to be honest, to think outside the box, look towards the future or big picture and inspire others. I am devoted to the Women’s Council mission and vision and to all the success if brings to our Realtor® members—that is my favorite part of being a leader for the Gold Country network.
How do you balance your community involvement with your real estate business?
With my "village". I have great support from my board, my committee teams and my assistant that help me leverage my time and tasks between running a local network and staying on top of my business!
What's one piece of advice for getting involved in leadership within your community?
JUST DO IT! For years I was scared to get involved; I didn't think I had "the time" or didn't see myself as a "leader", but the reality is we are all leaders in our businesses. Taking this opportunity that was given to me has changed my life in so many ways and has made me a better leader to better serve my clients! You will never regret getting involved in leadership within your community—it will only enhance you!
Ranga Pathak
Sacramento Association of REALTORS® Internship Committee
Ranga Pathak - Roseville Office
How did you get involved with the SAR Internship Committee?
It had always been about what the Association could do “for me” before. But a few years back when I saw an email from SAR asking if I wanted to serve, for the first time I thought “maybe now I can do something for the Association?”
How long have you been in your leadership role?
I think about 3 years.
What is your favorite part of your role?
My favorite part of my role is when an intern gives favorable feedback about the program and says that they have learned a lot from their mentor—that is a good feeling.
How do you balance your community involvement with your real estate business?
You have to block out the time for the involvement—no two ways about it. Sometimes it takes juggling, and will take some time away from your business.
What's one piece of advice for others getting involved in leadership opportunities within your community?
Take the first step…satisfaction guaranteed.
Patrick Lieuw
Appointee to the Commissioner of the California Department of Real Estate Advisory Panel
Patrick Lieuw - Natomas Office
How did you get involved with the California Department of Real Estate?
I first got involved in 2001 when I became a member of the steering committee of the Sacramento Association of Realtors®, The Masters Club.
In what capacity are you involved in leadership in the industry?
I have been an active leader in the real estate profession for the past 18 years. Currently, I serve as an appointee to the Commissioner of the California Department of Real Estate’s Advisory Panel. I am also on the Advisory Board for the California State University System Real Estate and Land Use Institute. I was an advisor and a founding Director for the Sacramento Chapter of the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA). For many years I was a Director for the National Association of Realtors® as well as a Director for the California Association of Realtors® and MetroList Inc. In addition, I was on the Advisory Committees for MetroList Inc. and for the Sacramento Metro Fire District. In 2012, I became the first Asian American President of the Sacramento Association of Realtors (SAR) since its beginning in 1908 and received the SAR Realtor® of the Year Award.
What is your favorite part of your role?
The California Department of Real Estate has an endowment with the California State Universities to promote the advancement of real estate education at the university level, and to award scholarships to disadvantaged students studying real estate. I am appointed by the Real Estate Commissioner to serve on the Endowment Advisory Board, which reviews and approves program improvement grants to those campuses who apply for them. Having the opportunity to provide input into promoting the advancement of real estate education at the university level and to provide opportunities to disadvantaged students gives me particular satisfaction.
How do you balance your community involvement with your real estate business?
If you’re doing something you like and are involved in the community, mastering time management is surprisingly easy. Balancing volunteering time and business time greatly enhances business productivity, and there’s no question that it is a perfect outlet for good networking.
What's one piece of advice for others getting involved in leadership opportunities within your community?
You owe part of your time and money to the profession that is your source of income. Start with something you enjoy doing, and you’ll be surprised at how rewarding it will be and the new friendships that will develop. It also provides many benefits, including developing leadership abilities and management skills.
Evelia Marquez
NAHREP President, Greater Sacramento 2019
Evelia Marquez - Natomas Office
How did you get involved in NAHREP?
NAHREP is the National Association of Hispanic Leadership Professionals and I became a member in 2012. The organization’s mission statement and what they represent really hit home for me—“To achieve sustainable home ownership in the Latino Community”. We feel we do this best by educating our real estate practitioners. We also address legislative issues, policies and business practices that impact home ownership in our community. We feel that whatever we can accomplish in Washington D.C. will trickle down to the local level.
How long have you been in leadership?
First leadership role held was Secretary for 2017, then Vice President for 2018, Now Current President.
What is your favorite part of your role?
I’d have to say public policy, advocating for sustainable home-ownership and seeing NAHREP’s leaders in action when we go to the hill in Washington D.C. to speak to our representatives. In my roles I've had the opportunity to meet lots of amazing professionals—not just from the Sacramento area, but also throughout the country.
How do you balance your community involvement with your real estate business?
This is an excellent question. It’s definitely not as easy as it may seem. I don't take one step without my laptop and smart phone—like many of us in our profession. I’ve been in real estate for 15 years now, and over the last 3 years I have been focusing in Commercial Real Estate, which helps me adjust my client schedule to all of my leadership obligations.
I also hold other leadership roles in the community: I am the current VP for the Florin Road Foundation (PBID for south Sacramento Florin Road business and residential area surrounding these businesses), current committee member for the SAR Cultural Adversity and Fair Housing Committee and SAR Ambassador. I was also recently nominated by our current SAR President to be in the SAR board members nomination committee.
What's one piece of advice for others getting involved in leadership opportunities within your community?
There is no bigger reward than to be able to assist, give back and get involved with the community that feeds us. I believe it is a very important aspect if we want to be successful in real estate, because our business depends so much on referrals. I attend our city hall meetings because it’s where I find out what’s happening in the communities we serve; this will always put me one step ahead of others that don't get involved.
KAREN ASAY
Placer County Board Member
Why did you get involved in the Board of Realtors?
I got involved because I felt like it was time to give back to our Board of Realtors.
How long have you been in leadership?
I have been in this role for the last year and have a two-year term. You never know, I may run again or move up in my position.
What is your favorite part of your role?
My favorite part is getting the upfront information regarding all the real estate changes and being able to make a different in our business.
How do you balance your community involvement with your real estate business?
This year has been especially important as we have been dealing with keeping us safe and essential during the coronavirus.
What's one piece of advice for others getting involved in leadership opportunities within your community?
Getting involved in leadership helps you connect with others in our business from different offices.
RE/MAX Gold sells more homes each year than any other independently owned real estate brokerage in California, with over 2,200 agents at 106 offices in 30 California and Nevada counties to serve you.