Eleven REALTORS® recently completed the prestigious leadership program of the Kansas Association of Realtors. The REALTORS® were part of the sixth annual class of The Right Track: Leadership In Motion from the Association.
Through The Right Track, the Kansas Association of REALTORS® seeks to identify and equip REALTOR® leaders for future leadership positions in their communities, as well as in the Association. Participation in the program is limited each year to provide REALTORS® with hands-on leadership development experience.
“The REALTORS® who participated in the KAR leadership academy should be commended for their commitment to bettering their communities, their local organizations, and themselves,” said Karen Gehle, CEO of the statewide association. “The entire REALTOR® Association is very proud of this group of leaders.”
Members of the Class of 2009 include:
Sarah Blair
Blair was a sales associate at Christian & Associates Real Estate in Manhattan, and served for three years as the Chairperson of the Community Action Committee of the Manhattan Association of REALTORS®. She is also a member of the state association’s Professional Standards Committee and Convention Task Force. Besides her real estate activities, Blair also volunteers with the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and Habitat for Humanity.
Bob Brackney
Brackney was the broker/owner of 1 Source Real Estate & Financing. He has served on several committees at the Topeka Area Association of REALTORS® including Image & Technology Committee, TAAR of the Future Task Force, and Governmental Affairs Committee. He has also been a part of the State’s REALTOR® Political Involvement Committee, and Professional Standards Committee.
Michelle Cox
Cox was a sales associate with Coldwell Banker Griffith & Blair and has been licensed since 2002. She is also a member of the Real Estate Buyers Agent Council and has earned her Accredited Buyers Representative designation.
Steve Kornspan
Kornspan was an associate broker with ReMax Alliance in Prairie Village. He has served on the Kansas City Regional Association of REALTORS® (KCRAR) Governmental Affairs Committee, and the KAR Board of Directors. Besides his work with the REALTOR® Association, he also volunteers with the Kansas Children’s Services League, and the Leawood and Overland Park Chambers of Commerce.
Sydney Lobaugh
Lobaugh was a sales associate at Keller Williams Realty Diamond Partners in Olathe. She has served on the KAR Board of Directors, and is a member of Heart of America Relocation Council and the Women’s Council of REALTORS®. She also is a member of the Scarborough School Site Council, and a committee member at Heartland Partners in Caring.
Marsha McConnell
McConnell was a sales associate for Plaza Astle Realty in Hutchinson. She will serve as the President of the Hutchinson County Board of REALTORS® in 2010, and has also been a member of the Board’s Education Committee and Bylaws Committee. She completed Leadership Reno County in 2007. McConnell also works with Big Brothers, Big Sisters; the Reno County Chamber of Commerce; and the United Way.
Monica Miller
Miller was a sales associate for J.P. Weigand & Sons in Wichita. She has been a REALTOR® since 2005, and served as the Butler County Board of REALTORS® Secretary. She has also worked with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as a fund-raiser for “Light the Night.” Miller is also a member of Young Professionals of Wichita.
Janelle Moses
Moses was a sales associate with Coldwell Banker Griffith & Blair and has been licensed since 2001. She will be a member of the 2010 KAR Convention Task Force and 2010 KAR Awards Task Force. She also volunteers with Christ The King School as a track coach.
Michael Pierce
Pierce was a sales associate at Prudential Kansas City Realty in Overland Park, and is a frequent speaker about technology and social networking. He is also a member of the KCRAR governmental affairs committee, and the technology & member services committee. Prior to working in real estate, he was a member of the United States Army, and a graduate of the US Army NCO Academy.
Sheila Schwalm
Schwalm was the broker/owner of Heartland Realty of Hiawatha and has served as the President of the Northeast Kansas Board of REALTORS®, and as a member of the KAR Board of Directors. Besides her work in real estate, she also volunteers with the Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development and Brown County 4-H.
Lou Ann Thoms
Thoms was a sales associate with Coldwell Banker Griffith & Blair. She previously was named the Kansas State Salesperson of the Year, and has twice been named the Topeka Salesperson of the Year. Besides her work with the Association, Thoms works with the Kansas Human Rights Commission.
