Another successful Winter Meeting has come to a close! More than a thousand members from across Texas gathered in Austin to learn about the latest industry trends, conduct association business, and connect with their fellow REALTORS®.
AI-Focused Opening Session
The Opening Session kicked off Winter Meeting with a presentation about artificial intelligence from Jeff Turner, co-founder of association management platform Tangilla. Attendees learned about where AI creates value, where it creates risk, and how to thrive where humans are still needed. “We are being trained by technology in ways that we don’t understand,” Turner said. “We need to know why and when consumers will want to talk to you instead of an AI chatbot.”
Insights, Strategies, and Actionable Takeaways
The conference included meetings of the Women’s Council of REALTORS®, REALTORS® Land Institute, and the Residential Real Estate Council, followed by a variety of educational forums to promote personal and professional growth:
The “REALTOR® Knowledge Showdown: A Gameshow Challenge” Young Professionals Network interactive forum, blended education and audience participation to strengthen members’ knowledge of Texas REALTORS® resources. The attendees used their phones to answer questions while competing for prizes. After 34 questions, the quiz participants collectively rated the association’s value 4.9 out of 5 stars.
During the Leadership Development Advisory Forum, “From Member to Leader: Our Leadership Road Map,” Jef Conn, 2024 Texas REALTORS Chairman, Brooke Hunt, 2026 Leadership Development and Advisory Council (LDAC) Chair; and Max Puello, 2026 LDAC Liaison shared their experiences and offered advice for REALTORS® seeking to become more involved in leadership within their local, state, and national associations.
State Representative Cody Harris outlined current legislative actions and long-term planning focused on protecting Texas water resources and strengthening critical water infrastructure at the Public Policy Forum, “Whiskey Is for Drinking, Water Is for Fighting: Exploring the Future of Water Rights.”
Did you know that you can request the central appraisal district’s evidence of appraisal after filing a protest? During the dynamic “Who Wins, You Win–Your Wallet vs. Your Appraisal” Professional Development Forum, attendees gained the insight on how to utilize the property tax protest process to increase the value they bring to their clients and their business.
At the Commercial Forum, “Texas on the Grid: The Data Center Effect,” Brian W. Palm, CEO Palm Real Estate Ventures, examined how data center growth is reshaping infrastructure, energy demand, and commercial opportunities statewide.
During the “Streamlining Global Investment: The Modern Age” Global Forum, Yuval Golan, Founder & CEO of Waltz, highlighted modern tools and processes that help simplify international transactions and position members to work more efficiently with global investors.
Real estate attorneys Stephan Rogers, Jacob Richardson, and Trey Wilson at the “Signed, Sealed, Subpoenaed? How to Stay Out of Legal Trouble” Risk Reduction Forum shared insights from real cases they handled. They discussed the different types of risk that brokers and agents face, which can lead to litigation, and emphasized proactive strategies to mitigate those risks before they become problems.
At the Housing Initiatives Committee Forum, “Financing Shortfalls: Avoiding the Bridge to Nowhere,” Stacy Schriever, Branch Manager of Highlands Residential Mortgage, addressed some lesser-known buyer funding sources to help REALTORS® understand what’s possible with equity in Texas.
During “Beyond First Impressions: Winning Clients Through Inclusive Service,” Diversity and Fair Housing Forum, Marion Napoleon focused on the importance of consistency. “Treat everyone the same,” she said. “This works because consistency equals protection.”
The Leasing and Property Management Forum, “Property Management Playbook,” covered emerging technologies that are transforming tenant relations and operations, new state legislation and its recent implementation, and federal policy considerations and their potential impact on this field of real estate.
At the “Earn It, Keep It, Grow It: Tax Secrets for Real Estate Pros” Member Benefits Forum, Brad Thibeau, Director of Platform Partnerships for Everlance, covered how members can avoid bad accounting information, the various tax deductions available to them, how Everlance can be a useful app for automatic mileage and expense tracking, and the risk of an audit if deductions are not properly recorded. “What you can deduct comes down to what you can defend.”
Jillian Youngblood, Executive Director of Civic Genius, explored practical strategies for improving public meetings and civic engagement during the “Deliberate, Don’t Divide: Reimagining Civic Problem Solving” Government Affairs Forum.
Honoring Outstanding Contributions
At the Awards Luncheon, Texas REALTORS® celebrated members and local associations for their passion, commitment, and exceptional work in 2025.
William C. Jennings Award for Commercial Transaction of the Year: Paula McDonald, Granbury Association of REALTORS®
Educator of the Year: Cassandra Davis, MetroTex Association of REALTORS®
Richard Miranda Global Achievement Award: Hanne Sagalowsky, MetroTex Association of REALTORS®
Diversity and Fair Housing Innovation Award: MetroTex Association of REALTORS®
Diversity and Fair Housing Impact Award: San Antonio Board of REALTORS®
Tom D. Morton Award (AE of the Year): Cade Fowler, Lubbock Association of REALTORS®
Texas REALTOR® Good Neighbor Award: Cord Shiflet, Austin Board of REALTORS®
Texas REALTORS® Distinguished Service Award: Winn Sikes, Lubbock Association of REALTORS®
The Lehman Governmental Affairs Achievement Award: Abilene Association of REALTORS®
The Grassroots Advocate of the Year: Chad Hovde, Bryan-College Station Regional Association of REALTORS®
Education Awards
Innovation: IMPACT 2025, San Antonio Board of REALTORS®
Marketing: Shifting for Success, Houston Association of REALTORS®
Series or Short category: Tech Tune Up, Lubbock Association of REALTORS®
The YPN REALTORS® to Watch Award: Jenniffer Burnley, Pasadena; Ashley Hambright, San Angelo; Tyler Kreis, Roanoke; Karla Miller, Harlingen; Anastasia Pena, Houston; Joseph Towns, Georgetown
TACS Scholarship: Ebby Adesegun, Richardson; Sarah Atterberry, Hockley; Jesse Cano, Conroe; Sangeeta Katuwal, Irving; Alisha Melvin, Allen; Hazel Munoz, Grand Prairie; Andrea Robinson, Grand Prairie; Ashley Rimmer-Ratzel, Plano; Tajana Surlan, Fulshear; Debbie Tran, Austin.
Celebrating Texas REALTOR® of the Year
Congratulations to the 2025 Texas REALTOR® of the Year, Sarah Norman of Bryan-College Station Regional Association of REALTORS®.
Norman steps up and shows up. She has spent decades serving clients, colleagues, and her community. Beginning in the early 1980s, she immersed herself in state and national conferences to gain a deeper understanding of leadership within the REALTOR® profession. Those experiences helped shape the foundation of her service and continue to guide her today, from serving as a current member of the Texas REALTORS® Board of Directors to NAR’s Professional Standards and Public Policy Committees, chairman of her local association, and to her work as a Federal Political Coordinator.
She has been named Bryan-College Station REALTOR® of the Year twice, received the Spirit of TREPAC Award, and the Texas REALTORS® Distinguished Service Award. In 2023, she was inducted into the RPAC Hall of Fame.
In addition, Norman is a dedicated educator and mentor. She has taught professional standards classes nationwide and helped associations develop mediation and ombudsman programs. She serves on a committee for redevelopment for her community, is an ambassador for the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce and has taught Sunday school for the past 25 years. She has supported Kemp/Carver Elementary School for the past eight years, filling backpacks and donating blankets for children in need.
Norman’s life reflects a consistent, unspoken motto: Work hard. Help people. “I don’t do this for recognition,” she said. “I do it from the heart.”
Board of Directors Updates: 2027 Leaders and Officers Elected
The Board of Directors elected Ben Rodriguez of Beaumont Board of REALTORS® as Secretary/Treasurer and Deborah Spangler of Montgomery as Chairman-Elect.
Tony Lloyd of Lubbock was affirmed as Texas REALTORS® Chairman.
Members Kyle Paris, Jennifer Parker, and Kayla Click of MetroTex were elected as Region 12 vice presidents with terms to start immediately.
The following Texas REALTORS® were elected as regional vice presidents for two-year terms beginning December 1:
Region 2 – Jackie Randle, Heartland
Region 3 – Eyad Salloum, Greater Fort Worth
Region 3 – Daphne Zollinger, Greater Denton Wise
Region 5 – Melinda Randall, Longview
Region 6 – Cameron Willmann, Permian Basin
Region 8 – Kandi Luensmann, Fort Hood
Region 8 – Sarah Norman, Bryan College Station
Region 9 – Shawna Bradley, Pineywoods
Region 11 – Adrian Arriaga, Brownsville South Padre Island
Region 12 – Johnny Mowad, MetroTex
Region 12 – Cindy Baas, MetroTex
Region 12 – Scott Carnes, MetroTex
Region 12 – Amy Hanson, MetroTex
Region 12 – Ginger Gill, MetroTex
Region 12 – Franceanna Campagna, MetroTex
Region 12 – Bette Washington, MetroTex
Region 13 – Deborah Vallone-Homeier, San Antonio
Region 13 – José “Pepe” Aranda, San Antonio
Region 14 – Jo Ann Stevens, Houston
Region 14 – Quenton Rockwell, Houston
Region 14 – Samantha Plomer, Houston
Region 14 – Thomas Mouton, Houston
Region 14 – Marilyn Arendt, Houston
Region 14 – Susan Annoura, Houston
Region 14 – Tina Wilcher, Houston
Region 14 – Shae Cottar, Houston
Region 14 – Mike Wong, Houston
Region 14 – Karishma Asrani, Houston
Region 15 – Kent Redding, Austin
Region 15 – Teresa Scott Tibbs, Austin
Eurecka Christopher and Shan Afzal, both of the MetroTex Association of REALTORS®, were recognized for earning the REALTOR® Association Certified Executive (RCE) designation, and Denise Price of the Amarillo Association of REALTORS® was honored for a 48-year career of leadership, integrity, and commitment to the REALTOR® organization.
NAR and TREC Updates
NAR President-Elect Christine Hansen and Region 10 Vice President Russell Berry spoke about new NAR efforts to ensure the association creates specific, measurable goals and encouraged members to reach out with input and questions.
TREC Chairman Mark Woodroof and Executive Director Chelsea Buchholtz gave an update about the commission’s new portal and pledged to work diligently until all functions and integrations are working smoothly. They also outlined several proposed forms changes and reminded attendees that the commission reviews all comments before making final decisions on forms changes.
Building Modernization Approved
Directors voted to approve a building-modernization project for the association’s headquarters. The update will increase opportunities to hold meetings for members, elected officials, and industry partners, while also providing modern workspaces to maximize productivity. The project, which will be completed prior to the 2027 Texas legislative session, will not require a dues increase and will not affect delivery of any member services or benefits.
Look for the recap with photos in the upcoming March/April Texas REALTOR® magazine.