{"id":28601,"date":"2026-02-12T00:25:50","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T06:25:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pintailcos.com\/web\/2026-texas-realtors-winter-meeting-round-up\/"},"modified":"2026-02-12T00:25:50","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T06:25:50","slug":"2026-texas-realtors-winter-meeting-round-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pintailcos.com\/web\/2026-texas-realtors-winter-meeting-round-up\/","title":{"rendered":"2026\u00a0Texas REALTORS\u00ae\u00a0Winter Meeting\u00a0Round Up\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"Another\u00a0successful\u00a0Winter Meeting\u00a0has\u00a0come to a close!\u00a0More than a thousand members from across Texas gathered in Austin\u00a0to learn about the\u00a0latest industry trends, conduct association business,\u00a0and connect with\u00a0their\u00a0fellow REALTORS\u00ae.\u00a0\nAI-Focused\u00a0Opening Session\u00a0\nThe Opening Session kicked off\u202fWinter Meeting with a presentation\u202fabout artificial intelligence\u202ffrom\u202fJeff\u202fTurner, co-founder of\u202fassociation management platform\u202fTangilla.\u00a0Attendees\u202flearned about\u00a0where\u202fAI creates value, where it creates risk, and how to\u202fthrive where humans are still needed. \u201cWe are being trained by technology in ways that we don\u2019t understand,\u201d Turner said. \u201cWe need to know why and when consumers will want to talk\u202fto you instead of\u202fan AI chatbot.\u201d\u202f\u00a0\nInsights,\u00a0Strategies, and\u00a0Actionable\u00a0Takeaways\u00a0\u00a0\nThe\u00a0conference\u00a0included\u00a0meetings of the Women\u2019s Council of REALTORS\u00ae, REALTORS\u00ae Land Institute, and the Residential Real Estate Council, followed by a\u00a0variety of educational forums to promote personal and professional growth:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nThe\u00a0\u201cREALTOR\u00ae Knowledge Showdown: A Gameshow Challenge\u201d Young Professionals Network\u00a0interactive\u00a0forum,\u00a0blended\u00a0education\u00a0and audience participation to strengthen members\u2019 knowledge of Texas REALTORS\u00ae\u00a0resources.\u00a0The\u00a0attendees\u00a0used\u00a0their phones to answer questions while competing\u202ffor prizes.\u202fAfter 34 questions, the quiz participants collectively rated the association\u2019s value 4.9 out of\u202f5 stars.\u202f\u202f\u00a0\nDuring the Leadership Development Advisory Forum, \u201cFrom Member to Leader: Our Leadership Road Map,\u201d\u202fJef Conn, 2024\u00a0Texas REALTORS\u00a0Chairman,\u00a0Brooke Hunt, 2026\u00a0Leadership Development and Advisory Council (LDAC)\u00a0Chair; and\u00a0Max Puello, 2026 LDAC\u00a0Liaison\u00a0shared their experiences and offered advice for REALTORS\u00ae seeking to become more involved in leadership within their local, state, and national associations.\u00a0\nState\u00a0Representative\u00a0Cody Harris\u00a0outlined current legislative actions and long-term planning focused on protecting Texas water resources and strengthening critical water infrastructure\u00a0at the\u00a0Public Policy Forum,\u00a0\u201cWhiskey Is for Drinking, Water Is for Fighting: Exploring the Future of Water Rights.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\nDid you know that you can request\u00a0the central appraisal\u00a0district\u2019s\u00a0evidence\u00a0of\u00a0appraisal after filing a protest?\u00a0During\u00a0the\u00a0dynamic\u00a0\u201cWho Wins,\u00a0You Win\u2013Your Wallet\u00a0vs. Your Appraisal\u201d\u00a0Professional Development\u202fForum, attendees gained\u00a0the insight on how\u00a0to\u202futilize\u202fthe property tax protest process to increase the value they bring to their clients and their\u202fbusiness.\u00a0\u00a0\nAt the\u202fCommercial Forum, \u201cTexas on the Grid: The Data Center Effect,\u201d\u202fBrian W. Palm,\u00a0CEO\u00a0Palm Real Estate Ventures,\u00a0examined how data center growth is reshaping infrastructure, energy demand, and commercial opportunities statewide.\u00a0\nDuring the\u00a0\u201cStreamlining Global Investment: The Modern Age\u201d\u00a0Global Forum,\u00a0Yuval Golan,\u00a0Founder &amp; CEO of Waltz,\u00a0highlighted modern tools and processes that help simplify international transactions and position members to work more efficiently with global investors.\u00a0\nReal estate attorneys\u00a0Stephan Rogers, Jacob Richardson, and\u00a0Trey Wilson\u00a0at the\u00a0\u201cSigned, Sealed,\u00a0Subpoenaed? How to Stay Out of\u202fLegal Trouble\u201d\u00a0Risk Reduction\u202fForum\u00a0shared insights\u202ffrom\u00a0real cases they\u00a0handled.\u00a0They discussed the\u202fdifferent types\u202fof\u202frisk that brokers and agents\u202fface, which can lead to litigation,\u00a0and\u00a0emphasized proactive strategies to mitigate those risks before they become problems.\u00a0\u00a0\nAt the\u00a0Housing Initiatives Committee\u00a0Forum, \u201cFinancing Shortfalls: Avoiding the Bridge to Nowhere,\u201d\u00a0Stacy Schriever, Branch Manager\u00a0of\u00a0Highlands Residential Mortgage,\u00a0addressed some lesser-known buyer funding sources\u00a0to\u202fhelp\u202fREALTORS\u00ae understand\u202fwhat\u2019s\u202fpossible with equity in Texas.\u00a0\u00a0\nDuring \u201cBeyond First Impressions: Winning Clients Through Inclusive Service,\u201d Diversity and Fair Housing Forum,\u00a0Marion Napoleon\u00a0focused on the importance of consistency.\u00a0\u201cTreat everyone the same,\u201d she said. \u201cThis works because consistency equals protection.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\nThe Leasing and Property Management Forum, \u201cProperty Management Playbook,\u201d 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.\u202f\u00a0\nAt the \u201cEarn It, Keep It, Grow It: Tax Secrets for Real Estate Pros\u201d\u00a0Member Benefits Forum,\u00a0Brad Thibeau, Director of Platform Partnerships for\u202fEverlance, covered how\u00a0members\u00a0can avoid bad accounting information, the various tax deductions available\u202fto\u00a0them, how\u202fEverlance\u202fcan\u00a0be a useful app for automatic mileage and expense tracking,\u00a0and the risk of an audit if deductions are not properly recorded.\u00a0\u201cWhat you can deduct comes down to what you can defend.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\nJillian Youngblood,\u00a0Executive\u00a0Director\u00a0of Civic Genius,\u00a0explored practical strategies for improving public meetings and civic engagement\u00a0during\u00a0the\u00a0\u201cDeliberate, Don\u2019t Divide: Reimagining Civic Problem Solving\u201d\u00a0Government Affairs Forum.\u00a0\nHonoring Outstanding Contributions\u00a0\nAt the\u00a0Awards\u00a0Luncheon,\u00a0Texas REALTORS\u00ae\u00a0celebrated\u00a0members\u00a0and local associations for their\u00a0passion,\u00a0commitment, and\u00a0exceptional work in 2025.\u00a0\n\nWilliam C. Jennings Award for Commercial Transaction of the Year:\u00a0Paula McDonald,\u00a0Granbury Association of REALTORS\u00ae\u00a0\n\n\nEducator of the Year:\u00a0Cassandra Davis,\u00a0MetroTex\u00a0Association of REALTORS\u00ae\u00a0\n\n\nRichard Miranda Global Achievement Award:\u00a0Hanne\u00a0Sagalowsky,\u00a0MetroTex\u00a0Association of REALTORS\u00ae\u00a0\n\n\nDiversity and Fair Housing Innovation\u00a0Award:\u00a0MetroTex\u00a0Association of\u00a0REALTORS\u00ae\u00a0\n\n\nDiversity and Fair Housing Impact\u00a0Award:\u00a0San Antonio Board of REALTORS\u00ae\u00a0\n\n\nTom D. Morton Award\u00a0(AE of the Year):\u00a0Cade Fowler,\u00a0Lubbock Association of REALTORS\u00ae\u00a0\n\n\nTexas REALTOR\u00ae Good Neighbor Award:\u00a0Cord Shiflet,\u00a0Austin Board of REALTORS\u00ae\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\nTexas\u202fREALTORS\u00ae\u00a0Distinguished Service Award:\u00a0Winn Sikes,\u00a0Lubbock Association of REALTORS\u00ae\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\nThe Lehman Governmental Affairs Achievement Award:\u00a0Abilene Association of REALTORS\u00ae\u00a0\n\n\nThe Grassroots Advocate of the Year:\u00a0Chad Hovde,\u00a0Bryan-College Station Regional Association of REALTORS\u00ae\u00a0\n\n\nEducation Awards\u00a0\n\n\nInnovation:\u00a0IMPACT 2025, San Antonio Board of REALTORS\u00ae\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\nMarketing:\u00a0Shifting for Success, Houston Association of REALTORS\u00ae\u00a0\n\n\nSeries or Short category:\u00a0Tech Tune Up, Lubbock Association of REALTORS\u00ae\u00a0\n\n\nThe YPN REALTORS\u00ae\u00a0to Watch Award:\u00a0Jenniffer Burnley, Pasadena;\u00a0Ashley\u00a0Hambright, San Angelo;\u00a0Tyler Kreis, Roanoke;\u00a0Karla Miller, Harlingen;\u00a0Anastasia Pena, Houston;\u00a0Joseph Towns, Georgetown\u00a0\n\n\nTACS\u00a0Scholarship:\u00a0Ebby Adesegun,\u00a0Richardson;\u00a0Sarah Atterberry, Hockley;\u00a0Jesse Cano, Conroe;\u00a0Sangeeta\u00a0Katuwal, Irving;\u00a0Alisha Melvin, Allen;\u00a0Hazel Munoz, Grand Prairie; Andrea Robinson, Grand Prairie;\u00a0Ashley Rimmer-Ratzel, Plano;\u00a0Tajana\u00a0Surlan, Fulshear;\u00a0Debbie Tran, Austin.\u00a0\n\nCelebrating Texas REALTOR\u00ae of the Year\u202f\u00a0\nCongratulations to the 2025 Texas REALTOR\u00ae of the Year,\u202fSarah Norman\u00a0of Bryan-College Station Regional Association of REALTORS\u00ae.\u00a0\u00a0\nNorman\u00a0steps up and shows up. She\u00a0has 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\u00ae profession.\u00a0Those experiences helped shape the foundation of her service and continue to guide her today, from\u00a0serving\u00a0as a\u00a0current\u00a0member of the Texas REALTORS\u00ae Board of Directors\u00a0to\u00a0NAR\u2019s\u00a0Professional\u00a0Standards and\u00a0Public\u00a0Policy\u00a0Committees,\u00a0chairman\u00a0of her local association, and\u00a0to her work as a\u00a0Federal Political Coordinator.\u00a0\u00a0\nShe\u00a0has been named Bryan-College Station REALTOR\u00ae of the Year twice,\u00a0received the Spirit of\u00a0TREPAC\u00a0Award,\u00a0and the Texas REALTORS\u00ae Distinguished Service Award.\u00a0In 2023, she was inducted into the RPAC Hall of Fame.\u00a0\nIn 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\u00a0Commerce and\u00a0has 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.\u00a0\nNorman\u2019s life reflects a consistent, unspoken motto:\u202fWork hard. Help people. \u201cI\u202fdon\u2019t\u202fdo this\u202ffor recognition,\u201d she said. \u201cI do it\u202ffrom the heart.\u201d\u00a0\nBoard of Directors Updates:\u00a02027 Leaders\u00a0and Officers\u00a0Elected\u202f\u00a0\nThe Board of Directors elected\u00a0Ben Rodriguez\u202fof\u00a0Beaumont Board of REALTORS\u00ae\u00a0as Secretary\/Treasurer\u00a0and\u00a0Deborah Spangler\u202fof Montgomery as Chairman-Elect.\u202f\u00a0\nTony Lloyd\u00a0of Lubbock was affirmed as Texas REALTORS\u00ae\u00a0Chairman.\u202f\u00a0\nMembers\u00a0Kyle Paris,\u202fJennifer Parker,\u00a0and\u202fKayla Click\u202fof\u00a0MetroTex\u00a0were elected as\u202fRegion\u202f12 vice presidents with terms to start\u00a0immediately.\u202f\u00a0\nThe following Texas REALTORS\u00ae were elected as regional vice presidents for two-year terms beginning December 1:\u202f\u00a0\n\nRegion 2 \u2013\u00a0Jackie Randle, Heartland\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 3 \u2013\u00a0Eyad Salloum, Greater Fort Worth\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 3 \u2013\u00a0Daphne Zollinger, Greater Denton Wise\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 5 \u2013\u00a0Melinda Randall, Longview\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 6 \u2013\u00a0Cameron Willmann, Permian Basin\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 8 \u2013\u00a0Kandi Luensmann, Fort Hood\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 8 \u2013\u00a0Sarah Norman, Bryan College Station\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 9 \u2013\u00a0Shawna Bradley,\u00a0Pineywoods\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 11 \u2013\u00a0Adrian Arriaga, Brownsville South Padre Island\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 12 \u2013\u00a0Johnny Mowad,\u00a0MetroTex\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 12 \u2013\u00a0Cindy Baas,\u00a0MetroTex\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 12 \u2013\u00a0Scott Carnes,\u00a0MetroTex\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 12 \u2013\u00a0Amy Hanson,\u00a0MetroTex\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 12 \u2013\u00a0Ginger Gill,\u00a0MetroTex\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 12 \u2013\u00a0Franceanna\u00a0Campagna,\u00a0MetroTex\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 12\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Bette Washington,\u00a0MetroTex\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 13 \u2013\u00a0Deborah Vallone-Homeier, San Antonio\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 13 \u2013\u00a0Jos\u00e9 \u201cPepe\u201d Aranda, San Antonio\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 14 \u2013\u00a0Jo Ann Stevens, Houston\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 14 \u2013\u00a0Quenton Rockwell, Houston\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 14 \u2013\u00a0Samantha Plomer, Houston\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 14 \u2013\u00a0Thomas Mouton, Houston\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 14 \u2013\u00a0Marilyn Arendt, Houston\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 14 \u2013\u00a0Susan\u00a0Annoura, Houston\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 14 \u2013\u00a0Tina Wilcher, Houston\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 14 \u2013\u00a0Shae Cottar, Houston\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 14 \u2013\u00a0Mike Wong, Houston\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 14 \u2013\u00a0Karishma Asrani, Houston\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 15 \u2013\u00a0Kent Redding, Austin\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 15 \u2013\u00a0Teresa Scott Tibbs, Austin\u202f\u00a0\n\nEurecka\u202fChristopher\u202fand\u202fShan Afzal,\u202fboth of the\u202fMetroTex\u202fAssociation of REALTORS\u00ae, were recognized for earning the REALTOR\u00ae\u00a0Association Certified Executive (RCE) designation, and\u202fDenise Price\u00a0of the\u202fAmarillo Association of REALTORS\u00ae was honored for a 48-year career of leadership, integrity, and commitment to the REALTOR\u00ae organization.\u202f\u00a0\nNAR\u202fand TREC\u202fUpdates\u202f\u00a0\nNAR President-Elect\u00a0Christine Hansen\u00a0and Region 10 Vice President\u00a0Russell Berry\u00a0spoke about new NAR efforts to ensure the association creates specific, measurable goals and encouraged members to reach out with input and questions.\u202f\u202f\u00a0\nTREC\u00a0Chairman\u00a0Mark Woodroof\u00a0and Executive Director\u202fChelsea Buchholtz\u202fgave an update about the commission\u2019s new portal and pledged to work diligently until all functions and integrations are working smoothly. They also outlined several proposed\u00a0forms\u00a0changes and reminded attendees that the commission reviews all comments before making final decisions on forms changes.\u202f\u202f\u00a0\nBuilding\u202fModernization Approved\u202f\u00a0\nDirectors voted to approve a\u202fbuilding-modernization\u202fproject\u202ffor the association\u2019s headquarters. The update will increase opportunities to hold meetings for members, elected officials, and industry partners, while also providing modern\u00a0workspaces\u00a0to maximize productivity. The project, which will be completed prior to the 2027 Texas legislative session, will not require\u202fa\u00a0dues\u202fincrease and will not affect delivery of any member services or benefits.\u202f\u00a0\nLook for the recap with photos in the upcoming March\/April\u00a0Texas\u00a0REALTOR\u00ae\u00a0magazine.\u00a0\u00a0\n\u00a0","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Another\u00a0successful\u00a0Winter Meeting\u00a0has\u00a0come to a close!\u00a0More than a thousand members from across Texas gathered in Austin\u00a0to learn about the\u00a0latest industry trends, conduct association business,\u00a0and connect with\u00a0their\u00a0fellow REALTORS\u00ae.\u00a0 AI-Focused\u00a0Opening Session\u00a0 The Opening Session kicked off\u202fWinter Meeting with a presentation\u202fabout artificial intelligence\u202ffrom\u202fJeff\u202fTurner, co-founder of\u202fassociation management platform\u202fTangilla.\u00a0Attendees\u202flearned about\u00a0where\u202fAI creates value, where it creates risk, and how to\u202fthrive where humans [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[108],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28601","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pintailcos.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28601","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pintailcos.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pintailcos.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pintailcos.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pintailcos.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28601"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/pintailcos.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28601\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pintailcos.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28601"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pintailcos.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28601"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pintailcos.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28601"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}