{"id":28802,"date":"2026-09-02T00:04:36","date_gmt":"2026-09-02T05:04:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pintailcos.com\/web\/highlights-from-2026-texas-realtors-shaping-texas\/"},"modified":"2026-09-02T00:04:36","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T05:04:36","slug":"highlights-from-2026-texas-realtors-shaping-texas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pintailcos.com\/web\/highlights-from-2026-texas-realtors-shaping-texas\/","title":{"rendered":"Highlights From 2026 Texas REALTORS\u00ae Shaping Texas Conference"},"content":{"rendered":"Another successful Shaping Texas has wrapped! With over 1,500 registrants, REALTORS\u00ae across Texas met in San Antonio to attend educational sessions on the latest real estate trends, network, and conduct association business.\u00a0\nJohn Qui\u00f1ones Set the Tone with an Inspirational Opening Session\u00a0\nAfter rousing music from the all-female group Mariachi Las Alte\u00f1as, keynote speaker John Qui\u00f1ones shared the story of his journey from migrant farm work to more than 30 years as an Emmy-winning broadcast journalist at ABC News. The San Antonio native and host\/creator of the ethical-dilemma hidden-camera show What Would You Do? said that \u201creal character shows up when there\u2019s nothing to gain and no one to witness it.\u201d Qui\u00f1ones told attendees that we all have the power to make righteous leadership decisions \u2026 it\u2019s important to do the right thing.\u202f\u00a0\nProgram Takeaways\nA packed schedule of educational sessions, panels, and forums were offered to promote personal and professional growth.\u00a0\nMLS\/Technology & Public Policy Joint Forum\u202f\u00a0\nWith state legislatures eyeing the real estate industry and MLS practices, this conversation hosted by Tech\/MLS Committee Chairman Mike Murphy featured a panel on public policy related to the MLS and a comparison of international practices. Panelists providing insights included Damian Eales, CEO of Move, Inc. Unlock MLS CEO Emily Girard, Public Policy Oversight Committee Chairman Cameron Willman, Texas REALTORS\u00ae VP of Governmental Affairs Tray Bates.\u202f\u00a0\nMargins Inside the Texas Battlefield in 2026 \u2013 Governmental Affairs and Public Policy Forum\u202f\u00a0\nThe Government Affairs Forum gave members an inside look at the advocacy work underway across Texas REALTORS\u00ae Government Affairs committees, with updates from each committee chair.\u202f\u00a0\nKeynote speaker David Wasserman, Senior Editor & Election Analyst at The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, followed with a data-driven look at the political landscape, election trends, voter behavior, and the dynamics shaping this fall\u2019s General Election.\u202f\u00a0\nThe Learning Didn\u2019t Stop There\u00a0\nA wide variety of hot topics were covered, including information on new appraisal reporting, tax strategies, housing affordability, water issues, leasing challenges, legal issues for farm and ranch real estate, negotiation strategies, social media risks, AI sessions for commercial practitioners, and many others.\u202fAttendees also participated in a \u201cFamily Feud\u201d-style session focused on risk reduction.\u00a0\nStrikeforce Award Winners\u202f\u202f\u00a0\nThe following REALTORS\u00ae received the Strikeforce Award, which recognizes REALTORS\u00ae who have exhibited dedication to Texas REALTORS\u00ae grassroots activities and programs:\u202f\u00a0\n\nTed Conover, Greater Tyler\u202f\u202f\u00a0\n\n\nJanie Howell, Greater Denton\/Wise County\u202f\u00a0\n\n\nRebecca Huff, Abilene\u202f\u202f\u00a0\n\n\nBrent Myers, Fort Worth \u202f\u00a0\n\n\nKelsie Rasure, Petroplex\u202f\u00a0\n\n\nKevin Reed, Beaumont\u202f\u202f\u00a0\n\n\nJim Simpson, Greater Texoma\u202f\u00a0\n\n\nSherry Smith, Greater Texoma\u202f\u202f\u00a0\n\n\nJoelene Slocum, Fort Worth\u202f\u202f\u00a0\n\n\nRyan White, Amarillo\u202f\u202f\u00a0\n\n\nHaley Zamarripa, Fort Worth\u202f\u00a0\n\nInstallation Gala\u202f\u00a0\nMembers and guests came together to celebrate the installation of the association\u2019s 2027 leaders. The evening\u2019s co-emcees, 2024 Texas REALTORS\u00ae Chairman Jef Conn and 2026 Texas REALTORS\u00ae Chairman Jennifer Wauhob, kicked off the evening with a friendly rivalry for the crowd\u2019s attention.\u202f\u202f\u00a0\nFormer Texas REALTORS\u00ae President\/CEO Travis Kessler served as installing officer, first swearing in the Texas REALTORS\u00ae 2027 executive board appointees:\u202f\u00a0\n\nErin Cestero, San Antonio\u202f\u00a0\n\n\nTony Delgado, El Paso\u202f\u00a0\n\n\nDavid Schnitzer, MetroTex\u202f\u00a0\n\n\nSherry Smith, Greater Texoma\u202f\u00a0\n\n\nMatthew Stufflebeam, Waco\u202f\u00a0\n\nKessler then swore in the Texas REALTORS\u00ae regional vice presidents:\u202f\u00a0\n\nRegion 2: Jackie Randle, Heartland\u202f\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 3: Eyad Salloum, Greater Fort Worth; Daphne Zollinger, Greater Denton\/Wise County\u202f\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 5: Melinda Randall,\u202fLongview\n\n\nRegion 6: Cameron Willmann, Permian Basin\u202f\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 8: Kandi Luensmann, Fort Hood; Sarah Norman, Bryan College Station\u202f\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 9: Shawna Bradley, Pineywoods\u202f\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 11: Adrian Arriaga, Brownsville South Padre Island\u202f\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 12: Cindy Bass, MetroTex; Franceanna Campagna, Metro Tex; Scott Carnes, MetroTex; Ginger Gill, MetroTex; Amy Hanson, MetroTex; Johnny Mowad, MetroTex; Bette Washington, MetroTex\u202f\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 13: Jose \u201cPepe\u201d Aranda, San Antonio; Deborah Vallone-Homeier, San Antonio\u202f\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 14: Susan Annoura, Houston; Marilyn Arendt, Houston; Karishma Asrani, Houston; Shae Cottar, Houston; Thomas Mouton, Houston; Samantha Plomer, Houston; Quenton Rockwell, Houston; Jo Ann Stevens, Houston; Tina Wilcher, Houston; Michael Wong, Houston\u202f\u202f\u00a0\n\n\nRegion 15: Kent Redding, Austin; Teresa Scott-Tibbs, Austin\u202f\u00a0\n\nFollowing the RVPs, Kessler installed the following officers for 2027:\u202f\u00a0\n\nSecretary\/Treasurer: Ben Rodriguez\u202f\u00a0\n\n\nChairman-Elect: Deborah Spangler\u202f\u00a0\n\n\nImmediate Past Chairman: Jennifer Wauhob\u202f\u00a0\n\n\nChairman of the Board: Tony Lloyd.\u202f\u00a0\n\nLloyd talked about the diversity of the state, both in geography and demographics. \u201cWe come from different backgrounds, different cultures, different faiths, different experiences, and different ways of life. And as our profession continues to evolve, one truth remains: we are, and we always will be, better together.\u201d \u00a0\nThe Regional Caucus Town Hall Was Packed! \u00a0\nMembers shared their opinions and heard details of the Governance Review Proposals, which the Executive Board later heard and deliberated. Four proposals came forward. Chairman Jennifer Wauhob updated the Board of Directors on the proposals which will consider necessary bylaws changes in February.\u00a0\nBoard of Directors Meeting\nThe Texas REALTORS\u00ae Board of Directors Meeting closed out this year\u2019s conference with association business and important updates.\u202f\u00a0\nNAR Treasurer Craig Sanford gave a national update, including the health of NAR\u2019s budget, strong member counts, and issues the association is working on in Washington, DC.\u202f\u202f\u00a0\nTexas Real Estate Commission Executive Director Chelsea Buchholtz covered key changes to real estate forms and provided updates on the REALM Portal.\u202f\u00a0\nTexas Real Estate Research Center Director of Research Daniel Oney covered a quick overview of the center and the resources it offers. He then gave an economic update, discussed demographic changes to the state, and noted trends in the real estate market.\u202f\u202f\u00a0\nPresident\/CEO Mike Barnett recognized four local association staff for earning the REALTOR\u00ae Association Certified Executive (RCE) certification: Heather Bonamo, Five Points; Rachel Hinson, MetroTex; Bri Westbury, MetroTex; and Jessica Barker, MetroTex.\u202f\u00a0\nBoard of Directors Actions:\u202f\u00a0\n\nPassed $10 Legal Fund and $30 Issues Mobilization\/Political Advocacy Fund (IM\/PAF) assessments. Both amounts are unchanged from last year.\u202f\u00a0\n\n\nAdopted the 2027-2028 Strategic Plan.\u202f\u00a0\n\nCongratulations to the Winners of the Shaping Texas Challenge!\nAlmost 250 attendees played the Shaping Texas Challenge game in the conference app. Congratulations to the three prize winners. Each earned the maximum total points and received a $150 Amazon gift card.\u202f\u00a0\n\nJeffrey Estes, Five Points\u202f\u00a0\n\n\nPerla Sierra, Greater McAllen\u202f\u202f\u00a0\n\n\nVikki Wright, Greater McAllen\u202f\u00a0\n\nLook for a recap with photos in the upcoming September\/October Texas REALTOR\u00ae magazine.\u00a0\n\u00a0","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Another successful Shaping Texas has wrapped! With over 1,500 registrants, REALTORS\u00ae across Texas met in San Antonio to attend educational sessions on the latest real estate trends, network, and conduct association business.\u00a0 John Qui\u00f1ones Set the Tone with an Inspirational Opening Session\u00a0 After rousing music from the all-female group Mariachi Las Alte\u00f1as, keynote speaker John […]<\/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,"footnotes":""},"categories":[108],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28802","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t