Member Directory

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Executive Advisory Committee
Member Directory
Executive Advisory Committee
Thomas Beede
Bob Bemis
Russ Bergeron
Greg Berkemer
Chris Carrillo David Charron
Merri Jo Cowen Carl DeMusz
Lauren Emerys
Ray Ewing
Beth Gatlin
Denise Gryder
Bob Hale John Holley
Karen Kage
Greg Manship
Cameron Paine
Dave Phillips
Tom Phillips Tom Renkert
Ron Stephan
Irene Vogel
Kurt von Wasmuth
Wes Wiggins
Tom Beede | Metrolist Services, Inc.
[email protected] | 916-922-7584 | 1164 West National Drive, Suite 60 | Sacramento, CA 95834
Tom Beede is the President and CEO of MetroList Services, Inc., where he has worked for the past 25 years. MetroList® is the
largest MLS in Northern California serving over 18,000 real estate agents, brokers and appraisers from north of Sacramento to
south of Modesto. He began his career in the MLS industry during the summer of 1977 as a terminal sales representative for
PRC Realty Systems, and is proud to be a member of the original group who introduced Realtors® to online transaction-based
real-time computing.
Over the years he has seen many changes occur in computerization of the real estate industry and the democratization of access
to MLS information. MetroList® most recently modified its MLS Rules to permit Internet website display of real estate listings
in the Sold, Accepted Offer and Off Market Status by its Participants and Subscribers. Tom believes the MLS challenge of the
future continues to be providing high quality products and services to real estate professionals at reasonable prices under local
ownership and control while maintaining a successful, profitable business.
Bob Bemis | Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service
[email protected] | 602-955-1707 | 110 S. Priest Drive | Tempe, AZ 85281
Bob Bemis became the CEO of the Arizona Regional MLS in October 2007. In addition to his responsibilities at ARMLS, Bemis
also serves as a Director on the board of the Council of Multiple Listing Services, a national association of MLSs and is the interim
president of the MLS Domains Association, an organization seeking to acquire the Dot.MLS top level domain for exclusive use by
MLS systems. He also sits on the Multiple Listing Issues and Policy Committee of the National Association of REALTORS®.
Prior to ARMLS, Bemis was Vice President of Customer Care for MRIS, in Washington DC/Baltimore, the country’s largest MLS.
Before joining MRIS, Bemis was Director of Marketing and Product Management for MLS vendor Interealty in Vienna, VA. Past real
estate affiliations include the Chicago Association of REALTORS® and Coldwell Banker in Illinois.
Russ Bergeron | Midwest Real Estate Data LLC
[email protected] | 630-955-2765 | 2443 Warrenville Road, Suite 600 | Lisle, IL 60532
Russ Bergeron has recently joined Midwest Real Estate Data as its new CEO. Prior to coming to the Chicagoland Russ was at the
helm of Southern California Multiple Listing Service since its formation in 1993. As head of the largest MLS in the state of California
and second largest in the nation, he is known for his leadership in bringing technological advances to the multiple listing industry.
In recognition of his leadership and innovation, he was named one of the 100 Most Influential Leaders in Real Estate for 2009 by
Inman News.
Under Russ’ leadership, SoCalMLS membership grew from 7,500 to nearly 56,000 real estate practitioners and enjoys a nationwide
reputation of excellence. He is recognized as a pioneer in the movement to place real estate listings on the Internet for which
he won the Inman Innovator Award in 1998. Russ’s most recent accomplishment was spearheading and leading the birth and
growth of CARETS into the preeminent MLS data repository serving over 106,000 real estate practitioners throughout Southern
California while positioning CARETS to become the statewide solution for MLS data throughout the state of California.
Greg Berkemer | California Desert Association of REALTORS®
[email protected] | 760-346-5637 | 44475 Monterey Avenue | Palm Desert, CA 92260
Greg Berkemer is the EVP of the California Desert Association of REALTORS and is in his 14th year with the association. The California
Desert Assoc. has a membership of over 3,600 REALTORS® and allied industry professionals.
Greg is originally from Long Beach California and received his Bachelors Degree in Business and Marketing from The University
of Southern California. Following college Greg served as Claims and Underwriting Manager in San Francisco and Los Angeles for
National American Insurance Company until 1980. He then obtained his Brokers License, worked in residential and commercial
sales, and in 1986, served as President of the Long Beach Board of REALTORS®. He became the Government Affairs Director for the
Long Beach Board in 1988 and EVP in 1989 until end of 1995 and obtained his current position in 1996. He also served as President
of the Long Beach Housing Corporation for the City of Long Beach.
Chris Carrillo | Multiple Listing Service, Inc.
[email protected] | 414-778-5400 | 11430 W. North Avenue | Wauwatosa, WI 53226
Chris Carrillo accepted the position of CEO for Metro MLS in Milwaukee, WI in July 2011. Prior to joining Metro MLS, Chris was the
CEO of the CRIS Multiple Listing Service since April, 2006. He has twelve years experience working in the real estate industry both
as an MLS executive and in the MLS vendor arena.
Chris is a veteran—having served our country both in the Army and the National Guard. Chris has served and continues to serve
in many leadership positions on both the State and National levels including 2011 Chairman of the Business Technology Forum
and Vice Chairman of the MLS Forum for the Ohio Association of REALTORS®. Chris also serves on NAR’s AE Committee and is
Chairman of the NAR YPN AE Group.
David Charron | Metropolitan Regional Information System
[email protected] | 301-838-7100 | 9420 Key West Avenue, Suite 200 | Rockville, MD 20850
David Charron is President and CEO of MRIS. He joined MRIS in January 2001 with an extensive background in real estate,
information systems, and Internet business solutions. He is responsible for overseeing all MRIS operations and for ensuring
on-going communications with the MRIS Board of Directors and the MRIS Shareholders. David managed organizations that
successfully defined, marketed and delivered information systems to Real Estate Professionals from 1980 to 1997. From 1997 to
2000 David served as President of Net Input, an Internet-based business consulting practice serving Fortune 500 clients in apparel,
media, sports and real estate.
David currently serves as Chairman of the MRIS Investment Committee, as a Director for the Realtors Federal Credit Union and is
a member of the NAR MLS Policy Committee. He is also a Director for Housing Virginia, a non-profit that focuses on the need for
affordable housing in Virginia. He has been recognized by Inman News as one of the Most Influential People in Real Estate as well
as one of the Top Ten Newsmakers by the Swanepoel Trends Report.
Merri Jo Cowen | My Florida Regional MLS
[email protected] | 407-218-8701 | 5032 Goddard Avenue | Orlando, FL 32804
Merri Jo Cowan has been involved in the real estate industry since 1979, starting her career as a resident manager, and earning
the ARM designation through IREM. Upon relocating to Reno in 1983, she joined the REALTOR® family as an MLS assistant for the
Reno Board of REALTORS®. When the Northern Nevada Regional MLS was formed in 2003, Merri Jo was selected as the first CEO.
In December of 2008, she was chosen to be the CEO for the Mid-Florida Regional MLS (now known as My Florida Regional MLS),
a 30,000 member regional MLS based in Orlando.
Merri Jo is a member of NAR’s MLS Issues/Policy Committee and holds the RCE and e-Pro designations. She currently serves on
the Board of Directors for the MLS Domains Association. Merri Jo has been a long-standing member of CMLS and credits the
organizations willing mentors for much of her success as an industry professional. She served as CMLS President in 2003 and is
looking forward to serving in that position again in 2011.
Carl DeMusz | Northern Ohio Regional MLS
[email protected] | 216-485-4100 | 5605 Valley Belt Road | Independence, OH 44131
Carl DeMusz has been in the real estate industry for 33 years, first as an agent, then broker- owner of a multi-office firm. From 1985
to 1997 he was CEO of his own general contracting business in Cape May, NJ where he built homes and completed two major
subdivisions. In 1997 Carl sold his company and was hired as CEO of Greater New Jersey MLS in Cherry Hill, NJ where he was
instrumental in the merging of that MLS into the TREND MLS in the Philadelphia, PA region in 2000.
In 1988 Carl was the President of the Cape May County Association of REALTORS® and in 1995 he was the President of the New
Jersey Association of REALTORS®. He also served on the RIN Board of Directors and the NAR Board of Directors. Carl is currently the
President and CEO of the Northern Ohio Regional MLS and resides in Hinckley, Ohio with his wife Cathy and their son Jonathan.
Lauren Emery | IRES, LLC
[email protected] | 970-593-9002 | 2725 Rocky Mountain Avenue | Loveland, CO 80538
Lauren Emery has been in association management for almost 30 years, starting as an Association Executive of a small Board of
REALTORS® before managing a regional MLS in Colorado. The regional became what is now known as IRES and Lauren has served
as the CEO since its formation in 1996. She guided the organization through the transition from a national MLS provider to a
custom designed system launched in 2001. Since that time, the MLS system, IRESis.com, has received national recognition for
innovation and customer satisfaction.
Lauren has served on the Multiple Listing Issues and Policies Committee of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, several
work groups of NAR, and serves on several advisory boards including Realist, Sentrilock, Colorado State University’s College of
Business-Everitt Real Estate Center, Move.com and the Governor’s Energy Office.
Ray Ewing | SANDICOR Inc.
[email protected] | 858-622-6200 | 5414 Oberlin Drive | San Diego, CA 92121
Ray Ewing is the President and CEO of the San Diego County Regional Multiple Listing Service (Sandicor) and has been with
the association since 1999. Sandicor serves 20,000 real estate professionals and includes 17 incorporated cities. A native of
Southern California, Ray received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the United States International School
of Business, San Diego and obtained his California Brokers license in 1980.
Ray spent 19 years as an active REALTOR® and broker associate working in North San Diego County and although currently
inactive as a broker, still maintains his broker’s license and REALTOR® membership. He worked as a land development consultant
in San Diego County and South Riverside County. He has also served as President of his local Association of REALTORS® prior to it
merging with the North San Diego County AoR, served on NSDCAR’s Board of Directors and served several years as a CAR Director.
Beth Gatlin | Austin Board of REALTORS® MLS
[email protected] | 512-454-7636 | 10900 Stonelake Boulevard., Suite 100 | Austin, TX 78759
Beth Gatlin is the Director of MLS and Member Services for the Austin Board of REALTORS® (ABoR). She is responsible for
delivering a variety of property listing products to 9,000 real estate professionals throughout Central Texas. During her 13
years at ABoR, Beth has participated in multiple MLS user groups across the country and has served on the MLS Listing Policy
Committees for the National Association of REALTORS® and the Texas Association of REALTORS®.
The innovative members of ABoR believe in Internet display of property listings and have provided Beth many opportunities
to partake in new initiatives. ABoR was the second REALTOR® association in the U.S. to partner with Realtor.com® in an effort to
promote property listings. Beth has lived in Austin for 16 years and shares her life with her delightful husband David and son Tayler.
Denise Gryder | First Multiple Listing Service
[email protected] | 678-420-4422 | 5457 Roswell Road | Atlanta, GA 30342
Denise Gryder attended the University of Alabama and then graduated from Georgia State University with a degree in Marketing.
After graduating she held various administrative and sales positions and then obtained a real estate license in the late 1970s. In
1980 she went to work for PRC Realty Systems as a training instructor and customer service representative with their first account
in Georgia, the First Multiple Listing Service in Atlanta. She subsequently managed several southeastern accounts for PRC and
then later for Geac Interealty.
Denise made the big switch from vendor to customer and went to work for FMLS in 1999 as Director of Operations. She then
became Executive Vice President in 2003 and continues to serve in that capacity. Denise believes the MLS business continues to
provide many opportunities for learning and growing and feels there is never a dull moment!
Bob Hale | Houston Association of REALTORS® Inc.
[email protected] | 713-629-1900 | 3693 Southwest Freeway | Houston, TX 77027
Bob Hale is the President and CEO of the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR). Under Bob’s leadership since 1998, HAR
has grown to become the largest trade association in Houston and the largest local REALTOR® association in the country, with
more than 25,000 members. Bob assists HAR in its mission “to help its members achieve ongoing success” by adopting and
implementing a market-driven, member-centric business plan, recruiting and retaining a highly professional staff, re-engineering
its governance and becoming a cutting edge, technologically advanced association.
Bob has been honored with many prestigious recognitions including 2008 Innovator of the Year Award from Inman News and
named one of 25 Most Influential People in the American real estate industry in 2003 and 2006. Reflective of his strong commitment
to communicating the REALTOR® story, he was honored by the IABC/Houston with its 2010 Communication Leadership Award
and is frequently invited to speak on industry trends, HAR technology initiatives and member services at major industry events.
John Holley | North Texas Real Estate Info. Systems Inc.
[email protected] | 214-800-8420 | 1950 Stemmons Freeway, Suite 3018 | Dallas, TX 75207
John Holley has been in REALTOR® association management since 1990 when he accepted a position with the San Diego
Association of REALTORS®. In 1997, John moved to the North San Francisco Bay area where he was the CEO for the Sonoma
County MLS (which later became Bay Area Real Estate Information Service). In late 1999, John moved back to his home in San
Diego County where he accepted the CEO position for the Regional MLS of San Diego County known as SANDICOR. There John
brought the members of SANDICOR from the old legacy days into today’s browser enabled Internet MLS.
In 2005, John became the CEO for the North Texas Real Estate Information Systems, Inc. based in Dallas Texas and continues to
hold this position. NTREIS is owned by 15 REALTOR Associations serving the Real Estate Professionals in North Texas. John and
his team at NTREIS house the MLS systems that deliver listing content to over 23,000 subscribers located in 41 Counties serving
the Metroplex.
Karen Kage | Realcomp II, Ltd.
[email protected] | 248-553-3003 | 28555 Orchard Lake Road, Suite 200 | Farmington Hills, MI 48334
Karen Kage is the CEO of Realcomp II Ltd., Michigan’s largest REALTOR® owned Multiple Listing Service located in Farmington
Hills, MI that provides premier MLS and real property data-related services to nearly 11,000 REALTOR® members. Karen first
entered the world of real estate over 30 years ago as a statistical typist at a local Board of REALTORS®. At that time, her job
consisted of typing property information onto the backs of listing/photo cards, which were the mechanism brokers and agents
used to share listing information.
By 1998 three important qualities had helped Karen to move through MLS ranks to gain her current CEO position: her natural
ability to lead, her passion for life and living, and her integrity. On a personal note, Karen is an avid reader and a lover of music and
sports. She loves being involved with her church and spending quality time with her family.
Greg Manship | Intermountain MLS
[email protected] | 208-376-0363 | 9550 Bethel Court | Boise, ID 83709
Greg Manship has been the CEO of Intermountain MLS since December, 2004. He spent the previous 10 years as I.T. Director
for the Willamette Valley MLS in Salem, Oregon. A graduate of California State University Long Beach, Greg also successfully
completed the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineering program and earned a Microsoft Certified Professional designation as well
as a NAR E-Pro certification.
Greg is the 2011 President Elect on the CMLS Board of Directors and serves on several advisory groups including LPS and Supra.
He is also involved with the National MLS Users Group and is the state representative for NAR’s MLS Issues & Policies Committee.
Cameron Paine | Connecticut Multiple Listing Service
[email protected] | 203-697-1006 | 860 N. Main Street Ext. | Wallingford, CT 06492
Cameron Paine is the CEO of the Connecticut Multiple Listing Service, Inc. Cameron and his team built the statewide MLS from
scratch beginning December 4th, 2006, culminating in the successful launch of full statewide MLS services on February 1st, 2007.
Cameron worked in the publishing, music, and association management industries prior to taking the CTMLS position, and brings
broad experience and a unique perspective to the MLS industry. He has authored several white papers on MLS issues and is a firm
believer in the need for MLS consolidation. Cameron resides in Connecticut with his wife, daughter, and a ridiculous dachshund
named George.
Dave Phillips | Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS®
[email protected] | 717-561–1303 | 500 North 12th Street | Lemoyne, PA 17043
Dave Phillips is the CEO of the Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS® which currently serves over 28,000 real estate professionals.
In addition to running a mid-size MLS, he has served on the NAR MLS Policy Committee as well as the Chair of the NAR Association
Executives Committee. Dave is a 20 year veteran of the industry.
Tom Phillips | TREND
[email protected] | 610-783-4650 | 660 American Avenue, Suite 203 | King of Prussia, PA 19406
Tom Phillips is the President and CEO of TREND, a network of over 28,000 real estate professionals in the Greater Philadelphia
region including counties in Delaware, Southern New Jersey, and Southeastern Pennsylvania. TREND’s MLS database houses
approximately 2.3 million listings and facilitates the sale of approximately 100,000 properties annually.
Prior to joining TREND in 2000, Tom served as the CEO of the Burlington-Camden Association of REALTORS® in New Jersey. He is
a Certified Association Executive (CAE) and a REALTOR® Association Certified Executive (ACE). Tom is a graduate of the University
of Illinois.
Tom Renkert | Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of REALTORS®
[email protected] | 317-956-5254 | 1912 North Meridian Street | Indianapolis, IN 46202
Tom has been involved with listing services and REALTOR® associations since 1982. He came to MIBOR in 1992 from industry
vendor BORIS Systems where he served as the Customer Service Manager. MIBOR represents more than 6,500 of central
Indiana’s REALTORS®. Prior to BORIS, Tom worked 8 years in a variety of rolls with the Michigan Multiple Listing Service in
Metropolitan Detroit.
Tom holds a BBA in Accounting from Western Michigan University and is a resident of Indianapolis. As Director of Business
Support Services, Tom oversees support for the BLC® listing service, lockbox services and MIBOR’s Member Service Center.
Ron Stephan | Northeast Florida Multiple Listing Service
[email protected] | 904-296-6121 | 7801 Deercreek Club Road | Jacksonville, FL 32256
Ron Stephan is the CEO of Northeast Florida Multiple Listing Service, Inc., which serves over 5,000 real estate professionals. Under
Ron’s leadership, the NEFMLS has provided listing syndication to dozens of national websites, merged 5 associations and 3 MLS’s,
integrated 21 counties of public record information to MLS and in 1995, introduced all of Northeast Florida listings to the Internet.
Ron received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a major in accounting from Robert Morris University Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania and has held various management positions in marketing, computer operations, technical support and program
development. In addition to being a member of the Northeast Florida Association of REALTORS® Ron belongs to the Northeast
Florida Builders Association, the RPAC Golden R Hall of Fame and is an affiliate for the Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville.
Irene Vogel | Greater Las Vegas Association of REALTORS®
[email protected] | 702-732-8177 | 1750 E. Sahara Avenue | Las Vegas, NV 89104
Irene Vogel serves as the CEO of the Greater Las Vegas Association of REALTORS®, a trade association representing over 12,000
members in Southern Nevada. Her leadership abilities have enabled the members of GLVAR to showcase the dedication of the
REALTORS® in Southern Nevada to the community and focus on the American Dream of Home Ownership. In addition to her
work with GLVAR, Irene serves on the Board of Directors for the local public television station in Las Vegas and is Chairman of the
Selection Committee for the Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Las Vegas.
Irene’s community has honored her with many awards including the Community Achievement Award in real estate from the Las
Vegas Chamber of Commerce in 1990, the Joe Nolan Award for outstanding service and contribution to the Nevada Association
of REALTORS® in 2004 and in 2008 she was honored as one of In Business Las Vegas’ 50 Most Influential People. The NAR has
also awarded her the Terry McDermott Community Leadership Award and most recently in 2007 she received the Lifetime
Achievement Award in real estate.
Kurt von Wasmuth | Regional Multiple Listing Service
[email protected] | 503-236-7657 | 825 N.E. Multnomah, Suite 270 | Portland, OR 97232
Kurt von Wasmuth is the current President and CEO of the Regional Multiple Listing Service, the largest MLS in the Northwest that
provides service to over 12,000 subscribers in Oregon and Washington. After graduating from the University of Washington, Kurt
started in the real estate industry as a help desk technician in 1998. Since that time he served the RMLS in 6 different roles until
being promoted from Senior Vice President to his current position in January of 2010. Before RMLS™ Kurt worked as a graphic
designer and an independent computer consultant. Currently his enthusiasm for the MLS industry combined with his technical
background is what inspires his leadership of RMLS.
Wes Wiggins | Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc.
[email protected] | 561-627-4548 | 8895 N. Military Trail, #301D | Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
Wes Wiggins accepted the position of General Manager for the Regional Multiple Listing Service in July of 2011. Prior to
that Wes spent 6 years at the Tucson MLS as Vice President. Wes is actively involved in local and national MLS organizations
Including NAR’s MLS Issues and Policies Committee, The Council of Multiple Listing Services (CMLS), and the realtor.com MLS
Executives Advisory Committee.
Wes has collaborated on statewide MLS data sharing initiatives, worked closely with Fannie Mae to improve the Short Sale process,
and was instrumental in implementing the 1st international MLS data share between Tucson and San Carlos, Mexico. Prior to
joining the MLS industry Wes was a Manufacturing Supervisor for Texas Instruments.
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