2019 DMAR Director Election Results + Inaugural Save the Date
We are excited to announce that the following candidates have been elected by the membership of the Denver Metro Association of REALTORS® during the online 2019 Director Election. Thank you to all of the candidates who ran, and a hearty congratulations to our three newly elected Directors:
Douglas Elbert District
Jessica Reinhardt | At-Large Position 
What are your qualifications to serve as a DMAR Director?
I have been a member of DERA/DMAR since March of 2005 and I have been on the DMAR Market Trends Committee since July 2017. I have been on the DMAR Professional Standards Committee since July 2018. I am a 2019 graduate of the CAR Leadership Academy. I am an event Director for Swim Across America, a nonprofit that raises money for Cancer Research and Blood Disorders at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Last year, we raised just over $230,000 in our inaugural year.
What do you feel are the three most significant challenges facing the real estate profession?
1. One of our biggest challenges is getting our own industry to understand and support the importance of being a REALTOR® and the benefits it brings.
2. Another challenge our profession is facing is educating the public on why they should use a REALTOR® and the difference between a REALTOR® and a licensee. Too many use the term REALTOR® as an all-encompassing term.
3. Lastly, I think a big challenge we are facing is educating the public on the personal services that come with using a REALTOR®, instead of an internet-driven company. In this service-driven industry, we need to stress the importance of being viewed as a client and not a file or a case number.
North District
Theda McDonald | District Position 
What are your qualifications to serve as a DMAR Director?
I have been a member of DMAR for 15 years and truly believe in the organization and what the word REALTOR® means. As a Board of Director at DMAR, I would do whatever I can to help protect our profession and homeownership, as a whole. As a co-owner of our brokerage, I am constantly trying to stay informed and aware of what our industry is facing. I am looking forward to having the opportunity to help shape the real estate industry in the Denver metro area. I currently volunteer to help the Denver Rescue Mission, A Precious Child and the Gerontological Society, all of which are affected by higher housing/rent prices in the Denver metro area.
What do you feel are the three most significant challenges facing the real estate profession?
1. Affordability in the Denver metro area.
2. Political uncertainty and potential legal threats to the industry.
3. New business models attempting to push commissions down and/or eliminate Brokers.
West District
Mike Papantonakis | District Position
What are your qualifications to serve as a DMAR Director?
I am currently a Director on the DMAR Board representing the West District. I enjoy the process and I've learned a lot about how our association can benefit our membership and protect the industry and homeownership. I believe I've played an important role in some of the pivotal decisions that this Board has made during my tenure. I'm a member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame, the outgoing President of the Rotary Club of Wheat Ridge and I have held a number of positions in that organization over the past three years. From 2007 to 2015, I held several positions in the Apartment Association of Metro Denver including Board Vice President, Member on the Joint Legislative Advisory Committee and Chair of the Independent Rental Owners Council. My experience in running companies and serving on professional boards is solid. We have much unfinished business to do over the coming years, and I believe that my involvement is an asset to our membership. I aspire to become the Chair-Elect in this coming year to help lead our Association over the coming years in a changing and challenging market.
What do you feel are the three most significant challenges facing the real estate profession?
1. The landscape of our industry is changing with technological innovations. We all need to step up our game when it comes to value-added service for our clients and do a better job of getting the word out to the public about the benefits of using a quality REALTOR®.
2. We need to bring our state and our region under one MLS system. As REALTORS®, we need to lead the charge in this area and get done with the first steps of merging the front range MLS systems over the next two years.
3. Affordable housing and negative legislation are two areas that we must be involved in. The pride of home ownership can slip away for many consumers unless we do our part to help. This means continued and added support to RPAC and active involvement in committees and the legislative process.
... and now it's time to celebrate!
This year's DMAR Inaugural Installation & Awards Ceremony is sure to hit a home run. The event will take place Friday, September 20th at Coors Field and will be an evening of food, drinks, celebration and, of course, guided tours of the stadium. We'll be welcoming the incoming Board of Directors and recognizing our achievements for the year. Awards will also be given to honor the REALTOR® of the Year, Industry Partner of the Year and the Oliver Frascona Lifetime Achievement recipient. We hope you'll join us!
