Committees, Advisory Groups & Forum Advisory Teams

• Products and Services Advisory Focus Group

  (Open to all NVAR members)
  
  The Products and Services Advisory Focus Group explores and suggests recommendations for best organizing and offering products and services to the Realtor® membership at large. The group reviews and considers new product offerings as well as possibilities for new member benefits and services.
  
  Chair: Ellen Heather

  Staff support: Jina Myers
  

• Young Professionals Network Advisory Team (YPN)

  (Open to all NVAR Members)
  

  The NVAR Young Professionals Network Advisory Team plan and execute a mix of events ranging from networking and educational programs to community outreach. Their goal is to empower Young Professionals in the Real Estate industry by collaborating on best practices, cutting edge technology, and strategies to become a community of individuals who showcase a professional image while elevating business success and prosperity.

  
  Chair: Michelle Doherty
  Vice-Chair: Nicole Canole
  

  Staff support: Diana Costa

• Professional Standards Forum Advisory Team

  (Open to all NVAR Members)
  
  The Professional Standards Forum Advisory Team provides direction and guidance on quarterly forum events related to Realtor® professionalism and ethics. The advisory team also works with staff on Professional Standards procedures as authorized by the National Association of Realtors®.
  
  Chair: Evan Lacopo
  Vice-Chair: Ritu Desai
  
  Staff support: Stevie Fisher

• Realtor®-Builder Forum Advisory Team

  (Open to all NVAR Members)
  
  The NVAR Realtor®-Builder Forum Advisory Team works to create programming to educate members on establishing relationships with builders in the region, new trends, and pathways to networking and expanding a Realtor's® scope of expertise. Events are held quarterly, with many off-site.
  

  Chair: Pauline Dent
  

  Staff support: Jina Myers
  

• Small Broker Forum Advisory Team

  (Open to NVAR Brokers with less than 10 agents)

   

  The NVAR Small Broker Advisory Team provides direction on educational and networking opportunities geared toward small business owners. Lunch & Learn sessions offer an informal setting that allows for an open exchange of ideas on topics relevant to these members.
  
  Chair: Donna Baez
  Vice-Chair: Debbie Baxter
  

  Staff support: Jina Myers
  

• Real Estate Finance & Settlements Forum Advisory Team

  (Open to all NVAR Members)
  
  The advisory team for the Real Estate Finance and Settlements Forum monitors current financial and regional market trends and disseminates relevant finance information to the general membership through NVAR publications, educational seminars and social media. Activities include annual Economic Summit and quarterly member events.
  
  Chair: Fred Westerlund
  Vice-Chair:Kevin Darcey
  

  Staff support: Matt Troiani

• International Business Forum Advisory Team

  (Open to all NVAR Members)
  
  Guides real estate professionals in expanding their personal and professional presence in the global marketplace. Creates new business opportunities by helping members to market local properties worldwide, assisting investors who are interested in purchasing real property in the U.S. and offering international options to local clients.
  
  Chair: Miguel Calvo     
  Vice-Chair: Elaine Fang
  

  Staff support: Vika Mitchell

• Hispanic Realtors® Forum Advisory Team

  (Open to all NVAR members)
  

  The advisory team for the Hispanic Forum provides input and direction for quarterly events hosted by the forum. The advisory team determines topics of cultural relevance to offer to the entire NVAR membership and plans a menu featuring Hispanic cuisine. 
  
  Chair: Dinora Chacon
  Vice-Chair: Tatiana Busch
  
  Staff support: Vika Mitchell

• Korean Realtors® Forum Advisory Team

  (Open to all NVAR members)
  
  The advisory team for the Korean Forum provides input and direction for quarterly events hosted by the forum. The advisory team determines topics of cultural relevance to offer to the entire NVAR membership and plans a menu featuring Korean cuisine. 
  
  Chair: Agnes "Kay" Lee
  Vice-Chair: Eunnie Lee
  

  Staff support: Vika Mitchell
  

• Vietnamese Realtors® Forum Advisory Team

  (Open to all NVAR members)
  
  The advisory team for the Vietnamese Forum provides input and direction for quarterly events hosted by the forum. The advisory team determines topics of cultural relevance to offer to the entire NVAR membership and plans a menu featuring Vietnamese cuisine. 
  
  Chair: Anne Thai
  Vice-Chair: Theresa Tran Nguyen

  Staff support: Vika Mitchell
  

• NVAR Cares Committee

  (Open to all NVAR Members)
  
  Our volunteers, members and staff understand their roles as leaders in the Northern Virginia community that NVAR serves. We have a commitment to supporting organizations that deliver local services to those who may be at risk or who are in housing crisis. The Board has supported the establishment of the NVAR Cares Committee to research, analyze and provide recommendations for NVAR involvement and outreach.
  
  Chair: Mary Ann Burstein
  Vice-Chair: Casey Menish
  

  Staff support: Jill Parker Landsman

• Commercial Council Committee

  (Open to all NVAR Members)
  
  The Commercial Council plans and executes information sessions for Realtors® involved in commercial transactions. Guest speakers present the latest trends, economic forecasts and other issues relevant to commercial real estate.

  Staff support: Matt Troiani
  

• Technology Advisory Group

  (Open to all NVAR Members; Maximum Members: 12)
  
  The NVAR Technology Advisory Group will discuss the latest trends and ideas in real estate technology, which technologies members are using on a daily basis, and potential strategic technology partnerships and opportunities.  The Group will explore topics and speakers for technology-focused member events, as well as explore innovative ways to bring technology education and services to the membership.
  
  Chair: Rachel Carter
  Vice-Chair: Victoria Baker
  

  Staff support: Shawn Hanna

• Education Advisory Group

  (Open to NVAR Realtor® Members; Maximum Members 12)
  
  Members research, develop and review course curriculum and other educational offerings in union with NVAR staff to fulfill the educational needs of members and the community. Members also discuss the latest trends and topics in real estate and make recommendations for new and innovative classes, programs and other educational events. 
  
  Chair: Reggie Copeland
  Vice-Chair: Michael Snow
  

  Staff support: Renee Brown

• Convention Advisory Group

  (By appointment only; Maximum 12 members)
  
  The Convention Advisory Group provides programmatic input for the NVAR Convention and Trade Show held in October. Members contribute to decisions regarding the convention theme, session topics and potential speakers.
  
  Chair: Ava Nguyen
  

  Staff support: Vika Mitchell

• NV/RPAC Campaign Committee

  (Open to all current NV/RPAC investors.)
  
  The Northern Virginia/Realtors® Political Action Campaign Committee is in charge of the annual political fundraising campaign for the calendar year. Committee members assist the Campaign Chair in planning fundraising activities and promoting the benefits of NV/RPAC to fellow Realtors®. Contributions raised are used by the NV/RPAC Trustees to support Realtor®-friendly candidates and issues of importance to the real estate community.
  
  Chair: Peter Nguyen
  Vice Chair: Michelle Doherty
  

  Staff support: Mary Beth Coya

• Attorney Roundtable

  (Open to attorneys who hold active membership with the Virginia State Bar)

  Provides Virginia settlement, real estate litigation and in-house/brokerage attorneys with an opportunity to discuss matters that are developing in the real estate community. Participants also provide feedback to the association on proposed changes to NVAR forms. 

  Chair: George Hawkins
  Vice-Chair: Mona Wilcox
  

  Staff support: Matt Troiani

• Public Policy Committee

  (Open to all Realtor® members.)
  
  The committee tracks legislative activities at all levels of government and recommends policy positions to the NVAR Board of Directors. Committee members assist in planning special annual legislative events, such as the legislative reception and the trip to the state Capitol, as well as mobilizing grassroots participation in calls-for-action on issues campaigns. Committee members must commit to attending at least nine monthly meetings each year.
  
  Chair: Ann Yanagihara
  Vice-Chair: Shelia Jackson
  

  Staff support: Mary Beth Coya

• Budget & Finance Committee

  (Open to all NVAR Members; Maximum Members: 16 )
  
  Committee members build the annual budget, ensure that the association’s activities comply with the annual budget, maintain the financial integrity of the association, review and recommend Board of Directors’ actions as needed and monitor the Association's investment portfolio and performance. Committee is also responsible for the Annual Audit and Management Review.
  
  Chair:Derrick Swaak
  

  Staff support: Jim Foster

• Grievance Committee

  (Open to Realtor® members of at least 5 years)
  
  Committee is responsible for reviewing written complaints involving possible violations of the Code of Ethics, Lockbox Rules and Membership Duties. Volunteers must attend mandatory training in order to serve on the committee. The committee meets once a month. Committee members must commit to attending at least nine monthly meetings each year. Review of cases in advance of meetings is required.
  
  Chair: Rob Wittman
  Vice-Chair: Jamie DeSimone
  

  Staff support: Stevie Fisher

• Professional Standards & Arbitration Committee

  (Open to NVAR Realtor® Members of five years or more who have previous service on the Grievance Committee or Board of Directors may apply.)
  
  Committee members are responsible for serving on the hearing panels that are convened to hear disciplinary cases or claims involving Realtors® regarding contractual and/or procuring cause disputes that arise out of real estate transactions that have been forwarded by the Grievance Committee for a formal hearing. All volunteers are required to attend a mandatory training session in order to be eligible to serve on a hearing panel. In addition to attending the training, committee members serve on five to ten panels each year.
  
  Chair: Rosemarie Johnson
  Vice-Chair: Ray Powers
  

  Staff support: Stevie Fisher

• Standard Forms Committee

  (Open to Realtor® members of at least 5 years; Maximum Members 12 Realtors® and 4 licensed Virginia attorneys)
  
  Responsible for creating, reviewing and revising the standard forms developed by NVAR for members. The committee ensures that forms remain in compliance with federal, state and local laws. Committee members must commit to attending at least nine monthly meetings each year.
  
  Chair:Dan Withers
  

  Staff support: Matt Troiani

• Global Leadership Advisory Group

  (By appointment only)
  
  The Global Leadership Advisory Group is comprised of the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen from the NVAR Cultural Forums and the International Business Forum. The group consults on NVAR global programming, international real estate activities and conferences and provides expertise on the future of global real estate.
  
  Chair: Lieu Nguyen
  

  Staff support: Vika Mitchell

• Legislative Bill Review Task Force Committee

  (By appointment only)
  
  This task force reviews select legislation proposed by member groups within NVAR during the General Assembly session of the Virginia Legislature and recommends lobbying positions based on NVAR's Standing Legislative positions.
  
  Chair: Genevieve Concannon

  Staff support: Mary Beth Coya

• NV-RPAC Trustees Committee

  No formal application process available. Member at large seats on this committee are appointed by the incoming President of the Board of Directors.
  
  The NV/RPAC Trustees have general supervision and control over the affairs and assets of the Northern Virginia Realtors® Political Action Committee (NV/RPAC). The Trustees make recommendations on disbursement of NV/RPAC funds to political candidates and other political issues.
  
  Chair: Angie Delboy
  Vice-Chair: Kathy Kratovil
  

  Staff support: Mary Beth Coya

• Nominating Committee

  (Minimum of 12 members appointed and approved by the President and full Board of Directors. Appointment notification will be sent mid-March.)
  
  The Nominating Committee is responsible for the selection of candidates for the NVAR Board of Directors and for the VR Board of Directors. In addition, the Committee reviews and approves the application process for nominees and the election campaign guidelines.
  
  Chair: Lorraine Arora

  Staff support: Diana Costa