Committees & Volunteering

Committees, subcommittees, political contacts, and more

2021 PRO/CPRO Committees & Subcommittees

Committees are an essential part of PRO/CPRO. They develop creative ideas to keep our organization strong, while advancing our mission and goals. Appointments are volunteer positions lasting one calendar year (unless otherwise noted).

For any questions, please contact Sandy Yinger / 727-216-3023 or syinger@tampabayrealtor.com

The application period for volunteering is currently closed.

To volunteer, please complete this application. Applications are due by October 14, 2020.

Citation Committee

Chair: Karen Selby

Vice-Chair: Lisa Lowe

Staff Liaison: Angela Emerson

The Citation Program is intended to increase professionalism in the marketplace for our membership, streamline the ethics hearing process, and protect the interests of the general public. The Citation Committee reviews cases forwarded to them by the Grievance Committee. The Citation Committee hears both sides of the complaint and makes the determination to 1) assess a respondent the fine associated with the ethics violation; 2) assess a fine along with taking education classes to learn from that specific code of ethics violation, or, 3) the Citation Committee can determine that no violation actually occurred and dismiss the case.

Commercial Committee

Chair: Gro Miller

Vice-Chair: Carlos Fuentes

Staff Liaison: Angela Emerson

The Commercial Investment Committee (CIC) provides public policy and legislative representation to the Commercial Realtor regarding local, state and national legislative issues and initiatives. The CIC also provides a forum for social and business interaction within the Commercial Community as well as provides educational opportunities to advance the level of professionalism therein. The CIC promotes and maintains a professional image of high standards of ethical conduct in the commercial real estate profession as expressed in the Code of Ethics of the National Association of REALTORS®.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

Chair: Robert Barnes

Vice-Chair: Xina Rim

Staff Liaison: Derek van der Kaay

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee has been charged with assisting our members about DEI issues and with both public and private sectors to build community relations. Committee members are from a broad array of our REALTOR® and Affiliate membership, including brokers, agents, appraisers, bankers, mortgage and title professionals.

Affiliate Business Partners

Chair: Dylan Barrie

Staff Liaison: Tina Housdan

Staff Liaison: Kim Simmons

The Affiliate membership is comprised of many companies that offer a variety of products and services to help the members of the Pinellas Realtor® Organization / Central Pasco REALTOR® Organization and their clients.

Since May 2011 when the Affiliate program took on a new beginning we have increased our membership numbers 15 times over and exceeded our goals to build a strong team of professional business people. Learn more

Grievance Committee

Chair: Terry Yoder

Vice-Chair: Nicole Dufala

Staff Liaison: Angela Emerson

The Grievance Committee investigates potentially unethical conduct/arbitration requests and forwards case to Professional Standards Committee for hearing.

Homeownership Solutions Committee

Chair: Glendora Merchant

Staff Liaison: Joe Farrell

Through the efforts of this Committee, with the assistance of the Board of Directors, members and affiliates, support the creation of new housing options to meet the needs of our community, as well as advance fair housing and fair lending efforts. The committee’s partnerships with state and local Government Entities, Housing Authorities, Housing Counseling Agencies, Home Builders and Developers will be instrumental in addressing issues such as: housing market stability, housing affordability and fair access to housing.

Ombudsman

Staff Liaison: Angela Emerson

The Ombudsman Program in its simplest definition is informal telephone mediation between two parties. Complaints that do not expressly allege violations of specific articles of the Realtor Code of Ethics but may be transactional, technical, and/or procedural complaints that can be readily responded to may be appropriate for the Ombudsman program. In some cases the Ombudsman can address and solve minor complaints from the public as well as solve inter- Realtor conflicts before they become serious problems. Like a mediator, an ombudsman helps parties find solutions.

Public Policy Committee – (Pasco County)

Chair: Lyndie House

Staff Liaison: Joe Farrell

Every day issues affecting the real estate industry are discussed in DC, Tallahassee and City Hall. This committee meets regularly to discuss important issues facing Realtors and decides whether the association needs to actively advocate for or against an issue. The committee also evaluates candidates for public office based on real estate issues, and recommends to the Board of Directors the candidates to support.

Public Policy Committee – (Pinellas County)

Chair: Tami Simms

Vice-Chair: Cody Limberger

Staff Liaison: Joe Farrell

Every day issues affecting the real estate industry are discussed in DC, Tallahassee and City Hall. This committee meets regularly to discuss important issues facing Realtors and decides whether the association needs to actively advocate for or against an issue. The committee also evaluates candidates for public office based on real estate issues, and recommends to the Board of Directors the candidates to support.

Suncoast Global Council (SGC)

Chair: Corina Lessa Silva

Vice-Chair: Ana Smith

Staff Liaison: Angela Emerson

The Suncoast Global Council (SGC) (formerly Pinellas International Council) can help you hone your skills to market in the International Real Estate Market.  Florida accounted for the largest share at 22 percent of total U.S. residential home sales to international clients, which the National Association of REALTORS® estimated at $102.6 Billion. Florida attracted buyers from Latin America, Europe, and Canada who tend to purchase properties in warm climates for vacation purposes.

Learn more about SGC on the Suncoast Global Council page.

Leasing and Property Management Council

Chair: Tom Gaspari

Staff Liaison: Angela Emerson

This council is made up of PRO/CPRO members that are uniquely qualified in the Leasing and Property Management field and are dedicated in supporting our members to become proficient and professional when leasing or managing property. The council works together to design and provide our membership with quality networking, featured speakers on leasing and property management topics, and smaller workshops.

This group has recognized that with a market shift from residential sales to rental properties, there are unique challenges in this aspect of real estate and have volunteered their expertise to support their fellow agents in learning those unique nuances.

Many of our council members are also involved in the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM). PRO/CPRO and NARPM often work together to provide affordable, enhanced Leasing and Property Management education offerings.

Stellar MLS

Past President: Mindy Rovillo

Directors:
Kevin Batdorf
Ken Breland
Cyndee Haydon

Staff Liaison: David Bennett

Stellar MLS – MLS Advisory Council

The MAC is charged with review all changes to the Multiple Listing Service, including fields and rules and regulations of the service.

Isabelle Ivanov
Chris Light

Staff Liason: David Bennett

To be on the Stellar MLS Board of Directors or the MAC committee please fill out this application.

Young Professional Network (YPN)

Chair: John Ricker

Vice-Chair: Candice Kelly

Staff Liaison: Travis Norton

If you are a young REALTOR®, or just young-at-heart, the Young Professionals Network may be for you. YPN offers a way for members to get involved in charitable activities, attend unique and fun networking events, hone their industry knowledge, and grow their leadership skills.

Learn more about YPN on the Young Professional Network page.

Pinellas REALTOR® Foundation Trustees

(Positions are appointed)

Chair: Leon Sarkisian

Trustees:
Mindy Rovillo
Pat Ivers
Brandi Gabbard
Phil Rogers
Heather Smith
Carolyn Kling
Kevin Batdorf
Victor Adamo
Cyndee Haydon
Dylan Barrie
David B. Bennett

The role of the Foundation Trustees is to be a fiduciary of the funds and to see that the organization is fulfilling the mission and vision of the organization. They also are the spokespersons of the foundation to the community and are responsible for fostering goodwill with other non-profits and community leaders.

Learn more on the Foundation & Awards page

REALTOR® Political Action Committee (RPAC) Fundraising Committee

Chair: Mark Middleton

Vice-Chair: Linda Wilson

Staff Liaison: Travis Norton

This committee is charged with planning and executing the annual RPAC fundraising campaign and various events with staff support. The proceeds of the event are used to financially support candidates and issues vital to the real estate industry. RPAC is a tool to support champions of the real estate industry in elected office. It has done so successfully for over 50 years.

Learn more about RPAC on the PPAC & REALTOR® Party page.

PRO PAC

Chair: Amy Seeks

Trustees:
Deborah Diesing
Mindy Rovillo
Victor Adamo
Cyndee Haydon

PRO Biz, Inc.

Chair: Cyndee Haydon

Vice-Chair: Tom Shelly

Secretary: Mindy Rovillo

Treasurer: Leon Sarkisian

Directors:
Victor Adamo
Kevin Batdorf
Phil Rogers
David Bennett

State & Federal Key Contacts

Staff Liaison: Joe Farrell

The program aligns a REALTOR® member and an elected official to keep open lines of communication with our elected officials and to provide solid information for good public policy in our community.

Contact Official
Cyndee Haydon State Representative Chris Sprowls
State Senator Jeff Brandes
Ben Friedlander Representative Ben Diamond
Tom Steck State Representative Wengay Newton
State Senator Daryl Rouson
Tom Shelly State Senator Ed Hooper
Brandi Gabbard Congressman Charlie Crist
State Representative Chris Latvala
Paul Hendriks State Representative Jennifer Webb
Frank Gregoire State Representative Nick DeCeglie