Meet the 2019-2020 Chicago Association of REALTORS®Board of Directors

You’ve met our President Maurice Hampton; Introducing the rest of our Board!

Stephanie Brimo Redfin Corporation

What’s one thing you wish you knew when you started in this industry? Real estate is really about hard work, day in and day out. The most successful people put everything they have into it. It’s more than a full-time job. What excites you most about CAR in the year ahead? CAR’s leadership is dynamic and embraces a growth mindset. I’m confident we will continue to be leaders among associations for the innovative work we do.    

Tommy Choi Keller Williams Chicago – Lincoln Park

What’s one thing you wish you knew when you started in this industry? Be intentional and purposeful in who you surround yourself with. If those people are not raising the bar on your standards, you need to find new people! Give your best advice in three words. Embrace your failures.      

Bob Eby Century 21 Affiliated

Give your best advice in three words. Be open minded. Who is your role model, and why? Warren Buffet. I’m inspired by his vision and adaptability to changing business models.    

Hipolito Garcia Caliber Home Loans

Give your best advice in three words. Care about people! What excites you most about CAR in the year ahead? The in-depth focus we have on many communities around Chicago.      

Antje Gehrken A.R.E. Partners Inc.

Who is your role model, and why? Recently, I was greatly inspired by tennis player Tara Moore, who was losing big time: 6-0, 5-0 and facing a match point. She not only recovered to win the game, but fought back to win the set AND the match! It just goes to show that it ain’t over ’til it’s over. What excites you most about CAR in the year ahead? This year, I was installed as treasurer of the association. I’m excited to work for our members in this new leadership capacity, to learn from those who came before me and to help us grow to reach even more members.

Moses Hall Mohall Commercial & Urban Development, LLC

What’s one thing you wish you knew when you started in this industry? How important it is to be involved in your local and state associations. I did not realize how much my association offers in terms of education, advocacy and tools to help grow my business. What is one thing you’d like to see CAR accomplish this year? As a commercial practitioner, I look forward to CAR adding tools and resources to grow the commercial real estate community for its members.  

Anthony Hardy Marcus & Millichap

What’s one thing you wish you knew when you started in this industry? Build relationships with key people and you’ll thrive in any cycle. Give your best advice in three words. Chase big listings.      

Julie Harron Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty

What excites you most about CAR in the year ahead? Working together to provide more support to the underserved areas of our community. Getting involved with fighting Chicago’s gun violence problem is a key focus for me. We’re continuing to innovate and serve our members. What is one thing you’d like to see CAR accomplish this year? With all our outreach, I’d like to continue to expand our footprint to underserved areas of the city. Let’s be the voice for real estate in all 77 neighborhoods of Chicago.

Drussy Hernandez Fulton Grace Realty

Who is your role model, and why? My mom—a strong woman with great convictions and a very kind heart. She taught me to be determined and self-reliant. What is one thing you’d like to see CAR accomplish this year? Address affordable housing and work on a sensible proposal that will be beneficial to all parties.    

Nick Libert Exit Strategy Realty

Give your best advice in three words. Time block daily! What excites you most about CAR in the year ahead? The stability of the stellar CAR staff, the energy and diversity of the Board of Directors, and the hands-on style of Michelle Mills Clement as CEO are combining to create a perfect storm of enthusiasm for new projects and even more educational opportunities.    

Michelle Mills Clement Chicago Association of REALTORS®

Who is your role model, and why? Michelle Obama. She’s a southside Chicago girl, has incredible fashion sense and killer arms…like me! But in all seriousness, I love her grace, class and professionalism. She’s a wife and mother and has a major career of her own. I see myself in her and have literally walked the same streets as she did growing up, which makes her seem so attainable. I strive to be an ounce of who she is. What is one thing you’d like to see CAR accomplish this year? A successful relaunch of our west-side satellite office. There’s so much opportunity for us there, and taking the time, investing and adding in the passion for our membership in that part of town is an amazing opportunity for CAR to be present in a physical way beyond downtown Chicago.

Dave Naso Keller Williams Chicago – Lincoln Park

What’s one thing you wish you knew when you started in this industry? I wish I knew about all the publicly accessible data! When I teach now, my brokers are amazed by how much detail you can find about a property (or person!) by just a few clicks on the Recorder and Assessor websites. What is one thing you’d like to see CAR accomplish this year? Build a deeper relationship with City Hall. There are a lot of new players at the table — let’s be one of them!  

Nykea Pippion McGriff Dream Town Realty

Who is your role model, and why? My son Xavier Joy is one of my role models. He lived his life unapologetically, served our community and set the example for me as to why I should give back. He loved without abandon and was fiercely loyal to his family and friends. Even though he is no longer with me, I try to emulate his joy every day. What is one thing you’d like to see CAR accomplish this year? I would like to see CAR create more classes geared towards our members’ business development.  

Tracey Royal Team Real Estate Services Inc.

What excites you most about CAR in the year ahead? The diversity of the CAR board and the new diversity committee The 77. What is one thing you’d like to see CAR accomplish this year? Embrace the needs of underserved communities, advocate for improvements, create awareness and set at least one goal that encompasses one or more underserved communities and see it to fruition.    

Andy Shiparski Compass

Who is your role model, and why? My father taught me what a hard day’s work is worth and that your name and reputation are critical pillars to success in any aspect of your life. What excites you most about CAR in the year ahead? The full effect of our new leadership now that it has been in place for a year. New visions and missions create new opportunities for growth as an association.  

Vicky Silvano Baird and Warner

Give your best advice in three words. Be intentional and purposeful. What is one thing you’d like to see CAR accomplish this year? I want to see more members involved and engaged with the association.      

Rebecca Thomson Thomson Real Estate Group

Give your best advice in three words. Reputation is everything. What excites you most about CAR in the year ahead? The great energy of this leadership team and the increasing commitment to serving our members in every neighborhood and supporting all communities.    

Erika Villegas RE/MAX in the Village

What’s one thing you wish you knew when you started in this industry? Put processes in place and work on a CRM from day one! Give your best advice in three words. Always work smart.      

Marty Walsh Dream Town Realty

What’s one thing you wish you knew when you started in this industry? How much more rooted in the community it would make me. What excites you most about CAR in the year ahead? The opportunity to be a part of the coming change in the city.      

Sarah Ware Ware Realty Group LLC

What’s one thing you wish you knew when you started in this industry? Volunteering will take you and your business to levels you can’t imagine. What is one thing you’d like to see CAR accomplish this year? Having a road show with Coffee with your GADs similar to our CEO’s Listening Tour. I think it will bring out the needs of all the neighborhoods and we would see change from different parts of the city.