Instructors

EVE L. BENTON

Managing Broker/Broker Pre-Licensing & Continuing Education

Eve L. Benton is licensed as a Pre-License Course Instructor, Continuing Education Instructor and REALTOR®. She is currently the Designated Managing Broker for EXIT Strategy Realty. Her professional background includes real estate sales, personal financial advising and commercial lending where she managed a portfolio of small business relationships that included, but was not limited to, financing equipment, investment property and owner-occupied property. She spent 11 years in the Army National Guard and finished with an honorable discharge as a Commissioned Officer. She holds a Bachelor of Business in Finance.

“[Eve Benton] kept it interesting.”

Kara Boeldt

Broker Pre-Licensing & Continuing Education

With 20 years in the real estate industry, Kara Boeldt has seen it all—from interest rate rollercoasters to the curious case of vanishing appliances on the day of closing.  Kara brings big-brand experience with a personal touch, having previously been the Designated Managing Broker for over 400 agents at a global firm, and then for her own boutique brokerage, without losing her mind—or her sense of humor.

A licensed Pre-License and Continuing Education Instructor, Certified Coach, and proud holder of more acronyms than a government agency, Kara has taught hundreds of classes and coached over 100 agents to unlock their full potential—preferably before their third cup of coffee.

She also moonlights as a real estate peacemaker, volunteering on the Professional Standards Committee at the Chicago Association of Realtors as a Mediator, Ombudsman, and Arbitrator, helping agents play nice and stay ethical for the past seven years, including a stint as Chairperson. 

Kara’s passion? Elevating the industry through education, one lightbulb moment (and one well-timed REALTOR joke) at a time.

AARON M. JOINER

Broker Pre-Licensing

Aaron M. Joiner a licensed Realtor, Pre-License Instructor and Continuing Education Instructor. He began his real estate career as a Sales Associate in 1997 and currently serves as Managing Broker and Owner of A & L Enterprise, LLC Real Estate Company. He is dedicated to providing professional, friendly and quality service. He specializes in first-time home buyers.

Aaron has a passion for teaching and loves sharing his experiences with an audience. He enjoys making them feel like the time spent with him was worth it as they embark or continue with their real estate endeavors.

Aaron holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology. He spent 23 ½ years as an Engineering Technician with the U.S. Department of Justice. During his tenure, he managed operational building structure projects, conducted in-depth and problem-solving methods, and taught classes to new and existing employees to keep them current on updated policies and procedures.

tracey royal

Broker Pre-Licensing & Continuing Education

Bringing over three decades of expertise to the real estate industry, Tracey plays a pivotal role in educating both real estate professionals and future homeowners. Her ability to inspire and develop agents has positioned her as a trusted mentor, fostering a culture of professionalism, integrity, and success. 

A firm believer in education and professional development, Tracey holds a BA in Management and an MS in Criminal Social Justice, along with numerous Realtor® designations and certifications. She is an alumna of prestigious leadership programs, including the 2022 National Association of Realtors® Leadership Academy, 2019 Women’s Council of Realtors® Leadership Institute, and 2018 Illinois Realtors® Leadership Academy. 

Her commitment to education ensures that both real estate professionals and consumers have the knowledge needed to make informed, empowered decisions. 

LEO SCHWARTZ

Broker Pre-Licensing & Continuing Education

Leo Schwartz is the editor of the 9th edition of Dearborn’s Modern Real Estate Practice in Illinois and has served as a subject matter expert on numerous publications. He has been an Illinois real estate licensee for 20+ years and is the managing broker of Schwartz & Brannin Real Estate. A licensed instructor for 12+ years. He loves his work as a trainer and mentor to practicing licensees. Leo is also an multi-award winning composer as well as the founder and executive director of Flying Elephant Productions, a theatre company devoted to the promotion of the work of unrepresented communities.

Student Testimonials

“Leo is a fantastic teacher. Very patient & thorough. His concern for his students’ welfare is appreciated.”

“I really liked the instructor. Becoming a real estate agent has been a dream of mine for a couple of years. The instructor made me feel like I could really do this.”

“Leo is a great teacher who balances the perfect amount of learning and lighthearted fun!”

“Mr. Schwartz is a great instructor.”

lanora tolliver

Broker Pre-Licensing & Continuing Education

Lanora Tolliver is a leader in the real estate education and professional development fields. With more than 20 years of real estate experience as a licensed broker, instructor, investor, consultant and appraiser, she has won numerous awards, including the “Rookie of the Year” award for more than $2 million in closed sales within a two-month period.

In her time with the Chicago Association of REALTORS®, Lanora has often been the first point of contact for prospective students, advising them on not only the curricular requirements, but also on the sustained professional development necessary to succeed in Chicago’s real estate market. Lanora is seen as an invaluable resource with her advice, insight and energy. Her nurturing style has helped thousands of students transition into their own real estate career.

Student Testimonials

“Lanora provides an informative and motivating learning experience.”

“Lanora’s dynamic teaching style is a blessing. I am now, much less nervous about the exam.”

“The instructor Ms. Lanora Tolliver is exceptional when teaching Real Estate Broker Licensing class. She makes sure that we truly understand the material of real estate. Provide us with the best methods of studying and networking so we can understand the course. It is truly a blessing to have someone who is lively and wants her students to win in life. Thank you for all that you do Ms. Tolliver.”

“The teaching method. Ms. Lanora kept people engaged. she made it relaxing in the sense I was not stressing throughout the course. I signed up for a different self-study and didn’t even come close to what was accomplished with the zoom classes.”

Frank j. williams

Managing Broker Pre-Licensing & Continuing Education

Frank J. Williams received his broker’s license in 1969 and went on to become a licensed instructor and appraiser. He has served on a myriad of committees for both the Chicago Association of REALTORS® and other associations, including as C.A.R.’s president from 1989 to 1990. Illinois REALTORS® chose Frank in 1991 to hold the first Distinguished Member Award for Community Service. The following year, he was named C.A.R.’s REALTOR® of the Year. In addition to receiving prestigious awards, Mayor Richard M. Daley appointed Williams to serve on the Affordable Housing Task Force and the Real Estate Services Advisory Council and Hall of Fame Inductee of 2017.

Williams’ ongoing love for education is apparent in his track-record with the REALTORS® Real Estate School. He has taught pre-licensing courses, multiple continuing education courses, diversity courses, risk management, ethics, finance and more. Williams continues to teach with enthusiasm and love for the real estate industry.

JOHN LETOURNEAU

REALTOR®, Educator & Speaker

John LeTourneau has been a full-time commercial broker since 2005 and specializes in investment real estate. He leads a 5-person commercial team in the Chicago suburbs that actively works with buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants. He is also the Commercial Managing Director over 8 Keller Williams offices in the Western Suburbs with 29 agents. Additionally, John is the Division Leader of Industry Engagement & Investment Opportunities for Keller Williams Realty International and co-leads 2,400 KW Commercial agents.

As his career developed, John has always believed in giving back to the real estate community. He is the President of The Mainstreet Organization of Realtors, the 7th largest Realtor association in the United States, a member of the Board of Directors of both the National Association of Realtors and Illinois Realtors. John is also the Illinois Realtor’s Liaison to the Irish Consulate in Chicago, State Legislative Contact for State Senator John Curran, and serves on various committees for his Local, State, and National Realtor Associations. He speaks across the United States, Canada and Europe on a wide range of real estate topics and is a tireless advocate for raising the bar in the real estate industry.

David Piatek

MRP

With over 12 years of experience, David has a vast knowledge of the real estate market on both the sales and on the lending side.  He specializes in first-time home buyers and lending in the military space.

He is a Vice-President at The Federal Savings Bank, specializing on Conventional, FHA and VA home loans.  David is also an instructor for the National Association of REALTORS® teaching the Military Relocation Professional Program, the President of Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals Chicago Chapter, and recently appointed by the Mayor to be a Member of the Advisory Council on veterans for Chicago Commission on Human Relations.

FURHAD WAQUAD

ABR, AHWD, BPOR, CIPS, CRS, E-Pro, GREEN, GRI, MRP, PSA, SFR, SRES, TRC

Furhad is a Past-President of the Michigan Association of REALTORS®, a Past NAR Regional Vice President and has led NAR international leadership positions. He is actively involved in REALTOR® organizations across the country, including: NAR Federal Political Coordinator to
United States Senator Debbie Stabenow (MI), NAR International Faculty, 2019-2020 NAR REALTOR Party Trustee-Campaign Services, 2013 Chairman National Association of REALTORS®, the Global Business Alliances Committee, the 2009 NAR President’s Liaison to International Operations & Second Home Real Estate Group and more. He has been recognized as Michigan’s REALTOR® of the Year and Michigan’s REALTOR® Active in Politics.

“I appreciate how Mr. Waquad presents the information and shares short stories with us on how the topics can be applied to real life. He is also very open to answering any and all questions in a way that none of us feel silly for asking.”

TAFT WEST

Essentials of Property Management

Taft West began his real estate career in the late 1970’s as an Assistant Manager trainee at a high-rise market-rate development. He went on to gain experience managing condominiums, affordable housing and public housing. After he received his broker’s license in 2001, he began working with Community Investment Corporation (CIC) where he eventually moved from a contract trainer in the Property Management Training Program to Director of Property management Training in 2007. Today, he is the Vice President of Technical Assistance and Sustainability for the Chicago Community Loan Fund.

The Chicago chapter of the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) awarded Taft its annual Premier Education Award in 2009 for outstanding commitment to enhancing the education of the Property Management Industry. In 2013, The Metropolitan Tenants Association of Chicago awarded Taft its “TENANT CHAMPION AWARD” in recognition of his support and commitment to Chicago’s tenants. The Association of Illinois Real Estate Educators (AIREE) recognized Taft as the 2013 Educator of the Year “in recognition for his outstanding dedication to real estate education.” Only one real estate educator per year in Illinois is honored with this designation. Taft attended University of Illinois and Roosevelt Universities.

Student Testimonials

“Taft West is an excellent instructor with a vast knowledge of property management and real world experience.”

“Mr. West is very knowledgeable. I would attend any class with him as a teacher.”

Marki Lemons Ryhal

EAH, E-Pro, SRS, ABR, Continuing Education, Future-Proofing Your Real Estate Business

One of 100 speakers selected out of over 1,300 to speak at the REALTOR® Conference & Expo eleven times (face-to-face and virtually) with high program evaluations and an INMAN Closing Keynote Speaker. Marki Lemons Ryhal is a licensed Managing Broker, REALTOR®, avid volunteer, Major Investor, President’s Circle, Federal Political Coordinator, Podcast Host of Drive with NAR & Social Selling Made Simple, 30 times published author, and 6X International Best-Selling Author. Marki Lemons Ryhal is dedicated to all things real estate. With 30+ years of marketing and education experience, Marki has taught over 1,000,000 people (face-to-face and virtually) since 1993.
Marki holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from Chicago State University, a Master’s in Business Administration from Saint Xavier University, and sixty-five real estate-related licenses, certifications, and designations.

pamela brookstein

Pamela Brookstein works for Elevate Energy a mission-based organization that designs and implements energy efficiency programs. Pamela has a background in sustainability and educating the real estate community. She brings these interests together in the classroom to create an encouraging, dynamic, and content-rich learning experience. Pamela believes strongly that agents that can become trusted advisors on the topics of energy efficiency and solar and use this knowledge to increase their business and stay at the center of the transaction. As more homebuyers think about things like indoor air quality, total cost of ownership, and living more lightly on the planet, this becomes a crucial skill for agents.

don martin

Don Martin began his real estate career in 1979. Shortly after that he began teaching in Arizona. He has extensive background in real estate law, contracts, and ethics. He managed real estate firms with over 1,000 affiliated licensees, developed dozens of courses and has taught over 100 real estate courses each year for the past ten years. His expertise and dedication to the field have earned him several awards in three associations. Over the last 25 years, Don has served as past president and on numerous committees of local and state associations. He also sat on the National Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors from 1986 – 1990 and was the President of the Arizona Association of REALTORS® in 1987.

His career as a real estate educator has covered ethics and professional standards, fair housing, agency, contracts, and several risk management topics for hundreds of REALTORS® across the country. He is a certified mediator, professional standards consultant and an expert witness on broker standard of care and procuring cause issues.

“Instructor was knowledgeable, patient and encouraged questions.”

chris pezza

Chris Pezza is currently the VP of Operations for Miller Chicago, LLC. His experience includes over 12 years of Investment Sales and Property Management on over 3,500 units. Chris is a past board member for the Chicago Association of Realtors and stays active with the Illinois Realtors and the National Association of Realtors as a committee member. He obtained his Masters of Real Estate from Roosevelt University in 2018.

tom schurer

Tom started in the appraisal business in 1994 and has owned and operated a residential appraisal firm in the Chicago market since 1997. Tom has appraised over 10,000 pieces of real estate and supervises as many as 40 appraisers. Tom’s focus has always been on quality and this is evident by his loyal customers. Tom has mentored 15 licensed or associate appraisers; all of which are now certified and still active. He has always believed in teaching appraisers the right way to approach the business and the manner in which to complete a quality report. Tom is certified in both Illinois and Wisconsin. Member affiliations include Illinois Coalition of Appraisal Professionals (since 1999), Past President of Illinois Association of Certified Real Estate Appraisers (IACREA), The Chicago Association of Realtors (since 1996) and Collateral Risk Network (CRN).

SCOTT SIEGEL, MBA

Scott is an award-winning broker whose career in real estate has spanned more than 25 years and has covered virtually every facet of real estate from banker, investor and principal to property manager, developer and contractor.

He is a licensed Illinois Managing Broker, a licensed Real Estate Continuing Education Instructor and the author of: “How to Analyze & Underwrite Apartment & Mixed-Use Buildings Like a Pro; Using The Tools you Already Have in Your Pocket.”

Presently, Scott is the owner of EGP Realty, a full-service, boutique-style brokerage and advisory firm. In addition, he is the COO of GMP Development, an MBE certified design-build general contracting firm and, in 2017, he co-founded GMP Labs A Workforce Development & Vocational Training Academy where he serves as both Chief Administrative Officer and Board Chairman.

JOSE VALDOVINOS

As Regional Renovation Manager for loanDepot, Jose Valdovinos has had the distinct privilege to share his passion for renovation lending for over two decades! Training hundreds of Real Estate professionals on the many benefits of financing almost any home, in almost any condition with one loan is where Jose’s passion lies. A father of 5 (who never sleeps), born and raised on the North side of Chicago – Jose gives back by speaking at underprivileged schools on the importance of good money habits, credit and positive attitude. Jose also devotes his time as a Board Member at NAHREP (National Association of Hispanic Real Estate) who’s mission is to advance homeownership for all.