The Texas REALTORS® 2025 Winter Meeting was a success! Over a thousand members gathered in Austin to connect with REALTORS® across Texas and attend to association business.  

This year’s meeting included educational sessions, panels, and forums to promote professional growth, such as practical AI applications for commercial real estate, leadership development, issues related to MLSs and data, and property financing in Mexico. Attendees also received regulatory updates, information on forms changes, and the latest legislative news. 

Opening Session

Chairman Christy Gessler welcomed attendees to the Opening Session, followed by remarks from NAR President Kevin Sears, who called Texas REALTORS® the envy of REALTOR® associations everywhere. Retiring CEO Travis Kessler and his wife, Shelley, discussed milestones and advice with the association’s officers. Among his reflections, Kessler expressed pride that the association’s leaders do everything as a team. Incoming CEO Mike Barnett and his wife, Heidi, then joined the discussion to talk about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.  

You Are the Champions!

Texas REALTORS® honored members, programs, and local associations for their work in 2024. 

  • Lehman Local Board Governmental Affairs Achievement Award for outstanding grassroots involvement: Collin County Area REALTORS®
  • The Texas REALTOR® Strike Force Award, presented to individuals who show extraordinary dedication to grassroots advocacy, were: Diana Barnett, Fort Hood; Sandra Breedlove, Collin County; Amy Hanson, Collin County; Chad Hovde, Bryan College Station Regional; Brenda Job, Jasper; Ken Kiel, Four Rivers; Olivia Kiritsy, Lufkin; Carie McNeil, Permian Basin; Kelly Rudiger, Collin County; Jeff Varnell, MetroTex; Taylor Walcik, MetroTex; Sharon Williamson, Longview
  • Grassroots Advocate of the Year: Jeff Varnell, MetroTex Association of REALTORS® 
  • Richard Miranda Global Achievement Award: Adrian Arriaga, Greater McAllen Association of REALTORS® 
  • Education Program Awards: 
    • Innovative Program of the Year: Texas Contract Program, San Antonio Board of REALTORS® 
    • Marketing Program of the Year: There’s No Place Like Home, Houston Board of REALTORS®  
    • Series or Short Program of the Year: Agent Etiquette 101, Danielle Tucker Shepard of Fort Hood Area Association of REALTORS® 
    • Legal Program of the Year: Right Here, Right Now, Austin Board of REALTORS® 
  • Educator of the Year: Shelyna Tinglin, Collin County Area REALTORS® 
  • Tom D. Morton Award: Gilbert Gonzalez, San Antonio Board of REALTORS® 
  • Texas REALTORS® Good Neighbor Award: Kent Redding, Austin Board of REALTORS® 
  • Texas REALTORS® Diversity Recognition Award: Austin Board of REALTORS®, Greater Fort Worth Association of REALTORS®, Greater McAllen Board of REALTORS®, MetroTex Association of REALTORS®, and San Antonio Board of REALTORS®

The Texas YPN REALTOR® to Watch recipients included Naquay Dunbar, Houston; Kayla Sorrell, Houston; Preston Davis, Sherman; Miriam Valencia, Houston; Randi Houston, Katy; Rick Ramirez, MetroTex; Jose Nieto, Houston, and Katherine Nebel, Spring.  

The Texas Accredited Commercial Specialist (TACS) Scholarship recipients included Aaron Sowemimo, Houston; Audrey Munoz, San Antonio; Shonda Strives, Irving; Porsha Burns, Plano; Narcippa Teague, Metrotex;  Lorena Decanini, Frisco and Hanayya Shah, McKinney.  

Big Congratulations to the 2024 Texas REALTOR® of the Year! 

During the STARs Reception Monday night, Cindi Bulla of the Amarillo Association of REALTORS® was honored as the 2024 Texas REALTOR® of the Year.

Bulla’s experience and leadership has been instrumental at both local and national levels. In addition to being the Chairman of Texas REALTORS® in 2020, Bulla served as Chairman of the Amarillo Association of REALTORS® in 2012, as well as countless other volunteer leadership positions.

“The real estate profession has been a transformational force throughout my life,” said Bulla. “I have met life-long friends through becoming involved in the Amarillo community and have also been honored to advise so many clients in their homeownership journey from start to finish.” 

Board of Directors Actions

The Board of Directors elected Deborah Spangler of Montgomery as 2026 Texas REALTORS® Secretary/Treasurer and Tony Lloyd of Lubbock as 2026 Texas REALTORS® Chairman-Elect. Jennifer Wauhob of Houston was affirmed as 2026 Texas REALTORS® Chairman. Jef Conn will serve as Immediate Past Chairman, and Mike Barnett will round out the Leadership Team as President and CEO.   

The following Texas REALTORS® were elected as regional vice presidents for two-year terms beginning December 1:

  • Region 1 – Donna Sue Clements, Lubbock
  • Region 3 – Paula McDonald, Granbury
  • Region 3 – Elizabeth McCoy, Greater Fort Worth
  • Region 4 – Robin Mata, Greater Texoma
  • Region 4 – Bob Baker, Collin County
  • Region 8 – Kriston Wood, Five Points
  • Region 11 – Jeremy De La Garza, Corpus Christi
  • Region 12 – Jeff Varnell, MetroTex
  • Region 12 – Ashley Gentry, MetroTex
  • Region 12 – James Martin, MetroTex
  • Region 13 – Traci Hasslocher, San Antonio
  • Region 13 – Sara Briseño Gerrish, San Antonio
  • Region 13 – Marquis Williams, San Antonio
  • Region 13 – Kim Bragman, San Antonio
  • Region 14 – Mario Arriaga, Houston
  • Region 14 – Cathy Trevino, Houston
  • Region 14 – Theresa Hill, Houston
  • Region 14 – Kat Robinson, Houston
  • Region 14 – Challie Short, Houston
  • Region 14 – Bob Chistian, Houston
  • Region 15 – Jay Gohil, Austin
  • Region 15 – Brandy Wuensch, Austin
  • Region 15 – Becky Debutts, Austin
  • Region 15 – Emily Bibby, Austin
  • Region 16 – Shy Rodriguez, Greater El Paso
  • Shannon Cobb Evans of Houston, was elected, effective immediately, as an RVP in Region 14 to fill a vacant position elected to serve immediately. 

Robert Wright of Austin was presented with the association’s Distinguished Service Award, recognizing 45 years of commitment to the REALTOR® Organization and his community. Wright, who has volunteered in some capacity every single year since 1992 said, “Always give back, because the profession has been good to us. Service is something we all should do.”  

Two local association executives were recognized for earning the REALTOR® Association Certified Executive (RCE) designation and for their outstanding contributions to the REALTOR® association and the members in their areas:   

  • Laura Tilley of the Heartland Association of REALTORS® 
  • Ana Casanova of Greater Lewisville Association of REALTORS®. 

Check out photos from the event.