Please select a Committee to learn more.
COMMITTEES
Howard County Association of REALTORS®
Our committees exist to help create and facilitate a close connection between HCAR's REALTOR® members and Preferred Partners, in order to provide the consumer with outstanding service and products.
The following are the committees currently accepting applications, in alphabetical order:
Ambassadors Committee
Purpose: To support membership growth and retention. Visits offices to inform members of upcoming events, legislative issues, and educational opportunities. Educates the membership on the value of RPAC and assists in RPAC fundraising.
Time Commitment: Attend office meetings as needed.
Eligibility: This committee is comprised of HCAR Past Presidents and is by appointment only.
Strategic Plan Pillar(s): Communications
Staff Liaison: Sarah Rayne
Awards Committee
Purpose: To determine the winners of HCAR's annual local industry awards. Establishes criteria for HCAR's awards, sends out an annual call for entries, evaluates submissions, and prepares a final list of recipients.
Time Commitment: Meets 1 to 3 times per year.
Eligibility: This committee is comprised of past award winners and is by appointment only.
Strategic Plan Pillar(s): Association Development
Staff Liaison: Danielle Jacob or Mikesa Ponder
Broker-Manager Committee
Purpose: To help HCAR’s Brokers and Managers stay informed and provide input on key industry issues. The committee promotes and strengthens Broker-Manager involvement in HCAR by providing a networking opportunity for sharing useful ideas, successes, and challenges. The committee also plans and executes the annual HCAR Broker Luncheon.
Time Commitment: Quarterly meetings (1 hour/quarter), and potentially other meetings as needed. Attendance at Broker Luncheon (2 hours/year).
Eligibility: HCAR Brokers and Managers only.
Strategic Plan Pillar(s): Professional Development & Education | Association Development
Chair: AJ Javed | Corner House Realty
Vice Chair: Mike Mravca | Blue Hour Realty
Staff Liaison: Robin Lewis
Broker/Manager Committee Roster
AJ Javed
Mike Mravca
Joe French
Suzi
Padgett
Gene Sementilli
Donnell Spivey
Gwendolyn Wynn
Henry Yawson
Budget & Finance Committee
Purpose: To recommend HCAR's annual proposed budget. Delivers a proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year to the HCAR Board of Directors. Monitors adherence to the budget.
Time Commitment: Meets 5 to 6 times per year.
Eligibility: This committee is by appointment only.
Strategic Plan Pillar(s): Association Development
Chair: Malaika "Angel" Tyler | eXp Realty LLC
Vice Chair: Tony Zowd | Coldwell Banker Realty
Immediate Past Chair: Caitlin McKenna | Long & Foster Real Estate
Staff Liaison: Sarah Rayne
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
Purpose: To promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within HCAR and the communities we serve by promoting equal opportunity and cultural diversity within the association’s membership engagement and leadership recruitment. This committee creates initiatives to encourage an association culture that embraces and celebrates our differences.
Time Commitment: Monthly meetings (1 hour/month), and potentially other meetings as needed. Attendance at DEI Committee events (3 hours/year), and possible homework in between committee meetings (2 hours/month).
Eligibility: All HCAR members in good standing.
Strategic Plan Pillar(s): Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) | Community Engagement
Chair: Carlton Stephenson | Long & Foster Real Estate
Vice Chair: Angela Ignacio | RE/MAX Advantage Realty
Immediate Past Chair: Cleaveland Smith | Compass
Staff Liaison: Mecca Dickens
DEI Committee Roster
Carlton Stephenson
Angela Ignacio
Cleaveland Smith
Mike Blum
Amylex Conteh
Piet de Dreu
Cassandra De Leon
CasSandra Dorsey
Joy Epps
Candice Gale
Karen Gilbert-Smith
Stephanie Handy
Robbyn Harris
Terence Healy
Mohammed Khadeer
Tracy King
Carlene Randolph
Taylor Sevik
Shehzeen Shams
Gwendolyn Wynn
Shah Zaman
Education Committee
Purpose: To provide members with educational and training resources to advance their careers and meet their CE requirements. This committee identifies and suggests topics and speakers for Continuing Education, NAR designations, non-CE classes, workshops, and seminars.
Time Commitment: Monthly meetings (1 hour/month), and potentially other meetings as needed. Possible homework in between committee meetings (2 hours/month).
Eligibility: All HCAR members in good standing.
Strategic Plan Pillar(s): Professional Development & Education
Chair: Robin Wilson | Long & Foster Real Estate Inc.
Vice Chair: Bill Bloom | Embrace Home Loans
Immediate Past Chair: Anita Kestel | My Transaction Co.
Staff Liaison: Rita Williams
Education Committee Roster
Robin Wilson
Bill Bloom
Anita Kestel
DJ Biswas
Ginny Carroll
Vivian Clark
Arielle Davis
Piet de Dreu
Amandalores Everett
Robert Garner
Terence Healy
Karen Kennard
Michelle Mathews-Kalinock
Steve Mueller
Colleen Middleton
William Nolen
Kate Revelle
Vondell Richmond
Karen Tamalavicz
Angel Tyler
Fair Housing Committee
Purpose: To educate and advocate for the interests of all consumers as it relates to housing opportunities. This committee creates programs and content to make sure REALTORS® and consumers are aware of Fair Housing Laws. This committee also provides connections to national, state, and local Fair Housing resources available to consumers across all income levels, and creates and executes programming for Fair Housing Month in April.
Time Commitment: Monthly committee meetings (1 hour/month), and potentially other meetings as needed. Possible homework in between committee meetings (2 hours/month).
Eligibility: All HCAR members in good standing.
Strategic Plan Pillar(s): Community Engagement | Professional Development & Education
Chair: Joy Epps | Exit Results Realty
Vice Chair: Michelle Williams | HomeSmart, LLC.
Immediate Past Chair: Kimberly Smrek | Movement Mortgage
Staff Liaison: Rita Williams
Fair Housing Committee Roster
Joy Epps
Michelle Williams
Kimberly Smrek
Quajalyn Amos
Anne Cooke
Angela Ignacio
Michelle Pennington
Carlton Stephenson
Forms Committee
Purpose: To ensure HCAR’s local forms are opened for review in response to legislative or regulatory requirements or significant changes to either market conditions or to industry best practices. This committee reviews the association’s current standardized forms and makes recommendations on revisions, creates new forms as needed, and ensures all members are made aware of forms and changes.
Time Commitment: Meetings are held on an “as-needed” basis (1 hour/month). Possible homework in between committee meetings (2 hours/month).
Eligibility: All HCAR members in good standing.
Strategic Plan Pillar(s): Association Development
Chair: Gene Sementilli | Century 21 New Millenium
Vice Chair: Norma Hall-Morris | Keller Williams Realty Centre
Immediate Past Chair: Robin Wilson | Long & Foster Real Estate Inc.
Staff Liaison: Robin Lewis
Forms Committee Roster
Gene Sementilli
Norma Hall-Morris
Robin Wilson
DJ Biswas
Vivian Clark
Amandalores Everett
Cory Flere
Robert Garner
Angela Ignacio
Karen Kennard
Suzi Padgett
Nate Titman
Charmaine Wellington
HCAR Cares Community Outreach Committee
Purpose: In coordination with HCAR Cares, this committee focuses on promoting HCAR's community outreach efforts. It encourages member participation in local events such as food drives and volunteer days to address community needs, and organizes projects to benefit the community and enhance the image of REALTORS®.
Time Commitment: Meetings are held on an “as-needed” basis (1 hour/month). Possible homework in between committee meetings (2 hours/month).
Eligibility: All HCAR members in good standing.
Strategic Plan Pillar(s): Community Engagement
Co-Chair: Donna Weaver | VYBE Realty
Co-Chair: Heather Shai | Bridge Title Group
Vice Chair: Jose Gutierrez | Bayshore Mortgage Funding
Staff Liaison: Mikesa Ponder
HCAR Cares Community Outreach Committee Roster
Donna Weaver
Heather Shai
Jose Gutierrez
Christine Basham
Scott Bergartt
Crista Chianese
Tanya Clayton
Nicole Cruz
Mike Davidson
Ramsey Davies
Arielle Davis
Michelle Dean
Alicyn DelZoppo
CasSandra Dorsey
Robin Edgemon
Joy Epps
Karen Gilbert-Smith
Brooke Goldfond
Norma Hall-Morris
Mia Hunter-Pappas
Donna Johnson
Jamie Lenes
Jennifer Lewis
Erika Madden
Jasmine Madiou
Michelle Mathews-Kalinock
Rachel Oslund
Suzi Padgett
Michelle Pennington
Carlene Randolph
Gina Schramm
Cleaveland Smith
Karen Tamalavicz
Dionne Wainright-Powell
Legislative Committee
Purpose: To review state and local legislation, create the public policy positions of HCAR, and influence legislation at the state and local levels. This committee monitors local issues and activities impacting the industry and homeownership, participates in county or state task forces and stakeholder meetings, and promotes member relationships with elected officials. This committee also informs HCAR members of new laws and pending legislation, plans HCAR’s legislative events, and reinforces the relationship between advocacy efforts and investing in RPAC.
Time Commitment: During the Legislative Session of the Maryland General Assembly (January-April), this committee meets weekly, on Monday mornings (2 hours/week). The committee meets monthly for the remainder of the year (1 hour/month). Committee members commit to attending Maryland REALTORS® Lobby Day (6 hours/year), HCAR Legislative Events (3 hours/year), and legislative hearings (3 hours/year), as needed.
Eligibility: All HCAR members in good standing.
Strategic Plan Pillar(s): Advocacy & Government Affairs
Chair: Cory Flere | The KW Collective
Vice Chair: Tony Zowd | Coldwell Banker Realty
Immediate Past Chair: Steve Miller | Cummings & Co. REALTORS®
Staff Liaison: Mecca Dickens
Legislative Committee Roster
Cory Flere
Tony Zowd
Steve Miller
Mike Blum
Anne Cooke
Patricia Fuller-Taylor
Molly Gilbert
Rich Green
Stephanie Handy
Robbyn Harris
Bryce Jackson
Laura-Lee Jones
Shirley Matlock
Suzi Padgett
Joshua Palagyi
Joe Phillips
Vondell Richmond
Nate Titman
Gwendolyn Wynn
Henry Yawson
Nominating Committee
Purpose: To propose a slate of officers and directors for appointment to the HCAR Board of Directors. Interview and selects one candidate for each place to be filled on the Board of Directors, prior to the annual election.
Time Commitment: Interviews candidates (4 to 8 hours). Meets 2 to 3 times annually.
Eligibility: This committee is by appointment only.
Strategic Plan Pillar(s): Association Development
Chair: Piet de Dreu | Corner House Realty
Staff Liaison: Sarah Rayne
Preferred Partner Outreach Committee
Purpose: To help create and facilitate a close connection between HCAR’s REALTOR® members and Preferred Partners, in order to provide the consumer with outstanding service and products. This committee provides valuable networking, partnership, and collaboration opportunities for HCAR’s REALTOR® and Preferred Partners through networking events and education. This committee also maintains Preferred Partner engagement and expands the Preferred Partner Network by recruiting new members.
Time Commitment: Monthly meetings (1 hour/month), and potentially other meetings as needed. Possible homework in between committee meetings (1 hour/month).
Eligibility: All HCAR members in good standing.
Strategic Plan Pillar(s): Association Development | Communication
Chair: Nicole Cruz | Transforming Architecture
Vice Chair: Bryce Jackson | Union Home Mortgage
Immediate Past Chair: Anita Kestel | My Transaction Co.
Staff Liaison: Danielle Jacob
Preferred Partner Outreach Committee Roster
Nicole Cruz
Bryce Jackson
Anita Kestel
Stephanie Handy
Don Hott
Joe Phillips
RPAC Committee
Purpose: The purpose of the REALTOR® Political Action Committee (RPAC) is to protect our industry through the financial support of REALTOR® friendly candidates and issues campaigns at the local, state, and federal level. The RPAC Committee promotes an understanding of RPAC’s benefits and initiatives, plans and hosts fundraising events, and interviews candidates for local office and recommends endorsement decisions to the Board of Directors
Time Commitment: Monthly meetings (1 hour), and potentially other meetings as needed. Attend and promote HCAR RPAC and Legislative events (10 hours/year) and, in election years, interviews candidates for office (8 hours/year).
Eligibility: All HCAR members in good standing.
Strategic Plan Pillar(s): Advocacy & Government Affairs
Chair: Caitlin McKenna | Long & Foster Real Estate
Vice Chair: Angel Tyler | eXp Realty LLC
Immediate Past Chair: Jimmie Jennings | Century 21 New Millennium
Staff Liaison: Mecca Dickens
RPAC Committee Roster
Caitlin McKenna
Angel Tyler
Jimmie Jennings
Cory Flere
Shirley Matlock
Steve Miller
Nate Titman
Tony Zowd
Young Professionals Network Committee
Purpose: To identify networking opportunities, tools, resources, and community service opportunities for real estate professionals who are new to the industry. This committee selects themes, topics, speakers, and locations for yearly events, while also soliciting and securing sponsors for events.
Time Commitment: Monthly meetings (1 hour), and potentially other meetings as needed. Attendance at YPN Committee events (2 hours/event), and soliciting speakers and sponsors (4 hours/year).
Eligibility: All HCAR members in good standing.
Strategic Plan Pillar(s): Professional Development & Education | Community Engagement
Chair: Joseph Brandli | Pillars to Post
Vice Chair: Paula Amaker | Keller Williams Realty Centre
Immediate Past Chair: Amylex Conteh | Northrop Realty
Staff Liaison: Danielle Jacob
Young Professionals Network Committee Roster
Joseph Brandli
Paula Amaker
Amylex Conteh
Greg Boucher
Molly Gilbert
Bryce Jackson
Yagnesh Mehta
Dontay Moore
Taina Peters
Vondell Richmond
Leighton Tinkew
Charmain Wellington
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