Over a thousand members gathered in Austin in February to connect with colleagues and attend to association business. This year’s meeting included sessions to promote professional growth, such as AI applications for commercial real estate, issues related to MLS data, and property financing in Mexico. Attendees also received regulatory updates, information on forms changes, and the latest legislative news.

Chairman Christy Gessler welcomed attendees to the Opening Session, where retiring CEO Travis Kessler and his wife, Shelley, discussed milestones and advice with the association’s officers. Incoming CEO Mike Barnett and his wife, Heidi, then joined the discussion to talk about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

2026 Leaders Elected

The Board of Directors elected Deborah Spangler of Montgomery as Texas REALTORS® Secretary/Treasurer and Tony Lloyd of Lubbock as Texas REALTORS® Chairman-Elect. Jennifer Wauhob of Houston was affirmed as Texas REALTORS® Chairman. Christy Gessler 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 – Chaille Short, Houston
  • Region 14 – Bob Christian, 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.

You Are the Champions!

Members, programs, and local associations were honored for outstanding work in 2024.

  • Lehman Local Board Governmental Affairs Achievement Award for outstanding grassroots involvement: Collin County Area REALTORS®
  • The Texas REALTOR® Strike Force Award: 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 for Association Executives: Gilbert Gonzalez, San Antonio Board of REALTORS®
  • Texas REALTORS® Good Neighbor Award: Kent Redding, Austin Board of REALTORS®
  • Texas REALTORS® Diversity Recognition Award: Greater Fort Worth Association of REALTORS®, San Antonio Board of REALTORS®, Greater McAllen Board of REALTORS®, Austin Board of REALTORS®, and MetroTex Association of REALTORS®
  • Texas YPN REALTORS® to Watch: Katherine Nebel, Spring; Miriam Valencia, Houston; Preston Davis, Sherman; Naquay Dunbar, Houston; Kayla Sorrell, Houston; Jose Nieto, Houston; Randi Houston, Katy; and Rick Ramirez, MetroTex.

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

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:

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

Texas REALTOR® of the Year

Cindi Bulla of the Amarillo Association of REALTORS® was honored as the 2024 Texas REALTOR® of the Year. Bulla’s experience and leadership have been instrumental at the local, state, and national levels.

“I wake up each day with a new opportunity, not only to change and enhance my own life, but more importantly to help make that happen for clients,” said Bulla. “Entrepreneurship is terrifying, and it really doesn’t get any easier, but it’s the most rewarding and truly fun and invigorating way to make a living.”

Bulla’s journey into real estate began with a clerical job at a bank when she was a single mother in her twenties. She progressed to become an agricultural specialist and loan officer, eventually moving to Amarillo to work with a savings and loan, and then the Resolution Trust Corp. and FDIC disposing a large portfolio of commercial loan projects throughout the U.S.

“The logical next step for me was to pursue a career in lending, construction, and real estate,” said Bulla. She became a REALTOR® in 1999 and opened her own brokerage in 2006.

Since then, Bulla has served as the chairman of the Amarillo Association of REALTORS® in 2012, chairman of Texas REALTORS® in 2020, and countless other volunteer leadership positions.

“The real estate profession has been a transformational force throughout my life,” said Bulla. “I have met lifelong 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.”

Bulla encourages her fellow REALTORS® to take on leadership roles to ensure the member vision is carried out. “It will be the hardest but most rewarding contribution you can make to your profession and yourself.”