May 2024 - SPEAKERS

Chris Kelly

Executive Vice President

Chris Kelly is the Executive Vice President of HomeServices of America. Kelly helps navigate HomeServices and its 46,000+ agents operating across the United States. He is a 20+ year veteran of the real estate industry, starting his career as a financial services attorney before joining HomeServices in 2007. Kelly is deeply committed to supporting the growth of every real estate leader and professional. He has served on the National Association of Realtors Real Estate Services (RES) Advisory Board since 2019, was designated by RISMedia as a 2020 Trailblazer and 2021 Luminary for the real estate industry and was named as a Top Executive in the Swanepoel Power 200 for 2021 and 2022.

Brooks Jeffery

Professor Emeritus of Architecture

R. Brooks Jeffery is Professor Emeritus of Architecture in the College of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape Architecture (CAPLA) with an emphasis on Heritage Conservation. Since 1988, his teaching, research, and outreach projects have advanced heritage conservation as part of a comprehensive ethic of environmental, cultural, and economic sustainability throughout the world, including the Middle East, Latin America, and the American Southwest.   At CAPLA, he has also held the positions of Associate Dean, Chair of the Heritage Conservation Graduate Program, and Director of the Drachman Institute.  

Janos Wilder

James Beard award winning chef/owner

On Sept. 28, he’s putting his apron back on, firing up the stoves and getting back to what he loves most: Cooking. But his new venture, Studio Janos, isn’t a restaurant. “You can’t call up for a reservation for two,” he said. But you can reserve a private dinner for two, where Wilder will “be cooking and plating right in front,” he said, creating “exceptional experiences for my guests.” Studio Janos is a 600-square-foot nook on the first floor of the VFW Loft Apartments, 124 E. Broadway, where Wilder will delve back into every thing that the James Beard Award-winning chef loves about food.

Rajeev Sajja

Senior Vice President of Digital Marketing and Innovation

Rajeev Sajja has been with the company since 2001 and has held roles in the technology and e-Business arena within the company. As Senior Vice President of Digital Marketing and Innovation, he manages the company’s marketing technology initiatives. He is also responsible for the implementation and ongoing enhancements of ACE, the Agent Center for Excellence and BHHS Connect, a productivity platform designed to help agents improve their productivity and increase their personal income. He is an active member of the Diversity Leadership Council (DLC) that came together in October 2020 to further the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives for the company.

Jeannette Maré, PhD

Founder Ben’s Bells Project, Director of the Science of Kindness Community Collective

Jeannette Maré (pronounced Mar-ay) is the Director of the Science of Kindness Community Collective at the University of Arizona. Her path to becoming a community-engaged kindness researcher was a long and winding one. Jeannette’s world changed drastically after the sudden death of her son in 2002. In the incredible grief of losing Ben, learning and sharing about the lifesaving, world-changing power of kindness became her sole focus. With her heart broken open, she founded Ben’s Bells, a nonprofit that inspires and teaches the intentional practice of kindness. Now a research professor at the University of Arizona, Jeannette leads a research collaborative exploring how to increase kindness in interpersonal relationships, organizations, and communities.

Marc Davison

co-founder 1000Watt

Marc has spent much of his career helping brands both inside and outside of real estate reach deep within and say something authentic and new. He entered real estate in 1998, when he contracted with Inman News to help build their brand and market their services. That’s where he met Brian Boero. Together they formed an incredible creative bond that led to the launch of 1000watt in 2007. Marc’s 40 years of brand-building experience has helped many real estate companies discover their true brilliance and differentiation. He’s a proven speaker who can take an audience on an engaging journey inside the workings of a brand agency and reveal the hidden secrets of how to build a lasting and loved brand.

Doug Levy

Chef/ Owner

Tucson chef Doug Levy has been crying since March 2020. He and his loyal crew have been providing meals to pandemic-affected factions once a week since then. “I have never left one delivery without tears in my eyes. It feels so good to impact the lives of people who are hungry.” A recent morning found the Feast owner/executive chef driving a delivery to the Downtown Motor Court, home to low-income/inrecovery veterans and one of three establishments run by Compass Affordable Housing. “We’ve gone to hospitals, Primavera Men’s Shelter, fire departments and Sister José Women’s Center.” For every 250 meals that donors fund, Doug contributes another 50 meals.

Rebecca Safford

owner

Rebecca Safford is the co-owner of Tap & Bottle, Tap & Bottle North and Westbound in Tucson, Arizona. Rebecca left a ten year career in Higher Education to pursue small business development and ownership with her husband, Scott Safford. Tap & Bottle Downtown opened in June 2013 and 4 years later, Tap & Bottle North opened its doors. Westbound soon followed in May 2018 inside the MSA Annex. Rebecca works with local organizations like Living Streets Alliance, 4th Avenue Coalition, Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Tucson City Council members to help continue to grow and highlight what is special about Tucson. 

Rebecca Taylor

news anchor, KOLD

Rebecca Taylor anchors KOLD’s midday shows, 13 News at 9 a.m. and News 13 at 12 p.m.

Rebecca is passionate about local investigative journalism and connecting with digital audiences.

Previously, Rebecca worked for KCBS and KCAL the CBS-owned duopoly in Los Angeles as an anchor and reporter, KTVK in Phoenix, and has spent many years in the Tucson market.

Rebecca was born in Ojai, California but considers Tucson her hometown. She holds degrees from both University of Arizona and Arizona State University.

Kevin Kaplan

COO

Kevin Kaplan is the Chief Operating Officer at Long Realty Company, southern Arizona’s leading real estate company and a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Since joining Long Realty in 2008, Kevin has been recognized as an industry leader and innovator. In 2012 Long Realty Company was recognized as the Most Innovative Brokerage by Leading Real Estate Companies of the World. Kevin has 20 years of experience in the real estate industry in marketing, technology, and business management. Prior to joining Long Realty Company, Kevin was Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for ForeclosureRadar.com, Senior Vice President for Century 21 M&M and Associates, and Director of Marketing for both Century 21 Real Estate Corporation and Cendant Corporation.

Valeria Flores

REALTOR

Valeria is a Tucson Native and a licensed Realtor in the State of Arizona. When working with Valeria you can expect to have a remarkable experience with her 10+ years of Customer Service and Business background. Valeria specializes in First Time Home Buyers and makes their clients dream home come true and strives in making their impossible into possible.

Sonya Lucero

REALTOR

Sonya has been in the Real Estate industry for 12 years and what her clients will tell you is that her attention to detail, customer service orientation and her constant communication make her stand out from the rest. Her goal? To create an outstanding experience for her clients. Whether first time home buyers, seasoned home purchasers or investors, you’re in great hands

Matthieu Smith

REALTOR

Hello, my name is Matthieu Smith. I was born right here in Tucson, AZ, at St. Joe hospital. I have lived here most of my life. Tucson has always been home to me. Every time I have moved away even just to Phoenix, I could not wait to get home. 

Now for the real estate stuff! I’m always ready to answer your questions and provide the information you need to make good real estate decisions. My goal is to provide outstanding real estate experiences that will make you think WOW what a smooth transaction. I want you to hear someone talking about real estate and think of me. My goal is to do such a fantastic job for you; you don’t hesitate to refer me! I will forge a solid relationship with you, built on trust. As your local real estate professional, I have the connections, negotiating expertise, tools, and support at my disposal that take my ability to sell your home or help you buy that perfect place.

Korey Schultz

REALTOR

Korey Schultz became a Realtor and Associate Broker because I wanted to help people navigate the most significant moves of their lives while also giving back to the community.

Prior to real estate, Korey worked in the nonprofit field, where he witnessed the struggles of people who could not control their housing costs.  This led me to earn my Real Estate License in 2018. Since then, Korey has coordinated more than 100 clients’ moves while giving back to the community – whether through my Free First-Time Homebuyer Community Education Workshops, volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters,  supporting organizations like The Loft Cinema, working with the Board of Trustees at the Tucson Museum of Art, supporting local theater productions like the Shakesqueer festival,  mentoring youth with Boys to Men Tucson or sponsoring grassroots organizations like the Splinter Collective or Alley Cat Murals.

Since 2018, Korey’s career and passion have been helping people secure stable housing through home ownership, providing community education and helping community members manage their next big move.  Korey’s proud have been a top 3% agent in Arizona for the past 2 years.

Allie Pastore

Owner & CEO - The Alder Group

Meet Allie, Owner & CEO of The Alder Group, a top 2% ranked Real Estate Team in Southern Arizona. With a native’s insight into Tucson’s market, Allie blends sarcasm with professionalism, creating a unique and successful approach to real estate.

Partnered with Deric, The Alder Group stands out for more than just its rankings. Allie’s distinct style- a fusion of humor and expertise, makes real estate transactions not only efficient but also enjoyable.

Beyond the world of real estate, Allie serves on The Care Fund Advisory Council, reflecting a commitment to community and philanthropy. This dual focus on professional success and social responsibility defines Allie’s dynamic approach to business and life.

Rooted in a unique background, Allie grew up helping their dad on a ranch in Craig, Colorado. This early experience instilled a strong work ethic and a deep appreciation for hard work, values that continue to shape Allie’s success in the real estate industry.

In her hands, The Alder Group is more than a real estate team; it’s a testament to personalized, strategic, and successful property transactions. With sharp wit, a commitment to excellence, and a heart for community, Allie continues to redefine success in Southern Arizona’s real estate landscape.

 

Deric DiCamillo

Co-owner & COO - The Alder Group

Deric DiCamillo, co-owner and COO at The Alder Group, a top-performing real estate team in Tucson, AZ, is a proud native Tucsonan with a passion for cycling along the picturesque Tucson Loop. In addition to his real estate expertise, Deric is a skilled guitarist and serves as the professional in-house videographer for The Alder Group, bringing a creative flair to their projects. As COO, Deric’s strategic leadership and artistic contributions make him a driving force behind The Alder Group’s continued success.

aaron wilson

REALTOR

Most of Aaron Wilson’s childhood was spent in Denver Colorado and various locations around the world. He
voluntarily devoted 20 years to the United States Air Force while being a part of the Search and Rescue
community. Aaron has also spent the vast majority of his career forming and building teams. By using Team
Integrity, they bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise about buying and selling real estate. They also understand that staying on top of technology and the latest trends bring value to the customer.

Drew Smith

REALTOR

Drew is a former Air Force Flight Engineer who was stationed at Davis-Monthan AFB in 2014. After 4 deployments and over 1000 flight hours, he separated in 2017 to pursue a full-time career in Real Estate. Drew now runs Honest Offer, an investment company focused on buying properties all cash, as well as Veteran Trusted Real Estate Network which is a Residential Real Estate Team with 6 members. 

Bridgett Baldwin

real estate broker

Bridgett Baldwin, with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Arizona Properties in Tucson, Arizona leads a successful team of full-time real estate professionals, bearing an uber-original name: The Tucson Agents. Bridgett started her career in real estate shortly after the birth of her son in late 2009. She gained traction in this exciting time through listing and selling foreclosures, giving her extensive transactional experience as a brand-new agent. Since then, she has moved from team member to team founder, from tenant to homeowner, from Licensed REALTOR® to Associate Broker and from boy mom to teenager mom. She is passionate about her people, providing mentorship on client relationships and creating a business built on integrity. They host frequent charity happy hour events with agents across brokerages, collecting physical donations for various causes in the Tucson community. Bridgett enjoys quality sleep, travel with her son, the NYT crossword, yoga and jigsaw puzzles in all of the spare time she creates for herself. (haha)

Damion Alexander

REALTOR - The Damion Alexander Team

Damion Alexander is a distinguished realtor boasting an impressive 28-year tenure with Long Realty. While his professional accomplishments are noteworthy, his impact extends far beyond the realm of real estate. Recognized as the Bike Advocate of the Year for Pima County, Damion has spearheaded comprehensive cycling advocacy efforts, elevating Tucson’s cycling community to new heights. His commitment is evidenced by the meticulous curation of the most extensive Ride, advocacy, volunteering and event calendar for cycling in the Southwest. With an unparalleled passion for cycling, Damion’s expertise transcends traditional boundaries, encompassing everything from the hundreds of miles of single track , road routes, mural tours, coffee, and beer rides. While selling real estate full time he puts more miles traversed on a bike than in a car, Damion’s dedication to both pedal and property defines his unparalleled presence within the real estate and cycling spheres alike.

Zach Yentzer

Vice President of Business Advocacy

Over the last decade, Zach has been intentional to work at the intersection of workforce and economic development, and neighborhood and housing policy to shape an inclusive, innovative future for Tucson. Prior to coming on board with the Tucson Metro Chamber, his recent professional roles included Executive Director of Tucson Young Professionals (growing membership and financial resources by nearly 1,000%), host of Tucson daily talk show “Tipping Point” on AM 1030 KVOI The Voice, and Director of Operations for local coffee company Savaya Coffee Market. In the community, Zach has served on a number of boards and committees including the Downtown Neighborhoods and Residents Council and the Downtown Tucson Partnership Board. In 2019 Zach was named Tucson’s 40 Under 40 Man of the Year, and is a 2020 Flinn-Brown Fellow, a statewide network of people committed to solving Arizona’s toughest challenges.


MAY 2024 - AGENDA

Registration Begins at 8:15am

Program Starts at 9:00am

National Real Estate Trends

Chris Kelly, Executive Vice President, HomeServices of America.

Tucson Is on The Map as a City of Gastronomy - Panel Discussion

Panelists, Doug Levy (Feast), Rebecca Safford (Tap & Bottle), Janos Wilder (Studio Janos/City of Gastronomy). Moderated by Rebecca Taylor, news anchor KOLD.

Discover Tucson’s Architecture

Brooks Jeffery, Professor Emeritus of Architecture, University of Arizona.

Agent Panel Sharing - Breakout Sessions

  • Creating an Effective Social Media Presence

    Allie Pastore, Realty Executives Arizona Territory, The Alder Group - Korey Schultz, Long Realty Company - Valeria Flores, Realty One Group Integrity - Bridgett Baldwin, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Arizona Properties, The Tucson Agents.

  • Selling Tucson – Communicating the Tucson Lifestyle

    Damion Alexander, Long Realty Company, The Damion Alexander Team - Sonya Lucero, Realty Executives Arizona Territory, Your Home Team - Zach Yentzer, Tucson Metro Chamber

  • Talking Stats

    Deric DiCamillo, Realty Executives Arizona Territory, The Alder Group - Matthieu Smith, Long Realty Company, Tucson Real Estate Group - Aaron Wilson, Keller Williams Southern Arizona, Team Integrity - Drew Smith, Keller Williams Southern Arizona, Veteran Trusted Real Estate Network

Lunch

Thriving in a human-enabled AI-powered world

Rajeev Sajja, Senior Vice President of Digital Marketing and Innovation, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach, REALTORS®

Building Kind Communities

Jeannette Maré, PhD, Founder Ben’s Bells Project, Director of the Science of Kindness Community Collective at the University of Arizona

Marketing and Branding Conversations with Marc

Marc Davison, co-founder 1000Watt and Kevin Kaplan, COO, Long Realty

Happy Hour! - 4:30pm