Texas Association of REALTORS® installs officers, outlines priorities for 2017

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Texas Association of REALTORS® (TAR) installed its 2017 officers last month during the Texas REALTORS® Conference in Galveston. The incoming officers, including Chairman Vicki Fullerton of The Woodlands, Chairman-Elect Kaki Lybbert of Denton, Secretary/Treasurer Tray Bates of Corpus Christi and Immediate Past Chairman Leslie Rouda Smith of Dallas, have more than a century of combined leadership experience within the Texas real estate industry and their local communities.

"The demand for Texas real estate is strong and enduring, and it's an incredibly exciting time to work in our industry," said incoming Chairman Fullerton. "Texas' diverse economy continues to be a magnet for relocating families and job growth, while the Texas real estate industry is a key driver in job growth across the state."

With well over 100,000 Texas REALTORS® across the state, TAR has experienced record membership growth in 2016 and has continued to advocate for Texas property owners after the passage of statewide Proposition 1 last fall, which permanently banned real estate transfer taxes. The association is actively educating private-property owners across the state on hidden property taxes—increases in property taxes due to skyrocketing property appraisals even when tax rates are lowered or remain unchanged.

Fullerton continued, "TAR remains on the front lines of ensuring Texas remains a great place to live, work and do business. In the upcoming legislative session, you can count on Texas REALTORS® to advocate for policies that protect the rights of private-property owners and strengthen our economy."

Incoming Chairman Vicki Fullerton is a broker with RE/MAX in The Woodlands & Spring. Fullerton is a committed leader who brings more than 38 years of real estate experience to her role. She is Immediate Past chair of the Realtor Party Trustees for Campaign Services and serves as the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) federal political coordinator to U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady, chairman of the ways and means committee. Vicki is the 2014 state representative on the REALTORS^® Political Action Committee (RPAC) Major Investor Council. In 2011, she chaired the NAR Issues Mobilization Committee. Fullerton served as regional vice president on the TAR Executive Board from 2004 to 2013 and was a TREPAC trustee from 2010 to 2014. She served as chairman for the Montgomery County Association of REALTORS^® in 1992, president of the Lone Star CRS chapter in 1999, and chairman of the Houston Association of REALTORS^® (HAR) in 2009. She was recognized by HAR as REALTOR^® of the Year in 2006.

Kaki Lybbert of Century 21 Judge Fite in Denton is the incoming Chairman-Elect for TAR as well as chairman of the Major Investor Council for NAR. The youngest daughter of a family that was steeped in the construction business, she obtained her real estate license in 1995 and has been an associate of Century 21 since 1998. She has consistently been one of the top producers of her company. Lybbert gives her time and resources to her profession and her community, serving on many committees and boards throughout Denton/Wise County. She has served in many roles throughout the REALTOR^® organization, including chairman of TREPAC in 2012 and on the 2016 RPAC Fundraising Forum for NAR.

Incoming Secretary/Treasurer Tray Bates is the president and broker/owner of Bates Commercial LLC. A third-generation commercial real estate broker, Bates has provided real estate services throughout Texas since 1993. Recognized for his outstanding service in the real estate industry, Bates was named REALTOR^® of the Year by the Corpus Christi Association of REALTORS^® (CCAR) in 2009 and served as chairman of CCAR in 2011. A founding member of the South Texas Commercial Association, Bates served as president in 2012 and 2015. He has been a member of the TAR Board of Directors since 2009 and is a current member of the NAR Commercial Committee.

Immediate Past Chairman Leslie Rouda Smith is a broker with Dallas-based Dave Perry-Miller & Associates and will be the 2017 regional vice president for NAR, representing Texas and Louisiana. A dedicated member of the REALTOR^® organization, Smith served as president of the Collin County Association of REALTORS^® in 2012 and as vice president for NAR in 2013. She has chaired and served on more than 20 TAR committees, task forces, and work groups, including serving four years as TREPAC trustee. Smith currently serves on the Board of Regents of REALTOR^® University and on the national Advisory Council for RPR (REALTORS^® Property Resource).

The installation ceremony took place on Sept. 8 at the Galveston Island Convention Center. More than 500 Texas REALTORS® and industry dignitaries attended the Installation, led by master of ceremonies John Smaby, 2017 First Vice President for NAR.

About the Texas Association of Realtors
With more than 100,000 members, the Texas Association of REALTORS® is a professional membership organization that represents all aspects of real estate in Texas. We advocate on behalf of Texas REALTORS® and private-property owners to keep homeownership affordable, protect private-property rights, and promote public policies that benefit homeowners. Visit TexasRealEstate.com to learn more.

CONTACT: Danielle Urban
Pierpont Communications
512-448-4950
[email protected]

SOURCE Texas Association of Realtors