Koki Adasi Plays Major Role at NAR Annual Conference
Koki: I believe the first issue is education. We’re in an industry where we have so many options on where we hang our license and where we do our business, and depending on who’s your mentor or who’s the managing broker in your office really depends on the education you’re going to get in this business. It’s important that we’re advised properly as we help clients with one of the biggest decisions in their lives. Also, with the change in technology over the past few years, I believe our business has changed and our role as a REALTOR® /advisor has changed as well. Consumers have so much more information, and we need to understand our role, not just as someone who can bring you listings, because buyers can find that anywhere, but someone who will help you navigate through the process, negotiate, and go through contracts…so just being more of an advisor in the process is important. CAR: Do you think a national leadership position with NAR is in your future?
Koki Adasi, GCAAR Board Member GCAAR Board Member Koki Adasi stepped onto the national REALTOR® stage last month at the National Association of REALTORS®’ (NAR) 2013 Annual Conference and Expo in San Francisco. Capital Area REALTOR® sat down with Koki at his Long & Foster office in Silver Spring to chat with him about his recent accomplishment. CAR: First of all, congrats on being selected NAR’s 2013 Meetings and Conference Co-Chair. That was quite an honor. What made you want to pursue this position? How did you get selected? Koki: Some of the NAR leadership approached me about taking on this position. I was a bit apprehensive at first because I thought I wouldn’t be able to handle the time commitment, but after I thought more about it, I decided to do it. CAR: What were your major duties in this role? Koki: I had to attend three meetings, the first being in January, which was a two-day meeting, and everything else was done pretty much via email and conference calls. I could not attend the January meeting, because my son had just been born, so I participated via Skype. My duties included coordinating with the entire committee to figure out all of the details for the conference, from keynote speakers, to entertainment, to inspirational speaker…going through things from previous conferences, deciding what classes our members wanted to have, choosing the instructors, room monitors…there are a lot of details that go into it. Deciding the theme and what that will look like is also a big part of it. The committee’s role is to debate and figure out what we’re going to do, and then the staff implements based on our recommendations and the President of NAR’s approval. Throughout the course of the year there were meetings between myself and Steve Goddard (Committee Chair), and the other committee members. We also had to respond to feedback that we got along the process. CAR: How long have you been in the business? What made you choose real estate as a profession? Koki: I’ve been in the real estate business now for seven years. Prior to real estate I did accounting at Clark Construction and also sold life insurance. I wasn’t fulfilled in either position and knew there was a better career out there for me. I had a close friend who I played basketball with and he continually tried to convince me that being a REALTOR® was the way to go. Well, he was right. CAR: What do you think are the most pressing issues facing REALTORS® today?
Capital Area REALTOR®
Koki: I have definitely thought about getting involved on the national level. I think the biggest consideration for me right now is that I’m planning to have more children in the future. I need to make sure that I have time to support my family and spend time with them and also grow my business. I want to make sure that any other responsibilities I take on at a national level will still allow me the time to support those things that are very important in my life. I can see it in the future; I don’t know if it will be two years or 20 years, but I can definitely see that in my future. Having this experience for me was very, very powerful. The last year and a half I have been in Toastmasters, which has helped tremendously. Going through this process as Co-Chair of this committee and speaking in front of thousands of people gave me a lot of confidence and showed me that I can step up to the plate, be a leader, and fulfill a role. It was a great experience for me and will open up a lot of doors for me whether at the national or state level. I am grateful to have had this opportunity and I look forward to what the future has in store.
TRANSPORTATION UPDATE COUNTYWIDE TRANSIT PLAN APPROVED BY MONTGOMERY COUNTY COUNCIL
The Montgomery County Council unanimously approved the Countywide Transit Corridors Functional Master Plan at the end of November. The Plan establishes the routes and proposed station locations for a Rapid Transit System (RTS) covering 82 miles with 110 stations, not including the already planned Corridors City Transitway (CCT). This is a huge win for residents and the economic future of the County. When completed, this innovative transportation solution will help ease traffic congestion, allow for the growth of local businesses, and increase the County’s economic tax base. GCAAR has supported the development and implementation of the RTS since its inception and will continue to work with the Council as it reviews funding options for the project.
Serving the Business Needs of OUR Professionals
Tom Street, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Montgomery County, with GCAAR members Peg Mancuso, Bonnie Casper, and Harold Huggins
2013 2013 November - December
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