Our Experts

Our Real Estate Experts

Amber Burke

Amber Burke received her real estate license in 1996, and Associate Broker license in 2021. Because she was so young when she got into real estate, she felt she had a lot to learn, so she took every class she could. Early in her career, Burke received several designations, including ABR, GRI, and CRS. She was recognized in REALTOR Magazine 2002 as one of the “30 Under 30.”

In 2009, she received her local association’s “Realtor of The Year” award, as well as the Women’s Council of Realtor’s “Businesswoman of the Year” award. Burke has served on many local and state board committees, and served as 2019 President for the Utah Central Association of Realtors She loves getting involved in the community, especially volunteering with Habitat for Humanity.

Amy Adams

Amy Adams is a seasoned real estate professional with a diverse history in the industry. She is a broker, licensed since 2007, bringing over 17 years of experience to her clients and students. Amy's dedication to her craft is evident in her pursuit of continuous education and professional development. She holds a Certified Distance Education Instructor (CDEI) and a Gold Standard Instructor (GSI) certification, demonstrating her commitment to maintaining the highest standards in real estate education.

Throughout her career, Amy has developed a passion for helping aspiring real estate professionals achieve their goals. She leverages her extensive knowledge and experience to provide comprehensive and engaging instruction, ensuring her students are well-prepared for success in the competitive real estate market. Amy's teaching philosophy is centered on practical, real-world applications of real estate principles, empowering her students to confidently navigate their careers.

Amy is an active broker who stays current with market trends and industry developments. This dual role enhances her ability to deliver relevant and up-to-date information to her students. Her dedication to excellence in real estate education has made her a respected and influential figure in the field.

In addition to her professional achievements, Amy is known for her approachable and supportive teaching style. She is passionate about fostering a learning environment where students feel valued and motivated to excel. Her commitment to her students' success is unwavering, making her a trusted mentor and educator in the real estate community.

Amy Chorew

Amy Chorew is a national real estate trainer experienced at helping managers and agents maximize the infinite opportunities that technology offers them. Chorew brings her talents to The CE Shop’s online curriculum, sharing her knowledge of the industry, progressive technology outlook, and risk management skills. Her unique ability to translate complex topics into easy to understand language has made her a consistently top-rated trainer throughout the country.

Chorew's expertise in the area of social networking and the tremendous impact it is having on the industry has given agents and brokers the tools necessary to move from traditional marketing to web 2.0 marketing. She shows agents how to effectively and prudently use online video, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, blogs, podcasts, and other multi-media tools to capture today’s buyers and sellers.

Bill James

Bill James has been a real estate appraiser for more than 40 years. He holds an MBA degree from the University of Denver in Real Estate and Construction Management and the MAI appraisal designation from the Appraisal Institute. His company, James Real Estate Services, conducts appraisals and market studies on a wide variety of rural, residential, commercial, and investment properties.

James has taught appraisal courses at the University of Denver, the University of Colorado, the Denver Metropolitan Commercial Association of Realtors, and the Colorado Association of Realtors.

James has been an active member of the Appraisal Institute, serving as Chair of the General Appraiser Council and the Admissions Appeals Board, a member of the Board of Directors, the Regional Ethics and Counseling Panel, and the Appraisal Standards Council.

BJ Rosow

BJ has held a Brokers License for 36 years. He is the President of Rosow Education and a Broker Associate for Rosow REALTORS^®. His family has been involved in real estate for 91 years since his grandmother started her company in 1927.

BJ's career teaching real estate started in 1981, and he has since written training manuals and curriculum for numerous real estate schools and firms. He was also a regular guest lecturer at The University of Texas at Austin. In addition to real estate, BJ is a successful entrepreneur, having built a 60-million-dollar company from the ground up.

Brandy Hill, PhD

Brandy is a Florida real estate broker, course developer & instructor who holds a PhD in Public Administration from the University of Central Florida. In her current role as school director for Degree Real Estate Academy, Brandy draws on nearly two decades of experience in real estate. Having launched a thriving real estate school and enjoyed successes in her brokerage business and real estate investments, Brandy now finds herself drawn to helping others build up successful careers.

Brandy serves on the Communications Committee for the national Real Estate Educators Association (REEA), is Gold Key Certified through Orlando Regional REALTOR Association (ORRA), has earned the Graduate, REALTOR Institute (GRI) designation, and has authored pre-license, post-license, core law, ethics & continuing education courses approved in Florida. She is continually learning and finding new ways to deliver engaging real estate education courses to license applicants as well as seasoned professionals.

Brent Maybank

Brent Maybank has been a REALTOR^® since 1999 and a principal broker since 2004. Since starting his real estate career, Maybank has served on the Board of Directors for his local association and state association, as well as for his Regional MLS. Maybank became a certified instructor in Tennessee by both the Tennessee Association of REALTORS^® and the Tennessee Real Estate Commission in 2006. He is still very active with his local and state associations and teaches continuing education classes throughout Tennessee. He also serves as the Educational Director to over 700 agents in his firm.

Charlie Alfortish

A New Orleans native, Charlie Alfortish has been working with real estate professionals since 2001. Over the years, he’s taught and lectured across Louisiana on topics ranging from real estate and entrepreneurship to management styles and cultural diversity in the workplace.

Charlie brings more than just textbooks to his presentations — he mixes deep industry knowledge with sharp wit and integrity. He’s a Certified Louisiana Real Estate Pre-License Instructor, as well as an instructor and subject matter expert with The CE Shop.

He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and his MBA in Technology Management from the University of Phoenix. From 2007 to 2023, Charlie was on the faculty at Delgado Community College, where he developed a real estate curriculum concentration. He also earned his Distance Education Instructor certification from the International Distance Education Certification Center® in 2008.

Even after retiring from Delgado in 2023, Charlie has stayed active in real estate, sharing his expertise through presentations at REALTOR® boards and The CE Shop. In August 2025, he returned to the classroom as an adjunct instructor at Nunez Community College, where he teaches real estate pre-license courses.

Cheryl Hilton

After a 14-year health and welfare insurance career, Hilton’s entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to service led her to pivot into real estate. Recognizing disparities in the industry she created the Greater Hartford Association of Realtors Bridge Committee, Connecticut’s first and longest-running real estate diversity, equity, and inclusion committee. In 2016, she and a committee member championed the reintroduction of Fair Housing Education as a mandatory, in-person continuing education requirement, earning her The Connecticut Fair Housing Empowering Communities Award.

In 2020, Hilton shifted her focus to continuing education curriculum creation and instruction. She was the key content creator and played a pivotal role in developing the groundbreaking course “Understanding and Preventing Bias in your Real Estate Practice,” which she taught to over 8,000 real estate licensees in 2021. Her impact extended beyond real estate. Hilton served two consecutive terms on the Greater Hartford Association of Realtors Board of Directors, two consecutive terms on the Connecticut Board of Directors served as a Commissioner of The Southington Housing Authority. In 2021, she received the prestigious Realtor of The Year award from the Greater Hartford Association of Realtors.

Chris Tierney

Chris Tierney began his career in Property/Facility Management in 1999 as an on-site member of a multi-family property management company. He worked his way through the ranks over the years, moving from an on-site supervisory role to a regional portfolio lead, followed by managing a national portfolio. He has been a licensed managing broker since 2006 and maintains the role of managing director for an independent real estate office.

Tierney holds nearly two-dozen licenses, designations, and certifications within various real estate concentrations and stays engaged with multiple associations throughout the U.S. He is currently a licensed instructor and university adjunct faculty member teaching real estate, property management, and facility management-related courses to adult learners. Tierney prides himself on supporting other real estate professionals and our military members as a training manager in the Air National Guard.

David Barber

Licensed in 2006, David is a highly experienced REALTOR® and real estate educator with RE/MAX Leaders. A certified instructor since 2011, he has taught a wide range of courses across Colorado, including the Annual Commission Update, NAR Code of Ethics, Fair Housing, and Redlines Contract Changes. Known for his deep industry knowledge and engaging teaching style, David is a trusted resource for both new and seasoned agents.

With designations including CRS, GRI, ABR, and MRP, he brings real-world expertise into every classroom, helping elevate professional standards across the industry. Beyond teaching, David has held leadership positions at every level of organized real estate—serving as President of the Colorado Association of REALTORS® (2015), Director for the National Association of REALTORS® (2015–2021), and incoming NAR Region 11 Vice President (2026).

He also serves on the Board of Directors for REcolorado and contributes to industry policy through his work with the CREC Forms Committee and a past Rules Recodification Task Force. A graduate of the University of Michigan with a background in broadcast journalism, David combines a passion for education with a strong commitment to professional excellence and community involvement.

David Forward

David is a transplanted Englishman who has lived in the U.S. since 1973. He first became a Realtor^® in 1988 and has won numerous awards for sales achievement, along with being named Realtor^® of the Year and was a national winner of the Good Neighbor Award from the National Association of Realtors^®.

As a licensed broker-salesperson, real estate instructor, and real estate school director for Garden State Real Estate Academy in New Jersey, continues to be actively involved in real estate education. David has written 15 books, including the textbook, Fundamentals of New Jersey Real Estate.

David Rosow

David Rosow is a licensed real estate broker in Texas and has been a REALTOR^® since 1973. Throughout his long career in real estate, he has specialized in Residential, Commercial, Leasing, Training, and has managed several offices for a non-franchised agency. David is a third generation REALTOR^®, and his grandmother started their company in 1927. David is a CDEI (Certified Distance Education Instructor) and has been the V.P. of Professional Development for several large real estate companies.

David has been very active in the local board of REALTORS^® and the Texas Association of REALTORS^®. He has held several positions of responsibility in each organization. In addition to teaching at real estate companies, David has taught at several proprietary real estate schools. In the late 1970s, David started a real estate proprietary school in San Antonio. Presently David is CEO of Rosow Education and Rosow REALTORS^®. David and his wife Deri live in San Antonio. They have three children, five grandchildren, and one great-grandson.

Dee Young

Dee A. Young - Broker/Trainer/Mediator/Negotiator. An active Indiana Independent Real Estate Managing Broker, Young is experienced in all aspects of general real estate practice. She is a Right-Of-Way Negotiations/Acquisitions Specialist/Consultant for the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), engaging in government/public purchase of private property. Young's a member of MIBOR REALTOR^®Association, the Real Estate Education Association (REEA), the Indiana Association of Mediators (IAM), and a Founding Member of the Indiana Real Estate Independent Brokers Association (IREIBA).

Young holds multiple designations and certifications including, National Association of REALTORS^®(NAR), GRI, CRS, ABR, AHWD, BPOR, e-PRO, PSA, MRP, and SFR, is a Graduate of the Indiana REALTORS^®Leadership Academy, and a Master Certified Negotiation Expert^®MCNE. An NAR Certified Mediator since 2012, she serves on Professional Standards Committee of MIBOR as an Arbitration Panelist and Mediator. A former 10-year member of Toastmasters International, Young was honored as the Greater Indiana Toastmaster of the Year and earned her DTM Distinguished Toastmaster designation.

Young recently joined The CE Shop, Inc as the Indiana Instructor of Record and Subject Matter Expert (SME). She is an Indiana Real Estate Licensing Pre/Post and Continuing Education Instructor, The RENI Instructor-Indiana for the Real Estate Negotiation Institute (RENI) and a Contract Trainer for REALTOR Property Resource^®(NAR RPR^®). Previously with the Real Estate Certification Program (RECP) and the International Right of Way Association (IRWA) as a CLIMB Certified^®Instructor, she’s taught in Indiana, Kentucky, Kansas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Young's special brand is "Info-Edu-Tainment" - Learning is so much better when it's fun!

Douglas Terry

Doug is a NCRE certified instructor and serves as the Instructor of Record for North Carolina in partnership with The CE Shop INC and the NCREC for pre and post licensing. He is a member of the North Carolina Real Estate Education Association as well as a member of the National Association of Real Estate Educators. He is also a certified distance education instructor and has his broker in charge certification for North Carolina.

Doug has over 30 years’ experience in adult education practices, delivery and course content development. He has spent the past several years teaching real estate principles to new licensees as well as supporting post licensing and continuing education for North Carolina brokers. Prior to getting involved in real estate education, he was a successful broker with a national firm in the Charlotte NC area. He served on the leadership council and was a certified Keller Williams master trainer. Doug was also Director of Agent Relations for Keller Williams Fort Mill SC and was responsible for new agent onboarding, education and licensing compliance.

Doug is a resident of Charlotte NC.

Elizabeth (Liz) Bowen

Liz is a dedicated real estate educator, author, and employing broker with a passion for developing the next generation of real estate professionals. She has been teaching real estate courses since 2005 and currently serves as an instructor at the Real Estate College of Colorado. Her teaching portfolio includes institutions such as Pikes Peak Community College, Kaplan Professional Schools, and American Dream Real Estate School, where she also served as Chief Operating Officer and Director of Pre-Licensing. In 2024, she authored the second edition of National Law and Practice, further cementing her reputation as a trusted authority in real estate education. She has also served as a GRI and ACU instructor for the Pikes Peak Association of REALTORS® since 2015, where she is known for making complex topics both accessible and engaging.

In addition to her work in the classroom, she is the owner of Liz Bowen Coaching, where she mentors agents at all stages of their careers. A licensed Colorado employing broker since 2009, she has managed and led brokerages including Red Bow Realty and CENTURY 21 Top Realty Group. She continues to contribute to the profession through service on key committees with the Pikes Peak and Colorado Associations of REALTORS®, and through leadership roles with the Women’s Council of REALTORS®, both locally and statewide. A graduate of the Pikes Peak and Colorado Association of REALTORS® Leadership Academies, she is deeply committed to raising the standard of professionalism through education, mentorship, and community involvement.

Gail Glassmoyer

Gail has been a leader and advocate for her students since 2015 instructing pre-licensing courses in MD and VA, as well as continuing education classes for both states. For Gail, it is personal that everyone walks away richer in knowledge after taking one of her classes. She has 20+ years’ experience as a recruiter; building relationships, networking, and connecting with people.

Gail owns her own company, Glassmoyer CMS a Career Mentoring Consultancy and is currently a VA Real Estate Board Pre-License Education Instructor.

Jill Malloy

Jill began her real estate career at 22 years old, becoming the managing broker of an office in the Washington DC metropolitan area by age 25. Two years later, she expanded her role to include professional development training for her multi-office brokerage firm, while continuing to sell real estate. Her passion for training and education led her to serve as the training director for three multi-office firms. With a solid background in sales, management, and education, she naturally transitioned to opening her own real estate education company, offering consulting and training services to real estate companies and REALTOR® Associations.

After 14 years as a "road warrior," Jill made the decision to settle back down at home and accepted a position as a training center director with a large firm in the Washington DC Metropolitan area, where she continued to write and deliver classes. Throughout her career, she has mentored and trained many real estate professionals in sales, management, and education.

At a stage in life when some might consider retirement, Jill joined The CE Shop as the National Real Estate Expert, a newly created position. In this role, she acts as a consultant to the instructional design team in the curriculum department, continuing to share her expertise. Jill has earned the Gold Standard Instructor and Distinguished Real Estate Instructor designations from the National Real Estate Educators Association, as well as the Certified Distance Education Instructor designation from the International Distance Education Certification Center. She is certified to instruct several professional development courses, including ABR, SRS, SRES, and other courses from The National Association of REALTORS® and its affiliated Institutes.

Jim Madgey

Jim Madgey had a 40 year career in education as a teacher, counselor, and administrator in the School District of Philadelphia. He has taught at the college level at Cheyney University and Bucks County Community College. His teaching experience included a year teaching in London England and being a mathematics team leader for a staff of 30 teachers. Since retiring to the Rehoboth Beach area Jim has successfully taught over 25 Real Estate Licensing and Brokerage classes with a 99% success rate. He began his real estate career in 2009, when he managed several rental properties. He had over $4,000,000 in sales during his last year as a fulltime Realtor®. Jim was designated The Educator of the Year by the Sussex County Association Of Realtors.

JoAnn Kokindo

JoAnn Kokindo has been a REALTOR^®since 1984. A lifetime top producer, she loves sharing her ideas and wealth of knowledge with others.

Kokindo has experience editing the Virginia Real Estate education textbook and has been teaching the Principals and Practice course for over 12 years. Her greatest joy is enabling her students to reach their top potential and many of her students consider her to be the best instructor they ever had. The Virginia Real Estate Board advocates for Kokindo and her expertise in the following fields: Abstracting, Appraisal, Brokerage, Business Law, Comm Lend, Contract Law, Econ, Feasibility Analysis, Finance, Investments, Land Plan/Use, Law, Math, Principals/Practice, Prop Law, Prop Mgmt, and Urban Dev.

Jodi Sherretts

Jodi began her real estate career at just 24, starting out in commercial property management and real estate development. After six years in the commercial sector, she transitioned to residential real estate with Keller Williams Realty, where she discovered a passion for helping clients navigate one of life’s biggest decisions.

After earning her broker’s license, Jodi launched her own boutique brokerage, which she successfully ran for 15 years before returning to independent brokerage work. Her experience building and leading a team sparked a deeper interest in education — teaching and mentoring her agents naturally evolved into a full-time teaching career.

Since 2016, Jodi has been a full-time real estate educator, teaching across Texas both in person and online. Drawing from her broad background in commercial, residential, and brokerage management, she offers practical, real-world insights that help agents succeed at every stage of their careers.

John Kraxberger

John has been a Principal Broker in Oregon for 35 years. During that time John has taken on many roles, giving him a wide range of knowledge and experience in all areas of real estate.

Managing Broker for 3 separate Real Estate Companies
Administrator of an Oregon real estate pre-licensing school.
Director of Training for 20 office Brokerage in Oregon
Instructor and Course writer for Windermere Professional Development Oregon
Oregon Subject Matter Expert for The CE Shop.
Continuing Education Instructor for Windermere Professional Development in Oregon.
Instructor of Record, Oregon, Washington and Nevada pre-license curriculum for a national real estate education provider.

John holds the CDEI designation from the International Distance Education Certification Center as a “Certified Distance Education Instructor”.

John Sylvia

John’s goal for his courses is that they are both informative and enjoyable. We will laugh a bit, learn a lot, and you will always feel that the courses you attended were worthwhile. He owns his own Real Estate School in North Carolina and is proud to also be associated with The CE Shop.

John has been training and developing people in business for most of his career. His Real Estate related experience began in 2000 when he was licensed and became a REALTOR^® in North Carolina and South Carolina. Since 2000 he has represented clients in real estate transactions and also taught development courses at his firm. John became a North Carolina Real Estate Commission instructor in 2017 teaching Pre-Licensing, Post Licensing and Continuing Education courses. He has also earned the CDEI (Certified Distance Education Instructor) designation.

Home ownership is the hallmark of the American Dream and John wants everyone who has a desire to be a homeowner to be successful in their pursuits. An excellent way to help homeowners is to teach prospective real estate Brokers how to help and protect homeowners in the purchase and sales process. John is passionate about educating prospective Brokers and helping them learn the laws, policies, and procedures in place to make everyone’s dream of homeownership a reality.

Johnell Woody

CDEI, CDPE, CNE, e-PRO, REALTOR^®

Johnell is a 40+ year veteran of the real estate industry with a history of teaching, training, and coaching successful real estate professionals.

As an experienced real estate associate broker, manager, instructor and coach, Johnell brings the perfect blend of real estate field experience and education to The CE Shop, She is just as dedicated to excellence in real estate education as she is to ensuring excellence in service to real estate customers and clients.

Johnell’s demonstrated skills in negotiation, sale of luxury property, real estate office management, recruiting, retention, coaching and communication, make her an incredible resource to The CE Shop and our students.

Julianna Giordano

Julianna Giordano is a proud Native Floridian from Miami Shores. She's a broker/owner for International Palms Realty/The Giordano Group of Pembroke Pines (Miami/Fort Lauderdale) and a part-time international speaker/instructor.

Giordano personally specializes in helping buyers and sellers in South Broward County, though her team sells everywhere throughout the Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, with referral connections throughout the state. As a Listing Specialist/Seller Representative, she is recognized for pricing properties accurately and helping sellers achieve top dollar. Her pricing strategies (as well as other articles) have been featured in national publications.

Giordano has been an adult educator for well over 20 years and has served her peers as a former Education Director, the Chairman of the International Committee, and as a member of Contracts, Governmental Affairs & Professional Standards Committees. She's very involved with both her local and state associations.

Giordano's agent training specialties include Risk Management, Negotiating, Contracts, and Core Technology. She also teaches Pre- and Post-Licensing, Core Law, and has a great reputation amongst her peers as one of the best new agent trainers in the industry.

Kent Strobel

After graduating with honors from the Citadel in Charleston, SC in 1968, Strobel began teaching in SC. In 1984, he received his real estate license and by 1987, he had become a real estate broker. He also owned and operated a manufacturing corporation from 1977 to 1995. In 1995, Strobel made real estate brokerage his full-time career. With the background in education, business, and real estate, it was only natural that he gravitated towards real estate education, so in 2001, he was certified by the South Carolina Real Estate Commission as an instructor. In 1997, he was among the first real estate brokers to earn the Accredited Buyers Representative Designation from the Real Estate Buyers Agent Council of The National Association of REALTORS ^®and in 2007, he became certified to instruct the ABR course. Strobel also earned his GRI in 1998. He brings a great depth of knowledge with respect to South Carolina.

Kevin Ogrady

Kevin has been involved in construction and real estate for more than 35 years. He majored in Residential Construction in high school. While attending Northeastern University for Business Management he co-founded a small construction company where they focused on small additions and remodeling projects. Later Kevin started a home inspection business that served MA, NH and RI

During the dot-com era, Kevin was intrigued with logistics and eventually became the Director of Distribution and Logistics responsible for identifying, securing and building out numerous distribution facilities for a computer reseller company. This required lease negotiations, office buildouts, warehouse and distribution center design and facility maintenance. He was responsible for multiple facilities in the US and the UK.

As with many of the dot-com companies, Kevin found himself closing facilities and laying off employees. It was at this time he decided to get into real estate sales (like so many others). Kevin took the opportunity to earn designations such as GRI (Graduate Realtor Institute) and SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) and E-Pro (teaches members how to effectively use real estate technology to increase business) just to name a few.

Understanding that it typically takes a new agent 3 years to build a book of business, Kevin decided he could not wait that long. He joined the Coldwell Banker New Homes Division where he worked as an on-site sales director. Within 3 years Kevin was promoted to Manager of the New Homes Division. He now manages The Premier Communities Division which was created through the merger of Coldwell Banker’s Urban Communities Division and The New Homes Division. Kevin works with Builders, Developers, Landowners, Investors, Lenders and Real Estate agents to identify, market, and sell, raw land, approved projects and manage on-site sales of residential new construction.

In addition to teaching pre-licensing, Kevin has conducted numerous seminars for First Time Home Buyers and for First Time Home Builders. He also created and teaches many continuing education courses, including his favorites Residential New Construction, and Modular Homes for real estate agents in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. He co-authored and teaches the Coldwell Banker New Homes Specialist course that trains agents in the sales of new construction.

Other real estate ventures include owning and managing rental property as well as renovating and flipping properties and is a trustee for a condominium association.

Currently, Kevin holds broker licenses in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

Larry Starbuck

GRI - Graduate REALTOR Institute
CRS — Certified Residential Specialist
CHMA — Certified Home Marketing Association
SRES — Seniors Real Estate Specialist
Oklahoma REALTORS^®
- Board of Directors 9 years
- Professional Development Committee 9 years
Oklahoma City Metropolitan REALTORS^®
- Education Committee 10 years
- Legislative Committee 3 years

Laurie Barrett

Laurie Barrett is a 27 year veteran of the real estate and mortgage industries and has experience on every side of the transaction as a Real Estate Paralegal, Title Insurance Manager, Loan Officer and Director of Business Development, Education and Recruiting. She is a certified Massachusetts Real Estate Instructor; a past member of the Cape and Islands Education Committee and a licensed Real Estate Broker in the state of Massachusetts. She now works as an independent real estate consultant, coach and Loan Officer in the state of Massachusetts; and has completed two NINJA Selling installations.

Born and raised in southern Massachusetts, Laurie is the proud Mom to son, Jeff, who is a Compliance Specialist for a Global Asset Management firm in Boston and she is also a former professional billiards player. When not immersed in real estate, Laurie enjoys many outdoor activities with her Golden Retriever, Lilly.

Lori Solecki

GRI, BPOR, PSA, E-Pro, SFR, TAHS, SRS

Lori has been a REALTOR® since 1994 and has been an independent Texas broker since 2012. She has served on the Board of Directors for MetroTex Association of REALTORS® and as a Regional Vice President and Director for TEXAS REALTORS®. She was also a member of the Educational Standards Advisory Committee through the Texas Real Estate Commission and has contributed to numerous committees and task forces throughout her career.

Lori teaches Continuing Education and Certification courses at her local board, other Texas boards, title companies, and brokerages. She has authored multiple curriculum courses, including co-authoring three TEXAS REALTORS® award-winning courses in the Professional Development category, and was honored as EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR by TEXAS REALTORS® in 2018. She has also taught Qualifying Education courses at Tarrant County College and serves as a subject matter expert for The CE Shop.

Lori is passionate about training and sharing knowledge with other real estate professionals. She is dedicated to helping agents grow their skills, implement best practices, and succeed in their careers while advocating for professionalism across the industry.

Mary Sand

Mary Sand, has spent 20+ years in the training field, in both the real estate and hospitality industry. She has been a course developer, trainer, director of training and speaker at a few conferences. In 2009, she graduated from ASU with a degree in communications. She started her real estate career in 2002, in 2004 became Director of Training and in 2007 was promoted to Branch Manager/ Director of Training. She has been training individuals to use software in relation to their career since before Microsoft had version numbers. Mary loves incorporating technology and multimedia in her training.

Certified ZipForm Trainer since 2004
Certified Ethics Instructor
Certified Microsoft Outlook Specialist
Speaker at AAR winter conference
Past President of the Arizona Real Estate Education Association
Serves on AAR’s Grievance Committee
Serves on ADRE’s Education Advisory Committee.

Maurice Taylor

Broker at Coldwell Banker RPM in North Little Rock Maurice is also a member of the Realtors Multi-Million Dollar Club recognizing him for outstanding sales performance. Twenty-four years in the real estate business, was named 'Realtor of the Year' by the North Pulaski Board of Realtors in 2008 and 'Realtor of the Year' by the Little Rock Board of Realtors in 2011. Has served on various leadership positions in the North Pulaski Board of Realtors, the Little Rock Board of Realtors, the Arkansas Realtors Association and the National Association of Realtors. A Past President of the Arkansas REALTORS® Association, and an elected official, currently serving as a member of the North Little Rock City Council. Maurice holds the following real estate certifications and designations GRI, ABR, SRES, CRS, CRB, SRS, GREEN, At Home with Diversity, Military Relocation Professional, Pricing Strategy Advisor, Short Sales and Foreclosure Resources, Real Estate Negotiations Expert. Maurice holds the following instructor certifications and designations CDEI, REEA GSI and DREI.

A retired Army Master Sergeant who served in the military for 25 years. During military service was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, two Army Accommodation Medals and an Army Achievement Medal.

Maurice’s passions are mentoring, community service and leading the charge for private property rights, homeownership and of course education. Loves reading and listening to books, podcasts, and music. Enjoys cooking and working out, but most of all traveling and hanging out with the family.

Michael S. Smith

Michael S. Smith AKA “Smit” was born in Berkeley, California and graduated from UC Berkeley in 1982 and John F. Kennedy Law School in 1989.

He started in the real estate industry in 1997 as a loan officer and for the next 18 years, worked as a loan officer for several banks. ”Smit” envisioned himself as being self-employed from the time he graduated from law school, so it made sense that he started his own mortgage company, Golden Bear Financial Corporation, in the Bay Area of California. His love of real estate, law, contracts, property management and negotiation propelled him into teaching in the mid-2000’s at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, California. In 2015, he and his wife moved to Woodinville, WA to be closer to their grandchildren. His experience in mortgage lending was a great transition into joining Windermere Northeast as a Managing Broker and his love of educating others led him in the direction of writing real estate courses for Windermere “PRO DEV” , The National Association of REALTORS ® and the states of Washington and Oregon. “Smit” became certified to instruct several certification and designation courses recognized by NAR®, including ABR, SRS, RENE and SRES. As an Ombudsman for the State of Washington, he has helped resolve many disputes between the public and real estate agents. In 2020, Smit became a real estate sales associate with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services in Scottsdale, AZ. “Smit” and his wife are “snowbirds” residing in both Woodinville, WA and Cave Creek, AZ where he practices real estate sales and instruction in both states. His goal: to continue the passion and enthusiasm in real estate beyond retirement!

Mickey Sanders

“Mickey” Sanders is a real estate educator who specializes in Colorado rules/regulations/contracts. Between 2004-2020, Mickey served as the Director of Realtor Training for two major title companies in the Denver, CO market. In that role, Sanders created and delivered educational programs and classes across all aspects of the mortgage and real estate professions including contracts, ethics, legal adjustments and modifications. Her understanding of the connection between these related fields allows her to help real estate licensees interact with professionals in order to provide high-level service to customers and clients in Colorado. With over 25 years in the field of real estate education, Mickey has served on q Education Committee-Colorado Real Estate Commission, instructed for local REALTOR® Association including Aurora, South Metro Denver and Denver Metro and has been appointed by the Governor to serve on the Board of Real Estate Appraisers.

Neal Pender

With nearly three decades in real estate, Neal Pender brings deep experience and an engaging, down-to-earth teaching style that sticks with students long after class. He launched his real estate career in July 1996 after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has since worked with some of the Carolinas’ most respected firms — including Allen Tate Company, Prudential Carolinas (now Better Homes and Gardens), RE/MAX, Keller Williams — and his own independent brokerage, established in 2018.

Teaching came naturally to Neal, and since 2018 he has instructed thousands of brokers through continuing education and specialty classes. His courses are practical, lively, and designed to resonate with today’s learners. Neal has also studied under leading real estate coaches, incorporating those insights into a modern, effective teaching approach.

Beyond the classroom, Neal has shared his expertise with fellow instructors, presenting on the use of technology to make online classes more engaging at the North Carolina Real Estate Educators Association (NCREEA) conference in 2022 — and returning for the 2025 conference. This focus on “teaching the teachers” reflects his passion for helping educators embrace innovative tools in the online learning space, a natural fit for The CE Shop’s Zoom-based courses.

At the heart of Neal’s approach is a simple mission: elevate ethics and professionalism in real estate while making learning enjoyable, inspiring, and practical for every student.

Rick Conley

SRES, GRI, ePRO, ABR, SFR, SRS, SRES, GREEN, HAFA, GRI, RENE

Rick has over 33 years of residential real estate experience. He is a REBAC Hall of Fame recipient by NAR for his contributions to the real estate industry. Rick is the leading instructor in Michigan for NAR/REBAC/REBI Designation and Certification Courses and networks with all Michigan Associations.

Prior to founding his school, Real Estate Education Services, Inc., Rick was Director of Education and in charge of an entire overhaul of residential real estate education for two large proprietary schools in Southeast Michigan (Real Estate One Academy and Metropolitan Consolidated Association of REALTORS^®) focusing on agent licensing, training, and on-going educational programs for all levels of sales agents.

Educational Accomplishments “Pathways to Success” and “Soaring Stars”: Two all encompassing, power packed real estate courses loaded with everything from A to Z including Agency, Forms and Procedures, Dialogue, Role-play practice demonstrations, Handling Objections and Coaching, Goal Setting, Code of Ethics, and Concepts and Theories relating to the Real Estate Practice.

Rick has written and developed an entire line of approved and certified courses such as:

Agency Relationships - Legal Update
Real Estate Negotiations and Legal Update
Quadrennial Code of Ethics
The Professional REALTOR^®- Legal Update
BPO – Broker Price Opinion
Land Contracts – Legal Update
Lease with Options – Legal Update
Legal Update 2017-2018
Fair Housing – Legal Update
Generations
Personality Traits Management
CMAs Pricing with Confidence
Win the Listing AND on Your Terms

Roger Truemper

Roger Truemper has an extensive and diverse legal background that brings a unique perspective in addressing and solving the needs of his clients. He practices in the areas of commercial and business transactions, residential real estate, commercial litigation, leasing, landlord-tenant, land use, and land development. Truemper believes it is important to work collaboratively with his clients and enlist a variety of legal disciplines to address both short-term and long-term goals. A frequent lecturer at real estate law seminars, Truemper has worked closely with advising local boards of REALTOR^®and realty companies. He has written real estate publications for the National Business Institute and the Delaware State Bar Association. When not practicing law, Truemper can typically be found outdoors – camping, hiking, and kayaking.

Roseann Farrow

With over 40 years in real estate sales, training, course development, management and consulting, Roseann personally has trained and coached thousands of real estate agents, managers, brokers and other trainers who are lifted by her passion, humor, high energy and dedication to the industry. A Realtor^® Emeritus, National REBAC & REBI trainer, a Master Instructor at the NY State Association of Realtors^®, she provides independent training, coaching and consulting nationwide as Roseann Farrow Seminars. She instructs her own courses as well as ABR, AHWD, CBR, CRB, GREEN, GRI, PSA, RSPS, SRES, SRS, ITI (Instructor Training Institute and CDW (Course Development Workshop), is a Certified Distance Education Instructor (CDEI), the NYS Liaison for The CE Shop and regularly helps many schools and publishers develop or review real estate courses and books that are widely used in the real estate industry. She resides 60 miles from Manhattan in New York’s Mid-Hudson Valley and hold an Associate Real Estate Broker’s license at Smitchger Realty in nearby Cornwall, NY.

Sharon Carstens

Sharon first completed real estate school in 1980 – immediately after turning 18! She became aware of her deep passion for teaching while facilitating FranklinCovey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” program to new employees of a large New Home builder years ago. Sharon specifically loves teaching material that brings a better life to her students and believes strongly that education in real estate will do that.

Having experienced success and happiness in many facets of the real estate industry – from New Homes and Resale to Property Management and Building a Brokerage – her diverse experiences have culminated in allowing her to teach relevant information that her students can use as they explore the many options for growth and prosperity in the industry, stating “Sharing my knowledge of real estate at this time of my life while helping others find happiness in theirs, creates the ultimate opportunity for me and I find joy in celebrating the successes of my students throughout their lives.”

Sharon holds a Gold Standard Instructor Designation from the National Real Estate Education Association, is a candidate for the Distinguished Real Estate Instructor designation and holds active real estate Broker licenses in Arizona, Colorado and Hawaii.

Sue Miranda-Rosensteel

CDEI, GSI

Sue Miranda-Rosensteel entered the real estate field in 1983 and has been specializing in real estate education ever since. Recently she joined The CE Shop as one of their National Real Estate Experts.

Sue says that Real Estate Education is her passion. She enjoys all facets of the field – from working one-on-one with students and instructors - to writing and creating courses that serve a purpose. She currently volunteers her time to serve on several boards: as a Director in the Association of Illinois Real Estate Educators (AIREE) and a Director/Secretary in the Real Estate Educators Association (REEA) and was recently accepted as a new committee member on the ARELLO board. She strongly believes it's her time to give back to the community and to help build the next generation of real estate licensees and educators.

Theresa Barnabei

Having over 35 years in the business world, the first half being dedicated to United Parcel Service and the back half devoted to real estate, Barnabei brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and practical advice to every presentation.She has mastered business management, real estate investing, REALTOR^® sales, and management of a highly profitable 150 agent office.She willingly shares her business and real estate savvy in every course she creates and presents.

As a school owner and national trainer, Barnabei has over 35,000 hours of live presentations. She is recognized as one of the most inspirational speakers in her field, focused on getting students to take action that will make a difference in their own lives.Her passion for real estate has afforded her the opportunity to be a presenter on behalf of NAR and for associations and brokers throughout the country, including four years as a Keller Williams BOLD Coach.

As a member of the national Real Estate Educators Association (REEA), she has served on the Board of Directors and is currently fulfilling her role on its Executive Committee. She also Co-Chairs and is lead instructor for REEA’s Gold Standard Certification IDW program, is the subject matter expert in Arizona for The CE Shop, and authored and hosts the Designated Real Estate Consultant online course.

As a published author, her bestselling book "Multiply Your Business" presents ten new marketing realities for the real estate industry and is bursting with ideas for a new era of lead generation.

Thom Brockett

Thom Brockett is a second generation REALTOR®, trainer, and business coach. A licensed broker in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., Brockett is a senior instructor for GCAAR, an adjunct professor at Montgomery College in Rockville, Maryland, and serves as a board member and treasurer of Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORS. He is a consultant and subject matter expert for The CE Shop and coaches and trains agents at all levels. Brockett has managed sales offices for several brokerages, including Long & Foster, W.C. & A. N. Miller, and Weichert REALTORS®. He is an Integrity© Business Coach, Buffini & Company Mentor©, and a NAUI & PADI certified Dive Master and Advanced Open Water SCUBA instructor. Brockett was part of the Buffini & Company Advisory Board for the 100 Days to Greatness^®program and was a featured Mentor in Buffini & Company’s Good Life magazine. He has contributed to various features in REALTOR^®magazine, served on GCAAR’s Grievance and Forms committees, and spent seven years as the Training Director for Long & Foster’s DC and Montgomery County Regional Training Centers. Prior to real estate, Brockett was the Manager of Training Principles and Design and Associate Marketing Director for an international training and consulting firm.

Todd Taylor

LeLynn Todd Taylor has been a REALTOR® since 2015 and a broker since 2020 in New Mexico. Todd is the second generation of the family-run real estate business in Roswell, NM. He has a well-rounded background in property management and residential properties. Since starting his real estate career, Todd has served on the Board of Directors and will serve as President for his local association in 2021. He also serves on the New Mexico Real Estate Commission Education Advisory Committee.

Tom Bain

Tom Bain has over 35 years of experience as a real estate salesperson and Broker in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. He is a member of the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors as well as the National Association of Realtors and the Minnesota Association of Realtors. He holds the GRI (Graduate Realtor Institute) designation and is also Old Home Certified. Tom spent 6 years as a member of the Minneapolis Real Estate Advisory Council. Tom has also conducted workshops for first-time homebuyers as well as workshops on his experience to his award-winning real estate office.

With a successful career in home sales, Tom is sought after for his expertise in marketing, ethics, inspections and contracts. His attention to detail and depth of knowledge as well as being a local industry leader puts him in high demand. His basic mission is to create and promote positive experiences for his customers and to provide insight and advice to communities seeking practical solutions to housing and development. He works to continuously change and innovate; and provide a fun, fulfilling, and respectful experience for every real estate transaction..

Vincent White

Vincent M. White, Realtor^®, is an Associate Broker with Patterson-Woods Commercial Properties LLC in Greenville De., and the Broker/Owner of Provest Realty Associates. He has more than 30 years of commercial and residential real estate experience.

His track record includes the sale-lease of commercial and residential development projects, including serving as the marketing/sales manager of the 36 million dollars Hope VI Village of East in Wilmington De., multi-family mixed-use development. Vincent has experience in real estate private equity, asset protection, risk management, and hospitality sectors.

Vincent is a certified real estate instructor in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and has taught numerous pre-licensing and continuing courses. He recently completed a series of online commercial risk management courses for Hondros Real Estate College in Colombus, Ohio.

He serves as a risk-management, ethics, and fair housing subject matter expert for Person Vue, Hondros College of Real estate, and Real Estate School 360̊. Vincent serves as the Pennsylvania Education Director for the New Castle Board of Realtors^®.

Vincent is the Past Chairman of the Delaware Real Estate Commission. New Castle County and State of Delaware Realtors^®. He currently serves as the Chair of the New Castle County Professional Standards Committee.

William F. Sparkman

William Sparkman has been actively involved in the real estate industry for more than 30 years. Sparkman brings a wealth of practical experience and expertise from many facets of the business, including that of a sales professional, managing and designated broker, developer, educator, and expert witness. Sparkman has been an active member of the National Association of REALTORS^® with service and outstanding achievement on the state and local level with the Montgomery Association of REALTORS^®/MLS, Alabama Association of REALTORS^®, Haywood County (N.C.) Board of REALTORS^®, Western North Carolina MLS, North Carolina Association of REALTORS^®, and Triad (S.C.) Association of REALTORS^®.

Zane Sullivan

Zane Sullivan, a Montana native, graduated from Montana State University with a degree in Psychology, and from the University of Montana School of Law with a Juris Doctorate degree, before joining a Missoula firm to practice business law. Following several years of practice in the areas of real estate and business law, he became involved with the title insurance industry as president and general counsel of four title insurance offices in Montana. Later, he served as president of Insured Titles in Missoula, where he supervised more than 10,000 real estate transactions. He is currently the senior member of Sullivan, Tabaracci & Rhoades, P.C., a law firm specializing in business and property law. A significant portion of his practice is devoted to the representation of REALTOR^® Boards and Associations relative to the preparation of real estate practice forms, licensing laws, rules, and regulations.

Sullivan is a designated instructor for the National Association of REALTORS^®, the Montana Association of REALTORS^®, and the Graduate REALTOR^® Institute. He has served as a guest lecturer at the University of Montana School of Law, Montana Bar Association, and Montana Land Title Association. He has appeared as an expert witness in a number of litigated cases involving real estate issues.

In addition to his law practice, Sullivan operates a seminar company providing continuing education to real estate licensees and attorneys. He is a REALTOR^® and holds real estate licenses in California and Montana.

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