Realtors seek another leader
By Andrew Gomes
Advertiser Staff Writer
The Honolulu Board of Realtors is searching for its third chief executive in three years, following the departure of Judy Sobin from the organization that represents residential real estate brokers on O'ahu.
Sobin, a former executive director for Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii who was hired to fill the top paid position at the Board of Realtors a year ago, left earlier this month.
Judith Kalbrener, newly appointed president of the volunteer board of directors for the organization, would not comment on the reason for Sobin's departure.
"Our policy on personnel matters is they are confidential," she said.
Sobin could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Sharon Ogata, director of operations for the Board of Realtors, is serving as acting CEO while the board conducts a search for a replacement.
The Honolulu Board of Realtors claims to be the largest trade organization on O'ahu, with about 5,000 members, and has represented the industry for 82 years.
Peter Freeman, a former BHP Petroleum/Pacific Resources Inc. executive, was named CEO in 1998 and held the position until 2002. He was replaced that year by Curtis K. Uno, the former chief executive for the Building Industry Association of Hawai'i. Sobin took over from Uno last October.
The chief executive is the organization's top paid staff position. The Board of Realtors also is guided by a volunteer board of directors made up from members who serve one-year terms.
New officers and directors of the organization's board were announced Monday.
Kalbrener, board president, is with RE/MAX 808 Realty. Mary Flood of D.R. Horton's Schuler Homes division was named president-elect. Liz Moore of Realty Group is secretary. Mary Begier of Mary Begier Realty is immediate past president.
Directors include Dana Chandler with Hawaiian Island Homes Ltd., Vernon K.T. Chock with Vernco Properties, Scott T. Fujiwara with STF Properties LLC, Berton Hamamoto with Property Profiles Inc., Yumi Laney with Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties and Allison Lum with Plum Associates Inc.
The rest of the directors are Joyce Nakamura of Premier Realty 2000 Inc., Gregory Natori of Pacific Resource Realty, Russell Nishimoto of Prudential Locations, Alice Saul of Alice Saul Real Estate Broker and Wendell M.Y. Wong of Realty Pacific Ltd.
The board also is served by several regional directors. Sandra "Sam" Bangerter with RE/MAX Honolulu represents the North Shore and Windward O'ahu, Bob DeYoung of Ena Road Realty represents Central O'ahu, Elizabeth "Betty" Parinas of Coldwell Banker represents Leeward O'ahu, and Ron Staton of RE/MAX Honolulu represents East O'ahu.
Reach Andrew Gomes at agomes@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8065.
