As CEO, Gregson will direct operations of the trade group representing 5,000 brokers on O'ahu. "We are delighted to have someone of Rochelle's caliber and experience leading our organization," Judith Kalbrener, president of the Realtor association's board of directors, said in a statement.

Gregson had been deputy executive director of the Hawai'i State Teachers Association, which she left in August after about three years. Before that, she was director of programs for the Hawai'i Community Foundation and spent 16 years as a vice president at Aloha United Way.

Gregson has held staff positions with the Hotel Employees & Restaurant Employees Union, Local 5, the state Legislature and the Hawai'i Community Development Authority. She has a bachelor's degree in American Studies from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa and has also served on boards of the Hawaii Medical Services Association, 'Olelo: The Corporation for Community Televisio and the Industrial Relations Research Association.

"With her understanding of the issues affecting our community and Island economy, her commitment to provide quality services to our members, and her well-balanced outlook on life, we believe Rochelle will help take us to a new level of success," Kalbrener said.