TUCSON, AZ — The Tucson Association of REALTORS®( TAR) have endorsed Ally Miller, Ramon Valadez and Kim DeMarco for seats on the Pima County Board of Supervisors.  TAR additionally endorsed Steve Christy for the Pima County Board of Supervisors in the November General Election.

TAR President Eric Gibbs stated, “Our endorsements of Ally, Ramon, Kim and Steve are based on their records of service and accomplishment for our community as well as their dedication to creating real change in the direction in leadership of Pima County.”

Ramon Valadez has served on the Board for District 2 since September 30, 2003; Ally Miller was first elected in 2012 for District 1. Steve Christy is running unopposed in District 4 and Kim DeMarco is running for the first time in District 3 against a 20 year incumbent.

Gibbs continued, “The Tucson Association of REALTORS® and its over 5,100 members strongly urge you to get out and vote in this very important November General Election.”

Candidate interviews were conducted by the association’s Candidate and Ballot Measures Task Force.

Eric Gibbs Sr., Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, has been named 2016 president of the Tucson Association of REALTORS® (TAR). In January, he will replace current president Nicole Brule-Fisher of RE/MAX Trends whose one-year term expires at that time.

Cathy Erchull, Associate Broker and Director of Sales Managers with Tierra Antigua Realty, is the 2016 president of the TAR Multiple Listing Service, now known as the MLS of Southern Arizona (MLSSAZ).   In January, she will replace current president Henry Zipf of Keller Williams Southern Arizona.

“Having two very talented incoming leaders with extensive experience in real estate will enable us to build on the achievements of Nicole and Henry during 2015.  We are looking forward to a smooth transition as Eric and Cathy step in and step up to carry on the momentum into next year,” said Marc Lebowitz, CEO of the association.

Gibbs, a U.S. Navy veteran, became a REALTOR® in 2006 and has served on the TAR Board since 2010. He is a graduate of the TAR Pathway to Leadership program and serves on several TAR and Arizona Association of REALTORS® committees. He is SFR-certified (Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource) by the National Association of REALTORS®.

In 2011, Gibbs was TAR REALTOR® of the Year. For Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, he manages the Northwest office at 6970 N. Oracle Road.

Erchull has been involved in Multiple Listing Service committee work and leadership positions for several years. She became an associate broker with Tierra Antigua Realty in 2002 and was president of TAR in 2013.  She holds designations from the Graduate Real Estate Institute (GRI) and Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR).
She is based at Tierra Antigua Realty’s office at 7423 E. Tanque Verde Road. Erchull holds a degree in nursing and a bachelor’s degree in management.

Joining Gibbs on the 2016 TAR Board are:

President Elect: Pam Ruggeroli of Long Realty Company (ABR, CRS, GRI, SFR)
Vice President: Lynn Hellwig of Homesmart Advantage Group (GRI)
Treasurer: Krista Johnson of Keller Williams Southern Arizona
Immediate Past-President: Nicole Brulé-Fisher of RE/MAX Trends (CRS, GREEN, GRI, e-Pro)

The 2016 TAR Directors are:

Ignacio “Nacho” Castro of Castro Real Estate Services (GRI)
Chris Cobb of Cobb Realty
Robert Hallberg of Long Realty Company (GRI, SFR, e-PRO)
Ginny Huffman of  Imagine Realty Services (e-PRO)
Darla Johnson, GRI, MRP, SFR, Tierra Antigua Realty
Patricia Leahy of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty (ABR, CRS, GRI)
John Mijac of Long Realty Company (GRI, e-PRO)
Paul Olson of Vantage Point Realty (CRS, GRI, SFR, e-PRO)
Louis Parrish of Keller Williams Southern Arizona (GRI)
Christie Rich of Tucson’s Choice Group
Steve Van De Beuken of Sunstreet Mortgage
Barbara Wilson of Tierra Antigua Realty (GRI, PMN)
Laury Watson of Vail Realty (ABR)

Joining Erchull on the 2016 MLS of Southern Arizona Board are:

Kim Clifton of Tierra Antigua Realty
Gary Brauchla of Tombstone Real Estate
Deneve Doering of Realty Executives Tucson Elite
Baron Gauna of Long Realty Company
Judith Grammond of Real Estate Marketing Professionals (GRI, CRS, PMN)
Kevin Kaplan of Long Realty Company
Andrew McDonald of HomeSmart Advantage Group
Cheryl Terpening of Arizona Eagle Realty (ABR, CRS, GRI, PMN, SFR)
Henry Zipf of Keller Williams Southern Arizona

The Tucson Association of REALTORS® (TAR) represents 4,800 professionals in Southern Arizona as the voice of the real estate industry. The REALTOR® trademark is for use only by members of the National Association of REALTORS®.  Details: www.tucsonrealtors.org.

The Tucson REALTORS® Charitable Foundation (TRCF) has awarded $5,000 to three non-profit organizations as part of its quarterly grants program.

The funds and intended use were issued to:

• Habitat for Humanity ($3,000) to support construction of a home to be built in honor of John Rafferty, President of Stewart Title of Arizona, who passed away in May.  Rafferty was a long-time member and generous financial supporter of the Tucson Association of REALTORS®.
• Alzheimer’s Association ($1,000) to support the costs of providing family care consultation services.
• GaitWay ($1,000) to support training, development and Conductive Education programs for individuals with motor skill disorders.

“Our contribution to Habitat for Humanity carries a personal touch and special meaning from the Foundation and members of the real estate community since so many of us became close to John Rafferty over the years.  We look forward to participating further in this Habitat project throughout the planning and construction process,” said TAR CEO Marc Lebowitz, who also is the Foundation’s Executive Director.

TRCF is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that makes funds available to organizations from donations by its REALTOR® and Affiliate members and friends. Its mission is to enhance the community’s quality of life through financial programs, education, and housing-related initiatives and civic activities.

Each quarter, TRCF distributes $5,000.  Details:  https://www.tucsonrealtors.org/foundation