Introducing the 2018 National REthink Council

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, part of the HSF Affiliates LLC family of real estate brokerage franchise networks, today named its 2018 National REthink Council, a group of 15 top-producing, motivated young agents from Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brokerages around the country.

“We understand the importance of investing in the future of real estate,” said Gino Blefari, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices president and CEO. “The REthink Council provides us with such an opportunity and enables us to tap the collective intellect of very bright, young professionals. Their input helps us shape strategies and decisions, and it gives us a leg up on how younger consumers and professionals feel about real estate.”  

Members were selected through a nomination process for their professional achievements and contributions to their communities and offices. Each member is an exemplary agent or broker with outstanding innovation, participation and proven leadership within the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network and his or her community.

The new REthink Council includes:  Andy Blake, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Kansas City Realty, Lenexa, KS; Laurie Duepner, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties, Saint Charles, MO; Dallas Eichers, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Utah Properties, Salt Lake City; Mike Gillund, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Premier Properties, Fargo, ND; Kat Hitchcock, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Santa Barbara, CA; Maria Kazakos, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas Realty family of brokerages in Winston-Salem, NC; Kristyn Nelson, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty, Bedford, NH; Vanessa Patterson, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty, Washington, D.C.; Eli Qarkaxhia, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach, REALTORS®, Philadelphia; Rachel Skradski, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Ambassador Real Estate, Omaha, NE; and Joshua Stephens, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Warren Residential, Boston.

These professionals join four REthink council members who begin a second term: Onie Bolduc, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Utah Properties, Salt Lake City; Cameron Deehr, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Stadtmiller Realty, Sandusky, OH; Lindsey Fowkes, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Properties Group, Tampa, FL; and Ellen Hill, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties, Marietta, GA.

The 2018 REthink Council includes two broker/advisors, Vince Leisey, president and broker/owner of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Ambassador Real Estate; and Jake Breen, managing broker at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Utah Properties. Rosalie Warner, VP of Network Services for HSF Affiliates, serves as its executive sponsor and Megan Becerra, global training specialist at HSF Affiliates, is the REthink Council liaison.

“I’m excited about the passion and energy this new group of members will bring to our national council,” Leisey said. “It’s all about collaboration and culture-building and these top-producing agents completely understand that.”

Added Breen, “Our new members are all leaders within their marketplaces in terms of production and their unique ability to inspire others,” he said. “It’s exactly the kind of positive, selfless mindset we require from our REthink Council.”

The national REthink Council launched four years ago and has expanded to include 33 local chapters from Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brokerages around the country. REthink Council produces a robust blog, REthink Report, and has a growing Facebook, Instagram and Twitter presence.

“As our business becomes increasingly digital, it’s critical for us to embrace the millennial perspective,” explained Warner. “Our national REthink Council members ensure we’re not only staying on top of the trends but also creating them.”