Speaker Bios

Facilitators:

John E. Featherston is president and chief executive officer of RISMedia, Inc., the leader in real estate information systems. Under Featherston’s direction, RISMedia has developed into a highly regarded national news and information service that provides a wide array of services to clients throughout the home services industry. RISMedia publishes Real Estate magazine, a monthly news and business development publication serving the industry for 26 years, The Power Broker Network Report, The Power Team Report and the annual Power Broker Report on the nation’s top 500 brokerages. Other services include publishing, printing, consulting, Internet-based news services at www.rismedia.com, sales and business development training and conference management.

J. Lennox Scott is third-generation chairman and CEO of John L. Scott Real Estate, which was founded by his grandfather in Seattle in 1931. John L. Scott has 145 offices and more than 4,000 sales associates in the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Last year, John L. Scott closed over 44,000 transactions for $14.6 billion in volume sales. John L. Scott’s award-winning website (www.JohnLScott.com) is one of the most heavily trafficked real estate company websites in the nation with over 1 million user visits per month.

Panelists:

Gino Blefari is the founder, president and CEO of Intero Real Estate. Blefari has more than 23 years of experience in real estate sales, development and management, from branch offices to regional and national operations. In 2002, Blefari formed Intero Real Estate Services. In only five short years, Blefari and the executive team have built the company into one of the largest real estate brokerages in the country. Currently, Intero Real Estate Services has more than 60 offices serving seven states; Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Nevada and Texas. Recently Intero has also ventured into international markets with operations in Mexico and India.

Mike Brodie has become one of the most highly regarded Realtors in America by always putting his clients’ needs first. Brodie’s successful career is highlighted by providing value and excellence in service. He is the co-founder of the Keller Williams’ Preston office, co-owner of the Plano office, and a co-owner of the company’s North California/Hawaii Region which now comprises 35 offices and more than 4,000 associates. In 2007, he became co-owner and operating partner of Keller Williams Realty, Maryland/D.C. Region.

Thomas R. Kunz was appointed president and chief executive officer of Century 21 Real Estate LLC in June 2004. The CENTURY 21® System is the world’s largest residential real estate sales organization with more than 8,300 independently owned and operated franchised broker offices in 56 countries and territories worldwide. A 31-year veteran of the real estate industry, Kunz has spent two-thirds of his career affiliated with the CENTURY 21 System, where he established a successful track record involving franchise sales and ownership as well as running all aspects of brokerage and franchise operations.

Rei L. Mesa is the president of Florida Real Estate Services and president and COO of Prudential Florida Realty, a firm with approximately 2,000 real estate professionals that services 17 counties throughout Florida. Since its inception in 1999, the company has quickly become the 3rd largest residential real estate brokerage in Florida and is ranked the 32nd largest residential real estate firm in the nation based on sales volume. It is also the sixth largest brokerage in the nation among the Prudential Network brokers across North America. Florida Home Finance Group, an affiliate of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is the # 1 Wells Fargo Joint Venture in Florida for both volume and units and the 10th largest Wells Fargo Joint Venture nationwide.