Moderators:
John Featherston – President & CEO, RISMedia
John E. Featherston is the founder of RISMedia, Inc. Since 1980, RISMedia, the leader in real estate information systems, has been providing the industry with news, trends and business development strategies through its flagship publication, Real Estate magazine; its leading website, RISMedia.com; and its renowned networking and educational events. RISMedia also provides real estate news and information to consumers through its member-only national networks: RISMedia’s Real Estate Information Network® (RREIN) for leading brokers, and RISMedia’s Top 5 in Real Estate Network® for leading agents. Hundreds of thousands of home-buying and -selling consumers receive valuable information from leading real estate professionals daily, weekly or monthly, through their affiliation with either RREIN or the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®. RISMedia is headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut.
Ed Krafchow – Chairman of the Board, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Mason-McDuffie
Ed Krafchow’s tenure as leader of Mason-McDuffie has been highlighted by three specific accomplishments: growth of the company, technology innovation and a focus on training agents. His basic philosophy is that good organizations create accountability, develop people at all levels of the company and acknowledge those that get their job done, create a result and serve people well. Krafchow’s greatest pride is the charitable work that has been created within Mason-McDuffie. With the help of his wife, Kathy, there have been millions of dollars and thousands of hours spent by volunteers of the brokerage in serving a variety of needs—locally, nationally and internationally.
Panelists:
Gino Blefari – Founder, President & CEO, Intero Real Estate Services
Intero Real Estate Services is a leading U.S. real estate brokerage headquartered in California’s Silicon Valley. Today, Intero is the No. 1 real estate company in Silicon Valley and has extended its reach across the U.S. and around the globe. Founded in late 2002 by Blefari, Intero achieved $24 million in closed sales volume in 2002. In 2003, Intero reached $1.64 billion. By 2005, Intero had been recognized by REALTOR Magazine as the fastest growing real estate company in the nation, and ranked No. 1 out of the approximately 80,000 brokerages nationwide in growth of sales and transaction sides with 167.6 percent and 128.3 percent increases respectively. Today, Intero Real Estate Services has more than 60 offices operating across the U.S. In addition to its domestic presence, Intero has embarked on developing franchise opportunities in Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East, Africa. When Intero Real Estate Services was founded, Blefari simultaneously created the Intero Foundation as a vehicle for expressing a meaningful and sustained commitment to the community. To date, the Intero Foundation has lent its support to over 120 local charities.
