RISMEDIA, March 23, 2007-The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) announced the appointment of 11 new directors to its national board this month at its 2007 Legislative Conference in Washington D.C. The move broadens the depth and scope of the leadership of the nation's fastest growing Hispanic trade association with representation from nearly every sector within the real estate industry.
"These professionals are accomplished veterans who recognize the challenges that Hispanics face on the path to homeownership. Their experience will help NAHREP advance its efforts to increase the chances of homeownership within the Latino community," said Chairman Felix DeHerrera.
The new directors*, who will serve one and two-year terms, include:
• Phillip Bracken, executive vice president, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. Bracken also serves as the head of Government and Industry Relations for Wells Fargo's Home and Consumer Finance Group. Bracken is a Board Member of the Mortgage Bankers Associations of Missouri and St. Louis and is a lifetime appointee of the Mortgage Bankers Legion.
• Guillermo Caldelas, senior loan officer, Freedom Mortgage Corporation, Fisher, Ind. (one year) A recognized top producer within his own company, Caldelas is a member of Freedom's Diversity Advisory Council and the Emerging Markets Committee. He received his professional and continuing education in both the United States and Mexico. Caldelas is co-founder and current president of the NAHREP Indiana chapter.
• Sandra Cervantes, Masters Hall of Fame agent, Century 21, Orange County, Calif. Cervantes' first real estate transaction was at age nine, when she assisted her parents as a translator in the purchase of their first American home. A Mexico City native, Cervantes is President of NAHREP, Orange County and serves on the Cendant Corporation's National Hispanic Advisory Board.
• Jose Colon, senior commercial associate and director of Latin American Operations, Sheldon Good & Company, Chicago, Ill. (one year) Colon is president of the Chicago Chapter of NAHREP, and serves on international, educational and professional advisory councils. His professional focus has been on commercial real estate and the Hispanic market.
• Tino Diaz, managing director and chief executive officer of Miami-based VERTEX Mortgage Bankers, a mortgage firm which specializes in the Hispanic market. Diaz regularly speaks on issues relating to the Hispanic market for the financial services industry, and has served in an advisory capacity to senior management and/or boards of directors for banking institutions, insurance companies and trade associations.
• Glenda G. Gabriel, senior vice president, Neighborhood Lending, Consumer Real Estate, Charlotte, N.C. Gabriel's experience includes developing emerging markets relative to the Community Reinvestment Act and in programs for low-to-moderate-income borrowers. She is a board member of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers and the National Association of Counties.
• David H. Katkov, executive vice president, PMI Mortgage Insurance Co. A 15-year PMI veteran, Katkov also works with non-profit organizations focusing on housing related issues. He currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of Social Compact, a Washington, D.C. organization which promotes revitalization of America's inner cities.
• David Medina, broker, Latino Realty, Inc. is president of the Tampa Bay Chapter of NAHREP. (one year) Medina has focused both his professional and community activities on the needs and issues of the Hispanic community. A former New York educator, Medina's worked at the community, state, and federal level in programs directed to Hispanics.
• Tanya Reu, vice president of Human Resources, Realogy Franchise Group, N.J. Reu has specialized in workforce diversity, management training, and education and globalization efforts at Realogy. Reu is a member of the Realogy Diversity and Inclusion Council and the Workforce Diversity Committee for Realogy Corporation
• Miguel L. Viesca, owner, Buena Ventura Loans, Cal. Born in Mexico City, Viesca has focused his 17-year career in real estate on helping Latino families achieve homeownership. Viesca served as president of the NAHREP Ventura County Chapter in 2006 and is a NAHREP University Certified Professional.
• Tim Sandos, president & CEO, the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals. Sandos most recently served as Executive Vice President & Managing Director of Emerging Markets for Citi Mortgage, Inc., where he was responsible for the growth and retention of residential mortgage services into Emerging Market segments across the U.S. He served in a similar capacity with Principal Residential Mortgage leading to the acquisition by Citigroup of that organization.
• Cosme Aly Vizcarra, Realtor, PMZ Real Estate, Cal. (one year) Vizcarra headed PMZ's Spanish language marketing and support initiative. His expertise in the Hispanic market continued as manager of its Multicultural Business Development Division. Vizcarra is the president of NAHREP Central Valley Chapter, California.
For more information, visit www.NAHREP.org.
