Region 3
Candidates for RECO’s Board of Directors
Voting runs from March 6 to March 20, 2023.
On March 6, you will receive an email entitled “2023 RECO election – voting link enclosed” which will include your unique voting link. You may only vote once and only for candidates in your region.
Your vote is important. RECO’s Board of Directors oversees RECO, which is the regulator of your profession. RECO has the mandate to administer the law in the public interest to ensure the protection of consumers engaged in real estate in Ontario.
If you have any questions related to the election, please email election@reco.on.ca.
Candidate
Barber, Tim
Herrington, Lonnie
Kells, Gregory Douglas
Marques, Sandra Lee
The information contained in this candidate profile is supplied by the candidate.
Barber, Tim
RE/MAX Finest Realty Inc.
Tim@barbermcdonald.com
Years registered: 16
Why did you decide to stand for election as a Director of RECO?
I will bring meaningful experience to the board and will challenge the status quo when required to ensure consumer protection and a healthy industry are considered at every decision point. I had the honour and privilege of serving a three-year term on the RECO Board of Directors, including two years as Vice-Chair from 2016-2018. During that time, I had the opportunity to take part in meaningful discussions and decisions that brought about important and positive changes to many aspects of real estate in Ontario, most importantly to registration education. I continued my work at RECO, chairing the Registrar’s Education Advisory Committee for the last four years, and now I feel it is the right time for me to return to the board.
What attributes would you bring to RECO’s Board of Directors that would support its consumer protection mandate?
I am a team leader in my business, an educator and training manager in my Brokerage, as well as a Fellow of the Real Estate Institute of Canada. With eight years of experience working with RECO, including a term on the RECO Board of Directors, I have a strong understanding of RECO’s relationship with the government as a Delegated Administrative Authority (DAA), and its approach to/framework for regulating the sector in the public interest. I also bring strengths in board governance, having completed certifications in Introductory and Advanced Programming in Regulatory Governance through The Council on Licensure, Enforcement & Regulation (CLEAR), and serving as the Chair of RECO’s Governance Committee for two years.
Describe your experience(s) on a Board of Directors and/or committees of a public or private organization, trade association or not-for-profit organization.
I am a strong facilitator and I excel at bringing people together, fostering open and collaborative dialogue, and communicating key messages in a straightforward way. Since entering real estate in 2007, I have continuously sought opportunities to give back to the sector, and to my community. My activities have included: Kingston and Area Real Estate Association, Board Member 2009-2014 (President 2012-2013) Ontario Real Estate Association, Member Government Relations Committee 2013-2015 Kingston Emergency Youth Shelter, Board Member 2014-2017 Real Estate Council of Ontario, Board Member 2015-2018 (Vice-Chair 2016-2018) Real Estate Council of Ontario, Registrar’s Education Advisory Committee 2018-Present (Chair 2019-Present) Ryandale Transitional Housing, Board Member 2022-present
What business leadership skills/experience would you bring to RECO’s Board of Directors?
I have been in the industry for sixteen years, running a successful business, continuing to actively trade while taking on a managing broker role in 2021. In addition to my extensive experience at RECO and in organized real estate, I hold my FRI designation from the Real Estate Institute of Canada (REIC), as well as certifications in Introductory and Advanced Concepts in Regulatory Governance from the Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation (CLEAR). The industry expertise combined with relevant theoretical learning have enabled me to build necessary leadership, collaboration, facilitation, and impact and influence skills needed in our Board of Directors to guide us through the coming years.
Herrington, Lonnie
Royal Lepage Connect Realty Brokerage
lonnieherrington@royallepage.ca
Years registered: 3
Why did you decide to stand for election as a Director of RECO?
As a member of the Industry I feel that it is important to stand and be part of the process.
What attributes would you bring to RECO’s Board of Directors that would support its consumer protection mandate?
Many years of customer service experience. Licensed in many Provincially regulated industries all main in support of customer protection.
Describe your experience(s) on a Board of Directors and/or committees of a public or private organization, trade association or not-for-profit organization.
As a member of the Ontario HVAC community I engage frequently with other like minded individuals as well as regulatory members to understand, enhance and improve local and federal regualtions.
What business leadership skills/experience would you bring to RECO’s Board of Directors?
General business acumen: organizational effectiveness; business profitability and sustainability · Financial: financial literacy; budgets; audits; financial statements · Human resources: executive compensation; succession planning; performance management · Legal: contracts; Corporate legislation; by-laws; consumer protection law; insurance · Risk: Enterprise Risk Management (ERM); risk assessment, risk monitoring · Leadership: visioning; strategy development; strategic planning.
Kells, Gregory Douglas
Sunbelt Business Brokers Bizcap
gregkells@sunbeltcanada.com
Years registered: 20+
Why did you decide to stand for election as a Director of RECO?
Experience as a Business Broker would be useful to the Board
What attributes would you bring to RECO’s Board of Directors that would support its consumer protection mandate?
Experience, specialized knowledge re Business Sales, governance experience, desire to serve.
Describe your experience(s) on a Board of Directors and/or committees of a public or private organization, trade association or not-for-profit organization.
Served as a Director of Dispute Resolution Center of Ottawa/Carleton, Chair of the Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution, Chair of the Canadian Institute of Nature, Group Committee Chair – Scouts Canada, Currently serve as Chair of the National Aquatics Institute. Have served on many other boards including being President of the International Business Brokers Association-Canada.
What business leadership skills/experience would you bring to RECO’s Board of Directors?
Significant experience with Governance, Financials, Contract Law, and Leadership. As president of Sunbelt Business Brokers I support 30 offices across Canada providing training, marketing, IT support, recruiting, systems development and support , visioning, strategy, and strategic planning. Since founding Sunbelt in 2001 I have built it into the largest and most successful Business Brokerage in Canada.
Marques, Sandra Lee
Keller Williams Integrity Realty, Brokerage
Years registered: 17
Why did you decide to stand for election as a Director of RECO?
I believe in getting involved and giving back with groups and organizations that I am part of, and while I love working with people, I equally enjoy the nuts-and-bolts that keep a system moving. With a varied background as well as years of real estate experience, I bring a plethora of experiences to the table that will allow me ease in working behind the scene on issues that affect REALTORS® day-in and day-out.
What attributes would you bring to RECO’s Board of Directors that would support its consumer protection mandate?
Having started my professional career in a legal field, I understand how necessary regulations are to keep a symbiotic composition moving forward as well as the need to keep things as simple as possible.
Describe your experience(s) on a Board of Directors and/or committees of a public or private organization, trade association or not-for-profit organization.
I have volunteered in one way or another for most of my adult life, and since 2013, I have given back 4 to 6 hours/week by teaching martial arts in a community centre in the city. I am also this dojo’s social media coordinator. With real estate interests and in a more structured capacity, I have served as a volunteer member of: Ontario RELATORS Care® Finance Committee (2021) | OREB Professional Standards Committee (2021) | OREB Discipline Committee (2015) | Ontario REALTORS Care® committee (2014, 2015, 2018, 2019) | Ontario RELATORS Care® Task Force (2013) | Special Events Coordinator – parent school council (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011) | Treasurer – parent school council (2012).
What business leadership skills/experience would you bring to RECO’s Board of Directors?
Active listener | Affable | Aptitude with understanding laws and legal intricacies | Articulate | Committed to success | Compelling relationship builder | Committed to encouraging cultural understanding | Creative and strategic thinker | Data-driven | Problem solver | Self-controlled | Sound.
The information contained in this candidate profile is supplied by the candidate.
Region 3
