Highlights From 2026 Texas REALTORS® Shaping Texas Conference
September 02, 2026 | Texas REALTORS® Staff
Another successful Shaping Texas has wrapped! With over 1,500 registrants, REALTORS® across Texas met in San Antonio to attend educational sessions on the latest real estate trends, network, and conduct association business.
John Quiñones Set the Tone with an Inspirational Opening Session
After rousing music from the all-female group Mariachi Las Alteñas, keynote speaker John Quiñones shared the story of his journey from migrant farm work to more than 30 years as an Emmy-winning broadcast journalist at ABC News. The San Antonio native and host/creator of the ethical-dilemma hidden-camera show What Would You Do? said that “real character shows up when there’s nothing to gain and no one to witness it.” Quiñones told attendees that we all have the power to make righteous leadership decisions … it’s important to do the right thing.
Program Takeaways
A packed schedule of educational sessions, panels, and forums were offered to promote personal and professional growth.
MLS/Technology & Public Policy Joint Forum
With state legislatures eyeing the real estate industry and MLS practices, this conversation hosted by Tech/MLS Committee Chairman Mike Murphy featured a panel on public policy related to the MLS and a comparison of international practices. Panelists providing insights included Damian Eales, CEO of Move, Inc. Unlock MLS CEO Emily Girard, Public Policy Oversight Committee Chairman Cameron Willman, Texas REALTORS® VP of Governmental Affairs Tray Bates.
Margins Inside the Texas Battlefield in 2026 – Governmental Affairs and Public Policy Forum
The Government Affairs Forum gave members an inside look at the advocacy work underway across Texas REALTORS® Government Affairs committees, with updates from each committee chair.
Keynote speaker David Wasserman, Senior Editor & Election Analyst at The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, followed with a data-driven look at the political landscape, election trends, voter behavior, and the dynamics shaping this fall’s General Election.
The Learning Didn’t Stop There
A wide variety of hot topics were covered, including information on new appraisal reporting, tax strategies, housing affordability, water issues, leasing challenges, legal issues for farm and ranch real estate, negotiation strategies, social media risks, AI sessions for commercial practitioners, and many others. Attendees also participated in a “Family Feud”-style session focused on risk reduction.
Strikeforce Award Winners
The following REALTORS® received the Strikeforce Award, which recognizes REALTORS® who have exhibited dedication to Texas REALTORS® grassroots activities and programs:
- Ted Conover, Greater Tyler
- Janie Howell, Greater Denton/Wise County
- Rebecca Huff, Abilene
- Brent Myers, Fort Worth
- Kelsie Rasure, Petroplex
- Kevin Reed, Beaumont
- Jim Simpson, Greater Texoma
- Sherry Smith, Greater Texoma
- Joelene Slocum, Fort Worth
- Ryan White, Amarillo
- Haley Zamarripa, Fort Worth
Installation Gala
Members and guests came together to celebrate the installation of the association’s 2027 leaders. The evening’s co-emcees, 2024 Texas REALTORS® Chairman Jef Conn and 2026 Texas REALTORS® Chairman Jennifer Wauhob, kicked off the evening with a friendly rivalry for the crowd’s attention.
Former Texas REALTORS® President/CEO Travis Kessler served as installing officer, first swearing in the Texas REALTORS® 2027 executive board appointees:
- Erin Cestero, San Antonio
- Tony Delgado, El Paso
- David Schnitzer, MetroTex
- Sherry Smith, Greater Texoma
- Matthew Stufflebeam, Waco
Kessler then swore in the Texas REALTORS® regional vice presidents:
- Region 2: Jackie Randle, Heartland
- Region 3: Eyad Salloum, Greater Fort Worth; Daphne Zollinger, Greater Denton/Wise County
- Region 5: Melinda Randall, Longview
- Region 6: Cameron Willmann, Permian Basin
- Region 8: Kandi Luensmann, Fort Hood; Sarah Norman, Bryan College Station
- Region 9: Shawna Bradley, Pineywoods
- Region 11: Adrian Arriaga, Brownsville South Padre Island
- Region 12: Cindy Bass, MetroTex; Franceanna Campagna, Metro Tex; Scott Carnes, MetroTex; Ginger Gill, MetroTex; Amy Hanson, MetroTex; Johnny Mowad, MetroTex; Bette Washington, MetroTex
- Region 13: Jose “Pepe” Aranda, San Antonio; Deborah Vallone-Homeier, San Antonio
- Region 14: Susan Annoura, Houston; Marilyn Arendt, Houston; Karishma Asrani, Houston; Shae Cottar, Houston; Thomas Mouton, Houston; Samantha Plomer, Houston; Quenton Rockwell, Houston; Jo Ann Stevens, Houston; Tina Wilcher, Houston; Michael Wong, Houston
- Region 15: Kent Redding, Austin; Teresa Scott-Tibbs, Austin
Following the RVPs, Kessler installed the following officers for 2027:
- Secretary/Treasurer: Ben Rodriguez
- Chairman-Elect: Deborah Spangler
- Immediate Past Chairman: Jennifer Wauhob
- Chairman of the Board: Tony Lloyd.
Lloyd talked about the diversity of the state, both in geography and demographics. “We come from different backgrounds, different cultures, different faiths, different experiences, and different ways of life. And as our profession continues to evolve, one truth remains: we are, and we always will be, better together.”
The Regional Caucus Town Hall Was Packed!
Members shared their opinions and heard details of the Governance Review Proposals, which the Executive Board later heard and deliberated. Four proposals came forward. Chairman Jennifer Wauhob updated the Board of Directors on the proposals which will consider necessary bylaws changes in February.
Board of Directors Meeting
The Texas REALTORS® Board of Directors Meeting closed out this year’s conference with association business and important updates.
NAR Treasurer Craig Sanford gave a national update, including the health of NAR’s budget, strong member counts, and issues the association is working on in Washington, DC.
Texas Real Estate Commission Executive Director Chelsea Buchholtz covered key changes to real estate forms and provided updates on the REALM Portal.
Texas Real Estate Research Center Director of Research Daniel Oney covered a quick overview of the center and the resources it offers. He then gave an economic update, discussed demographic changes to the state, and noted trends in the real estate market.
President/CEO Mike Barnett recognized four local association staff for earning the REALTOR® Association Certified Executive (RCE) certification: Heather Bonamo, Five Points; Rachel Hinson, MetroTex; Bri Westbury, MetroTex; and Jessica Barker, MetroTex.
Board of Directors Actions:
- Passed $10 Legal Fund and $30 Issues Mobilization/Political Advocacy Fund (IM/PAF) assessments. Both amounts are unchanged from last year.
- Adopted the 2027-2028 Strategic Plan.
Congratulations to the Winners of the Shaping Texas Challenge!
Almost 250 attendees played the Shaping Texas Challenge game in the conference app. Congratulations to the three prize winners. Each earned the maximum total points and received a $150 Amazon gift card.
- Jeffrey Estes, Five Points
- Perla Sierra, Greater McAllen
- Vikki Wright, Greater McAllen