IAR President Michael D. Oldenettel

Last night marked a transition in leadership for the Illinois Association of REALTORS® as REALTOR® Michael D. Oldenettel, CRS, GRI, was installed as the 2013 president of our state association representing REALTORS® throughout Illinois.

Oldenettel is 23-year veteran of the real estate business and is managing broker-owner of RE/MAX Results Plus, Inc. in Jacksonville.

The theme of this year’s IAR Fall Conference was “REALTOR® Redefined” and Oldenettel said that reflects his vision for the upcoming year.

Now is a time to regroup, reenergize, refocus, reengage and be relevant to better serve consumers and the real estate industry as a whole, Oldenettel said.

There are positive signs in the market now. There has been consistent progress in the housing  market and the ranks of IAR members have been growing at a rate of 100-plus members per month, Oldenettel said.

“That’s encouraging because there is always strength in numbers. A membership of nearly 40,000 who consistently vote and take active roles in the political process, is what makes policy-makers take notice,” he said.

Oldenettel challenged REALTORS® to get involved and be willing to adapt to the evolving market.

“Let me tell you what I believe: I believe our success depends on our mindset – not on the outer conditions of the market,” he said.

REALTOR® Phil Chiles, ABR, CRS, GRI, of Springfield was installed as IAR’s 2013 president-elect. Chiles is a broker-associate with the Real Estate Group in Springfield.

REALTOR® Jim Kinney, CRB, CRS, GRI, of Chicago was installed as the 2013 treasurer of the Illinois Association of REALTORS®.  Kinney is vice president of luxury home sales for Baird & Warner in Chicago.

Immediate past president Loretta Alonzo, CRB, GRI, of Romeoville, broker-owner of Century 21 Alonzo & Associates in La Grange Park will continue to lend her expertise on the IAR Leadership Team after serving as president in 2012.