Media Releases

RELEASE DATE: August 18, 2006

CONTACT:
Greg Berkemer
(760) 346-5637
(Media Only) John Hussar
PRNewsWorks (760) 567-8073

Emily DiSimone Named 2007 President California Desert Association Of REALTORS®

PALM DESERT (Calif.) - Emily DiSimone, a desert real estate agent and now licensed broker since 1985, has been elected 2007 president of the California Desert Association of REALTORS®.

Other new elected officers for 2007 are: Sue McCollum, Desert Estates Realty, president-elect for 2008 and Gary Howell, Coldwell Banker, treasurer.

New directors for 2007 are: Scott Gerrie, SmokeTree Realty; Conrad Mariscal, Coldwell Banker; Tom Ogle, Coldwell Banker; Heather Ozur, Coldwell Banker; and John Puff, Executive Marketing. The new officers and directors will be officially installed in early 2007.

DiSimone, with Prudential California Realty in Palm Desert, said a goal for her term is to emphasize even more personal service for all of the organization's 4,000 plus members.

"As the real estate market shifts to a place where buyers and sellers have equal standing and therefore negotiate more" she said, "I think it's important for the public to understand the long standing reputation of professionalism among Realtors and how we can really help them buy or sell a home."

She also looks to continue programs started by current president Desiree' Otero.

"The Calypso fashion show was huge success and we look forward to doing that next year,'' DiSimone said. The first-ever fashion show, "Cool Calypso, Hot Fashions" July 20 raised $40,000 for the organization's high school senior scholarship fund. The California Desert Association of REALTORS® handed out a record $16,000 in scholarships earlier this year.

DiSimone also said she wants to work more closely with the affiliate members of the California Desert Association of REALTORS®.

"The affiliates are very dedicated hard working members from the industry such as mortgage companies, escrow, title insurance, etc. My slogan this year is 'We are family.'"

DiSimone, who lives in Palm Desert, also is the founder of the non-profit Theresa D. Holden Foundation in honor of her late sister who died from breast cancer.

"Our mission is to enrich the lives woman living with breast cancer by providing them the means to pursue their social, educational or education or cultural interests and empower to realize their dreams," DiSimone said.

Some of the proceeds from this year's California Desert Association of REALTORS® golf tournament were donated to the Theresa D. Holden Foundation.

Before becoming a Realtor, DiSimone worked at CBS television studios in Los Angeles where she was a personal assistant to actress Mary Tyler Moore. DiSimone also studied psychology and counseling in college.

The California Desert Association of REALTORS®, The Voice for Real Estate® for the Coachella Valley, represents more than 4,000 estate professionals from Palm Springs to Coachella. For more information, please call (760) 346-5637 or visit online at www.CalDesertRealtors.com