In this rare public episode of the Notorious Interview, I speak with Jennifer Branchini, Treasurer, and Sanjay Wagle, SVP of Public Policy, for the California Assoc. of REALTORS about SB50.
SB50 is a bill that is making its way through the California legislatures, and is supported by CAR. The goal of SB50 is to make it easier to build new housing in California, something that the state desperately needs. And more broadly, this episode addresses one of the key issues for REALTORS everywhere: political engagement and advocacy.
Many thanks to CAR, and to Jennifer and Sanjay for taking time to speak on this issue.
Conversation with Jennifer Branchini, Treasurer, and Sanjay Wagle, SVP Public Policy, of California Assoc. of REALTORS
Bio of Jennifer Branchini:
Jennifer Branchini serves as C.A.R. Treasurer. Branchini has been a licensed REALTOR® since 1998 and is an agent with Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Reliance Partners in Pleasanton.
A member of the Bay East Association of REALTORS®, she served as its president in 2014 and was its REALTOR® of the Year in 2010. She received Bay East AOR’s Outstanding Leader Award in 2017. Branchini served on the Board of Directors of the Bay East AOR from 2008 to 2015.
At the state level, she has served on the C.A.R. Board of Directors since 2010. She previously served as vice chair of C.A.R.’s Strategic Planning and Finance committee and as a member of both the Public Policy and Legislative committees.
Active with the Young Professional Network (YPN), Branchini was a founding member of Bay East’s YPN and chair of C.A.R.’s YPN in 2012.
Bio of Sanjay Wagle:
Sanjay Wagle is Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for the California Association of REALTORS® in Sacramento where he supervises the work of C.A.R.’s Government Affairs staff and advocates on behalf of the organization’s legislative priorities. Prior to working with C.A.R. in its Government Affairs Division, he worked as an attorney in C.A.R.’s Member Legal Department in Los Angeles. Sanjay has been with C.A.R. since 2003.
Sanjay received his law degree from the University of Southern California (USC), his M.A. from UCLA and his B.A. degree from the University of Chicago.
About the California Assoc. of REALTORS:
The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® is a statewide trade association dedicated to the advancement of professionalism in real estate. The Association develops and promotes programs and services that will enhance the members’ freedom and ability to conduct their individual businesses successfully with integrity and competency and, through collective action, promotes the preservation of real property rights.
In an effort to alleviate perceptions of misconduct in the real estate industry, a group of approximately 70 real estate agents founded the California State Realty Federation in Los Angeles on May 27, 1905. In October 1920, the name was changed to California Real Estate Association and, in January 1975, it was changed to the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.
Francis F. Ferrier, of Berkeley, was the first president of the Association, which then was comprised of nine Boards of REALTORS®. Although the organization was successful from the start, growth in membership was slow during the early years. After many attempts, the Association was successful in its sponsorship of a real estate license law in 1917. This first law was declared unconstitutional, but a revised act was passed by the 1919 Legislature and became the first real estate license law in the United States. Since its enactment, the law has been widely imitated and has become the standard for other states. Written examinations for licensees were not adopted until about 1923.
More recently, the Association has emphasized the development and distribution of products, programs and services which assist members to achieve success in their individual real estate businesses, while continuing to be the premiere representative of private property rights and of real estate professionals in the public policy arena.
Today, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® includes more than 100 local member Associations and more than 170,000 REALTORS®, REALTOR®-Associates and affiliate members who abide by a rigid code of professional ethics.
Discuss in the VIP Lounge
Want to talk about this Interview with other VIP members? Join the Notorious VIP Lounge. If you’re not registered in the Lounge, just request to join right from the site. Lounge is a free community for all VIP Subscribers.
-rsh
