Dear ACRE®s,

First, allow me to thank all of you who have welcomed me so warmly as the new leader of the ACRE® community. I was truly humbled by all your good wishes and your optimistism about the future, even without our wonderful Mollie at the helm. I have some big shoes to fill - and I'm guessing that I won't always score a 10 on the beam with all of you, but please know that I have ACRE®'s best interests at heart in everything I'll do.  

I'm sure you're wondering what will be changing here at ACRE® and how it will affect you. What, if any, costs there will be for ACRE® membership and ACRE® benefits? What new training and support opportunities will be available? How will ACRE® be incorporated into the SWS brand and philosophy? How will... what will... when will... ???

And the most important question of all... Will I like the new ACRE®? 

As you probably know by now, our wonderful Mollie Wasserman will be stepping down as the leader of ACRE® and passing the baton over to me. I'm honored beyond belief... but as you can imagine, a little nervous as well, so I truly appreciate the enthusiastic response we've received so far to our announcement of the change in management.  

Many of you have asked what the transition in leadership and management will mean to ACRE®. Well, I don't have a solid answer for you yet, although I will tell you I have pages of lists of ideas and projects and considerations; some administrative, of course, but also many that will directly affect current ACRE® members and those who join us in the future.

So, um, Jennifer... like what? WHAT changes will you be making at ACRE® that will directly affect me?

"When patterns are broken, new worlds emerge."  -Tuli Kupferburg

Dear ACRE®s:

Of all the industries that are susceptible to complacency, real estate is probably tops. When things are sort of "working" we get into our comfort zone. And folks, yours truly is no different. ACRE® has experienced tremendous growth since it was founded five years ago and while we could continue to do what we've been doing, I believe that in order for ACRE® to not just grow, but rather flourish and become a major force of change in real estate, it's time for a new beginning.

Therefore, after months of contemplation and soul-searching, I've made the difficult, but I believe, right decision to hand the baton of CBW - Chief Bottle Washer, (or for you more formal types, CEO) of ACRE® over to Jennifer Allan-Hagedorn.

I'm very excited about this change. Jennifer's SWS organization aligns and complements the consulting mindset beautifully. As I'm sure that she will detail more, Jennifer has great plans to enlarge the scope and reach of the merged companies while keeping the integrity of ACRE® intact.