The membership of the Northwest Vermont REALTOR® Association met on September 17, 2024 to conduct annual business. The meeting was held from 8:30 to 10:30 at Main Street Landing Film House in Burlington and featured Vermont Futures Project Executive Director Kevin Chu as a guest speaker.  

The meeting opened with recognition of sponsors Vermont Mortgage Company, North Country Federal Credit Union, and M&T Bank, Burlington. Also present were 3 of the 4 community organizations for which NVRA’s fundraising efforts are supporting this year: Spectrum Youth and Family Services, Winooski Food Shelf, and Champlain Island Food Shelf.  

NVRA President Dora Dernavich called the business meeting to order at 9:38 AM and gave a report of the Association’s membership, finances, charitable giving records, grant projects, and continuing education offerings. NVRA members will receive a year-end update on these items in December 2024.  

The meeting progressed to recognition of new REALTORS® present. 6 new members were recognized and took the Membership Pledge. CEO Troi Bachmann presented the Nominating Committee and results of the election. Steven Foster, VAR’s 2024 President, called the candidates to the front to take the oath of officer. Congratulations to the new additions to the NVRA Board of Directors for 2025!  

Jessica Bridge, Element Real Estate – President, 2025 

Leigh Horton, Your Journey Real Estate – President-Elect, 2025 

Blair Knowles, Ridgeline Real Estate – Secretary, 2025 

Michael Simoneau, Jr., Geri Reilly Real Estate – Treasurer, 2025 

Ziressa Turpin, Your Journey Real Estate – Director, 2025 – 2027 

Michelle Desautels, Coldwell Banker Hickok and Boardman – Director, 2025-2027 

Kevin Shortell, Peet Law Group – Affiliate Director 

After the conclusion of formal business, President Dernavich provided an outline of the NVRA Consumer Advocacy project for 2024, a grant of $25,000 from the National Association of REALTORS® to partner with Vermont Futures Project on their Economic Action Plan. Guest speaker Kevin Chu presented key information about Vermont Futures’ work, including target population goals, housing priorities, and the results of inaction. NVRA is excited to partner with this organization. Kevin’s slides and featured video are available for download below. Skip to 2:00 in the video for the housing portion.