MAR’s 2013 president, Kimberly Allard-Moccia exudes energy, humor, determination, and passion in everything she does. She didn’t choose real estate, but conceivably it chose her and because of that “calling” she believes strongly in the Association and what it has to offer, and she has the desire to help improve it in any way she can.
Kimberly found mentors in her career as a REALTOR® and through those mentors chose the path to leadership. In the most fun-loving way she proclaimed in her inaugural speech as 2006 incoming president of the Plymouth and South Shore Association of REALTORS® that, “I have to be honest... when I was a child, of the three things I wanted to be when I grew up, not one of them was the President of the local REALTOR® Association.”
Yet, as with most paths in Kimberly’s career, they lead to a successful role because of her drive to help improve the place she was in. And now, as she assumes her next step as President of MAR, she welcomes it with enthusiasm and a host of positive and innovative ideas.
Timeline 1990s
Kimberly’s earlier career was in the hospitality business, managing various aspects of luxury hotels where, as she puts it, “I learned the true meaning of customer service.”
She had bought her first home in 1988 and found it to be a horrible experience never to be repeated. And so, in Kimberly’s ambitious fashion, she decided to get her real estate license to learn more about the process and avoid encountering a similar situation again.
Then her move in the mid-1990’s to the South Shore created a cumbersome commute to the Boston hotels where her hospitality career was blossoming, so she decided to use her license and start a new career in real estate, “with a strong focus on service and excellent client representation.”
Early in her career she would meet the mentor and friend who would spark her love for the profession and committment to the Association which represents it. “I can’t remember the date,” she explains, “but I can tell you that it started with a conversation; a conversation with a truly inspirational and wonderful human being whom I have the utmost respect for, both personally and professionally. This person,” she proclaims, “is my good friend and business partner, Patricia Downing.”
Patricia was a past president of the former Quincy Board and a successful business woman who taught Kimberly how teaming up with fellow volunteers in the industry can truly make a difference in the practice of real estate and the virility of the REALTOR® Association.
Activity Log
Kimberly wasted no time in contributing to the vision on the local level. Her passion is involvement and helping get tasks done to make the Association stronger. She served on a variety of committees at the local level, eventually working her way up to Secretary, Vice President, and then President.
“I was proud to serve as PASS President, but a leader only serves for a year. If we realize the goals of recruiting our best, retaining the volunteers and recognizing the leaders then this Association grows stronger for years to come,” she believes.
This philosophy was brought to the state and NAR levels, where she has served in numerous roles. A key position included several terms as RPAC Chair. In 2011, Kimberly was instrumental in guiding the Association on an RPAC mission to raise awareness and involvement in the Realtor® Party. She helped members better understand what each contribution meant to the industry and the impact the Party and the PAC had on the right to freely own and transfer property.
Kimberly developed her expertise in the Government Affairs arena having served on the Committee both locally and at the State Association and then serving as Government Affairs VP for MAR in 2008 and VP of Legal Affairs in 2009.
She has been MAR Southern Region Vice President and other important roles included membership of the MAR Communications Committee and the same committee at the national level, where she will serve as Vice Chair in 2013. Her knowledge of the Association, its members needs, and the industry is extensive as she now becomes President.
Status
“My goal as MAR President is to represent the Association the best way I can,” Kimberly states. She recognizes a need to continue the good work of the previous leaders, to fulfill the needs established in the new Strategic Plan, and ignite the membership to connect better with one another and the consumer to create a stronger marketplace and a stronger Association.
Each volunteer holds a special gift to bring to the table, Kimberly believes, and by working as a team with several great volunteers on the many Committees, she hopes to collaborate on the needs to be addressed. In preparing for her role as President, she has traveled accross the state over the past two years, listening and learning the wants and needs of involved members on the local level.
Kimberly wants to involve more members in the volunteer efforts of the Association, and hopes to do so by heightening awareness and use of technologies like FaceTime and Web Conferencing. She also hopes to improve members’ social media skills that will bring their business success to a whole new level.
“Through member research conducted in late 2012, we know that members who are new to the business need help to succeed. And overall, members are asking for assistance with social media tools and how to use them more effectively to provide better service to their customers and clients,” she explains.
Kimberly honed her skills through taking advantage of education and earning several designations through the Association. She strongly believes in creating and maintaining a productive environment for members which in turn does the same for their business.
“Designations, and the reputation of your office as a REALTOR® office show your commitment to the industry and to your clients,” she confirms. “Your membership in the local, state, and national REALTOR® Associations will be the best money you spend in your entire career – and I intend to reinforce that fact in the coming year.”
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