Connie Hettinga, Realtor and Managing Broker at Steinborn GMAC Mesilla, will be named President of the Real Estate Association of New Mexico at their annual Conference in Las Cruces which starts Sept. 9, 2009. Hettinga will be only the third president to represent Las Cruces in the association’s existence. The association is one of the few groups that work to protect the property rights of individuals in the state. RANM works in conjunction with the National Association of Realtors and local Realtor boards to encourage legislation at the national level and state level while always looking out for the property owners and Realtors.
Connie’s journey has taken her to the President of RANM. After a very successful stint selling real estate in Alaska, family and the Land of Enchantment brought Connie and her husband Keith to Las Cruces. Soon after becoming licensed in the state of New Mexico, she was encouraged by colleagues, Bud Peterson and Howard Dukes, to get involved with the Las Cruces
Association of Realtors. Once she began participating in the association, Connie realized that serving provides a great opportunity to give back to the community which she loves. Soon Connie became President of the Las Cruces Multiple Listing and Information Systems in 2004. Her conscientious nature led her to make many improvements, and she is always observant, looking for ways to make things better. Connie still felt there was much more she could contribute, so she set a goal to be President of the Las Cruces Association of Realtors’ which she led during 2007. She focused on communication, and her efforts paid off as many new people got involved in the organization.While there is little doubt Connie has done her time in the association, she saw a need for unity at the state level. She believed the association could accomplish more of its professional goals by involving more of the 7,000 plus members of the RANM so she has worked tirelessly toward that end. She applied and interviewed in 2008 for the Treasurers seat. The nominating committee did not choose to put her name forward for the vote by the state board of directors basically making the decision of RANM Treasurer all by themselves. The by-laws of the association allow for a person that is qualified to run by petition so not giving in so easily, Connie did just that.
Running by petition meant that Connie had to quickly gather signatures from each board association around the state. This she accomplished and gave her the equal opportunity to run. She was one of two candidates now and won the election at the Fall 2008 Board of Directors meeting held in Taos, New Mexico.
After a year of serving as the RANM Treasurer, she applied to be the President Elect which would include becoming the 2010 RANM President. The normal lineage for the President Elect is to be Treasurer, President Elect, and then President and Immediate Past President. However, the road has never been smooth for Connie. She once again would be challenged for her seat. The challenge was an unusual occurrence but Connie persevered and went on to become the President Elect.
Now after 7 years working on behalf of Realtors and home owners, Connie has made it to the top of the line where she can fight for unity on behalf of the over 7,000 Realtors and the thousands of home owners in Las Cruces and around the state. It is not a day too soon to have Las Cruces Represented in the manner that it deserves.
Connie’s perseverance is a testament to her character and a great prelude to what we will see from her in the future. Realtors and property owners will win because Connie would not accept losing or the status quo.
Appeared in the September 2009 Real Estate Gazette. Read Here.
