News Bytes February 2019

Two New Council Members

RECA welcomes JT Dhoot and Tiago Lage to Council.

JT Dhoot is the Founder and Principal of Omnis Valuations and Advisory Ltd. and a Partner of Outlook Realty Advisors Inc., a Calgary-based commercial real estate appraisal and consulting firm established in 1999. As a Chartered Business Valuator (CBV) and Accredited Appraiser (AACI) with over 10 years’ experience in valuations, real estate development, and private equity, JT has participated in projects across multiple industries throughout Canada.

Tiago Lage has a range of international finance experience including credit risk management and investor relations. His previous roles include head of finance for a business aviation services provider, executive financial advisor to the board of directors of a hotels, golf and resorts chain, and Executive Advisor to the Assistant Deputy Minister at Alberta Energy. He is currently the Director of Downstream Chemicals for Alberta Economic Development and Trade. He has a degree in Economics, holds an MBA, and speaks English, French, Portuguese and Spanish. He is a CFA Charterholder and the Vice-President of CFA Society Edmonton.

Anonymous Fraud Tip

Consumers and industry professionals now have an anonymous online fraud tip form to report instances of fraud to RECA.

The form is another way RECA is enhancing consumer protection, as it allows consumers and industry professionals the option to report wrongdoing related to fraud. The form is for fraud related tips only. All other complaints can be submitted through the usual online complaint form.

We hope that making the reporting process easy and anonymous will increase the amount of fraud instances reported.

Come visit us: upcoming trade shows

The Calgary Home and Garden Show
February 28 – March 3
The BMO Centre, Calgary

The Edmonton Home and Garden Show
March 21 – 24
Expo Centre, Edmonton

Fraud Prevention Month Launch Event
March 2
Cross Iron Mills, Calgary

Red Deer Home Show
March 15 – 17
Westerner Park, Red Deer

Service Excellence

RECA created Service Excellence Principles to help guide our interactions, both internally and externally. Our Council, leaders, and staff have discussed tangible ways we can commit to the principles to further improve service excellence at RECA. It’s about holding ourselves, and our industry, to a higher standard so that together we maintain positive relationships within our community.

Jean Flanagan elected Vice-Chair of RERC

Jean Flanagan, RECA’s Director of Strategic Initiatives & External Relations, will serve as Vice-Chair of the Real Estate Regulators of Canada (RERC). RERC is a national organization that brings together Canadian real estate regulators to develop common practice standards, address regulatory issues, and recognize each other’s education and licensing standards. RECA’s work with RERC has been integral in harmonizing real estate brokerage practices across the country. Learn more on RERC’s website.

Remembering Alf Kaszuba, RECA’s first Manager of Licensing and Education Standards

RECA staff and Council were saddened to hear of the passing of Alfred “Alf” Kaszuba on October 2, 2018.

Alf was RECA’s first Manager of Licensing and Education, a post he held from 1995 to 2005. Alf came to RECA from Alberta Government’s Consumer and Corporate Affairs department, which was RECA’s forebear before the passing of the Real Estate Act and the creation of RECA in 1996.

When Alf started with RECA, all renewal and licensing applications were done on paper! The monumental task of processing those thousands of documents each year was one Alf tackled with dedication, passion, skill, and a great sense of humour. By the time Alf retired in 2005, RECA had begun its journey to online licensing, which culminated in the myRECA system used today.

RECA was honoured to have such a dedicated professional on staff, and our thoughts go out to Alf’s many children and grandchildren.

The retirement of REIX CEO Harvey Gamble

Longtime CEO of the Real Estate Insurance Exchange (REIX), Harvey Gamble, announced his retirement in 2018, and it took effect on November 15, 2018.

RECA congratulates Harvey on a long, dedicated career, and wishes him and his family all the best.

Harvey began his career in agricultural sales in Olds, where he ran a REMAX brokerage. His move to insurance came in the 1990s, when he took the reins of REIX, the Errors and Omissions insurance provider for real estate professionals in Alberta and Saskatchewan.