East County realtors group to share CEO

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Two San Diego-area realtor trade groups, the Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors (PSAR) with an office in El Cajon, and the North San Diego County Association of Realtors (NSDCAR), have decided to share a chief executive officer.

El Cajon resident Richard D’Ascoli, current CEO for PSAR, also will add CEO for NSDCAR duties to his workload, succeeding NSDCAR CEO Dianne McMillan who is retiring.

Two San Diego-area realtor trade groups, the Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors (PSAR) with an office in El Cajon, and the North San Diego County Association of Realtors (NSDCAR), have decided to share a chief executive officer.

El Cajon resident Richard D’Ascoli, current CEO for PSAR, also will add CEO for NSDCAR duties to his workload, succeeding NSDCAR CEO Dianne McMillan who is retiring.

Each association will continue to operate independently as two separate organizations, governed by their own boards of directors, and D’Ascoli will report to each board separately, a statement said.

Officials said the decision for D’Ascoli to serve as CEO for both realtor associations was prompted by a shared-services agreement the two realtor groups signed earlier this year. The agreement provides access to services, resources and discounts offered by either association to both NSDCAR and PSAR members. Shared services include Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data, discounts on store items and lockbox equipment and services, along with educational training, advocacy and other resources. PSAR and NSDCAR began sharing services in 2013, when arbitration and mediation services became available through a joint program. 

In addition, the announcement of McMillan’s retirement presented the two realtor associations with the opportunity to benefit from professional executive support in a cost-effective manner, officials said.

D’Ascoli, who has served PSAR for the past 10 years, will begin serving as CEO of NSDCAR on Oct. 1, but will gain the CEO of NSDCAR title effective Jan. 2, 2017, following McMillan’s end-of-year retirement. McMillan has worked with NSDCAR for the past 25 years. 

In a statement to NSDCAR members, Raylene Brundage, NSDCAR 2016 president, said, “Rich has a proven track record and is well suited to help find creative solutions to the challenges we face in an industry that is changing quickly. The NSDCAR board and I are excited to have Rich with our organization. The NSDCAR Board is looking to the future and is committed to the long-term growth and viability of our organization. Rich is local, plus he has experience engaging with members in the field to identify areas where the association can support our members, protect property rights and build professionalism. He is very accessible and understands the challenges that realtors face every day. The board and I are confident that he will invigorate and build on the strong foundation established by our current and past leaders of NSDCAR.”

D’Ascoli said, “I’m very excited and looking forward to this opportunity to serve our industry as CEO of both PSAR and NSDCAR. Shared services programs help realtor associations expand services and streamline management through strategic partnerships. The focus of shared services is not about mergers, rather it’s about collaborations, partnerships and other mutually beneficial relationships among realtor associations that enhance the level of service to all members and increase the association’s efficiency and productivity.”

D’Ascoli has more than 25 years of management experience and 10 years of realtor association experience. The U.S. Air Force veteran has earned the Realtor Association Certified Executive (RCE) professional designation from the National Association of Realtors. He has a master’s degree from Golden Gate University and a bachelor’s degree from Fordham University.

PSAR, with more than 2,500 members, operates service centers in Chula Vista and El Cajon. NSDCAR, with more than 4,800 members, operates service centers in Vista, Carmel Valley, Carlsbad, Escondido and Fallbrook.