2023 Ballot for Open Seats
Voting for Open Seats on the 2023 LUTAR Board of Directors begins TODAY, October 25 and runs through noon on November 15, 2022.
Before you click on the link that takes you to the voting form, please take a moment to review information pertaining to all of the candidates below. You will also have the option on the voting form to write in a candidate for each open seat.
President Elect (1 vote)
Danielle Manchester
I have been in the community as a REALTOR for 20 years now. I have been active ingrievance, professional standards and sit on several hearings for neighboring associations.I have been very active in our local board. I am currently serving as a committee member for our Realcomp MLS Rules and Regulation committee as well as a Shareholder representative for LUTAR. I was voted by my peers as 2012 Realtor of the Year for Lapeer and Upper Thumb Association of Realtors and have served on the board of directors for LUTAR for 17 years.I am a wife and a parent of two handsome boys. With that I try to be as active as I can be at their school and try to help out in any way I can in my hometown community ofMillington.I keep myself knowledgeable in my trade and I believe that education is needed to keep us abreast of all the changes in real estate today. I attend the Michigan Realtor convention yearly as well as the Broker Summit and annual professional standards training.I very much enjoy serving on the local board as well as at Realcomp. The education and understanding it has brought me as an individual in real estate is priceless. I hope to always be involved in one way or another so that I can continually grow with the trade!
Treasurer (1 vote)
Victor Carpenter
The Lapeer and Upper Thumb Association of Realtors represent each of us in our daily business activity. The Board of Directors is responsible for how the day-to-day activity impacts the members. They are also responsible for setting the short and long term goals of the Association, how to meet those goals and how they impact each of us. Board members must remain business neutral and work for the common good of all members and associate members. I feel my prior experience with project management and long term planning is a valuable asset to the board and all members of the association.
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Life-long resident of Lapeer County - currently living in Oregon Township with my wife Cheryl. (also a Lapeer native)
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Attended Lapeer Public School
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Served four years in the United States Air Force
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Served on the Supervisory Committee and Board of Directors of the Lapeer County Community Credit Union
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Served on the Board of Directors of Security Credit Union
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A current member of American Legion Post 16 in Lapeer
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Member of LUTAR since 2003
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Served on several LUTAR committees
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Currently participating on RealComp MLS committee
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Currently serving on the Board of Directors of LUTAR in the capacity of Treasurer
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Retired from the State of Michigan - Department of Treasury with 35+ years of service
Secretary (1 vote)
Shelley Watson
I have been a resident of Lapeer for nearly 20 years. As a full time, wife and mother of 2, I began working in the field of real estate as a Property Manager several years ago, became an unlicensed assistant while I worked toward obtaining my real estate license, and I won the LUTAR Rookie of the Year award my first year in real estate. Since that time, I won many awards including Top Producer for Exit Realty Group, Top 100 Club for Exit Realty International, and consistently earned the Top 5 in Michigan award for both listings and sales for several years in a row. My passion for real estate has driven me to also focus my attention on the industry as a whole. I have served on the Lapeer and Upper Thumb Association of Realtors Board of Directors for several years as Secretary, Treasurer, President and Past President. I also currently serve on the Professional Standards Committee, as well as the Board of Governors representing our Shareholder’s interest in Realcomp. My community is also very important to me, and I have been active in the participation of a Habitat for Humanity build, as well as other volunteer activities. I put 110% into everything I do and would therefore make an excellent choice to serve on the LUTAR board.
3 Year Director (2 votes)
Arvid Martin
I have 17 years experience listing and selling vacant land, commercial properties, residential homes, and experience with 1031 Tax-Deferred Exchanges.
I have served on the Lapeer County Planning Commission, the Imlay Township Zoning Board of Appeals, and I am currently a member of the Imlay Township Planning Commission. I have my e_PRO, SFR, and Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA) certifications from the National Association of Realtors. I want to give back to LUTAR after 15 years of membership and to assist LUTAR in our Mission to provide our members with the resources and support to be ethical, professional, successful, and to be the voice for real estate in our communities.
Samantha Relken
Over the last 18 years I’ve had the privilege to work in almost every aspect of a real estate brokerage. From working as an assistant to a fantastic team to assisting with the management of one of the most successful franchises in Oakland County. I've supported agents with technology, marketing, communication and contract compliance review. I've served clients as an agent from North Oakland, Genesee, Macomb, Lapeer and Sanilac counties.
Today, I have the privilege to be a part of my own family brokerage. It offers me the opportunity to support our outstanding agents, clients and the communities we serve. I take pride in being intentional, present and most importantly listening to the needs of a situation and putting a plan into action that offers solutions and success.
Louise Thomas
I am running for another term on the Lapeer & Upper Thumb Association of REALTORS, Board of Directors because I feel that I can help with the mortgage side of the Board. I have 25 plus years in the mortgage industry. I have went thru many changes in the mortgage industry, I feel that I can be an asset to the LUTAR Board.
I have served on the Board for more than 12 years. I enjoy all the difference aspects of the real estate needs. I can relate to all of the Realtors and the changes they have to go thru. I have worked with Icon Mortgage for 13 years, I have the knowledge that I feel can help all of the Lapeer, Sanilac, Genesee, Tuscola, Realtors, and all of Michigan.