KWRN LEADERSHIP Council
Leadership Council
The KW Rainbow Network Leadership Council always strives to deliver our Network Members an organization to be proud of and an experience second to none. The Network’s mission of Diversity Worth Celebrating leads us in our day-to-day actions and decisions.
The Leadership Council meets regularly as a group, and more often in committees (both formal and informal) to both grow and protect our Network’s day to day operations. From it has grown the Rainbow Mastermind, and more recently this Website, the PRISM Award, and Rainbow Camp!
From a small event of ten to a Network of 1,500 and growing — growth presents opportunities and their challenges. We strive to be worthy of our position to serve you. Get to know us, get to know the committees. We welcome your ideas, input, and experience!
Our Committees
Our newly formed Diversity Committee plans and organizes cultural diversity training through education and mastermind events to empower our members in their lives and businesses.
The Education and Professional Development Committee implements educational programs focusing on issues important to our members, hosts a calendar of virtual events, and runs the annual Rainbow Mastermind at KW conferences each year.
Industry Relations Committee oversees relationships between our Network, Keller Williams, members of the Press and all external / affiliated groups and organizations for the benefit of the Rainbow network as a whole.
Our Marketing & Promotions Committee is focused on initiatives that increase awareness of the LGBTQ community, drive inclusion at every step of the KW Associate experience, and help grow both the KWRN and our members’ businesses.
The Growth and Membership Committee seeks to provide prospective members with information about the Network and assists growth through attracting new members.
The Networking & Social Committee plans and organizes opportunities for members to network and foster both business / social relationships at all major KW events via formal and informal meet ups and gatherings.
Mark Benson
REALTOR® | Naples, FL
GROWTH & MEMBERSHIP Committee | Marketing & Promotions Committee
Mark Benson is a native Floridian, born in Miami, Florida and who moved to Naples in 1992. He has been a full-time Realtor in Southwest Florida for 25 years. Mark works with buyers, sellers and investors in Naples, Marco Island, Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel and Captiva Islands
He has earned the numerous Designations & Certifications: Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR); At Home with Diversity (AHWD); Certified Residential Specialist (CRS); Graduate, REALTOR® Institute (GRI); Master Certified Negotiation Expert (MCNE); Transnational Referral Certification (TRC). Additionally, Mark is a member of the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing (ILHM), is a Keller Williams Luxury Homes specialist, and the original Founding Member of the KW Rainbow Network!
Christopher Broughton
Associate Broker | Albany, NY
Industry Relations Committee | Marketing & Promotions Committee | GROWTH & MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
Christopher Broughton was a Boston resident before becoming a transplant to upstate New York’s Capital City in 2006. At KW he runs the Broughton Properties Team, practicing real estate full time with his dedicated agent squad. Experienced and fun to work with, his team is truly one of the best at helping their clients and investors — and in fact is often a Top KW Team year over year!
Prior to KW, Christopher spent 15 years working in advertising, directing, trafficking, and managing campaigns for Digitas Boston (for clients such as AT&T, Disney, and L.L. Bean). In 2000 he started his own marketing firm as Principal (while buying and investing in real estate), and in 2006 relocated to Albany NY for love!
Soon after joining KW in 2007, Christopher was an early founding member of the KW Rainbow Network as one of its inaugural Leadership Council members. To this day, Christopher proudly serves the Network by furthering its initiatives to foster fellowship and through KW, making LGBT home ownership a reality for this diverse and growing community.
Valerie Crowell
Broker Associate | San Francisco East Bay, CA
Education & Professional Development Committee
Valerie Crowell is a third generation Real Estate Broker having started in the industry in 1972 at 14, answering phones at her father’s business. In 1976 she began her industry experience in earnest, starting in the policy department of a title insurance company. After more than 30 years and becoming one of the most respected Commercial Title Officers in the industry – handling some of California’s largest transactions including the financing for the KSL resorts, the Bank of America building and Kelly Moore’s financial restructuring, Valerie began her Real Estate career in the spring of 2008.
Starting with one of the largest REO agents in the east bay, she expertly navigated those transactions with compassion and understanding. Two years into her business, Valerie moved to Keller Williams in Walnut Creek. Valerie’s vast real estate knowledge and dogged pursuit of fair and reasonable solutions make her the perfect fit in an organization whose core values include the precept of Win-Win or no deal.
In her off time, Valerie is a volunteer with the local Doberman Pinscher rescue, evaluating temperament and transporting homeless dogs to their new life. She has always been athletically inclined and currently participates in distance cycling and powerlifting. She believes that sport teaches us the discipline and teamwork we need to live prosperous lives. She has completed numerous century rides and holds over 25 powerlifting records. She lives in Concord with her rescued Doberman Bill and her crazy puppy Frida. She is most proud of her seven AIDS/Lifecycle rides. She has raised over $40,000 to help end the scourge of HIV and AIDS and treat those currently suffering from the virus.
Kimberly Davis
REALTOR® | Dallas, TX
Diversity Committee
Kimberly Davis is a native of North Texas. A 1991 graduate of McKinney High School and 1996 graduate of Texas Women’s University with a degree in Education, she is the leader of The Kimberly Davis Group – Frisco, Plano & The Colony’s most innovative real estate team. Kimberly has hand picked the members of her team to ensure that they possess the same ethics, ambition and customer service skills that have led to her success.
Her honors as an agent include being named by KW as the #1 agent in the Entire TX/NM region, #1 agent in Plano (10 years running), and she remains in the top 1% in KWRI (18 years running). D Magazine has awarded her Top Realtor status 2001-2019. She is active in her community as a member of the Collin County Association of Realtors, Lambda Legal, NAREB, GLBT Chamber of Commerce, the Minority Business Entrepreneurs, and the Junior League of Plano.
She is versed in new construction, REOs, Short Sales, and traditional resale. By staying current with education and market trends with regard to real estate, the financial market, the mortgage industry, etc, Kimberly and her team are positioned to better educate her clients. Kimberly and her partner Cindy have been together 21 years, and are proud parents to 9 year old Tristan.
Dylan Duckworth
REALTOR®, Team Leader | Twin Cities, MN
Marketing & Promotions Committee
Dylan Duckworth has lived in the Twin Cities Metro of Minnesota for 25+ years. Growing up with his whole family in Real Estate, Dylan learned his negotiation skills at the kitchen table. From a young age, Dylan was immersed in an environment rich in entrepreneurial spirit and this made becoming a Realtor an eventuality. Dylan will tell you that his family is his unfair advantage.
Dylan earned his real estate license in 2013 while attending Minnesota State University, Mankato, for Marketing. Starting out, Dylan worked as a Marketing Specialist for a mortgage company and as a Realtor on his parent’s team.
In 2018, after realizing his sales skills and passion for working with agents 1-1 to develop their marketing – Dylan moved to Michigan for 4 years. Dylan’s partner, Tyler, had just graduated medical school at The Mayo Clinic School of Medicine and was accepted into the University of Michigan’s Anesthesiology Residency Program. For a short time, Dylan took on an Assistant Team Leader role with an office of over 400+ agents before earning his Michigan Real Estate License in 2019 and joining Jeff Glover & Associates’ team. In Dylan’s first 90 days in production, in a new state and with zero sphere, he secured 12.8 million in listing volume. Dylan attributes his success in Michigan to scripts, objection handling, prospecting, following a consistent schedule, and the coaching of Jeff Glover. Proving his ability starting in the “mailroom” Dylan ultimately moved into a Sales Manager role and was responsible for recruiting, retention, and agent development for a team selling nearly 1,000 homes each year. Notably, Dylan implemented an updated Agent-In-Training program which accounted for about 33% of the team’s total units and volume monthly, several culture-based retention programs, and he recruited nearly 48 agents. After Dylan’s success with Jeff Glover & Associates he took on an additional sales role with the fastest growing real estate coaching company, Glover U! Dylan is currently licensed in both MN & MI selling real estate, working with Glover U, and leading the largest Keller Williams brokerage in Southern Minnesota as a Team Leader.
Also, in 2019, Dylan began serving on the KW Rainbow Network’s Agent Leadership Council which represents 1,800+ LGBTQ associates internationally. As a relentless advocate, Dylan’s focus is to ensure everyone – no matter who they are – is well equipped to remain agile and thrive in a rapidly changing market and world. With a commitment to celebrating diversity, Dylan is collaborating with this dynamic group of Keller Williams associates to expand on initiatives focused around equality, awareness, and building community.
John Harper
REALTOR® | Palm Springs, CA
NETWORKING & Social Committee | Education & Professional Development Committee | INDUSTRY RELATIONS COMMITTEE
John Harper currently runs the Harper Group powered by Keller Williams. He has been a resident of the greater Palm Springs, CA area since 2012 and a Licensed Realtor® with Keller Williams since 2006, starting at Keller Williams Beverly Hills. While in that office, he served as a proud member of the ALC.
Prior to becoming a Realtor, John spent 20+years working at Showtime Networks in New York in market research and analysis, business development, programming and advertising (helping to launch the new media group, the Sundance Channel, and helped to bring QUEER AS FOLK to your living room.) He was an active member of the LGBT group while at Showtime. In 2011, John relocated to Los Angeles, and worked at NBCUniversal Television.
At NBCU, he was responsible for the management and administration of domestic pay cable deals for HBO, Starz/Encore, and Showtime Networks in order to maximize the revenue on deals valued at over $1 billion. He worked with the budding digital and streaming divisions as well, overseeing the companies’ PPV and digital contracts. John was one of the founders of Out at NBCU, their in-house LGBTQ affinity group.
He shares a home with his three dogs – Frankie and Lady, and their father, Jack. He is proud to be a part of the KW Rainbow Network’s Leadership Council.
Hunter McNair
Broker, Owner | Raleigh, NC
Education & Professional Development Committee
Hunter McNair is a “Triangle” North Carolina native, and the proud owner and founder of Hunt Houses NC in Raleigh. His team’s core values have always included supporting LGBT charities and education — both at home and across the country. Hunters’ team is known for their annual 12-hour Facebook live stream “#HuntForRelief” which has raised over $20,000 for non-profits in the last three years. Hunter also created and hosts the inspiring “Rainbow Mastermind” that now takes place at every Family Reunion and Mega Camp.
He is joined in business with his husband and other half, Justin, who serves as his team’s operations manager. Together they make an amazing team proudly supporting their community, both at home and across state lines. Hunter serves on the KW Rainbow Network Leadership Council as its Education chair, always finding new ways to grow the member’s knowledge and core competencies.
Bill Knecht
Real Estate Broker | Tampa, FL
Culture & Social Committee
Bill Knecht is a Realtor with Keller Williams Tampa Properties in Tampa, Florida. With 22 years of experience in real estate, Bill consistently ranks in the top 20% of agents. He is versed in serving the entire Tampa Bay area.
Bill has held leadership roles throughout Keller Williams, including multiple stints on his market center Associate Leadership Council and various teaching roles. He is proud to have been one of the early leaders in the establishment of the Keller Williams Rainbow Network.
Bill is a sixth-generation native Floridian, and a graduate of the University of South Florida with a B.A. in English Literature. Bill and his husband Joe (now a Realtor after a career in banking) live in Tampa’s Riverside Heights neighborhood with their Cocker Spaniel, Latte. When not working they enjoy their mid-century ranch home, gardening, and travel.
Lisa Ortiz-Rodriguez
Associate Broker | New York, NY
Diversity Committee | Industry Relations Committee | Marketing & Promotions Committee
Lisa Ortiz-Rodriguez is the founder and owner of Ortiz Rodriguez International and brings more than 20 years of legal and real estate experience to the table. Following a successful career in the legal field, in 2003 she decided to bring her skills to the world of Real Estate.
Lisa is dual licensed in New York and New Jersey and is an Associate Broker with KW New York City and the Broker of Record with KW City Views. Lisa is also a skilled real estate investor; her clients have benefitted from her experiences as a strong advocate and negotiator.
This commitment to her client’s real estate goals has afforded her numerous industry awards. Lisa proudly serves on the ALC, the KW Rainbow Network Leadership Council, she is the President of the NYC Chapter of NAGLREP, a part of KW Industry Leaders and is an investor in two KW market centers. Lisa has also been honored by being named a Keller Williams Cultural Ambassador.
When Lisa isn’t helping her clients with their real estate goals, she’s committed to giving back to the community and supports effective and civic-minded organizations like Make- A-Wish Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Habitat for Humanity. Lisa’s other passions include playing the piano, traveling, skydiving, zip lining, scuba diving, swimming, horseback riding, salsa and flamenco dancing and investing in real estate.
Eric Vazquez
Associate Broker | Middletown, NY
Diversity Committee | Growth & MEMBERSHIP Committee
Eric Vasquez was first licensed in April of 2000 and has just celebrated 20 years in real estate. A 40+ year resident of the Mid-Hudson region, he joined KW in 2012 with a deep knowledge of the uniqueness of the area.
Eric’s experience before KW includes retail and inventory accounting management and he spent one year as the Market Center Administrator in his local market center. He returned quickly to sales due to his love of working with the client and helping them achieve their goals.
Shortly after joining KW, Eric was invited to join the KW Rainbow Network and is both humbled and excited to be part of such a thriving network in both contribution and support for building our community’s businesses.
Eric enjoys helping his clients find the right property to meet their needs. Servicing all aspects of residential real estate sales, early on he focused on developing a specialty in foreclosures and short sales and continues to service clients with both owner-occupied and investment interests.
Legacy Leadership
MARK BENSON
INDUSTRY RELATIONS COMMITTEE
MARKETING & PROMOTIONS COMMITTEE
CHRISTOPHER BROUGHTON
GROWTH & MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
MARKETING & PROMOTIONS COMMITTEE
Dave Gervase
Industry Relations Committee
Bill Knecht
