Morgan is the Owner/Broker for Ashurst & Niemeyer. After growing up in Fairhope, Morgan graduated from Auburn University in Business Economics in 1998 and moved to New York City to pursue a career on Wall Street. After several years of trading, Morgan decided to move back home to embark upon a career in his family’s business, real estate. Morgan’s passion is helping others find their dreams whether they are Single Family Dwellings, Commercial Properties, Second Homes or Investments. Morgan strives for excellence and enjoys the daily challenges of real estate. When he is not working, he is playing tennis or spending time with his family. Morgan is married to Allison Norris Ashurst and they have three children.

Brent Buchanan is CEO & Founder of Cygnal, an innovation-driven public opinion polling and predictive analytics firm. He started the company in 2007 (in Alabama) as a regional general consulting firm but transitioned the organization in 2017 to focus fully on solving the problems with political polling and insights. It worked! Both The New York Times and FiveThirtyEight recognized Cygnal as the most accurate private polling firm in the nation in the 2018 election cycle. He now lives outside of Washington, DC. Brent doesn’t know what free time is, because his most important priority is his wife of 11 years and five children age 10 and under.

On March 2nd, 2017, Dr. Benjamin S. Carson, Sr., M.D., was sworn in as the 17th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. For nearly 30 years, Secretary Carson served as Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, a position he assumed when he was just 33 years old, becoming the youngest major division director in the hospital’s history. In 1987, he successfully performed the first separation of craniopagus twins conjoined at the back of the head. Dr. Carson received dozens of honors and awards in recognition of his achievements including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Dr. Carson and his wife co-founded the Carson Scholars Fund, which recognizes young people of all backgrounds for exceptional academic and humanitarian accomplishments. The Fund is currently operating in 50 states and the District of Columbia, and has recognized more than 7,300 scholars, awarded more than $7.3 million in scholarships, and installed more than 150 Ben Carson Reading Rooms around the country. Born in Detroit to a single mother with a 3rd grade education who worked multiple jobs to support their family, Secretary Carson was raised to love reading and education. He and his wife are the proud parents of three adult sons and three grandchildren.

Billy has 40 years of experience in accounting and auditing with Aldridge, Borden & Company, P.C.  He has responsibilities for the management of the assurance services of the firm and serves as the firm’s designated audit partner for the AICPA Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center.  He has an extensive practice in governmental and not-for-profit entities, including several professional trade associations, churches, regional commissions and other governmental consortiums.  He has been instrumental in developing the firm’s OneSource client service delivery concept. Billy is a frequent speaker and discussion leader for the Alabama Society of C.P.A.’s, Auburn University Montgomery, and other organizations including the Alabama Government Finance Officers Association. He serves on the University Of Alabama Culverhouse School Of Accountancy and the Troy University School of Accountancy Professional Advisory Boards.

Daniel Dennis is the CEO of Roberts Brothers, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate, and South Alabama’s largest real estate firm. Since 2010, he has been responsible for strategic planning and the operation of the company’s 300 sales associates & staff in 5 offices. Celebrating its 74th anniversary, Roberts Brothers is the market leader and provides brokerage, relocation, property management, and vacation rental services in Mobile & Baldwin Counties.  Daniel was the 2019 Chairman of the Board for the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce and is also a member of the Board of Directors for Visit Mobile. He serves on the Advisory Boards for Regions Bank, the Salvation Army of Coastal Alabama, and the University of South Alabama’s Center for Real Estate Studies & Economic Development. He is an active participant in the Big Brother Big Sister Program, is a former Chair of Chamber Chase, the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce’s total resource campaign, and was selected as a member of Mobile Bay Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2012.  Daniel is a native of Mobile and earned a B.S. Degree in Finance from Auburn University.  He has also earned a Juris Doctorate Degree (J.D.) from Cumberland School of Law and a Master of Laws Degree (LL.M.) in Real Property Development from the University of Miami School of Law. He and his wife, Maribeth, have three children, Asa, Cecil Grace & June.

Governor Kay Ivey, who became the 54th Governor of Alabama in 2017, is committed to raising the quality of life for all Alabamians. A native of Camden in Wilcox County, she embarked on a career of public service to benefit her fellow Alabamians. During her time as governor, Alabama has seen record high employment and its lowest jobless rate. Her focus on economic development has attracted over $14 billion in capital investment and 34,000 new jobs. She is committed to offering economic development opportunities to rural Alabama and the metro regions alike. With the same level of passion, she is leading Alabama toward a more prosperous future through infrastructure investments and an improved education system

Franklin Johnson is the Senior Associate Counsel for the Alabama Association of REALTORS®. His responsibilities include managing the Legal Helpdesk, assisting in implementing legal and regulatory affairs strategies, and providing guidance and briefings on external legal issues affecting the Association, Association members, and the real estate industry. Prior to his time with the Alabama REALTORS®, Franklin served as Deputy Legal Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff in the Alabama Governor’s Office and as a law clerk for a bankruptcy court. Franklin obtained his bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and his juris doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law. He is married to Caroline Johnson and has two children, Bo and Ann Caroline.

Katie Johnson is the General Counsel and Chief Member Experience Officer, National Association of REALTORS®, the nation’s largest trade association representing more than 1.3 million members involved in all aspects of the real estate industry. Katie joined NAR in 2007 and was appointed as General Counsel in 2014. As General Counsel, she is responsible for assuring that the programs, policies, and activities of NAR are in compliance with the law. She also is responsible for defending the association against legal challenges and initiating litigation to protect and preserve association assets and policies. As NAR’s Chief Member Experience Officer, she leads initiatives to enhance member engagement and satisfaction through delivery of trusted knowledge, resources and experiences that elevate member success and professionalism. Katie has earned a juris doctorate and a master’s degree for Information Technology and Privacy Law. She lives in Chicago with her husband and three children.

Dr. Jessica Lautz is Vice President of Demographics and Behavioral Insights at the National Association of REALTORS®. The core of her research focuses on analyzing trends for both NAR members and housing consumers. Through management of surveys, focus groups and data analysis, she presents new and innovative ways to showcase results. Jessica discusses research findings in major media outlets and international presentations. Jessica received her Doctorate of Real Estate from Nottingham Trent University in the U.K. She also has a Master’s in Public Policy from American University and undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Law and Justice from Central Washington University.

Michael Soon Lee, CRS, GRI, has been a real estate broker for over 40 years. He is a diversity expert who has spoken over 1,000 times around the world to all of the major real estate franchises, at 14 NAR conventions, as well as companies like: Coca-Cola, Chevron, Boeing and General Motors. Dr. Lee is the author of nine books including "Cross-Cultural Selling for Dummies" and "Black Belt Negotiating."

Coming soon.

Kathy is a real estate broker with a tireless passion for helping others. She began her career by serving her country as a 2^nd Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserves. After graduating cum laude from Prairie View A&M University, she worked as a pediatric oncology and a neonatal intensive care nurse. These experiences have been among the most challenging and enriching of Kathy’s life, enhancing her spirit of service. In 2005, Kathy made a career change to real estate. She vigorously applied herself to mastering the complex aspects of the industry, pursuing specialized education, and becoming involved with local committees. Her thirst for knowledge, along with her uncompromised commitment to her clients, enabled Kathy to achieve great success as a REALTOR®. In 2016 Kathy served as the first female African American President of the Huntsville Area Association of Realtors. She provides industry leadership while continuing to serve homebuyers and sellers throughout Northern Alabama.

Slade is currently an Associate Broker/REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty in Montgomery. After graduating from Auburn University, where he received his undergraduate degree in marketing and masters in aquaculture, Slade worked for a manufacturing company in Opelika as Vice President of North American Sales for 19 years before moving to Montgomery and starting his career in real estate. He has served on numerous local and state committees, including the Professional Standards Committee, Finance Committee and Government Affairs Committee, to name a few. Slade was named the 2011 REALTOR® of the Year for his local board, the Montgomery Area Association of REALTORS®, where he also served as president in 2014.

McGahn, a member of the association’s Advocacy Group, is responsible for managing NAR’s Federal Legislative and Political Affairs and Political Representative teams. She provides strategic advice on public policy issues impacting NAR and helps direct its Independent Expenditure and Public Advocacy programs. Before joining America’s largest trade association, McGahn served as the staff director for the House Financial Services Committee and, prior to that, as a counselor to the United States Treasury Secretary. She also held communications roles for three members of House Leadership during her near 20-year Capitol Hill career. In addition, McGahn served as Vice President for a D.C.-based public affairs firm, and held the same position for a consulting firm focused on grassroots communication in major national media markets. The first woman to hold the Senior Vice President of Government Affairs position in NAR’s 110-year history, McGahn brings with her nearly two decades of experience working with or for the legislative and executive branches of the U.S. government. As she continues her career at NAR, she is focused on working on behalf of America’s 1.3 million REALTORS® to promote and protect property ownership for people across the United States. McGahn earned her B.A. in History from The George Washington University. A native of Westerville, Ohio, she currently resides in Alexandria, Virginia, with her husband and two sons.

Robert has 25 years of experience working with insurance companies, restaurants, not-for-profit organizations, and closely-held businesses of all sizes. He specializes in providing tax compliance and planning, client accounting outsourcing services, business consulting services, and IRS representation services. Robert serves on the firm’s Tax Quality Control Committee, Continuing Education Committee, and 401(k) Committee. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants (ASCPA). Additionally, Robert serves as a member of the Auburn University School of Accountancy Advisory Council. He was a member of Leadership Montgomery Legacy Class XXXV and past president of the Capital City Kiwanis Club.

Charlie Oppler, a REALTOR® from Franklin Lakes, N.J., is the 2020 President-Elect of the National Association of REALTORS®. Charlie has been a REALTOR® since 1981. He is the COO of Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty, with 12 offices in northern and central New Jersey. He holds the At Home with Diversity certification from NAR. Charlie has served on NAR’s Board of Directors numerous times, beginning in 2003. He has chaired the REALTOR® Party Coordinating Committee and the RPAC Trustees Committee. Charlie has served on four of NAR's Presidential Advisory Groups. In 2005, he was NAR’s Vice President for Region 2, representing New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania and in 2015, he was NAR Vice President for Chris Polychron. Charlie was the president of the New Jersey Association of REALTORS® in 2004. At the local level, Charlie is a member of the Eastern Bergen County Board of REALTORS®. In 1997, they named him their REALTOR® of the Year, and in 1996 he served as their president.

Katie Richard is Associate Counsel for the Alabama Association of REALTORS®. Her responsibilities include assisting with the Legal Helpdesk, working alongside the CEO and Senior Associate Counsel in developing and implementing legal and regulatory affairs strategies, managing the Association’s health care plan, developing education opportunities, and providing guidance for members on legal and other external issues affecting the Association and the real estate industry. Prior to joining Alabama REALTORS®, Katie practiced law for a few years at the law firm of Couch, Conville, and Blitt, LLC, and then went on to the Retirement Systems of Alabama where she served as an Equity Analyst.  Katie is a graduate of the University of Alabama with a degree in Finance and minors in Economics and Spanish. In 2014, she earned her juris doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law. She lives in Montgomery, Alabama with her husband, Chris Richard, and two puppies, Carter and Layla. She is involved in many civic, philanthropic and leadership organizations around the community.

Bradshaw has served as the Director of Communications & Marketing for Alabama REALTORS® since 2015. During her time with the Association, she has overseen the rebranding of the organization, developed a new website, worked on numerous member and consumer advertising campaigns, and launched the weekly newsletter, Real Estate Alabama. Bradshaw has previously served on the National Association of REALTORS® Federal Technology Policy committee, and has been a member of the Member Communications Committee since 2019. Prior to joining Alabama REALTORS®, Bradshaw served as the Director of Marketing for a private school. Bradshaw earned her BA in Public Relations from the University of Alabama. She resides in Montgomery with her husband and two young children.

Jeremy has served as CEO of Alabama REALTORS® since 2016. Prior to joining the Association, Jeremy practiced with Haskell Slaughter, LLC where his practice was devoted to civil litigation matters, white-collar criminal defense, state and local government matters, insurance defense and governmental affairs.  Jeremy is a member of the Alabama State Bar Association Character and Fitness Committee and Chair of the Real Property, Probate & Trust Section. He received his B.S. in Finance from the University of Alabama in 2003 and his J.D. from Faulkner University’s Thomas Goode Jones School of Law in 2007. Prior to law school, Jeremy was involved in football at the University of Alabama, both as a player and as a student assistant coach.

Lawrence Yun is Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of Research at the National Association of REALTORS®. He oversees and is responsible for a wide range of research activity for the association including NAR’s Existing Home Sales statistics, Affordability Index, and Home Buyers and Sellers Profile Report. He regularly provides commentary on real estate market trends for its 1.4 million REALTORS®. Dr. Yun creates NAR’s forecasts and participates in many economic forecasting panels, among them the Blue Chip Council and the Wall Street Journal Forecasting Survey. He also participates in the Industrial Economists Discussion Group at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. He appears regularly on financial news outlets, is a frequent speaker at real estate conferences throughout the United States, and has testified before Congress. Dr. Yun has also appeared as a guest on CSPAN’s Washington Journal. Dr. Yun received his undergraduate degree from Purdue University and earned his Ph.D. from the University of Maryland at College Park.