January 01, 2026

Chairman-Elect Tony Lloyd ABR, AHWD, C2EX, GRI

Lubbock | 806-549-8669 | tonylloyd@realty-refined.com

Lloyd is the Owner and Team Lead of Realty Refined in Lubbock. He serves on the NAR Board of Directors and was TREPAC Chairman in 2020. Lloyd was the 2007 President of the Lubbock Association of REALTORS®. He is a former Chairman of the Lubbock Area United Way and United Way Campaign Chair.

The best predictor of success in real estate is how many lives you change, whether you’re helping buyers and sellers, your fellow hometown agent you’re working with, or our members through volunteer work.

• My favorite transaction has always been the first-time buyer, because it is such an important decision for their future.
• This is a roll-up-your-sleeves-and-go-to-work profession. If you are waiting for success to just fall in your lap, especially in the current market, it’s probably not going to happen.
• I have the most association-volunteer experience in TREPAC and Governmental Affairs. That work is critically important to our profession, members, and consumers. I began to see how our committees fit and work together when I served on Public Policy-Business Issues. This experience gave me the whole picture of how our committees work for the betterment of our members and consumers.
• While I hope to always improve in the technology realm of our profession—including the utilization of AI—I also think that sometimes it’s good to stop and get back to the basics. We get wrapped up in the latest and greatest, and we just need to do some old-fashioned lead generation: make phone calls, write notes, and reach out to our customer base.
• Members should get more involved in Texas REALTORS® to have a say in what happens to and with our profession, to engage with other like-minded, successful peers, and to be in the know about everything about our association and profession.
• In my spare time, I enjoy spending as much time as possible with my family, chasing my seven grandkids, going to high school football and baseball games (my oldest son is a coach), and attending Texas Tech football and basketball games.

Immediate Past chairman Christy Gessler AHWD, CRB, CRS, C2EX, GRI, SFR, SRES, TAHS, TRLP

Liberty Hill | 512-818-3463 | christygessler@gmail.com

Gessler is the Broker/Owner of Freedom 512 Real Estate Group. She serves on the NAR Board of Directors and was the 2012 President of the Williamson County Association of REALTORS®.

I have two favorite parts of my service as Chairman. The first was getting out into the communities throughout Texas and seeing the landscape and meeting people. The second was our legislative successes. I saw our hands all over the new laws and constitutional amendments on the ballot this year, and it made me so proud because millions of Texans will benefit from our work.

• I look forward to continuing to work toward opening the lines of communication with more brokers throughout the state. We learned a lot this year when meeting with brokers prior to our regional meetings.
• The simplest way for you to get involved is to vote! I’m always amazed at the low voter turnout rates, but this means that Texas REALTORS® can absolutely be difference-makers in many elections.
• Due to the success of our legislative session in 2025, we opened the door to have more robust discussions with members about issues that face every Texan and how we can improve the quality of life in Texas and the experience of owning a business. I’m excited for our opportunities to continue to advocate in that space!
• I recommend training on communications, professional networking, and professional etiquette. We need to up our game on the types of conversations that we have and remember that we are professionals first.
• I really enjoy using MarketViewer in conjunction with the information coming out of the Texas Real Estate Research Center, as well as all the reports we get from Texas REALTORS® and NAR. We have great access to data.
• I chose Central Texas to be my home for so many reasons! We have diverse populations and a diverse landscape—and all the terrific food you could ever wish for! It’s clear to me why thousands of people are moving to Texas every day!

Secretary/Treasurer Deborah Spangler ABR, AHWD, CRS, C2EX, PMN

Houston | 281-703-0333 | deborah.spangler@yahoo.com

Spangler is the Broker/Owner of Spangler Realty Group. The former Texas REALTORS® Regional Vice President has served on the Board of Directors of the Houston Association of REALTORS® and Texas REALTORS®. She was the 2019 TREPAC Chairman and the 2010 Women’s Council of REALTORS® Texas President. Spangler is also an NAR Federal Political Coordinator.

I was the director of a private Christian school for 10 years when one of the parents at the school asked me if I wanted to work as his buyer’s agent. He was a broker/owner of a REMAX office. I was reluctant at first, but the appeal of helping families get into homes was what sold me on accepting his offer.

• What motivates me is being able to help people achieve one of the most exciting and satisfying milestones of their lives. I can help make it a successful accomplishment. Sometimes homeowners have a difficult or emotional time selling a home they don’t want to leave. In those situations, I can help to make it easier and less painful.
• Why should you get involved with TREPAC? We have an opportunity to advocate not just for ourselves but for current and future property owners. It’s an opportunity to leave a legacy for our children and grandchildren by protecting the future of homeownership.
• If you want to be successful, learn people skills. Learn how to read people. Make sure you are listening and not putting your needs first or forming your own opinions of what they should want or do. Be a good advisor, learn your market, and get as much information as possible to help them make informed decisions.
• The quote that has truly applied to my leadership journey is from Zig Ziglar: “It’s not what happens to you that determines how far you will go in life. It’s how you handle what happens to you.” I see so many people give up, get angry, or play the blame game when they fail. Instead, they should learn from it and see it as an opportunity.

President/CEO Mike Barnett AHWD, CAE, C2EX, RCE

Texas | 512-480-8200 | mbarnett@texasrealtors.com

Barnett has more than 20 years of experience with the association after having worked as Chief of Staff for a member of the Texas House. He previously served as Texas REALTORS® Field Representative in North Texas, Director of Political Affairs, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and Executive Vice President.

What really stood out in 2025 was just how caring and committed Texas REALTORS® are in every corner of this state. That pride was evident through the 10 regional meetings we attended, our conversations with brokers, and countless other visits.

• Our association’s response to the devastating flooding in the Hill Country reminded me of who REALTORS® are at their core. Our members were there on the ground sweating, crying, and standing with families who had lost so much. We worked with local associations and community organizations to get financial assistance into the community quickly. We were also able to activate NAR’s REALTOR® Relief Fund to support affected homeowners.
• What I’m most energized about is continuing the conversation with our members about the return on their investment in Texas REALTORS®. For $157 a year, the value they can access—including forms, transaction management tools, the Legal Hotline, market data, and advocacy that protects their business and preserves the American Dream in Texas—far exceeds the cost.
• When I talk with REALTORS® and leaders from around the country, the thing they admire most about real estate in Texas is our association’s culture. Texas REALTORS® has spent decades building a culture of engagement and a deep understanding that in advocacy, you’re either at the table or on the menu—and the only way to get to the table is to show up.
• A book that has shaped how I think as a leader is The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. It’s a straightforward, practical look at what makes teams truly effective—and why team dynamics almost always outweigh individual performance.
• My family and I have always loved camping. There’s something about getting outside, unplugging, and taking in the incredible places we have in this country that really resets you.