2010 NJAR^® Leadership Team

Judy Appleby, ABR, RSPS, SRES, President

Judy Appleby, ABR, RSPS, SRES, is president of the New Jersey Association of REALTORS^® (NJAR^®). A REALTOR^® since 1978, Appleby is the broker/owner of Appleby Realty in Seaside Park, N.J.

Throughout the years, Appleby has served as a NJAR^® director, division officer, and committee chairperson. She was the chairperson of the legislative committee and was the communications and public relations division officer. Most recently, she held the position of NJAR^® first vice president. Appleby has also served on numerous committees and is currently a trustee of the NJAR^® Governmental Research Foundation.

On a local level, Appleby served as president of the Ocean County Board of REALTORS^® (OCBR) in 2003 and 2006. She was twice named REALTOR^® of the Year by OCBR, once in 1982 and again in 2004. Appleby remains involved in her local board by serving on several committees, including budget and finance, bylaws, legislative/RPAC, personnel, and strategic planning.

Nationally, Appleby has served as a NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^® (NAR) director since 2003. Currently, she is a member of NAR's land use, property rights and environment committee. In 2009, in Washington, D.C., she participated in a work study group appointed by NAR regarding disaster insurance. She has also served on NAR's risk reduction committee, and resort and second home real estate committee.

In addition to her participation in the REALTOR^® organization, Appleby is actively involved in her community. She is a founding member and current secretary for “Summer in the Park,” a group that encourages tourism by hosting community activities such as concerts and parades, as well as a fund-raiser that benefits the local first aid and fire department. She is also an American Cancer Society and Habitat for Humanity volunteer and is a member of the Ocean County Chamber of Commerce.
 

Allan H. "Dutch" Dechert, RSPS, President-Elect

Allan "Dutch" Dechert, RSPS, is president-elect of the New Jersey Association of REALTORS^® (NJAR^®). A REALTOR^® since 1981, Dechert is the broker/co-owner of Ferguson Dechert Real Estate, Inc. in Avalon, N.J.

Throughout the years, Dechert has served as a NJAR^® director, division officer, and committee chairperson. In 2008, he held the position of chairperson of the strategic planning committee and was the communications and public relations division officer. Over the years, Dechert has served on numerous committees including the legal affairs, nominating, convention, bylaws, budget and finance and legislative committees. In addition, he served as the president of the NJAR^® Governmental Research Foundation in 2006 and 2007.

In 1989, Dechert served as president of the Cape May County Association of REALTORS^®, Inc. He was selected as REALTOR^® of the Year by the Cape May County Association of REALTORS^® in 1990 and again in 2001. On the local level, he has held numerous positions, including having served as a member of the nominating, legislative/political affairs, multiple listing services and strategic planning committees.

Nationally, Dechert serves as a NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^® (NAR) director, which he had previously served as from 2002 to 2008. He is a past chair and current member of the NAR resort and second home real estate committee. He previously served on the NAR land use, property rights and environment committee.

In addition to his involvement in the REALTOR^® organization, Dechert is committed to improving his local community. He is member of the Avalon Chamber of Commerce, having served as its president from 2004 to 2007. He also serves in the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce. He is married with two grown children, who have recently graduated from college, and is active in many local and national charitable organizations.
 

Gary Large, CRB, e-PRO, ABRM, First Vice President

Gary Large, CRB, E-PRO, ABRM is first vice president of the New Jersey Association of REALTORS^® (NJAR^®). He joined the REALTOR^® Association upon entering the real estate business in 1974. He currently manages the Morris County Regional Sales Center of Prudential New Jersey Properties in Morristown, N.J.

At the state level, Large has served on various committees and has held numerous leadership positions. He held the post of professional conduct division officer in 2009, industry advocacy division officer in 2008 and served as chair of the legal affairs committee in 2007. He has also served as a member of the legislative, nominating, and budget & finance committees.

Large has been a trustee of the North Central Jersey Association of REALTORS^® (NCJAR) board of directors for over 10 years, serving as the Association's president in 2004. Over the years, he has filled numerous positions at the local level on various committees. He served as president of the West Essex Board of REALTORS^® in 1995.

At the national level, Large is currently a NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^® (NAR) director and a member of the membership policy and board jurisdiction committee.

In addition to his involvement with the REALTOR^® Association, Large devotes his time to volunteering in his community. He is currently a trustee for the Indian Lake Community Club and an elder for the Parsippany Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Company for 15 years, serving as chief the last two years before retiring from the department.

Large is a resident of Denville, N.J. with his wife, Tammy and daughter, Stephanie.
 

Melanie Selk, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SRES, Treasurer

Melanie Selk, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SRES is treasurer of the New Jersey Association of REALTORS^® (NJAR^®). She has been practicing real estate since 1987, which is the year she joined the Association. She is currently a broker-associate at RE/MAX Estates Realty in Clark, N.J.

Throughout the years, Selk has served the REALTOR^® organization in many different capacities. At the state level, she held the post of professional development division officer and served as chair of the legislative committee. She was a trustee of the NJAR^® Governmental Research Foundation and assumed the role of president in 2008. She has also served on the legislative, political affairs, and communications & public relations committees.

Locally, Selk was elected to serve as president of the Greater Union County Association of REALTORS^® (GUCAR) in 2001 and 2002. Other leadership roles she has held at the local level include first vice president, second vice president and director. After her presidency, she served on the GUCAR board of directors from 2003 to 2007.

Selk currently serves the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^® (NAR) as a director and a member of the land use, property rights and environment committee.

Selk currently resides in Roselle Park, N.J.

Diane E. Dilzell, CRS, e-PRO, Immediate Past President

Diane Dilzell, CRS, e-PRO, is the 2010 immediate past president of the New Jersey Association of REALTORS^® (NJAR^®). She is a broker-associate at Pinnacle, REALTORS^® and Associates who joined the REALTOR^® organization in 1989.

Over the years, Dilzell has served NJAR^® as a division officer, chairperson, and member of numerous committees including: strategic issues, budget and finance, cultural diversity, and risk management. In addition, she served as a trustee for the NJAR^® Educational Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides annual scholarships to New Jersey students pursuing higher education. She is currently chair of the budget & finance and nominating committees at the state level.

Dilzell is an active member of the Hunterdon/Somerset Association of REALTORS^® (HSAR). In 2002, Dilzell served as president of HSAR and was selected as HSAR's REALTOR^® of the Year. She has been a member of the finance, by-laws, education, and program committees, in addition to holding the position of products & services committee chairperson.

Dilzell also serves the REALTOR^® organization at the national level where she is currently a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^® (NAR) housing opportunity committee and an NAR director. From 2004 to 2006 she served on the cultural diversity and equal opportunity committee.

In 2003 and 2004, Dilzell served as president of the Council of Residential Specialists New Jersey Chapter. The chapter offers networking and educational opportunities to members who have achieved the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation. In 2001, Dilzell was named New Jersey CRS of the Year.

Dilzell is an active volunteer for numerous organizations throughout Somerset and Hunterdon counties including Habitat for Humanity and People for Animals. She also served as a trustee on the Somerset County Coalition on Affordable Housing. She is an associate member of the Bedminster-Far Hills First Aid Squad. Dilzell is a lifelong resident of New Jersey and has two children.

Jarrod C. Grasso, RCE, NJAR^® Chief Executive Officer

Jarrod C. Grasso, RCE, is executive vice president of the New Jersey Association of REALTORS^® (NJAR^®). As executive vice president, Grasso directs NJAR^® in its mission to serve the professional needs of its members, develop programs and services to enhance the ability to conduct business successfully and ethically, and to serve as an advocate for private property rights and the real estate industry. Additionally, he is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Association and works with the NJAR^® leadership team and board of directors.

In 2007, Grasso was chosen to serve on a Workforce Housing Committee within the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. The committee is charged with crafting recommendations to solve New Jersey's affordable housing crisis and present these recommendations to the governor.

Grasso joined the association in 1999 and was promoted to vice president of government affairs in 2002. For nine years, he served as NJAR^®'s chief lobbyist responsible for the tracking, revision and analysis of legislative issues affecting New Jersey's real estate industry.

Grasso received a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University in November 2004. In April of 2006, Grasso was honored by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^® with the REALTOR^® association Certified Executive, or RCE designation, which recognizes his specialized industry knowledge and his achievements with the New Jersey Association of REALTORS^®.

Prior to joining NJAR^®, Grasso was employed by the office of United States Congressman Christopher Smith of New Jersey's Fourth Congressional District. Upon completion of his term with the Congressman, he went on to fill a position as a policy analyst for the New Jersey Legislature Assembly Majority Office in Trenton. At the state capital, Grasso served as a committee aide to the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance, and Labor Committees.

Grasso is also actively involved in his local community where he has participated in the annual "Coast the Coast" multiple sclerosis bike tour and is a member of the Community Medical Center Hospital Foundation's Board of Trustees.