2025 The Convention

Trista Curzydlo

C4 Consulting L.L.C.

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Trista is a graduate of Washburn University and Washburn University, School of Law, where she was a member of the Washburn Law Journal. After serving as Assistant Legal Counsel to Kansas Governor Bill Graves, Trista joined the office of the District Attorney for the Eighteenth Judicial District of Kansas as an Assistant District Attorney assigned to the Consumer Fraud division. From 2004 to January of 2010, Trista was the Government Affairs Director and Legal Counsel for the Wichita Area Association of Realtors® and the South Central Kansas MLS, in Wichita, Kansas. Trista is now the principal member of C4 Consulting, L.L.C. and is devoting her time to offering excellent educational opportunities for real estate licensees across the country.

With the knowledge you expect from an attorney and the sense of humor you wish your attorney had, Trista brings a fresh perspective to teaching continuing education classes for real estate licensees. Her career as an attorney both in the courtroom and the Statehouse provides her with a strong grasp on the “why” behind difficult legal topics while her experience as Legal Counsel for a Realtors® Association allows her to provide the “how” for risk management in a manner that everyone can grasp and enjoy.

• 10:00 - 10:50 AM, Oct 8, 2025

  How's That Working Out for You? Hot Legal Issues in Real Estate

• 1:30 - 2:20 PM, Oct 8, 2025

  How's That Working Out for You? Hot Legal Issues in Real Estate [REPEAT]

• 11:15 AM - 12:05 PM, Oct 8, 2025

  There's No Font For Sarcasm...Managing a Multi-Generational Workplace

Marki Lemons-Ryhal

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With 25 years of marketing experience, Marki Lemons-Ryhal a fifth generation entrepreneur, third generation restaurateur and first generation infopreneur has established herself as an award winning social media speaker and course author. In a market where change is the only constant factor, Marki’s has used her dynamic, professional attitude and vast experience to become one of the top speakers in the country relying on content from one of the fifteen classes she has authored.
By consistently offering sound industry analysis and professional guidance, Marki’s expertise has been featured in The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Agent Magazine, Forbes, REALTOR® Magazine and has also been included on CBS News Chicago and CNBC.
In 2010 Marki was named the Illinois Real Estate Educator of the Year. Marki began her career in education in 1993 and currently works as a speaker and coach, teaching social media and technology classes for the National Association of REALTORS®, CHASE, Goldman Sachs 10k Small Businesses, REALOGY, and Chicago City Colleges.
Marki resides in Bronzeville with her husband Stephen and their two sons Skyler and Austin. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Chicago State University and a Master’s in Business Administration from Saint Xavier University.

• 3:40 - 4:30 PM, Oct 9, 2025

  Knowledge Session

• 2:20 - 3:10 PM, Oct 9, 2025

  Maximize Your Marketing With AI: Personalized & Automated Campaigns For Broker Owners

Brad Ward

Vice President, Public Policy & Legal Affairs

Michigan Realtors®

Brad Ward serves as Vice President of Public Policy & Legal Affairs for the Michigan Realtors®. He has worked for the Michigan Realtors since 2001, starting as director of legal affairs and a liaison to local Realtor® associations in mid and northern Michigan. Since 2013, Ward has been the association's head lobbyist.

• 10:00 - 10:30 AM, Oct 9, 2025 Ballroom CD, DeVos Place

  Policy Matters

Tom Cronkright

Sun Title Agency

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Thomas W. Cronkright II is a founding member of Sun Title Agency and serves as its Chief Executive Officer. He is a licensed title producer in multiple states. Tom is an attorney admitted to practice in the State of Michigan and holds a real estate broker’s license. His primary responsibilities include marketing, strategic planning, business development, and oversight of the company’s commercial property division.

Tom was previously an attorney in the business and corporate practice groups of Warner Norcross & Judd LLP and Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone, P.L.C. In 2004, Tom formed Corporate Advisors PLC, a private law firm that specializes in legal and corporate strategy services for businesses and business owners. Tom received his B.A. degree in finance from Western Michigan University and his law degree from Wayne State University.

• 2:20 - 3:10 PM, Oct 9, 2025

  From Red Flags to Revenue: The Security-Smart Agent's Playbook [REPEAT]

• 1:00 - 1:50 PM, Oct 9, 2025

  From Red Flags to Revenue: The Security-Smart Agent's Playbook

Craig Grant

Real Estate Technology Institute

As the lead Subject Matter Expert (SME) of NAR’s upcoming rebuild of ePro, 2023 RIS Media
Newsmaker as an Industry Futurist, over 150 in-person & virtual speaking engagements around
the world each year, including sessions for NAR, several state conventions, franchises, CRS, &
other key industry events, Craig Grant is considered one of the most sought-after technology,
marketing & cybersecurity speakers around.
Whether it be at an industry event, in the classroom, or online via Zoom or the RETI.us portal, one
thing that fuels Craig is to help today’s real estate professionals embrace and get over their fear of
technology so that it can work for them and not against them.
As his motto, “Advanced Real Estate Technology & Marketing Instructed at a Pre-K Level” states,
Craig is able to take extremely complicated topics & present them in a way that the average nontechnical person not only understands but is able to apply & improve their business.
In addition to being the CEO of the Real Estate Technology Institute and RETI.us, the Real Estate
Industry’s Home for Online Technology Education, Craig Grant is an avid sports fan & music lover
who can be found watching and/or participating in events and concerts with friends.

• 3:40 - 4:30 PM, Oct 9, 2025

  Knowledge Session

• 11:00 - 11:50 AM, Oct 9, 2025

  Working with Today's Hyper-Connected Consumer

Frank Lucarelli

Sr Account Executive

First American Title

I'm proud to have worked at First American Title in Michigan since 2002. As an Account Executive, I am committed to providing the superior service, technology, and products you and your clients deserve. I would love to get in touch, so please contact me today to learn more about all that we offer. I look forward to hearing from you.

Locations Served: Wayne, Monroe, Washtenaw and Lenawee Counties

• 11:00 - 11:50 AM, Oct 9, 2025

  Clear to Close Panel

• 2:20 - 3:10 PM, Oct 9, 2025

  Commercial Track: How to Get Sued

Beth Graham

Broker/Appraiser

Beth is a licensed broker and certified residential appraiser serving the Greater Lansing market area since 1986 as a self-employed fee appraiser. She has been a resident of Lansing since 1985 after graduating from Ferris State University and from Davenport University; Beth grew up in Hart and Newaygo. Beth started her volunteerism with the Women’s Council of REALTORS serving on committees at the local, state and national levels and serving as local Lansing President in 1997, State President in 2004, State Governor in 2005 and 2006. She was President of the Greater Lansing Association of REALTORS in 2016. Other service included Michigan REALTORS grievance, finance & budget, convention task force and MiCREA chair in 2008; National Association of REALTORS Real Property Valuation committee, Sustainability Advisory Group, Chair of the Real Property Valuation Forum in 2018, 2020 member of the Federal Financing & Housing Policy Committee and 2021 member of the Real Property Valuation Committee. Beth is also volunteers with the Michigan Mortgage Lenders Association and the Appraisal Institute. She had the honor of being named Michigan Realtor of the Year 2010; Michigan Realtor Active in Politics 2019; GLAR Realtor of the Year 2010; WCR Michigan Member of the Year 2009; Michigan Mortgage Lenders Assoc. Volunteer of the Year in 2007. Beth is a RPAC Major Investor and holds the PMN, RAA and ePRO designations. At the community level, she is currently a Lansing Board of Water and Light Commissioner, past Lansing Planning Commission member, past member of the Neighborhood Watch Advisory Group, a Girl Scout Leader and served from 2006 – 2012 on the Michigan Appraiser’s Board. Beth and her husband, Jay, enjoy their time with family (granddaughters), our golden retriever and grand-goldens, camping, traveling and golfing.

• 11:00 - 11:50 AM, Oct 9, 2025

  Clear to Close Panel

Brian Westrin

General Counsel

Michigan Realtors®

Brian Westrin is General Counsel for the Michigan Realtors®. He helps facilitate both the Public Policy Committee & Legal Action Committee. He regularly presents on legal and policy issues, often working directly with local associations on emerging concerns. Brian is a graduate of Louisiana State University and Michigan State University College of Law.

• 10:50 AM - 12:30 PM, Oct 10, 2025 Saginaw Room

  Within the Law - CE Marketplace Certified 1.0L hr

Rebecca Berke

Director of Legal Education

Michigan Realtors®

Becky Berke serves as the Director of Legal Education for Michigan Realtors® . She began her role in 2016 after acting as a legislative and legal intern for the Michigan State Senate. Becky earned her undergraduate degree from Michigan Technological University and her law degree from the Michigan State University College of Law. In her role at Michigan Realtors® , Becky conducts legal and legislative research on issues that affect the real estate industry. She also assists in developing content for legal continuing education. As an advocate of Fair Housing education and outreach, Becky also serves as the staff liaison to the Fair Housing Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

• 10:50 AM - 12:30 PM, Oct 10, 2025 Saginaw Room

  Within the Law - CE Marketplace Certified 1.0L hr