Credentials & honors.

Personal

Born 1956 in Hengelo, the Netherlands.

Married. Speaks Dutch, German and English.

Licenses & designations

Certifications

• 2024Gold Key Certification, Orlando Realtors
• 2024SRS Seller Representative Certification
• 2024Community Association Manager
• 2024Certified Core Law, Orlando Regional Realtors
• 2012Mediation Certification, St. Augustine Realtor Association
• 2011Commercial Realtor Negotiations Certification
• 2010Commercial Realtor CCIM, CI 102
• 2010Risk Management Certification
• 2009Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE)
• 2009Certified Institute for Luxury Home Marketing
• 2009Accredited Buyer Representation (ABR)
• 2009Certified ePro Internet
• 2009Certified 1031 Exchange
• 2009Commercial Realtor CCIM, CI 103
• 2008Commercial Realtor CCIM, CI 104
• 2008Certified One America, National Association of Realtors
• 2007Commercial Realtor CCIM, CI 101
• 2005Certified ICREA World Properties
• 2004Licensed real estate broker
• 2004Graduate of Realtor Institute (GRI)
• 2004Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS)
• 1994Commercial pilot
• 1988Real estate sales agent
• 1979Lawyer, international law and tax

Recognition

Honors

Real estate

• 2023Philanthropist of the Year
• 2023Top Global Impact Broker
• 2018NAR Global Business and Alliance Committee
• 2018Florida Realtors Global Committee
• 2017–18Top Broker, Second Home International, Utrecht
• 2017Florida Realtor Featured Global Realtor
• 2016Chairman, RPAC Realtor Party Action Committee
• 2016Facilities Task Force, Orlando Regional Realtors
• 2015Vice Chair, Realtor Party Action Committee
• 2015Chairman, Commercial Council ORRA
• 2014National Association of Realtors Commercial Award
• 2014Chairman, Market Diversity Committee ORRA
• 2013Pillar of the Community, ORRA
• 2013Leadership Florida Realtors
• 2012Realtor of the Year
• 2012–15Broker Council ORRA
• 2011Specialty Award, International Realtor of the Year, ORRA
• 2011Circle of Achievement Award, CFCAR
• 2011Community Service Award, CFCAR
• 2011–14VP, Central Florida Commercial Realtor Association
• 2010Top Real Estate Broker in Hamburg, Germany
• 2010Leadership Orlando Realtors
• 2010–16Director, Orlando Regional Realtor Board
• 2006–18Honor Society, Orlando Regional Realtors
• 2006–18Honor Society, Florida Realtors
• 2006–18Global Council, Orlando Realtors Board
• 2006Women of the Year Achievement Award
• 2018FIABCI, Federation Int’l des Professions Immobilières, Paris
•  Golden R Sponsor, RPAC President’s Circle

Rotary, giving & community

• 2011Rotary President of the Year, District 6980
• 2010–14Rotary Int’l President, Orlando Evening (2010–11, 2013–14)
• 2007–18Rotary Bequest Society
• 2007–18Rotary International Paul Harris Society
• 2012–18Rotary Foundation Major Donor
• 2012–15Rotary Int’l Multiple Member Sponsor
• 2011–13Rotary Int’l Student Exchange Host
• 2011Rotary Int’l Club Extensions Committee
• 2017Charter VP, Rotary Orlando E-Club
• 2009Rotary Leadership Institute
• 2017Rotary Leadership Institute Leadership
•  Founder, Hagere Salem Water Well, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
•  Founder, Jireh Orphanage, Boca Chica, Dominican Republic
• 2016Good Neighbor Award
• 2015Good Neighbor Award
• 2014–15Executive Board, Kids Beating Cancer
• 2014Major Donor Wall, Florida Hospital
• 2014Florida Hospital Transplant House Board
• 2006–15Ronald McDonald House Sponsor
• 2013Ellison S. Onizuka Humanitarian Award nomination
• 2012–14President, Club Holland Orlando
• 2013–14Director, Dutch American Business Club of Central Florida

Leadership, law & speaking

• 2016–18President, Toastmasters Leaders in Communication
• 2015–18Distinguished Toastmaster
• 2015President’s Distinguished Toastmaster, District Governor
• 2014–15Area 31 Governor, Toastmasters International
• 2015Founding member, Citrus Toastmasters Orlando Charter
•  Leadership Orlando, Class 90
• 1981Moot Court Groningen, the Netherlands
• 1981Deputy Sheriff, Alachua County, Florida
• 1979Groningen University School of Law, L.L.M.
•  International Committee, Women’s Council of Realtors
•  NAIOP, National Association of Industrial and Commercial Properties

Legal

Bar

Writing

Publications

• 1981“Treaty of 1961”, The Hague, re: International Wills · New York Law Journal
• 1981“Testamentaire Voogdij” (Testamentary Custody) · Netherlands Bar Journal
• 2004“Breathtaking Views” · QualiTime, Rotterdam
• 2004“Selling Homes the European Way” · ORRA Monthly
• 2004“International Realtor’s Etiquette” · ORRA Monthly
• 2004“The Global Clock” · ORRA Monthly
•  “It’s Not So Bad Here; Look at Europe’s Housing Prices” · ORRA
•  “Treating Int’l Buyers with Kid Gloves” · ORRA Monthly
•  “Strict Laws Require Extra Efforts Internationally” · ORRA
•  “A Second Home in Florida” · Second Home Magazine NL
• 2005“Favorable Currency Exchange Favors US Real Estate Purchases” · Arts en Auto NL
• 2009“Realtor for the Rich and Famous” · Performance Magazine, Groningen
• 2010–18Bi-monthly contributor · Orlando Realtor
• 2013–24Listed · Orlando Business Journal Book of Lists

Networks

Membership

Career

General experience

1. CurrentLicensed Real Estate Broker and Principal, Downtown Brokers LLC

   CIPS, CCIM candidate, GRI, ABR, ePro, CDPE, TRC, CAM, SRS

2. 1981–2024Managing investment portfolios

   For investors in the USA

3. 2008–18Principal, Downtown Professional Management LLC

   Orlando

4. 2004–18Principal Licensed Real Estate Broker, Downtown Brokers LLC

   Orlando

5. 2005–10Board, Park Lake Towers Condominium Association

   Orlando

6. 1985–2000Principal, Netham Investments Ltd.

   Atlanta

7. 1985–92Uniken Venema & Associates

   Atlanta, Georgia. Investing for Dutch corporations in conjunction with the Netherlands Embassy

8. 1983Foreign Attorney, Arnall Golden & Gregory

   Attorneys at Law, Atlanta, Georgia

9. 1981Foreign Attorney, McFarlane Ferguson Allison & Kelly

   Attorneys at Law, Tampa, Florida