East Tennessee Realtors was founded in 1912 and has served the real estate interests of its members and the public for 112 years, sometimes with different names such as Knoxville Area Association of Realtors.
Every three years, a slate of officers and directors is elected by a majority vote from all primary and secondary Realtor members and appraisers who are eligible to vote.
The 2025 board of directors election was conducted August 28-30, 2024, with these results:
- Daniel Park: first vice president (will ascend to 2027 president)
- Katie Ridgeway: treasurer
- Jessica Catapana: general director
- Jeff Grebe: general director
- Annette Sydes: general director
- Scott Wilson: county director
They will join previously elected officers: Justin Bailey, 2024 president who will become 2025 immediate past president; Tina Collins-Hefner, 2024 president-elect who will become 2025 president; and Angela Scott, 2024 first vice president who will become 2025 president-elect.
The newly elected officers below responded with the following:
Daniel Park has been in the real estate industry for about 12 years with his key to success being about the care he takes with each client which reveals itself through communicating clearly, negotiating fairly, educating thoroughly and responding thoughtfully.
“I truly believe that the best marketing you can do in this industry is treat your clients with care and respect. This often causes those clients to recommend you to their friends, neighbors and colleagues.”
Daniel is honored to be elected as first VP by the members of East Tennessee Realtors. “It’s a huge honor to be in leadership at such a wonderful organization and follow in the footsteps of incredible past leaders.
“Being a part of ETNR has been extremely rewarding both professionally and personally. I’ve learned a tremendous amount from the staff and from being a part of the board. I’ve also made some great friends along the way as well.”
Daniel also credits his association with Realty Executive Associates as being “a wonderful community that truly feels like home for me. I’m incredibly thankful for the leadership, staff and other agents here who make this such a great place to work. It’s truly special.”
Daniel spends his off time with his wife and four kids. He loves running and will be completing the NYC marathon in November this year.
Katie Ridgeway has been in the industry for 14 years and says, “I love real estate – the people, the properties, the excitement, the commitment, the continuing education, the sales process, the negotiations … everything!” She is very involved in many organizations, not only East Tennessee Realtors, but also as room parent for both children, treasurer for her HOA and many others. She says, “ I adore East Tennessee and I am honored to work in an industry that supports my local community.”
Jessica Catapano attributes her success in the industry to a steadfast commitment to integrity, discipline and service by “consistently focusing on making principled decisions, developing efficient habits and fostering inclusivity within our community. These principles have collectively contributed to building a productive and ethical business environment.”
Jessica says being a member of East TN Realtors is invaluable for both professional growth and development by providing access to a wealth of resources, networking opportunities and industry insights that are crucial for staying at the forefront of real estate. She says the organization allows her and other members to being able to contribute to the community and to collaborate with peers which enhances the ability to serve clients effectively and uphold the high standards of the industry.
Outside of real estate, Jessica’s devotion extends to her family as a wife and mother of two with a big extended family. Her off-work time is spent enjoying the outdoors and playing family games, where she always ensures a fair competition.
Jeff Grebe has been in real estate since 1993 and his key to success is embracing clients with a family-centric approach, ensuring that his team and clients feel like part of an extended family
Jeff has held multiple leadership roles within the real estate community since 2013 and of this role says, “I am committed to bringing my experience, leadership and dedication to the East TN Realtors board of directors, ensuring our association thrives and grows together.”
Jeff and his wife, Crystal, have raised three daughters: Madison, Gabrielle and Morgan.
Annette Sydes is coming up on the 10-year mark in the industry saying her key to success is “to lead with care, compassion and authenticity towards my clients and peers.”
Annette walks the talk as she is dedicated to serve all those along her journey. She is not only “grateful for the honor to serve the East TN Realtors as an amazing organization” but as an advocate for Realty Executives Associates, whom she praises as “more than a community to me, they are like an extension of my family.”
Outside of these real estate families, Annette can be found spending quality time with her own family and friends, cooking, hiking or volunteering as is her natural calling.
Scott Wilson has been in the real estate industry since 2007 with his key to success being counsel for any industry: “Find great mentors, be the knowledge broker, have great communication skills and always be consistent.” Scott has the highest praise for the two organizations influencing his career journey: East TN Realtors and Realty Executives Associates.
He says, “Lyle Irish, and all the staff at East TN Realtors , have always been on the cutting edge of our industry forward thinking and in the current times we face as Realtors, this is invaluable.”
Of Realty Executives Associates, Scott says: “Since joining REA in 2007, I’ve been consistently inspired by their wonderful, ethical and caring leadership. This company is dedicated to striving for excellence and genuinely believes in supporting every agent to achieve their best.”
In his spare time, Scott travels and goes camping.
Lyle Irish, CEO of East Tennessee Realtors, emphasizes the organization exists to provide all its members throughout its 12-county jurisdiction access to a wide array of resources designed to help the members succeed in today’s ever-changing real estate industry. It doesn’t matter if the member is a brand-new agent or an experienced broker.
Irish says, “Over the years, East Tennessee Realtors has been fortunate to have had some of the best and brightest players in the local real estate market serving in leadership roles, guiding the association to becoming one of the largest and most respected Realtor associations in Tennessee and beyond. The recent election of new directors and officers continues this path and serves to assure the entire membership that their association remains in very good hands.”
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