Lynda Fernandez Photo by: Courtesy photo
Las Vegas Realtors selected Lynda Fernandez, a veteran real estate executive with more than 25 years of leadership experience, as its new chief executive officer, the organization announced this morning.
Fernandez, who most recently led New York’s second-largest real estate association, will assume her new role on Jan. 5.
She replaces Wendy DiVecchio, who was dismissed following allegations that she tampered with the board’s election of officers. DiVecchio has since sued the organization for wrongful termination and defamation.
Fernandez comes to Las Vegas from the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors in White Plains, N.Y., where she served as CEO, the group said. She also previously headed the Greater Louisville Association of Realtors in Kentucky.
Much of Fernandez’s career was spent at the 60,000-member Miami Association of Realtros, where she worked for more than 16 years in various leadership roles, including chief of communications and senior vice president of public relations and international affairs.
Fernandez holds a journalism and mass communications degree from Florida International University and a master’s degree in forensic accounting from Florida Atlantic University. She speaks Spanish fluently and has working knowledge of French, Portuguese and Italian, the trade group said.
“We were especially impressed with her relevant experience leading similar associations in different parts of the country, along with her strong communication skills, success in increasing revenue while adding value for members and her passion for the position,” Las Vegas Realtors President George Kypreos said in a statement. “I’m confident she’ll do great things for our members, our industry and our community.”
The organization, with 16,000 members, said it conducted a lengthy nationwide search that included detailed interviews and feedback from multiple members before making its selection.