A Final Message from Your CAAR President
As my term as President of the Central Arizona Association of REALTORS® comes to a close, I want to reflect on our accomplishments, recognize those who have contributed to our association, and express my appreciation for the opportunity to serve.
My involvement on the CAAR Board began approximately five years ago. I have had the privilege of serving as Secretary, Vice President, and President. My presidency began under unexpected circumstances, but I was grateful for the confidence my fellow directors placed in me and for the opportunity to continue serving through my own term.
One of the most important priorities during my presidency has been improving the association’s financial position and ensuring that our resources are used responsibly. Through greater attention to expenditures, financial oversight, and spending priorities, CAAR has moved from operating at a deficit to operating at a surplus.
This improvement included reevaluating longstanding spending practices, reducing discretionary expenditures on travel, and redirecting resources previously allocated to charitable contributions toward activities more closely aligned with the association’s mission.
These changes were guided by a straightforward principle: the dues entrusted to our association should be managed responsibly and used primarily to support our members, our professional responsibilities, and the long-term financial health of CAAR. I believe this stronger financial foundation is one of the most important accomplishments we can leave to future Boards.
Another important accomplishment has been the modernization of CAAR’s administrative and accounting systems. We have streamlined membership application processing, improved our accounting procedures, and transitioned to a fully electronic dues payment system. By routing dues payments through the National Association of REALTORS® system, we have significantly reduced the administrative work associated with collecting, processing, and reconciling membership dues.
While many of these improvements take place behind the scenes, they have made our association more efficient, reduced unnecessary administrative burdens, and allowed us to devote more resources to serving our members.
Another significant undertaking has been the renovation and improvement of our association’s office and meeting facilities. This investment is intended to create a more professional, functional, and welcoming environment for members, staff, and association activities.
Renovation progress in CAAR’s administrative office, including new flooring, lighting, and interior finishes.
We have also continued addressing important matters involving MLS operations, association governance, and member services, with an emphasis on adapting to the changing needs of our profession.
Serving on a volunteer Board involves making decisions that are not always easy and about which reasonable people may disagree. I have always believed that effective leadership requires thoughtful consideration, independent judgment, and a willingness to make decisions based on what best serves the organization.
While we may not always agree on every issue, our shared responsibility is to act in the best interests of the association and the members who place their trust in us. I thank my fellow directors, committee members, volunteers, and association staff for their contributions and for the work that so often takes place behind the scenes.
January 2024.
As Josh Weinland assumes the presidency, I wish him and the incoming Board every success. Each new Board brings its own experiences, perspectives, and priorities. That continuity of leadership, combined with fresh ideas, is important to the long-term success of any organization.
I am optimistic about CAAR’s future and believe the association is well-positioned to continue serving the real estate professionals of Central Arizona.
Serving as your President has been both a privilege and a responsibility. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to an organization that plays an important role in our local real estate community. I will continue to be an active member of our profession and look forward to seeing CAAR build upon the progress we have made.
Thank you for your trust, your support, and the opportunity to serve.
Dennis R. Riccio
2026 President
Central Arizona Association of REALTORS®
Interested in what CAAR does and how you can get involved? Contact us below to talk to our team.