The Utah Association of REALTORS® Leadership Designation (LUAR) will help you improve your skills as a REALTOR® and association volunteer. The curriculum focuses on three pillars for successful real estate leaders:

  1. Political advocacy
  2. Volunteer tools for effective association management
  3. Forms and legal updates

This designation will help you:

  • Advocate for policies that support homeownership.
  • Lead within the REALTOR® organization.
  • Protect your clients by understanding UAR forms, contract law and legal updates.

How to Earn Your Designation

  1. Take three hours of Government Affairs classes
  2. Take three hours of Nonprofit Governance classes
  3. Take three hours of Forms/Legal classes
  4. Apply for the designation

After you earn your designation, you’ll receive a certificate, authorization to use the LUAR credential and access to designation logos.

Class Descriptions

Government Affairs Classes

  • Government Affairs 101 – State Government and Advocacy – 1 core Utah real estate C.E. credit
    Gain knowledge about the Utah State Legislature, the law-making process, and the commissions and agencies that impact the real estate industry and market. Learn about legislation that impacts real estate and how to communicate with elected officials.
  • Government Affairs 102 – Local Government and Land Use – 1 core Utah real estate C.E. credit
    Learn how local governments influence land use and, in turn, the real estate market. Explore how municipal authority, planning and zoning decisions, and local policy shape housing availability and value. Understand how to effectively engage with local leaders to advocate for smart growth and housing solutions that benefit clients and communities alike.
  • Government Affairs 103 – Elections and Engagement – 1 core Utah real estate C.E. credit
    We’ll cover what you need to know to get involved in local political elections. Understand the types of elections, campaign finance law and disclosure requirements. Get the tools you need to participate in elections legally and effectively. As you engage, you’ll benefit your business and community.

Forms/Legal Classes

  • Forms and Contract Law 101 – Value of UAR Forms – 1 core Utah real estate C.E. credit
     Become familiar with UAR forms and how to fulfill your fiduciary duties to clients.
  • Forms and Contract Law 102 – Utah Case Law Involving Contracts – 1 core Utah real estate C.E. credit
    Understand case law affecting real estate transactions. Topics include seller disclosures, agent responsibilities and earnest money.
  • Forms and Contract Law 103 – UAR Forms – 1 core Utah real estate C.E. credit
    Become familiar with the basics of contract law. Review Utah case law involving the Real Estate Purchase Contract. Understand the agency agreements necessary to represent clients.

Nonprofit Governance Classes

  • Nonprofit Governance 101 – The Role and Duties of an Association Volunteer – 1 core Utah real estate C.E. credit
    Gain skills to effectively lead at the local, state or national level of the REALTOR® organization while mitigating risks. This class reviews the three-way agreement between the National Association of REALTORS®, Utah Association of REALTORS® and local boards as well as anti-trust laws in real estate.
  • Nonprofit Governance 102 – Essential Tools for Serving as an Association Volunteer – 1 core Utah real estate C.E. credit
    Understand the importance of real estate-related corporate governance and fiduciary duties. Gain skills to effectively lead while mitigating risks.  Learn how to run organized meetings that accomplish the goals of the organization.
  • Nonprofit Governance 103 – Financial Tools for Serving as an Association Volunteer – 1 core Utah real estate C.E. credit
    Gain a foundational understanding of finance and accounting principles. Learn how to interpret key financial statements and understand how these reports reflect an organization’s financial health. Explore the budgeting process, the importance of managing cash flow, and the financial oversight responsibilities of board members and committee volunteers. By the end of the session, you’ll be able to contribute to financial discussions, ensure proper stewardship of member funds and support the long-term sustainability of the association.

Class Calendar

Government Affairs and Nonprofit Governance classes taught at the Utah Association of REALTORS® office (230 W. Towne Ridge Parkway, Suite 500, Sandy).

RSVP to attend the Aug. 6 and Aug. 7 classes.

  • Wednesday, Aug. 6:
    • 1-2 p.m. – Government Affairs 101 – State Government and Advocacy
      Taught by Cate Klundt
    • 2-3 p.m. – Government Affairs 102 – Local Government and Land Use
      Taught by Alissa Dailey
    • 3-4 p.m. – Government Affairs 103 – Elections and Engagement
      Taught by Augusta Scott
  • Thursday, Aug. 7:
    • 9-10 a.m. – Nonprofit Governance 101 – The Role & Duties of an Association Volunteer
      Taught by Lance Harrison
    • 10-11 a.m. – Nonprofit Governance 102 – Essential Tools for Serving as an Association Volunteer
      Taught by Lance Harrison
    • 11 a.m.-12 p.m. – Nonprofit Governance 103 – Financial Tools for Serving as an Association Volunteer
      Taught by Jason Burr

Forms/Legal classes taught at the Riverwoods Conference Center as part of Convention (615 Riverwood Parkway, Logan).

Register for Convention to attend Sept. 5 classes. 

  • Friday, Sept. 5: The following legal classes count for the legal component of the designation.
    • 8:30-9:30 a.m. – Forms Update
      Taught by Kreg Wagner and Shane Norris
    • 10 a.m.-12 p.m. – Legal Panel

Designation Application

Once you’ve completed the nine hours of classes, complete the LUAR Designation Application. After we verify your membership status and attendance at the classes, you will receive a certificate, authorization to use the LUAR credential and access to the designation logos. There is a one-time $100 designation application fee.

2025 Convention Sponsors

2025 Convention Speakers

Chris Bird
Chris Bird
Chris Bird has been in the financial business for over 30 years. He started his career with a degree in accounting and a minor in business administration. He also holds the Certified Financial Planner designation (CFP).

Chris was a senior IRS agent for 16 years. He began conducting courses after leaving the IRS and started his own company, Chris Bird Seminars, Inc. Chris went on to conduct over 125 seminars a year on accounting, financial planning, wealth building, residential rental property ownership, and tax strategies for the real estate and financial industries nationwide.

Chris was an adjunct instructor at the University of Illinois in tax law for 20 years. He is a senior CRS instructor and a senior faculty instructor for the REALTORS® Land Institute. He currently holds his real estate license in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Chris has a unique way of making a tough subject (taxes and investments) entertaining and enlightening at the same time.

Steven Bond
Steven Bond
Steven is the broker/owner of Capital Advisors Real Estate in Provo. Steven has five kids and has been married to Christina since 2002. Steven’s business is focused mostly on management of his real estate portfolio and redevelopment or new development projects typically in multifamily or mixed-use assets.

One of Steven’s favorite quotes is “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.”

Kevin Brown
Kevin Brown
Kevin Brown (AHWD, C2EX), a REALTOR® from Oakland, Calif., is the 2025 president-elect of the National Association of REALTORS®. A second-generation real estate professional with over 44 years of experience, Kevin owns and manages the family business that his father started more than 55 years ago, and often works with his brother, Bill Brown of Alamo, Calif., who served as 2017 NAR president. Kevin is broker-owner of Better Homes Realty and Brown Commercial Investment Real Estate Services, which serves Oakland, Berkeley, and the surrounding Bay Area.
Curtis Bullock
Curtis Bullock

Curtis has been part of the REALTOR® organization for over 20 years. Prior to becoming the CEO for the Salt Lake Board of REALTORS®, he earned a law degree from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at BYU and served as UAR legal counsel for nine years. Curtis manages the day-to-day operations of the Board and its 14 staff members and is responsible for implementing all decisions made by the board of directors.

Shelby Cardall
Shelby Cardall

Shelby Cardall is the owner of North Realty, North Property Management and a rapidly growing HOA Management company. Since purchasing North HOA Management, she has tripled its portfolio, and it continues to expand rapidly. North HOA Management currently serves Northern Utah, Southern Idaho and the Bear Lake area. They have built a reputation for expertise, integrity and practical solutions in one of the most misunderstood areas of real estate — homeowners associations.

With a unique perspective that bridges sales, leasing and association governance, Shelby has seen firsthand how often real estate professionals unintentionally put their buyers and sellers at risk due to gaps in knowledge about HOA documents, fees, restrictions and disclosures. This class was created to empower REALTORS® with the tools and understanding they need to protect their clients, avoid liability and become trusted experts when navigating transactions in HOA communities. While she is still yet to hear anyone say they love HOAs, Shelby will proudly proclaim that she does indeed!

Peter Christensen
Peter Christensen

Peter is CEO of the Utah Central Association of REALTORS® and former general counsel at the Utah Association of REALTORS®. Peter received a BA in communications marketing from Brigham Young University and his juris doctorate from the J. Reuben Clark School of Law at Brigham Young University.

Craig Grant
Craig Grant

Craig Grant grew up loving all things technology and the Internet. After graduating from the University of Florida, he spent nearly a decade as the regional manager and corporate trainer of the New York Times Regional Media Group. Craig then created The Real Estate Technology Institute (RETI) & EasyRealtySites, two companies whose focus is on creating partnerships with REALTOR® associations and companies and helping elevate their members through technology education, training and solutions.

Craig is a certified GRI, CRS, E-Pro and RPR Instructor for all technology and marketing courses, a member of the GRI Task Force and former chairman of the Florida REALTORS® Education and Technology Committee.

As the lead subject matter expert of NAR’s upcoming rebuild of ePro, 2023 RIS Media Newsmaker as an Industry Futurist and presenter at more than 150 events around the world each year, Craig Grant is one of the most sought-after technology, marketing and cybersecurity speakers.

Lance Harrison
Lance Harrison

Lance received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Brigham Young University and his law degree from the University of Utah. Lance became legal counsel for the Utah Association of REALTORS® in May of 2016. He answers questions each week from REALTORS® on the Association’s Legal Hotline, manages UAR’s professional standards program, including all ethics complaints and arbitration requests, and teaches a variety of continuing education courses for real estate agents.

John Israel
John Israel

John Israel is founder and chief gratitude officer of Mr. Thank You, a consulting firm focused on client and employee retention. John is one of the most sought-after speakers and trainers who teaches companies both big and small how to “Become Irreplaceable” with their clients, team and VIPs.

In 2016, John started a personal social experiment around “human connection” that became a worldwide movement, a book and TEDx talk titled: “The Mr. Thank You Project.”

John’s Mr. Thank You story has been featured on ABC News, Fox News, Good Morning America, and his clients include global brands such as Square, RE/MAX, Fairway Mortgage, Sales Force and many others.

John’s goal is to help people build a sustainable sales and business career that supports their ideal life.

Terrie Lund
Terrie Lund

Terrie Lund is the owner of Ohana Title Insurance Agency. She has decades of experience in relationship building and sales. Terrie has worked in the real estate industry, specifically the title insurance side, for 20 years. She’s a licensed escrow officer, title officer and continuing education instructor.

Shane Norris
Shane Norris

Shane Norris joined Summit Sotheby’s International Realty in 2017 as general counsel for its agents and brokers, contributing his over 20 years of insight and experience on legal matters related to real estate transactions. Through the expansion of the Summit Sotheby’s ownership group, Shane is now general counsel for Sotheby’s franchises in Nevada, California, Idaho and Utah. Shane previously was Coldwell Banker/NRT’s in-house litigation counsel as well as the general counsel and president for a Utah title insurance company.

Raised in Las Vegas where he obtained an undergraduate degree at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Shane moved to Utah to attend the University of Utah, SJ Quinney College of Law. Shane went on to private practice in insurance defense and real estate litigation. He now instructs on current legal issues relevant to the real estate licensee, in addition to offering continuing education classes specializing in real estate challenges. Shane also contributes his legal knowledge to the greater community as a member of both the Park City and Utah Association of REALTORS® (UAR) forms committees.

Rachael Ortiz
Rachael Ortiz

Rachael Ortiz is general counsel and a director at Meridian Title Company. Before joining Meridian Title in 2017, Rachael worked at a private law firm with their Real Estate and Mergers and Acquisitions teams. Rachael’s educational background includes a bachelor’s of science degree from the University of Utah and a juris doctorate degree from the University of Utah SJ Quinney College of Law. She serves on the executive board and legislative committee for the Utah Land Title Association and collaborates closely with the nation’s top underwriters.

Kristi Owens
Kristy Owens

Kristy has spent many years as a new construction agent for national and local builders. She is devoted to continuously learning about all things real estate but is particularly passionate about new construction and fascinated by the build process. She believes that knowing how the process works allows agents to better serve their clients.

Amberley Snyder
Amberley Snyder

Amberley Snyder is a champion barrel racer and motivational speaker who was paralyzed in a 2010 truck accident. Born in California and raised in Utah, she began riding horses at age three and quickly excelled in rodeo events. After being paralyzed from the waist down at age 18, she defied the odds and was able to resume riding and competing in rodeo. Amberley has since earned two college degrees, competed professionally, inspired millions through social media and public speaking, and had her life story featured in the Netflix film Walk. Ride. Rodeo.

Kreg Wagner
Kreg Wagner

Kreg Wagner is legal counsel for the Utah Association of REALTORS® and has been with the UAR since 2012. In his role as legal counsel, Kreg oversees the UAR’s Legal Hotline and the UAR Forms Committee. Conservatively, Kreg has answered over 100,000 questions on the UAR’s Legal Hotline on topics ranging from contract formation and dispute resolution to real property and agency law. Kreg is a licensed continuing education instructor and teaches a variety of real estate law classes to real estate licensees. Kreg received his bachelor’s degree in communication, with an emphasis in public relations, from BYU Idaho and his juris doctorate from the University of St. Thomas School of Law in Minnesota.

Kadee Wright
Kadee Wright

Kadee Wright is the chief investigator of the Utah Division of Real Estate, a position she has held since 2016. She is a licensed principal broker who has had her license since 2004. She has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a minor in paralegal studies. She is passionate about the real estate industry and educating licensees and protecting the public.

John Young
John Young

In 2004, John Young merged his previous work experience in advertising, marketing, sales and management into a career as a REALTOR®. In 2009, his personal and professional life took a transformative turn when he became the parent of a non-verbal daughter with autism. Over the next decade, John’s professional journey was shaped through his own personal experiences and by the many special needs clients, families and caregivers he encountered and served along the way.

In 2019, John began speaking on serving clients with special needs and hopes that his presentations inspire a greater understanding that DEI is intended to address issues of accessibility, inclusion, diversity and equity for ALL individuals. John brings his passion for helping others to everything he does and strives to make a positive difference in our industry for both clients and fellow REALTORS®.

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