2027 Elections
Board of DirectorsThe Election Hub is your go‑to destination for everything related to the upcoming Board of Directors election—open seats, key dates, candidate bios, and voting instructions. All information you need in one easy‑to‑navigate space.
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MEET THE CANDIDATES
Click the arrows on each candidate’s photo to learn more about who they are and why they are running
Sherrie Salas, REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty Emerald Coast, has built a strong record of service and leadership within ECAR and the REALTOR® community. She currently serves as ECAR Treasurer and a member of the Executive Board of Directors, following her service as Assistant Treasurer in 2025. She is also a 2023 graduate of ECAR’s Leadership Development Program. Beyond ECAR, Sherrie has held multiple leadership positions with the Women’s Council of REALTORS®, including President in 2023, and graduated from the Florida REALTORS® Leadership Academy in 2025. Her involvement extends to several Florida REALTORS® committees as well as service in the local community.
Sherrie is seeking the office of Vice President to continue building on that experience and her understanding of ECAR’s governance, financial stewardship and strategic planning. She views the Vice President position as part of an important leadership progression that provides an opportunity to continue learning while preparing to effectively lead the Association. Her approach emphasizes thoughtful listening, collaboration, accountability and making decisions with the long-term health of ECAR and the needs of its members in mind.
At the heart of Sherrie’s leadership philosophy is a commitment to service. She believes strong leaders recognize the strengths of those around them, encourage others to grow and keep the organization’s mission at the center of decision-making. If elected, she hopes to help ECAR remain financially strong, continue providing meaningful value to its members and position both the Association and its future leaders for continued success.
Lisa Norton, Broker Associate with eXp Realty LLC, brings more than two decades of involvement in the REALTOR® community and an extensive history of service to ECAR. Her ECAR leadership includes serving on the Board of Directors, chairing Professional Standards, and participating on the Public Policy, RPAC, MLS, Leadership Development, Grievance and other committees. She has also served approximately nine years on ECAR’s Budget & Finance Committee. Lisa has been recognized as Miramar Beach REALTOR® of the Year in 2024, Property Manager of the Year in 2019, and Fort Walton Beach REALTOR® of the Year in 2007 and 2012.
Lisa is seeking the office of Assistant Treasurer to bring her combination of financial experience, Association leadership and long-standing commitment to ECAR to the role. Her financial background includes managing the finances of her own real estate business, overseeing bookkeeping, payroll and tax responsibilities as a former business co-owner, and working alongside the Treasurer while serving as President of her local Women’s Council of REALTORS® chapter. She believes responsible financial leadership is rooted in organization, accountability, transparency and clear communication.
Looking ahead, Lisa sees rebuilding and strengthening ECAR’s financial reserves as an important priority while continuing to make thoughtful investments in programs and services that benefit members. If elected, she plans to approach financial decisions through careful analysis, responsible budgeting and stewardship of member resources, with an emphasis on integrity and transparency. Above all, Lisa believes leadership is built on trust and is committed to keeping the long-term financial health of ECAR and the best interests of its members at the forefront of each decision.
Melissa Jolley, REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Realty, has been actively involved with ECAR through a variety of committees and leadership roles. Her service includes chairing Soldiers on the Water, serving as MLS Committee Co-Chair, and participating on the Finance, CAMO, Public Policy and Grievance committees. She is also a graduate of ECAR’s Leadership Development Program and has contributed to task forces focused on Association policies and bylaws.
Melissa’s leadership experience also extends into the Niceville community. She served two years as Secretary of the Niceville Valparaiso Little League, an organization with more than 600 player participants annually and a membership of more than 1,500. In that role, she focused on strengthening communication, streamlining processes, planning for each season and coordinating with community leaders and organizations. She also managed league concessions, helping raise funds to sod two community playing fields.
Melissa is seeking the position of Niceville Area Director with an understanding that Board service requires preparation, critical thinking and a commitment to making informed decisions. She sees advancing technology as both a challenge and an opportunity for ECAR, particularly as the Association works to serve members across generations while protecting their trust and data. Melissa believes thoughtful research, learning from other associations and carefully evaluating new resources will be important as ECAR continues to evolve.
Samantha Lapomardo, REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Realty, has become actively involved in both ECAR and the broader REALTOR® community through leadership, committee service and community involvement. She is a 2025 graduate of ECAR’s Leadership Development Program and currently serves as 2026 CAMO Vice-Chair. Samantha is also a member of the Women’s Council of REALTORS® and serves as its 2026 Membership Director for the Emerald Coast network, in addition to serving her community as a Hope House Ambassador.
Samantha is seeking the position of Niceville Area Director as an opportunity to give back to the profession while becoming an active voice for ECAR members. She believes effective Board service requires more than simply attending meetings—it means staying informed, listening to members, collaborating with fellow leaders and actively participating in decisions that strengthen the Association. If elected, she is committed to bringing a dependable, engaged and collaborative approach to the Board.
One of Samantha’s priorities is increasing member participation and helping members see greater value in becoming involved with ECAR. She hopes to create stronger personal connections, welcome newer members, promote volunteer and leadership opportunities, and improve communication about education, advocacy and ways to get involved. Ultimately, Samantha wants members to view ECAR as more than an association they belong to, but as a community they are proud to be a part of.
