GaREIA Announces New Executive Director

The Largest US Real Estate Investor Association Taps Anne Galasso as New Executive Director
Long-Time Executive Director Diana Rainoff Retires at End of Year

The Atlanta-based Georgia Real Estate Investors Association (GaREIA) announced at its General Meeting the appointment of Anne Galasso as its executive director, replacing executive director Diana Rainoff, who is retiring at the end of the year.

“I am very excited about joining the GaREIA team as the Executive Director,” said Galasso, “I am dedicated to continuing to bring quality education and the best services available to its members.”

In the last several years, Galasso has dedicated her time and talents as Director of Operations with the Real Estate Association of Puget Sound (REAPS). While at REAPS, Anne increased membership, expanded member benefits, managed multiple-day conferences, and directed day-today operations for the organization. “We are pleased that Anne chose to join the association as we enter our third decade,” said Jeff Nix, GaREIA President. “The fresh perspective that she brings, added to the significant strides our organization has made up to this point diverge into a single, important new direction for GaREIA.”

Galasso, originally from Montana, spent the majority of her life in the Pacific Northwest. Her career has been entrepreneurial in nature, owning several businesses as a subcontractor in the construction trade. Other related experiences include business administration and managerial duties while working at a fire department, a paralegal for a law firm, and area coordinator for a nonprofit organization in Montana that advocates for children with disabilities.

About Diana Rainoff
A dedicated director for the past eight years, Rainoff grew GaREIA from a 1000-member association with volunteer staff and a $750,000 budget to an association of up to 3,000 members with a $2-million budget and a staff of 10.
Under her leadership, GaREIA was the recipient of the 2006 Award of Excellence/Large Association at the National Real Estate Investors Association (National REIA) Mid- Year Leadership Conference & Trade Show, marking the first time that the largest real estate investors association in the U.S. had received the award. The Award of Excellence is the top recognition by National REIA for associations (large and small) that have demonstrated paramount achievement in each of these categories: Government Affairs, Community Service, Membership Development, Communications, Professional Education, Convention & Trade Show, and Finance.

In 2005, the GaREIA Institute of Education, of which Rainoff was instrumental in developing, was an Honor of Merit recipient in professional education for its two curriculums: the Basic Real Estate Investing Program and the Real Estate Agent CE Curriculum.

“Diana Rainoff has guided GaREIA through the most challenging period in its history,” said long-time GaREIA Board Member Sheryl Barnes. “Her leadership, professionalism, dedication and tenacity have helped GaREIA grow from a small local real estate organization to a nationally respected, premier real estate education provider and professional real estate investor resource.”

About GaREIA

A not-for-profit association incorporated in 1986, the Georgia Real Estate Investors Association (GaREIA), the largest real estate investors association in the United States with over 3,000 members, is committed to assisting its members in succeeding in their real estate investment plans by providing continuing education, motivation, and opportunity in a positive and mutually supportive environment. Atlanta-based GaREIA has chapters in Athens, Augusta, Columbus, Macon, and Savannah, Georgia.

Website: http://www.gareia.org