Eileen Spinola Stepping Down at REBNY
By Lauren Elkies Schram February 13, 2015 2:06 pm
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Eileen Spinola is stepping down as the head of the residential and commercial brokerage divisions at the Real Estate Board of New York after 20 years serving the organization.
Joe Barbaccia will assume Ms. Spinola’s full-time paid position as senior vice president of brokerage services and education starting next Tuesday, REBNY said. He was most recently the sales director for Essential New York Real Estate and has been an active member of REBNY. He also served on REBNY’s Board of Governors.
Ms. Spinola will be exiting her post before her husband, Steven Spinola, leaves his. On March 2, John Banks will officially become the president-elect of REBNY (assuming the presidency by the end of 2015), relieving Mr. Spinola of his responsibilities as REBNY’s president after a 29-year run.
Despite denying plans to retire, Ms. Spinola said in prepared remarks: “About a year ago, my husband and I made the difficult decision to retire. Time stands still for no one and although I am leaving a dream job I will now have the time to pursue dreams deferred.”
Since 1994, Ms. Spinola has overseen the significant expansion of REBNY’s education programs, the growth of the residential division, the development of a host of new membership programs including well-attended seminars and events and the establishment of new systems to increase efficiency and facilitate the sharing of listings.
“I am excited to join REBNY and build on the great work they do serving and educating the 16,000 members of New York’s real estate community,” Mr. Barbaccia said. “I’ve learned so much over the years at REBNY, I look forward with enthusiasm to take on this great opportunity at this dynamic and prestigious organization.”
