2025 Speakers
(Page updated on a regular basis.)
STEVE ROZENBERG
Business Coach | Consultant | Investor | Airline pilot

Steve Rozenberg's story is the epitome of transforming turbulence into triumph. From soaring as an international pilot to shaking up the business world, Steve's saga is one of soaring ambition and unstoppable momentum
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When 9/11 abruptly clipped his wings, Steve didn't just shift gears-he launched into overdrive, building a multimillion-dollar business empire that's skyrocketing success for companies around the globe.
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As the visionary behind The Rozenberg Group, Steve's singular mission is to ignite explosive growth, turbocharging sales and setting revenue on a relentless rise. His mastery of sales, systems, marketing, and mindset is legendary-he's the game-changing guru you didn't know you needed.
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But Steve's story extends beyond business-it's grounded in grit and heart. Following the heart-wrenching loss of his son Jett in 2023, Steve and his wife Renee transformed their grief into the LIVE LIKE JETT SCHOLARSHIP FUND. This initiative honors Jett's unstoppable spirit, offering scholarships to high school students stepping into the trades-a reflection of Steve's own passion for uplifting and empowering the next generation

"TRACEY, the Safety Lady" HAWKINS
Award-Winning Host | Safety Instructor, Writer, and Keynote Speaker
| Generative AI Cybersecurity Expert
Tracey Hawkins, also known as “Tracey, the Safety Lady,” is the host of REALTOR® Magazine’s podcast, “Drive With NAR: The Safety Series.” Hawkins is a former real estate agent and a national safety expert, educator and content creator since 1995. She has created 13 innovative and dynamic safety and security programs, including the country’s only real estate safety designation; the only brokerage office safety certification; and an AI, ChatGPT and deepfake dangers and solutions program.

BRIAN HEATH
Consumer Protection Officer for the North Carolina
Real Estate Commission.
A native of Colorado, Brian studied Business and Marking at the fake UNC (University of Northern Colorado). He began his real estate career in the rental industry in 2011 as a Property Manager. He has a wide range of experience from student housing to managing for large investment firms.
He also sat on the Board of Directors for the Weld County Apartment Association in Colorado and is licensed as a real estate broker in North Carolina. Brian joined the Commission in 2022 and investigates complaints filed against real estate brokers and unlicensed persons engaging in real estate brokerage activities.

JEAN A. WOLINSKI-HOBBS
Auditor/Investigator in the Regulatory Affairs Division
of the North Carolina Real Estate Commission.
As an Auditor/Investigator, Jean investigates complaints against licensees on a statewide basis and performs audits of real estate trust accounts and taught the Commission’s Basic Trust Account course until it went online.
Jean also has a Master of Accounting, specializing in forensic accounting. Licensed as a broker since 1993, Jean has worked in retail property management and residential sales, specializing in bank foreclosures prior to
joining the Commission in 2006. Jean is also a recipient of the 2021 Investigator of the Year Award from ARELLO (the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials).
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CHRIS LOEBSACK
Founder and Managing Principal of the law firm of
Loebsack & Brownlee, PLLC.
Chris is the founder and Managing Principal of the eviction-services law firm, Loebsack & Brownlee, PLLC. Chris is a 1996 graduate of Duke University School of Law and a 1993 graduate of Clemson University. Chris lives in Charlotte, NC and his Firm provides services throughout both Carolinas, Georgia and Virginia.
Chris’ legal practice focuses primarily on representing national Multifamily, Single-Family and BTR property management firms, but he is also a Certified Mediator. Chris has also been named to the NC SuperLawyers list each year from 2016 to present.
Finally, Chris volunteers much of his spare time in service of several Apartment Industry entities. He is a 2025 member of the Wilmington Apartment Association Board; he is a past member of the Apartment Association of North Carolina Board; he was a member of the Greater Charlotte Apartment Association Board from 2017-2020; and since 2015 has been a member of the Clemson University Humanities Advancement Board, of which he is currently the past-Chair.

JENNIFER MERRITT
COO and Director of Coaching of RentScale
Jennifer Merritt is the COO and Director of Coaching of RentScale, where she has worked with hundreds of property management entrepreneurs and coached over 100 business development managers to produce industry-leading door growth for the last two years.
She has 16+ years in sales experience and 9+ years in real estate experience and is a real estate investor herself. She shares her powerful, but easy-to-understand, frameworks and uncommon insights with an approachable style for all levels of experience.
In 2024, Jennifer spoke on 8 stages and presented everything from Keynote addresses at Southern States and Denver NARPM to small workshops at CAL NARPM, RPM and Keyrenter franchise conferences.

MATTHEW TRINGALI
CEO and Co-founder of BetterWho
Matthew Tringali is the CEO and Co-founder of BetterWho, a leading consulting and global staffing company specializing in transforming property management businesses. As a seasoned coach and consultant, Matthew draws on years of experience, including his tenure as an EOS Implementer and his groundbreaking work in developing the first direct-hire RTM business for the property management industry, coining the term “Remote Team Member.”
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A sought-after speaker, Matthew is known for his engaging approach to topics such as systems optimization, process improvement, profitability, and labor efficiency. His unique ability to distill complex challenges into actionable strategies has made him a trusted advisor to hundreds of businesses seeking to scale and succeed. Whether on stage or in the boardroom, Matthew delivers practical insights designed to drive meaningful change and sustainable growth.

CONNIE PHELAN
Founder and CEO of Fire Power Seminars
Connie Phelan has a passion for transformation, boldly challenging and helping people achieve positive, lasting change. She played softball at a national level, which shaped her life-long love of sports and appreciation for cohesive team building and strong leadership.
She began her professional career working in the world of printing and advertising in South Florida. It was during a personal-development seminar, which she reluctantly attended for work, that she was exposed to a new way of being. Realizing how much her fear was holding her back, she dedicated herself to overcome a lifetime of fears and limited thinking.
In 2006, inspired by her own transformative experience, she became the founder and CEO of Fire Power Seminars, and as a speaker and facilitator has worked with thousands of individuals from all walks of life, ranging from leaders and employees within organizations and companies both large and small—including Fortune 500s, universities, athletes, and people in addiction recovery. A certified firewalk instructor, she has a passion for helping people discover potential they never knew they had, so they can start living their best lives.
Connie channels her limitless energy to gently push others to do the impossible. Her first book, Inspired Courage – Breaking Through Your Barriers to Success, was released in 2022 and is available on Amazon. It’s a must read for anyone ready to move past their comfort zone and access new levels of success!

BRAD JOHNSON
CEO of ProfitCoach
Brad Johnson is a visionary leader and property management executive with extensive real estate expertise. He began his career in HOA management and commercial property management, eventually becoming CEO of Sweyer Property Management in 2021, where he substantially grew the business and led the successful sale of the company in 2023.
In 2024, Brad joined ProfitCoach as CEO, bringing his industry expertise to help property management entrepreneurs build highly profitable, self-managing companies. His faith, family, and passion for leadership drive his commitment to personal and professional growth. Brad lives in Wilmington, NC, where he enjoys spending time with his wife and three young children, long-distance running, and soaking up the sun at the beach.

JEREMY POUND
CEO of RentScale
Jeremy Pound has built sales playbooks for some of the fastest-growing property management companies in North America. His deep background in sales process engineering has allowed him to design the kind of sales process that will transform a small service provider or stagnant operation into a thriving company that has the freedom to choose its clients and command premium pricing.
As the CEO of RentScale, a consulting firm that helps residential property managers double their door count, he has gained an uncommon insight into the art of selling to accidental landlords, seasoned investors, and aspiring owners by working with over 500 property management firms in the last 5 years.
Jeremy is also the publisher of Strategic PM—the magazine for property management entrepreneurs and executives.

KATRINA CHERRY
Digital Marketing Specialist
With a steadfast commitment to excellence, she proudly serve the Charlotte, NC, area and its neighboring regions in South Carolina, delivering quality turnkey solutions in residential real estate. With over five years of expertise as a licensed Real Estate Broker in both North and South Carolina, Katrina hold the esteemed positions of Broker In Charge and Brokerage Owner at Catalyst Real Estate Services LLC.
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As a licensed NC Real Estate Instructor, Katrina lead Catalyst Real Estate Academy LLC, where she provides cutting-edge educational opportunities for both consumers and professionals. She is deeply committed to community involvement, proudly serving on the Education Advisory Board, Marketing and Communications Advisory Board, and Diversity and Inclusion Alliance Leadership Group with the Canopy REALTOR® Association.

ALICIA EMMONS
Nondiscrimination Ordinance & Fair Housing Investigator
Alicia Emmons joined Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations in 2022 as a Nondiscrimination Ordinance & Fair Housing Investigator. Prior to that, she served in the behavioral health field for 11 years working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She earned her master’s degree in Communication Studies from UNC Charlotte in 2016. She is also involved in community-based organizations including Enlace, the Latin American Council of Charlotte, Charlotte Pride’s Reel Out LGBTQ+ Film Festival, Fill My Cup, an adult literacy nonprofit, and the Community Building Initiative’s Leaders Under 40 program.

Antonio Osborne, Sr.
Community Relations Specialist with the City of Charlotte's Community Relations Department
In this role, he is responsible for the intake of complaints, inquiries, and other communications from the public. He educates individuals on fair housing remedies and procedures according to HUD guidelines. Antonio develops strategies to help individuals address their fair housing needs and concerns while maintaining detailed, accurate records of all contacts, including actions taken and services provided. He staffs educational sessions and community outreach events.
Antonio has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Livingstone College and a certification in Learning and Development from UNC Charlotte. As a native Charlottean, he values community harmony, equity, and training and development, which motivates his community relations responsibilities.
Antonio enjoys music, bowling, traveling, dining out, and spending quality time with family and loved ones outside of work.