Keller Williams' Kathleen Aspeslagh was recently installed as the new president of the Douglas Elbert REALTOR® Association (DERA), and Janet Tharpe was installed as a new director on the DERA Board. Both women are affiliated with the Park Meadows office of Keller Williams (10375 E. Park Meadows Dr.).

Aspeslagh, a native of Colorado, has been in real estate since 2001 and has been an active member of DERA, serving as a trustee for the Metro Denver REALTOR Foundation, an ambassador and on the Board of Directors the past three years. She also was DERA's Rookie of the Year in 2002. Aspeslagh has earned the advanced designations of GRI (Graduate of Real Estate Institute), SFR (Short Sale Foreclosure Resource Expert) and CNE (Certified Negotiation Expert), and is close to completing the CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) designation.

"My goal as president of DERA the next year is to focus on strengthening our committee structure and get more members involved in the organization," Aspeslagh continues. "When members are more involved, they see more benefits and leadership opportunities."

Tharpe started her real estate career at Keller Williams just over a year ago and was recently named the 2011 Rookie of the Year by DERA. She has been an active member of DERA for the past year, serving as co-chair of the Community Awareness Committee and assisting with the group's Helping Hands project.

Criteria for the Rookie of the Year Award are: high principles; faithfulness to laws and regulations of the Code of Ethics and Pathways to Professionalism; active in the community; good business conduct; exceptional customer service; and demonstration of a potential for high performance.

"Janet's productivity this past year after having left the corporate world with its steady income and starting a real estate career in these trying economic times is confirmation of her dedication and focus," says Elaine Stucy, past DERA president. "Her life so far has been defined by life experiences to be an example to all who have met her."