After serving on the Board since 2016, I wanted to share my thoughts with you, the license holders, on our mission as a board.
The TREC/TALCB Mission Statements reads:
In early March the COVID-19 virus began spreading rapidly throughout the country. The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) and Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board (TALCB) took drastic measures to ensure the health and well-being of the staff while continuing to address the questions and concerns of consumers and license holders. TREC and TALCB quickly determined it was best for staff to transition staff working entirely remotely and allocate resources to do so.
AUSTIN, TX – The Texas Appraiser Licensing Board (TALCB) is pleased to announce Kathleen Santos as General Counsel. Kathleen joined the board staff May 1, 2020, and will serve as deputy general counsel for the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) as well.
Before joining TALCB and TREC, Kathleen worked in private practice in the area of property-tax litigation. For more than six years, Kathleen represented property owners in dozens of counties throughout Texas. Kathleen also previously served as an Assistant Attorney General at the Texas Attorney General's Office.
TALCB and Pearson VUE announce licensing exam centers to slowly re-open around the state after swift closure in March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. TALCB partners with Pearson VUE to offer licensing examinations. Pearson VUE operates both company-owned exam sites and third party sites. TALCB has authorized the use of all Pearson VUE third party sites to expand exam capacity during this unprecedented time. All sites continue to enforce social distancing measures and safety requirements in line with local jurisdictions. Due to social distancing requirements, exam sites are operat
The month of March was one for the record books for us all. We started the month learning about the “Coronavirus” and by the end of the month, life as we know it was monumentally altered. Our staff came together quickly to orchestrate a colossal shift of our workforce to remote work. Our team remains energetic and determined to support license holders.
The agency continues to evaluate the impact COVID-19 may have on all aspects of agency operations, including those related to the regulatory and licensing functions of the agency.
COVID-19 has impacted daily life as we know it. In the midst of this crisis, the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board (TALCB) has worked to ensure continued service to license holders and the public while protecting our employees. As a result, our physical offices in Austin are closed to the public, and staff and operations have transitioned to working remotely.
Change is in the air! A new year, a new decade, and of course changes at TALCB too. I start the year and this new position as TALCB’s commissioner with great expectations and excitement for the future. My predecessor, Doug Oldmixon’s presence will continue through March, which is very helpful to me and our agency through this leadership transition. I am grateful for the gradual transition and Doug’s willingness to impart his knowledge. Doug will leave behind a legacy of strong leadership and strategic vision. I am honored to follow in his footsteps.
December is upon us and the Holiday Season has begun in earnest. From our agency to your offices and homes, we wish you all the very best of blessings of the Season and a prosperous New Year in 2020. At TREC & TALCB we are celebrating the selection of our next Executive Director and Commissioner who will take on those responsibilities effective January 1st.
To my fellow license holders that have not yet heard from me since my appointment as Board Chair in September, I would like to introduce myself.