James Yockel
Jim Yockel is the Chief Executive Officer for the Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS® (GRAR), a trade organization representing 3,100+ real estate professionals covering 13 counties in the Rochester, Finger Lakes and Southern Tier regions of New York. He manages both the Association and the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), the Upstate New York Real Estate Information Service, LLC (UNYREIS).
Jim has been in the real estate industry for over 20 years, serving as GRAR’s CEO for the last seven. He has been active with the National Association of REALTORS® serving on the Association Executives Strategic Planning Committee; Chapter Formation Committee; Volunteer Leadership Development Committee; Shared Services Workgroup; and several RCE Bodies of Knowledge Workgroups. With the NYS Association of REALTORS®, Jim has served on the MLS Issues & Policies Committee; Association Executives Committee (2017 Chair); Organizational Planning Committee; Executive Committee; Association Executives Advisory Board; and many more.
As spokesperson for the Association of REALTORS®, Jim works closely with local non-profit organizations, economic development groups and businesses to promote the Rochester, Finger Lakes and Southern Tier regions as a great place to pursue the American Dream of home ownership. He is also the focal point for government relations for the Association- tasked with keeping association leadership and members informed on local, regional, and national legislation that impacts the real estate market, home ownership and real property rights and building strong working relationships with local elected officials.
Jim has been a strong advocate for creating partnerships, establishing shared services, and building coalitions so multiple organizations can achieve their strategic goals and provide first-class service to both their members and the consumer.
A native of Naples, NY, Jim holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Business Management from Cornell University. Jim also holds the REALTORS® Certified Executive designation from NAR and the CMLX3 designation from the Council of MLS’s. In his spare time enjoys travel, photography, soccer and golf.