C.A.R. installs its 2027 Leadership Team

C.A.R. President Mark Peterson will lead the team. Serving with Peterson are President-elect Staci Caplan, Treasurer Nikki Coppa and Chief Executive Officer Phil Hawkins. 

For release:
November 10, 2026

SACRAMENTO (Nov. 10) – The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^® (C.A.R.) has installed its 2027 Leadership Team. C.A.R. President Mark Peterson, a Southern California REALTOR^® and broker, will lead the team. Serving with Peterson are President-elect Staci Caplan, Treasurer Nikki Coppa and Chief Executive Officer Phil Hawkins. The 2027 officers begin their official term this week at the close of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^®’ (NAR) Conference and Expo held in New Orleans, Louisiana.

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C.A.R. President Mark Peterson

Southern California REALTOR^® Mark Peterson serves as 2027 President of the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^® (C.A.R.).

A respected real estate professional with 41 years of experience, Peterson is also the broker and CEO of RE/MAX Masters in La Verne, California. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to providing exceptional service, trusted guidance, and steadfast advocacy for his clients, colleagues, and the real estate profession.

Peterson's dedication to REALTOR^® leadership spans the local, state, and national levels. He served as the 2004 President of the Citrus Valley Association of REALTORS^®, where he also held numerous leadership positions, including chair of the Personnel, Budget and Finance, and Local Government Affairs committees, and served for several years on its Board of Directors.

At the state level, Peterson has served as a C.A.R. State Director since 2001. His extensive committee involvement includes Federal, Strategic Planning and Finance, Taxation and Government Finance, MLS Policy, Real Estate Business Services, Public Policy Forum, Global Real Estate Forum, and the Investment Subcommittee. He has also served as a CREPAC Trustee, Assembly Key Contact, and Federal Political Coordinator. In addition, Peterson served as Chairman of the Board of zipLogix.

Nationally, Peterson has contributed his experience and perspective to the National Association of REALTORS^® (NAR) through service on its Board of Directors, Director Forum, Federal Taxation Committee, Multiple Listing Issues and Policy Committee, and Conventional Financing and Policy Committee.

Peterson holds several respected professional credentials, including the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation, earned in 1996; Graduate, REALTOR^® Institute (GRI) designation, earned in 1998; and Seniors Real Estate Specialist^® (SRES^®) designation, earned in 2004.

A Southern California native born in the San Gabriel Valley, Peterson believes that strong communities are the foundation of a thriving real estate industry. Beyond his professional responsibilities, he remains engaged with local organizations and community development initiatives, reflecting his enduring commitment to the neighborhoods and people he is proud to serve.

C.A.R. President-elect Staci Caplan

Southern California REALTOR^® Staci Caplan serves as 2027 C.A.R. President-elect.

Caplan is a second-generation REALTOR^® from Santa Barbara, California, and is a supervising broker and owner of Pacific Crest Realty. With more than two decades of experience, she lists and sells property and consistently serves organized real estate at the local, state, and national levels.

She is recognized for her collaborative leadership style and deep policy expertise. Caplan is a trusted voice in the real estate community, with a long-standing commitment to advocacy and investment in the REALTOR^® profession, always guided by a strong sense of purpose and service.

Caplan has a deep commitment to C.A.R. members, the real estate profession, and the communities that REALTORS^® serve. At the heart of her vision is a belief that when we put REALTORS^® and consumers first, everyone benefits.

C.A.R. Treasurer Nikki Coppa

San Diego County REALTOR^® Nikki Coppa serves as 2027 C.A.R. Treasurer.

Coppa also is Broker of Record and Chief Compliance Officer for 600 frontline REALTORS^® across Century 21 Affiliated’s 14 offices throughout Southern California. She began her career in organized real estate in 1999, focusing on residential real estate. In 2004, Coppa began volunteering with the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS^® (PSAR), where she served on local committees and spearheaded initiatives to strengthen member education and success, including growing a 10-person pitch session into the largest weekly marketing session in San Diego County.

Coppa served as PSAR President in 2011 and was honored as PSAR’s REALTOR^® of the Year in both 2007 and 2011. In 2022, she received the Distinguished Service Award. She also regularly engages with local elected officials on issues such as land use, private property rights, and rent control.

At the state level, Coppa has been a C.A.R. Director since 2008. She has held leadership roles on several closed committees, including Chair and Vice Chair of the Standard Forms Advisory Committee, Chair and Vice Chair of the Defense Strategy Advisory Committee, and Vice Chair of the Strategic Planning & Finance Committee (SPF). She has also served as a member of SPF and the Executive Committee. Her work has centered on developing high-quality forms for members, addressing and preventing litigation risks, advancing professional development, and shaping public policy. Coppa has met with members of the California State Legislature to advocate for housing and insurance issues. As a C.A.R. Certified Forms Trainer, she travels statewide to teach form usage and risk mitigation strategies.

C.A.R. Chief Executive Officer Phil Hawkins

Phil Hawkins joined the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^® as chief executive officer in September 2024, overseeing the Association’s objectives, business development, strategic planning and legislative policies, and creating products, so that real estate professionals can remain at the center of the real estate transaction and succeed in today’s rapidly changing real estate market.

Hawkins previously served as Chief Executive Officer for the Pacific West Association of REALTORS^® (PWR), one of the largest local real estate associations in California. At PWR, Hawkins oversaw all aspects of the association, including professional standards, education, political advocacy, finance, charity foundation, community involvement, communications, and Multiple Listing Services. He joined PWR in 1998 as Vice President of Government Affairs, representing the interests of the association in matters involving local, state, and federal governments. He was named Executive Vice President of Government Affairs in 2008 and then became the association’s CEO in 2015.

At the state level, Hawkins has served on numerous C.A.R. committees, including Real Estate Business Services (REBS), REALTOR^® Party of California (RPC) Coordinating, RPC Fundraising & Member Mobilization Advisory, RPC Task Force, Association Executive, CREPAC, C.A.R. Mission Task Force, and Housing Affordability Fund. At the national level, he served on NAR’s Association Executive Committee from 2014-2024 and is an NAR Presidents’ Circle and RPAC Hall of Fame member.

Leading the way…® in California real estate for more than 120 years, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^® (www.car.org) is one of the largest state trade organizations in the United States with nearly 190,000 members dedicated to the advancement of professionalism in real estate. C.A.R. is headquartered in Los Angeles.

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