Meet REALTOR® Charmaine Orcino-Gonzales, who was recently elected to serve a two-year term (2024-2025) on the PSAR board of directors.
After a successful 19-year career in banking, Charmaine had a simple reason for switching to real estate in 2016.
“At first, it was a scary transition, but I was motivated to be more involved and make a bigger impact on other people’s lives,” she said. “What better way to do that than to help people with the biggest investment of their lives.”
Charmaine grew up in San Diego and graduated from Morse High School. “Right out of high school, I started working as a bank teller,” she said. “After moving up the ranks to management, I was promoted to sales development consultant with a territory that stretched from the border to La Jolla to Alpine.”
Charmaine said she joined PSAR at the start of her real estate sales career.
“I felt intimidated at my first rally-and-ride pitch session. I can be very shy in unfamiliar environments,” said Charmaine. “Fortunately, a friendly person approached me and welcomed me to PSAR. Later, we met for coffee and one month later he referred me to a client. I ended-up doing four deals with that same client, who later referred me to another four clients. It’s my fairytale, Cinderella story, all because of making just one connection at a PSAR pitch session.”
Charmaine said she became more involved with PSAR in 2019, starting with PSAR’s Young Professionals Network (YPN) group. First, she was a YPN Committee member, followed by Co-Vice Chair in 2020 and Chair in 2021.
She also has served with PSAR as the Chair of the planning committee for the R.E.A.L. (Real Estate Achievement and Leadership) awards celebration event the last two years.
A couple of years ago, she was approached about serving on the PSAR board of directors.
“I was tapped on the shoulder and encouraged to run for a board position, but I wasn’t ready at the time. The timing wasn’t right,” Charmaine said. “Last year, I was tapped on the shoulder again and decided to go for it. I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve on the board in 2024. I’m super excited.”
Today, the roles are reversed and she’s doing the “tapping on the shoulder,” encouraging PSAR members to get involved.
“There’s not a better way to get involved in supporting the industry than serving on a PSAR committee,” she said. “I’m always approaching our members and encouraging them to get involved. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the nuts-and-bolts of our industry and develop a deeper connection to our careers, including supporting property rights and homeownership. And, you never know whom you will meet and how they can help you.”
Charmaine also says she appreciates the supportive culture and sense of community she feels as a member of PSAR and when she attends PSAR events.
“I would encourage all of our PSAR members, especially newer agents, to attend as many events as possible and get involved, the earlier the better,” she said. “The connections with peers and colleagues are so important in this business."
Charmaine said one of the reasons she chooses to be a member of PSAR is because it is member-driven and member-centric, supported by an incredible staff. “The PSAR staff backs-up what they say with their hard work. They really do care. They serve the members in the best ways and everyone succeeds. I will always stay loyal to PSAR.”