The California Association of Realtors announced Tuesday that it has installed a new president and other leaders, who will lead the organization through next year.
Tamara Suminski will serve as the president of C.A.R., which is one of the largest state Realtor associations in the U.S. Suminski replaces Heather Ozur, the organization’s 2025 president. Suminski is a broker based in the Los Angeles metro area.
Other leaders taking on new roles in 2026 include President-elect Mark Peterson and Treasurer Nikki Coppa. Phil Hawkins will continue to serve as CEO — a role he assumed in 2024.
This is what C.A.R. said in a statement about each member of the team:
CAR President Tamara Suminski
Serving as 2026 C.A.R. President, Suminski is the broker and co-owner of BEACH Real Estate Group, located in Manhattan Beach, serving Greater Los Angeles. A third-generation real estate practitioner, Suminski has been a Realtor for over two decades, dedicated to improving the real estate experience through continuous innovation and the highest standards of service.
Suminski earned an MBA from Pepperdine University Graziadio Business School with a concentration in Leadership and Managing Organizational Change. Prior to joining the real estate profession, she was a successful hotelier, perfecting the art of delivering exceptional customer service.
Suminski firmly believes in continuing education; she holds 16 designations and instructs these courses throughout the United States and globally. She is co-owner of Innovate Success Strategies, which offers consulting, training, keynote and strategic planning for real estate organizations and individuals.
President-elect Mark Peterson
Southern California Realtor Mark Peterson serves as 2026 C.A.R. President-elect. Peterson, also broker and CEO at REMAX Masters in La Verne, California, has deep passion for his work in providing exceptional service and guidance to his clients for the past 40 years. In addition to serving his clients, Peterson also is active with his local, state and national associations of Realtors.
At the local level, Peterson was 2004 President of the Citrus Valley Association of Realtors, where he served on various committees, including personnel, budget and finance, local government affairs and board of directors.
Treasurer Nikki Coppa
San Diego County Realtor Nikki Coppa serves as the 2026-2027 C.A.R. Treasurer. Coppa is also Broker of Record and Chief Compliance Officer for 700 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.
