Marcel Atallah started his real estate career at the age of 18. His unique qualifications as a buyer, seller, investor, listing agent, buyer's agent, and lender have prepared him to oversee and grow the FirstTeam Relocation and Affinity program. He has owned 35 homes and helped investors sell hundreds of properties.
As a former FirstTeam branch manager and relocation team agent, he has been very involved in serving the relocation community. Marcel took over the FirstTeam Affinity Program two years ago, and it is a natural fit to move into the leadership role for relocation and referrals. He takes great pride in the affinity program, where members of their affinity partners have saved millions of dollars in commissions since its inception.
Marcel has experienced every facet of a real estate transaction, giving him a unique perspective on the concerns transferees and their employers may have in this challenging market. His unwavering commitment to transparency sets him apart. Marcel firmly believes that whether the news is positive or negative, everyone involved deserves to be informed promptly. This dedication to open communication is a cornerstone of his professional ethos.
Marcel learned to thrive in down markets. While others left the real estate space in 2008, he sold bank-owned properties in three states. He adapts to overcome obstacles and identify opportunities in any marketplace. This forward-thinking mindset allows him to anticipate shifts in the market and pivot accordingly.
Every market and client is different, and Marcel recognizes the importance of building and maintaining strong relationships so he can customize the experience for the companies they serve. His expertise in the California real estate market and his genuine passion for assisting others make him a trusted advisor.
FirstTeam strives to be the ‘go-to’ broker in Southern California. Their broad six-county coverage and diverse and experienced agent team provide a one-stop solution for entities seeking regional expertise. FirstTeam has proudly served relocating clients since 1976 and Marcel is looking forward to what the future brings.
“Marcel has an amazing work ethic fueled by his dedication and commitment to his craft. He consistently puts in the time and effort to excel at everything he does. He is truly a visionary leader and the right person to lead relocation through these changing times”, said Vanessa Beeson, Relocation and Affinity Co-Director.
Vanessa Beeson, a seasoned professional in the real estate industry since 2006, has assumed the pivotal role of Operations Manager for the Relocation and Affinity ClientServices Group at FirstTeam. Her extensive experience as a former branch manager and relocation team agent has equipped her with a deep understanding of the needs of all stakeholders in the relocation and real estate process. In 2022, she took charge of the company-wide affinity program, catering to credit unions, banks, and various organizations. Vanessa is thrilled to extend her leadership to include relocation services.
Vanessa is a dedicated professional who utilizes cutting-edge tools and services to ensure a superior customer experience. Whether it's the transferee, relocation management company, corporation, or any other partners and sources of business, she is committed to uncovering the client's objectives and delivering optimal solutions.
Vanessa began her career working in a homeowner’s association, managing the architectural committee, interacting with homeowners, and conducting HOA meetings. This role revealed her meticulous attention to detail and exceptional problem-solving ability, preparing her for the dynamic world of real estate.
Throughout her career, Vanessa has successfully overseen a wide array of real estate accounts, including REOs, short sales, affinity partnerships, and investment portfolios. Her proficiency in working with diverse entities at a corporate level has honed her collaboration skills. Vanessa's strategic marketing acumen and innovative approach to working with business partners ensure favorable outcomes for her clients. She is dedicated to making everyone's job easier.
FirstTeam is proud of its diverse relocation team, which speaks several languages. Vanessa's agent training includes using systems, tools, and technology to enable the agents to provide these resources to all of their clients competently. This empowerment allows the agents to meet the current market's demands and consistently surpass expectations. She understands the importance of meeting performance metrics and receiving exceptional survey results.
“Vanessa is a solutions-driven professional. Her patience and strong tech skills are a huge asset to everyone who has the opportunity to work with her. She loves helping people and values the relationships she builds with our sources of business”, said Marcel Atallah, Relocation and Affinity Director of FirstTeam.
Kim Wright has gained vast knowledge in all aspects of the real estate and relocation industry. She worked as a corporate technical trainer and a real estate agent before transferring her experience to the relocation side of the business in 2012. As the Mobility Manager at FirstTeam, she manages Outgoing, Incoming, Affinity, and Corporate Relocation referrals with attention to detail, timely updates, and a focus on high conversion rates. She has increased Outgoing Referral submission by 20% by training the agents on the processes and benefits of referring their Clients. She has developed successful relationships with network brokers, business partners, internal departments, branch managers, and agents.
Before joining FirstTeam, Kim broadened her experience by taking on a role with our location company in 2017. There, she assisted HR and line management in determining the appropriate mobility solutions for each relocation/assignment scenario. She managed the caseload of corporate (Fluor Corporation) transferees’ files, coordinating all aspects of the relocation policy process for the transferee, including home sale, home marketing, household goods, managed cap benefits, cost estimate, expense management, and temporary housing.
Before that role, she processed a heavy pipeline of Affinity (Navy Federal Credit Union) referral files for a large national franchise covering California and Arizona territories. Kim contributed to improving the performance metrics and service scores by 10% to achieve the coveted Platinum Award given by their sister relocation management company.
While Kim enjoyed working at a relocation company, she missed working on the real estate side and the opportunity to help people when they need the guidance of someone who can understand and empathize with them. Kim loves the relocation industry and is supported by her experienced and successful agent team. She ensures the best agents are chosen to handle each referral to satisfy the customers’ and business sources’ needs.
Kim values the friendships she has made in the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World broker network and with the relocation management community. She provides her best and delivers incomparable service to her business partners. Her goals are to increase the department's referral volume through training and knowledge sharing.
