Office of the Commissioner
Judy Lowe,
Arizona Real Estate Commissioner
Greetings from Commissioner Judy Lowe
On May 14, 2009 Governor Jan Brewer appointed me Commissioner for the Arizona Department of Real
Estate. Since then I am so pleased at how much we have accomplished, and how much we have adjusted
to. Let me share with you!!
ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT
The Department staff developed an internal and external theme of
“Together Everyone Achieves More”.
When visiting or calling the department you should have a pleasant experience. Each of us will do
as much as we can to assist anyone who has an issue, or question… please remember to treat us politely.
BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS
- In June ’09, the department suffered the first round of mandated budget cuts, which we were able
to adjust to, by downsizing our staff, and modifying our operating expenses.
- We spent the summer months working through a “situation analysis” of the Department, looking at
each Division, analyzing processes, workload, and each staff’s job description to streamline our
internal systems to offset the staffing cuts.
- The second round of mandated budget cuts ($245,000) were implemented in January 2010, resulting
in: (a) more downsizing of our staff (total of 15 staff in nine months, (b) reducing our Southern
Arizona office staff to one, with minimized public service office hours of Monday, Wednesday and
Friday, (c) cutting our operating expenses as far as possible, and (d) terminating and/or reducing
two service contracts with other state agencies.
- On March 8, 2010, the Legislature convened the Seventh Special Session to complete work on the
FY 2010 budget and enact a budget for FY 2010. The budget legislation included an additional
reduction to the Department of Real Estate. Fund sweeps of the Recovery Fund, as well, as a
permanent 2.75% reduction in state employee compensation and mandatory furloughs through FY 2012,
which equal an additional 2.3% salary reduction. The Arizona Department of Administration
has selected a schedule for the mandatory furlough days and will require state agencies to close
on those days.
HOW ARE WE SURVIVING?
We are all proud of what we’ve accomplished, and truly feel, that we are achieving more with much, much
less. We are in the process now of streamlining the processes of each Division, and each staff
member. Written strategic plans, technology, and cross training (even across Division lines) are
all being implemented.
My #1 emphasis is on building partnerships within the industry and with other state agencies, in
serving our Arizona constituents from an attitude of supporting a
TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More)
concept. I will listen and gather feedback from all, as well as create a synergistic approach to
problem solving.
I will use my extensive real estate industry knowledge and consumer protection experience to further
promote the Department mission of “protecting the public”, while ensuring exceptional customer service.
Chief of Staff, Sarah Dobbins, is responsible for overseeing daily office operations and internal and
external communications. If you would like to have me speak at an event, office meeting, etc.,
please contact Sarah to schedule. Her email is: sdobbins@azre.gov.
Respectfully yours,
Judy Lowe,
Arizona’s Real Estate Commissioner
