Meet our Board of directors
Without the dedicated, passionate individuals that make up the NSDREI Board of Directors, there would be no NSDREI. They are truly the heart of the organization. The leadership team works hard to bring value and a strong sense of community to the organization. They care deeply about the member experience and in bringing high-value education and networking opportunities to the real estate investor community. They genuinely enjoy helping members and attendees make connections and find resources they need to reach their RE goals. Get to know our team ... |
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| Derek Harms | President An active investor and award-winning Realtor, Derek is connected to many different facets of the real estate industry. He purchased his first investment property in 2010 for $22,500, and since then he’s owned or been involved in flipping houses, mobile home parks, apartment building syndication, development, property management, lending, and creative financing. He currently spends most of his time managing his company We Buy San Diego, cumulatively focusing on single-family & multi-family renovations, sales, & rentals in San Diego County. Derek joined the NSDREI Board of Directors in 2014 and has served as the President since 2019. Derek currently lives in Point Loma and when he’s not enveloped in real estate (rarely ever) you’ll most likely find him enjoying one of the fine outdoor activities this special city has to offer like hiking, running, golfing, biking, camping, or fishing. |
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Clarice Letizia | Secretary
Clarice joined the NSDREI Board in January 2023 as the Secretary and has been a regular member of NSDREI since 2012. Clarice is a semi retired Attorney. She has been investing in real estate since the late 1980's and has rental properties in California. She is also an adjunct professor at California Western School of Law in San Diego, where she teaches Legal Drafting. She lives in Oceanside where she enjoys sailing and swimming. |
| Betty Wong | Treasurer Betty is a native San Diegan. She has served on the NSDREI Board since 2006. She and her husband have been investing in real estate since 2004 and own rental properties out-of-state. She enjoys playing tennis, getting together with family and friends and trying new restaurants. Her biggest joy in life is her son Devin. |
| Bruce May | Vice President Bruce joined the NSDREI in July 2011 and currently serves as the Director of Social Media Marketing. His primary responsibilities are promoting the club via social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Bruce is a retired Carlsbad Police Lieutenant and he has flipped about 30 homes in San Diego County and out-of-state. Currently he does hard money lending for Trilion Capital helping San Diego investors fund their projects. 619-541-5082 |
| Linda Wessels | Advisor to Secretary & Treasurer Linda joined the Board in 2004. She brings to the Board extensive experience in a wide variety of investment-related products, services and properties. She is president of FIA Group LLC, an independent consulting firm working with the financial services industry. She has two children and two grandchildren – the accomplishment of which she is most proud. |
| Jay Sherman | Programs Jay joined the NSDREI board in 2009 as the Treasurer, and then transitioned to Programs and Speakers in 2013. Jay has been investing in real estate since the late 1990s and a full time real estate investor since 2006. Jay lives in North County San Diego with his wife and two children. For a full biography and personal testimonials about Jay, please visit his website.
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| Jerry Ryan | Market Research & Sponsorship Jerry joined the NSDREI board in June of 2017 as Treasurer and transitioned to Sponsorship. He is President of Crescent R Financial INC., focusing on private real estate lending, as well as investing in property ownership. He has an extensive investing experience in real estate, stocks, and media assets. He graduated from De Paul University in 1977, and spent 35 years in the broadcasting business. He lives in Carlsbad with his wife, and son. 760-448-6213 Office |
| Chi Nguyen | Member at Large Chi joined the NSDREI Board of Directors in 2023 and is a local San Diego real estate investor who has her hands in a few real estate investing buckets – she is a nonperforming 2nd position note investor, a long-term buy & hold single family investor, a developer, and now a fund manager, as she now leads a vertical in asset & portfolio management at 7E Investments, a $150MM fund investing in 1st & 2nd position nonperforming notes. Having a special place in her heart for the nonprofit world, Chi believes in always having a part of her life dedicated to giving back in order to leave the world a better place than she found it; with this sentiment in her heart, she thoroughly enjoys serving the world & its communities as President of Trek Relief, a 501(c)3 focused on disaster relief as well as environmental initiatives in Nepal, Chile, and Mongolia. During her free time outside of work & her nonprofit ventures, Chi can be found traveling internationally, surfing, practicing yoga, playing volleyball, reading, and spending time enjoying the beautiful outdoors with her loved ones in San Diego. |
| Eric Siragusa | President Emeritus Eric joined the NSDREI board in 2006, and served as President from 2008-2019. He currently co-manages multiple private real estate investment funds that own Manufactured Housing Communities (MHCs) across the country. These funds and their affiliated entities have ranked as high as the 5th largest MHC owner/operator in the United States. Eric has also served as an educator, mentor and consultant to other real estate investors and professionals. He received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from UCSD in 2003, has multiple patents, and is blessed with a wonderful wife and two daughters. |
