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The 2016 Laguna Board of REALTORS® Director Candidates
Traudi Hansen, Surterre Properties
Traudi Hansen moved to Laguna Beach in 1988 and joined the Laguna Board of REALTORS® in 1997.
Hansen leverages her extensive background in international sales and marketing as well as her experience of selling real estate
for the past 18 years to represent Buyers and Sellers through-out Orange County.
Hansen’s talents at deal structuring, negotiation and creative problem solving earn her high marks from clients as well
as the REALTOR ®community. Traudi Hansen was voted REALTOR® of the year in 2011.
Traudi Hansen chaired the Meals on Wheels Committee for 14 years and served on the Grievance Committee and the
Professional Standards Committee for several years. Traudi is now chairing the Professional Standards Committee.
Traudi Hansen also volunteers regularly at the Surterre E-Waste events, collaborating with the local community to eliminate
electronic waste that could potentially end up in landfills.
Following her European heritage, Traudi loves the outdoors and is a walking enthusiast.
Janelle Hilton, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
Janelle has a combined 15 years experience in sales, business development and corporate management. She proudly
accepted the Women in Business Leadership award from the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce. Upon moving to Laguna
Beach, she fell in love with the character, people, and the beauty in this unique market. She hasn't felt such a strong sense of
community that Laguna offers since she left her small hometown 20 years ago in northern Minnesota. Growing up on a farm,
she has a strong work ethic that was instilled in her at an early age.
Janelle started an internship program on the Child Life Unit at South Dakota Children's Hospital while attending
Augustana College where she earned degrees in psychology and business. She holds an MBA in Global Business from the
University of Phoenix, ground campus. She is an active member of the Loloma Foundation where she recently returned from
Fiji on a medical mission working as a volunteer with children on remote islands.
Janelle is a licensed agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties. She is honored to be a
nominee to serve on the Laguna Board of Directors. Janelle has enjoyed volunteering for the Pet Parade and the Taste for
Charity events. She is active with the LBOR Community Events Committee and the Laguna Board of REALTORS® Charitable
Assistance Fund.
Michael Johnson, Villa Real Estate
Mike is a California native and a Laguna Beach resident since 1992. He graduated from UCLA with a
degree in Mechanical Engineering, followed a few years later by an MBA from UC Irvine. His career has been
varied, some would say 'eclectic' - from engineering to start-up entrepreneurial ventures. The common thread has become,
“working with people”. Mike’s real estate career was sparked as a way to work locally in a field for which he has had a
passion. He was supported from the onset by incredible mentoring from Ray McAfoose. He says he “feels incredibly blessed”
to be able to work in a town he loves, doing work that excites him every day.
Mike’s goal as a Director on the Laguna Beach Board of Directors is to work to preserve our small town Board for the
future, leverage our resources in better ways for our members, and increase our visibility to the community.
As a LBOR Director since 2013, he has been the Secretary of the Board and is currently the President Elect.
Brandon Menchaca, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
Brandon Menchaca is an Orange County native and has been a Laguna Beach local since 2008. Prior to his career as a
REALTOR®, Brandon owned and operated one of Laguna Beach’s well known fitness studios, Absolute Fitness Solutions. In
that time, he learned a vast amount about the residential and commercial culture of Laguna Beach. Brandon leveraged the
personal network he made as a local business owner into a successful first year as a REALTOR® in Laguna Beach. Brandon was
named the 2014 Rookie of the Year for Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, in Laguna Beach.
Through his business he is active in serving his community by participating in fundraisers, donating his services
to silent auctions, and offering his time to help many of Laguna’s deserving charitable foundations. Brandon volunteered as
Chef for Coldwell Banker in the 2014 Pet Parade and Chili-Cook off earning his team second place. Brandon will continue to
be involved with the LBOR Community Events Committee and LBR/CAF. In the fall season, Brandon volunteers his time as
Head Coach for the local AYSO soccer league in which his nine year old son plays.
Brandon’s work ethic is matched by his love for life; when not in his office, he enjoys socializing in any of Laguna’s fine
restaurants, or walking through the town he calls home.