Jim Forde, Director
Timeshare Textbook Author
Timeshare Textbook author, Jim Forde, operates one of the most successful real estate training companies. Jim specializes in timeshare program development and job placement.
Jim Forde’s Background
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Jim entered the travel business as a tour guide in high school. He spent his summers escorting groups around the world while attending Woodbury University in California .
Jim Forde is a passionate world traveler, travel writer, influencer and nationally recognized speaker dedicated to help people travel smart through the use of timeshares. Jim went to work full time in the hospitality and travel business as President of Trafalgar Tours after graduating from the university.
Jim’s research suggests vacations are much morethan a luxury. CNN writer, Chuck Tompson, would agree with Jim. In a recent article Chuck writes, “…the respite effect of a vacation can increase performance by 80%. Reaction times of returning vacationers increased 40% ….” In addition to enabling high performance on the job, vacationing contributes to reducing stress and enhancing health. However, the Huffington Post writes only approximately 25% of Americans actually vacation. Research uncovers the fact that 37% feel they cannot afford to get away. Jim’s passion for Timeshares is founded on making vacationing affordable, while also providing the benefits of asset ownership.
Through Jim’s real estate training schools, Jim helps the under and unemployed find jobs with unlimited earning potential. The fastest growing real estate sector includes: Community Interest Developments, including condominiums, PUDs, and timeshares. Jim spends much of his time helping his students benefit from increased employment opportunities found in this sector.
Tony Forsythe, MBA EA
Tony has over 25 years experience in finance for both individuals and Businesses. His expertise Includes all areas of taxation, including tax planning, preparation with a focus on audit resolution.
Tony received his MBA from Pepperdine university in 1992,
Tony holds a license as an Enrolled Agent ( An Enrolled Agent (EA is a federally-authorized tax practitioner who has technical expertise in the field of taxation and who is empowered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to represent taxpayers before all administrative. levels of the IRS for audits, collections and appeals. He is a member of American Society of Tax Problem Solvers.
He also holds a Mortgage Origination License (MLO) and when not doing taxes he is doing all types of loans, from purchase to reverse mortgages for seniors.
When not working Tony enjoys golfing, off road driving and swimming
Gregg Poiry
Gregg Poiry brings more than 22 years of experience in residential real estate to Approved Real Estate Academy where he is the local instructor of pre-licensing classes in the Palm Springs area.
Gregg has a passion for teaching in the Real Estate field. Over the years he has taught people how to get their Real Estate license, how to jump start their initial career and how to sharpen their skills as seasoned agents.
He also manages the SmartStart Agent development program and the mentor program at HomeSmart Professionals.
Before joining Approved Real Estate Academy he was the sales manager for a well-respected local broker in the Palm Springs area.
Prior to relocating to the desert, Gregg spent many years with a regional brokerage in Manhattan Beach where he was their Manager, Assigned Assets Division. He managed a subcontract selling homes owned by US Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Under that subcontract he personally closed 120 home sales in 2013.
He is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles where he earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Gregg holds a California Department of Real Estate Broker license.
Before entering the Real Estate profession Gregg held a Department of Defense “Secret” clearance for many years while at The RAND Corporation where he was the Director of Business Services.
He also served as a volunteer member of the Board of Directors for the Continental Federal Credit Union for 25 years.
Leroy Brown, Broker Associate
Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. Leroy earned his Real Estate license in 1993. He begin teaching real estate classes in 1998. He earned his Broker license in 2006. Leroy was a Broker / Owner of Brownstone Realty in Torrance, CA. Today he is a Broker Associate at Keller Williams Coastal Properties in Long Beach, CA.
Before he began his real estate career he was a Sr. Instructional Writer for McDonnell Douglas now The Boeing Company here in Huntington Beach, CA
Leroy Brown
Broker Associate
310-901-5311
Keller Williams Coastal Properties
6621 E. Pacific Coast Highway #150
Long Beach, CA 90803
DRE# 01168300
Ellen Callen
Teaching is not just something I do, a teacher/mentor is something I am.
Teaching marketing at UCI Division of Continuing Education since 2004 has been my joy and led to a Distinguished Instructor Award in 2019. My real estate career started in lending where I was a top account executive working in both the sub-prime and AAA super jumbo market where we lent money to a clientele of the wealthiest of society.
I have been fortunate to have been mentored by CEOs connected at the highest level of banking. As an author, I worked with Jim Forde to produce three real estate textbooks and have been teaching real estate courses for approximately two years.
I have a B.S. in Business Management graduating Cum Laude and an M.B.A in Finance from Pepperdine University. When I teach real estate licensing courses, I emphasize testing efficiency. Meaning, as a professional teacher I teach using methods to prepare you to pass the California DRE salespersons exam while integrating real-world examples.
My goal is to create a community where my students can base their early career network and make the test prep quick and enjoyable.
What We Will Cover
Approved Real Estate Academy’s Fast Track 9 week licensing program combines live Zoom class instruction in California with online courses that are California state-approved and meet the required education hours. Exam preparation materials are included to help you succeed on the state exam.
Testimonials
Here’s what our students say about Approved Real Estate Academy:
If you are looking for a great Real Estate school, I highly recommend this one. Jim Forde is a top-notch instructor that will give you the information that you need to successfully pass the state test, and he makes it fun and interesting while do it. Jim has entertaining and funny stories that they tell that will help you remember the information. I had a wonderful experience here, and I highly recommend this school! I am now a full time Real Estate Agent.
Best real estate licensing class and training in Orange County! (Probably best in the state of California!)
Jim and Tony really blew me away with the amount of knowledge and experience they both have in the real estate space. You won’t just learn the contents of the books but will learn all the ins and outs of starting your new real estate career.If you’re looking to have the best possible chance of succeeding in real estate, then look no further as they will surpass all your expectations!
Passed exam on my first try thanks to advice, teaching and learning tools provided by Jim and Tony. I did not have much real estate knowledge or prior experience so most of the material was unfamiliar and I had to work on that. But reading the textbooks, going to lectures and repeating the practice exams did the trick. Yay! Thanks Jim.
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