Office of the Commissioner
Office of the Commissioner
Commissioner Susan nicolson
On February 17, 2023, Governor Katie Hobbs appointed Susan Nicolson as the Commissioner of Arizona Department of Real Estate (ADRE).
For nearly three decades, Commissioner Nicolson was licensed and worked as a real estate professional and up until the appointment was a Designated Broker and small business owner of a boutique brokerage in Phoenix, AZ. She also ran and operated a real estate school working as the school administrator and an instructor. Nicolson was also a Director at the National Association of REALTORS®, a Director at Arizona REALTORS® and the 2023 President Elect of her local association, WeSERV.
In 2021, the now-Commissioner graduated from the Women's Council of REALTORS® Leadership Institute and was the recipient of the Tyler Strout Vision Award from Arizona REALTORS®. She is a Graduate of the REALTOR Institute, certified by the National Association of REALTORS® as Pricing Strategy Advisor, a member of the Residential Real Estate Council, endorsed by the National Association of REALTORS® with the C2EX (Commitment to Excellence) certification, a Seniors Real Estate and holder of the PMN, SRS, ABR and CRS designations.
For Nicolson, these accomplishments are an acknowledgement to her success in practice and her pursuit of the highest levels of real estate education.
As the Arizona Real Estate Commissioner, Nicolson sees a future for the Department of Real Estate of not only upholding the laws of Arizona but a Department that is also proactive in supporting and educating small businesses while protecting the public.
Deputy Commissioner Jim Knupp
Knupp serves as a Deputy Commissioner at the Arizona Department of Real Estate, where he is responsible for strategic planning, project management, continuous improvement efforts, continuity of operations planning, internal communications, media relations, stakeholder engagement, and manages the IT team at the Department. Knupp also serves as the internal budget analyst, Designated Public Lobbyist and Agency Ombudsman.
Previously, he worked as the Chief of Operations and in various other roles for the Registrar of Contractors, in Pinal County - at both the Sheriff's Office and County Attorney's Office, and for Members of the US House of Representatives in Arizona and Ohio.
Knupp earned a Master's Degree in International and Comparative Politics and a Dual Bachelor's Degrees in Political Science and International Studies, from Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio. Jim has called Arizona home for the last 12 years and currently resides in Chandler.
602.771.7769
[email protected]
Deputy Commissioner Mandy Neat
Deputy Commissioner Neat oversees all operations at the Department. Neat was most recently a managing broker with one of the fastest growing franchises in the real estate profession and has enjoyed her tenure in real estate for 20 years.
Prior to her appointment as Deputy Commissioner Neat was the Treasurer for the Arizona Association of REALTORS® and served on committees and held numerous leadership roles for her local association WeSERV®, Arizona Association of REALTORS®, and the National Association of REALTORS®.
Neat is an advocate for home ownership as well as assisting other professionals to succeed. She truly believes in her value statement of "Making YOU Matter!!"
As a Deputy Commissioner of Real Estate, Neat brings her experience and professionalism to bear in updating auditing and investigation processes, ensuring real estate education is relevant, and working to improve general review processes and priorities in the Department to align them with current business models in the profession.
602.771.7724
[email protected]
