FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2026  
MEDIA CONTACT:
Sharon Smith, CEO – SSmith@QCAREALTORS.com Office: 563-355-6655; Cell: 309-230-4926
Becca Poirier, Marketing and Communications – BPoirier@QCAREALTORS.com Office: 563-355-6655
Julie Lide, Incoming CEO – Jlide@QCAREALTORS.COM Office: 563-355-6655
Quad City Area REALTORS® CEO, Sharon Smith Announces Retirement
Bettendorf, IA — Quad City Area REALTORS® (QCAR) Chief Executive Officer, Sharon Smith, has announced her retirement from the organization, effective June 19, 2026.
Sharon’s retirement marks the close of an extraordinary 47-year career in the real estate industry, where she has served as a transformative leader through decades of change and growth. From the days of printed MLS books and locally owned brokerages to today’s modern real estate landscape, Sharon has played an integral role in shaping an industry that now serves more than 900 active licensed REALTORS® through QCAR.
Sharon began her career with Quad City Area REALTORS® in 1979, delivering MLS books to local brokerages. Over the years, she has held many roles within the organization, gaining experience in membership services, marketing, accounting, and operations. She also helped establish Homes Magazine, a valuable resource for consumers and REALTORS® in the local market that remained in publication for more than 30 years.
Through strategic leadership and organizational realignment, Sharon was named CEO of QCAR in 2013, a role she has held for the past 13 years. Her unwavering dedication to REALTOR® members, surrounding communities, and business partners has strengthened the organization and left a lasting impact on the real estate profession throughout the Quad Cities region.
“Sharon’s passion for empowering our REALTORS® and her ability to lead with both vision and heart have left an indelible mark on our industry,” said Amanda Yeggy, 2026 President of the QCAR Board of Directors. “Her legacy will continue to inspire our board of directors and future real estate leaders for years to come.”
Throughout her career, Sharon has played a role in supporting local community initiatives through partnerships with Student Built Homes, United Way, Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Argrow House, Junior Achievement, QC Flood Awareness, Project NOW! and the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce.
To ensure a smooth leadership transition, the QCAR Board of Directors established a search committee in 2025 to identify Sharon’s successor. Following a national search, the board approved the hiring of Julie Lide, who is relocating to the Quad Cities with her family from Missouri, where she previously led two smaller real estate associations. Julie joined QCAR in April 2026 and has been working alongside Sharon to ensure a seamless transition ahead of her retirement.
“Serving the Quad City Area REALTORS® for decades has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” said Sharon Smith. “This organization has been more than a career, it has been family. I am incredibly proud of what we have built together and grateful for the relationships, partnerships, and friendships formed along the way. I have complete confidence in QCAR’s future and know the organization is in great hands moving forward.”
As Sharon prepares to begin her retirement, QCAR celebrates her remarkable career and lasting legacy of leadership, service, and innovation. Her contributions have helped shape not only the organization but the broader real estate community throughout the Quad Cities, and her impact will be felt for generations to come.

### About Quad City Area REALTORS®
The Quad City Area REALTORS® (QCAR) represents more than 900 members across the bi-state region. QCAR advocates for private property rights, promotes homeownership, and leads community-focused initiatives that support housing innovation and smart growth in the Quad Cities.  For more information visit, www.QCAR.Realtor