What is an Ombudsman?
An Ombudsman is a neutral party who can confidentially prevent or resolve problems and complaints brought against a REALTOR® member. The Ombudsman can field a variety of questions about real estate practice, transaction details, ethics, and enforcement procedures. They will not advocate for either party nor will they decide “right or wrong”. Instead, the Ombudsman will provide the parties clarity on the issues and recommend potential options for resolving the problem.
What does the Ombudsman do?
The Ombudsman will…
- Listen and help analyze a problem or complaint.
- Help to define and evaluate options.
- Provide informal solutions to problems.
- Make inquiries into a potential complaint.
- Initiate discussions with other involved parties.
- Provide additional information and resources that may be of help.
The Ombudsman will not…
- Provide legal advice.
- Take sides or advocate for either party.
- Compel or order that a certain action be taken.
- Conduct a formal investigation.
- Participate in formal grievance or arbitration procedures.
- Determine whether ethics violations have occurred.
- Keep formal written records.
- Render judgement in a particular case.
How do I ask for help?
The Ombudsman can be contacted by phone, email, or submitting an online services request:
Phone: (661) 635-2052
E-Mail:
Click here to submit your request online
About Our Ombudsman
About David Knoeb
David Knoeb was born and raised in Stockton, CA. He moved to Bakersfield in 1979 while working for a restaurant company called McGuffey’s, where he met the love of his life, Joanna. April 6, 2021, will be Joanna and David’s Thirty-Seventh wedding anniversary. However, Joanna and David have been together for almost forty years, and she wants to count every day. According to David, Joanna would not marry him right away because she said “he needed to grow up” personally, I think she has done a fine job raising him.
They have three children, eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, two baby-doll sheep, one cat, and man’s best friend Hunter, the one-hundred-ten-pound Doberman. Somehow every night, Hunter finds a way to sneak into David and Joanna’s bed; Hunter really likes to cuddle.
After passing his exam and placing his license at Karpe Real Estate Center in November of 2000, he felt right at home; he instantly fell in love with the industry and knew this was the career for him. Shortly thereafter, in August 2005, he became a broker. During his seven years stay with Karpe, he was top producer year after year.
In 2007; David and his family opened Frontier Real Estate Services, Inc. Family owned and operated if you asked David, “none of this is possible without my family” during the early years, Joanna, Misty, and Scott worked together to start the business, and in a blink of an eye they grew into one of the larges home base offices in Bakersfield. As Frontier continued to grow, Scott’s fiancé Candice and David’s grandson Joshua were added to the company.
Over the last 20 years, David has dedicated himself to organized real estate. Serving as President of the Bakersfield Association REALTORS® in 2013, Grievance, Pro-Standards, and his favorite duty of all; Orientation Instructor for new REALTORS® teaching the “Code of Ethics”. He is currently servicing as a C.A.R. and N.A.R. Director, Vice-Chair CREPAC for C.A.R. and RPAC Trustee Fund Raising for N.A.R. His professionalism and comment to our local, state, and national association are why we believe he is a perfect fit for the Ombudsman’s duties. He is excited and looking forward to his new role and partnership with Kevin Palla.
About Kevin Palla
Born and raised in Bakersfield, Kevin Palla is a perennial Top Performing Commercial Real Estate Broker known and respected throughout the Agriculture & Real Estate Communities. He is a skilled negotiator with experience in various fields who exhibits strength and industry knowledge as a Broker with Cushman & Wakefield | Pacific Commercial Realty Advisors as a Land Specialist and in Farming as an Agricultural Consultant.
Since becoming a REALTOR®, Kevin has been actively involved in the Bakersfield Association of REALTORS®, where he most recently served as the Vice-Chair of the Grievance Committee. He previously has chaired the Commercial Investment Forum and the New Member Orientation Committees for 2-year terms. He also has served as an MLS Director and BAK Director.
Professionally, Kevin holds a Broker’s license in the State of California. Nationally, he is a member of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers where he holds the professional designation of Accredited Farm Manager. Kevin has also completed Mediation Training for Dispute Resolution at the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution Pepperdine University School of Law.
In the Bakersfield community, Kevin is active with the Music Ministry and Men’s Bible Study Group at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church and currently serves on the Advisory Board of Kern County Student Leadership. Kevin is a past Board Member of the Kern County Farm Bureau, the Bakersfield Heart Association, and the Kern County Make a Wish Foundation. He is a graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Management.