I've lived through war, recessions, 18% interest rates, and the rise and fall of entire markets - and through it all, real estate has been the one constant in my adult life.

I became a REALTOR® after I had my first son. It was the 1970s, the height of the hippie era, and I was in photography school. But as I became a father, staying in school became a luxury I could no longer afford. I quit and got my real estate license.

That decision marked the beginning of my 46 - year career in real estate. It's been my one and only profession in my adult life - well, apart from the military, when I was drafted and sent to Vietnam in the 70s. It was a long time ago now, and I may have blocked out parts of it, as I remember it to be a turbulent and stressful period.

When I returned home from the war, I married my childhood sweetheart at the time. We welcomed three children - Nathaniel, Aaron, and Michael - while I went full throttle into real estate.

I obtained my license in 1979 and quickly learned that real estate is not for the faint of heart. The market was tough: interest rates were around 18%, inflation was above 10%, and for a new agent, it was incredibly challenging to navigate.

Over the years, I learned how to work through all kinds of markets and transactions. I became a managing broker in 1981. I was selling real estate while also hiring and training new agents. Eventually, I opened my own brokerage with a business partner.

Then came the recession of 2009–2012, and it hit us hard - really hard. Our office didn't survive. We had to close and sell our office building, which was heartbreaking. That's when I moved to REMAX Northwest. It was a challenging time, but in many ways it turned out for the better. Back then, I was working nonstop, and it was time to make some changes.

I began working with REMAX at the end of the great recession. I shifted my focus toward helping clients who were about to lose their homes or struggling to find financing. Those years softened my heart. I came out of that period with even deeper respect for my clients and a stronger commitment to help people navigate stressful times with care and honesty.

These days, my role as a REALTOR® is transitioning to something new. I am excited to announce that I am now a Client Consultant with my new business partner, Katy Smith and The Concierge Group. Katy is the mastermind behind all things real estate. I have known Katy as her managing broker for over 15 years. I now have the privilege of collaborating with her and her team. This new position focusing on supporting and advising my clients has always been my strongest skill set. With Katy and her team, we can now offer my clients amuch higher level of service.

Now I have more time for family. Today, my sons and their families live in Washington State. I'm blessed with nine grandchildren! In my free time, I love being at my second home in Arizona. I've been golfing since I was eight, and at 76, I'm still going strong. I enjoy sunshine, hiking, and reading - especially non-fiction, history, and even self-help. Anything that challenges my thinking still excites me.

Looking back, real estate has given me far more than a career - it's given me a life shaped by resilience, humility, and compassion. From turbulent beginnings to hard-earned rebuilds, every chapter taught me that success isn't measured only in closed deals, but in trust earned, relationships sustained, and showing up when people need guidance the most.

With over 4 decades of experience in real estate, I've truly done it all - commercial, residential, and a wide range of transaction types across changing markets. Real estate has been my life's work, and what matters most to me is the relationship I build with my clients. I take pride in my reputation I've earned over decades, including working with repeat clients I first met more than 40 years ago!

I'm especially known for crafting contracts that protect my clients and work fairly for all parties involved. I'm adamant about shielding clients from bad deals and negotiating terms that serve their best interests. Protecting my clients and securing the strongest possible outcome is my top priority. I continue to educate myself by studying market statistics, trends, and best practices, combining current data with decades of firsthand experience. My advice is grounded in both research and real-world insight. I always offer clients access to a trusted network of vetted vendors, which I am happy to say has recently expanded with Katy Smith and The Concierge Group.