How I got here: My career in real estate started before I was 15 when I used to work part time at my father's real estate company. A career in real estate was not always my dream - originally the plan was to go to law school. I have always had a fascination for the legal system - hence my substantial involvement the regulatory side of the real estate industry.  When I finished high school my dad asked if I would help him out for a bit as he was extremely busy - I wasn't interested. Then he said “you probably wouldn’t pass the exam anyway.” That was in 1988.
By 1991 I had obtained my broker qualifications (this allows you to run, own or manage a brokerage with associates under you). At the time our company was one of the largest, most successful independent brokerages in the Edmonton market. In 1993 we decided to align ourselves with a franchise. We had been pursued by many franchises for sometime and the final decision came down to a company we were familiar with from our annual trips to Hawaii. More importantly we decided on Coldwell Banker because of the reason the company was formed. It was formed for ethical reasons unlike many other companies which have been formed solely as business models. Benjamin Banker and Colbert Coldwell were the first to charge a commission for selling property as opposed to agents buying the property and then re-selling it to other buyers at a much higher price. What I love:  My passions are first and foremost my family, Karate, biking, ancient civilizations, science, cooking with Sara, and travel. We love Paris in the fall and whenever we go to Europe we make a stop over there for at least a few days. Karate allows me to completely focus on one thing so my mind can refresh and my body can rejuvenate.
Accomplishments: It seems like yesterday but I have been around the real estate industry for a very long time. Some of my more meaningful accomplishments have been: - Being one of the youngest members to ever qualify for the MLS® million dollar club, which is now known as the Medallion club
- Serving on the Edmonton Real Estate Board’s professional Standards committee, The Real Estate Council of Alberta’s (RECA) hearings and appeals panel, RECA's Conduct Advisory committee, The Real Estate Insurance and Exchange (REIX) Claims Committee and Advisory Board and as a RECA Council member. (See resume for dates)
- Having IMHO, one of the most proactive, leading edge real estate companies that has extremely high ethical standards for its agents.
- Working with someone I respect and love immensely.
Favourites I love to read so a favourite book is very difficult to narrow down. By genre my favourite classic is Charles Dickens “Great Expectations”. I think it's related to Pip’s expectations and disappointments. Favorite Sci Fi book: This is extremely tough so I’ll do it in the order that I read them the most. Tolkein’s, “Lord of the Rings” (11 times and counting), Frank Hebert’s, “Dune” series (4 times) and only up to the 7th book. When his son took over writing, I lost interest. Isaac Asimov’s “Foundation” series (twice). My Favorite recent novel would be the Time Travellers Wife. Favorite movies are to numerous too mention - I love movies and the theatre. The first movie I ever saw was “Call of the Wild”. Two movies that have made me bawl the most (its a toss up) “old Yeller” and "To Sir with Love." The movie I’ve seen the most is “Star Wars” and is probably my sentimental favourite. My favourite romance would be "Serendipity" or "the Notebook." I’m a big John Cusak fan... Loved him in True Colors. My Life My role models are Gandhi, Einstein and my older brother Wayne. I have one quote that sums up a lot of my life: "Adapt and overcome." Whenever I’m confronted with a problem this is the first thing that comes to my mind. I used to think it was a motto of the U.S. Marines but I’ve seen numerous motto’s from them so I’m not sure where I picked it up. The most dramatic change in my life came when I became a father. It wasn’t sudden, but within a short period of time the selfish decisions I made for myself soon became more along the line of what kind of example am I setting for my daughter, and how am I going to prepare her for her future? I am blessed to have three very incredible women helping me raise her. Her mother, my mother and the love of my life who has brought and helped her so much that I can’t help but be extremely thankful. I love helping people. I love solving problems and doing everything we can to make sure that people receive what they want and expect from us. I love that almost every situation is unique, although there are similarities and I love that each day is incredibly different from the day before. As a kid my favourite TV shows were Gilligan’s Island and Hogan's Heroes. Growing up my one of my favourite times was Summer holidays. This often saw the family packing up the trailer and heading east to my dad’s hometown in Saskatchewan then west to Fairmont B.C. I have very fond memories of both places.
My Resume Industry Participation: 2007 - Present , RECA Council Member 2007 - Present, REIX Advisary Board Member 2002-2003, RECA Conduct Advisory Committee 2005-2007, REIX Claim's committee 1997 - 2006, RECA Hearings and Appeals Panel 1996-2000, 2002, 2004-2007, Member of the Edmonton Real Estate Board Professional Standards and Arbitration Committee Volunteer Work: 2003-2004, Chair Good Shepard School Council, Edmonton 1999-2003, Fundraising coach for Y.M.C.A. Annual and Capital campaigns 1999, Served on the Jamie Platz Y.M.C.A. Advisory Board Real Estate Education "Certified Commerical Investment Member" Courses inlcuding: Fundamentals of Real Estate Investments and Taxation, Fundamentals of Location and Market Analysis, Advanced Real Estate Taxation and Marketing Tools for Investment Real Estate, The Impact of Human Behavior on Commercial Decision Making
"Foundation of Administrative Justice"
"A.R.E.A. Ethical Dilemmas"
"A.R.E.A. Appraisal Techniques"
"A.R.E.A. Title Searching for Alberta Realtors"
"A.R.E.A. Know Your Product - For Home Inspections"
"Location and Market Analysis" Fundamentals
"The Condominium Directors Manager Course", Northern Alberta Chapter
"Real Estate Investment and Taxation" Fundamentals
Awards and Recognitions 1996 - Present, Awarded MLS Edmonton Real Estate Board "Million Dollar" and "Medallion"Club Awards, Top 5% MLS sales 1996 - 2006, Coldwell Banker's President's Elite Award (Top 5% of Coldwell Banker International) 2007, 2008, Coldwell Banker's Prestigious President's Premier Award (Top 2% of Coldwell Banker International) 1993 - Present, Consistently one of Coldwell Banker's top sales associates in Alberta |