My Biography
A Journey
to Sonoma
Everyone has a story to tell. My
journey to Sonoma is important because I moved here from somewhere else and had
to find my way in a new community. I hope the sharing of these experiences will
provide you an insight to who I am and why I am qualified to represent
you.
My
first job: Going to school. |
I’ve been in real estate for most of my
adult life...although it didn’t start out that way. Ironically, after
graduating with honors from Colorado University during a severe recession my
first "real job" after college was a highway construction job directing traffic
along a snowy Colorado Interstate in the dead of winter... a man’s job at
a time when women entering the workforce in greater numbers during the Viet Nam
War. I was grateful for the work and the chance to prove myself. I made the
right contacts and was soon on my way up the ladder of government service.
I obtained a management intern position
during the Nixon Administration within the General Services Administration with
the responsibility of disposing of valuable, and not-so-valuable surplus
government owned real estate. When the Government wanted to sell an old Titan
Missile silo, a defunct US Post Office, access road right-of-ways in Wyoming,
Montana or the Dakota’s, or even a one million square foot office building
in downtown Denver...I got the call. From this experience I learned that every
property has a buyer. The challenge of the sale was to think creatively,
anticipate obstacles, and find areas of common interest between warring
factions. I honed my negotiating skills by working with elected and appointed
officials at every level of government...a tall order for a 5’1" women in
her twenties. Like the lyric from Roger Millers song " A Boy Named Sue" my
options were either "to get tough or die"!
When I get a day off... I ride. |
I advanced up the ranks at GSA to the point
of being offered the position of Federal Buildings Manager--Wyoming. For a
variety of reasons I chose to enter the private sector, moving to Denver, CO to
take advantage of the booming real estate market. We developed, syndicated, and
traded properties during those years making and later giving back a small
fortune due to the energy crisis. I loved Colorado, but my infant
daughter’s respiratory condition required us to move away from mile-high
smog and closer to sea-level clean air. We left Colorado and spent three months
traveling the West in search of a new home. Our van and pop-up camper/trailer
went to nearly every KOA campground in eight states until finding its way to
the historic City of Sonoma. Sonoma felt like home so we bought a
farm.
Five happy years slipped away raising my two
children with our many "pets". Our little " Funny Farm" aka "The Sonoma Home
For Old Animals" had horses, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, exotic birds... you
name it we had it. We grew most of our own food, learning in the process that
you can grow just about anything here. As a newcomer to town, I volunteered at
school, was my son’s den mother, sold hot-dogs at little league games, and
became friends with many wonderful people.
When I vacation...I like to fly (my
kite). |
I returned to work in May of 1989. With my
real estate background I quickly obtained a California Real Estate License and
went to work for the most prestigious commercial real estate company in the
"North Bay". I leased office and retail space, sold office and retail
buildings, brokered business opportunities, and sold a lot of homes, becoming
Sales Person of the Year in 1991. I continued my community service activities
with the Chamber of Commerce, and other civic and business organizations. I
developed a large and supportive network which has been the cornerstone of my
continued success.
I discovered my real job satisfaction came
from helping people buy and sell their homes. In 1992 I switched companies to
the largest residential firm in my area and never looked back. I became a top
agent for my company, earning the distinction of being the #1 "Top Producer"
for the past three years.
Why is this important? Because I want you to
know that I’m a down-to-earth, every-day person, on whom you can rely. I
have a husband, kids in school, a demanding job, older parents who need me, and
a caring and supportive community from which I derive my success and strength.
I know what’s involved when you pull up roots in one community and plant
them in another. Any move can be traumatic if the circumstances are not managed
properly... that’s my job, and I do it well. I’ve found a wonderful
life in Sonoma, California and I’m just the person to help you do the
same.
- NUMBER1EXPERTS™ 
