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.