REAL ESTATE
{ REALTY FIRMS }
D. DEEMS DICKINSON
RICH RECTOR
President Realty Executives International realtyexecutives.com
President and designated broker Russ Lyon | Sotheby’s International Realty russlyon.com
WALT DANLEY President Walt Danley Realty waltdanley.com
Danley moved to Arizona from Oregon for the sunshine and established himself in the real estate industry. He decided to make the luxury home market his focus after selling a luxury home to an opponent during a tennis match. Business advice: “There are no shortcuts in this industry. You have to know the inventory. Looking at updates on your computer is OK, but to really understand the market, you have to see the properties in person. Also, know the contract inside and out. Have questions? Ask your broker – don’t guess.” Dream dinner: “Elton John. The first reason is obvious: I love his music. But more importantly, he is a true philanthropist. He has done so much to help people from all different walks of life. His charitable heart is inspiring.”
As a second-generation Realtor, Dickinson’s career spans two of the three generations of owners of Russ Lyon | Sotheby’s International Realty. In addition to serving as president and designated broker for one of the Top 75 real estate companies in the United States, Dickinson also serves on the National Association of REALTORS® and the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service board of directors. Business advice: “Stay relevant. With the technological advances in today’s world and the amount of information available, it is important for agents to understand their market and interpret it on their client’s behalf.” Superpower: “As a pilot, the ability to fly would be cool.” Surprising fact: “I have resurrected my desire to learn how to kite board.”
GREG HOLLMAN President Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Arizona azmoves.com
Hollman took over as president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Arizona in September 2014. He has held numerous leadership roles for Coldwell in both Arizona and Southern California. Hollman oversees Coldwell’s 26 offices and 1,300 independent sales associates across Arizona. The company, which serves areas including Metro Phoenix and Tucson, Prescott and Lake Havasu, is part of NRT LLC, the largest residential real estate brokerage in the nation. Hollman, who has been with Coldwell Banker since 1991, started his career with Coldwell Banker Success in Arizona. In 2005, NRT acquired Coldwell Banker Success, where Hollman was made regional vice president of the Southern Arizona operations three years later.
MATT WIDDOWS
CEO and founder HomeSmart International homesmart.com
Widdows founded HomeSmart in 2000 as a technology-forward real estate brokerage in Arizona. HomeSmart was created on the principle of providing the highest value in the industry with amazing customer service, at a low cost to agents and is driven
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Rector began his career in real estate in 1975. In 2006, he was named on the “25 Most Influential People in Real Estate” by REALTOR Magazine. In 2012, he co-wrote the book, “The E-Myth Real Estate Brokerage,” with Michael E. Gerber. Business advice: “Put systems in place for all of your processes so your product or service is consistent and can be replicated.” Superpower: “It would be the ‘Infallible Integrity Meter,’ because I have trusted a few people in business that I never should have.” Dream dinner: “Miles Davis. He was a rebel who was years ahead of everyone else musically. Dinner would be at Nobuo at Teeter House, because I believe Chef Fukuda is far ahead of others in his field, too.”
by proprietary technology. Over the next 16 years, Widdows grew the brokerage from two agents to more than 10,000 in 15 states. Today, HomeSmart is one of the largest real estate companies in the nation. Business advice: “This business takes a lot of hard work and thinking outside the box. Never accept the ‘way it’s supposed to be,’ because you will just end up looking like everyone else. We need creative thinkers in every industry to continue improving the way we conduct business today and how it will look tomorrow.”