REAL ESTATE
{ REALTY FIRMS } D. DEEMS DICKINSON
President and designated broker Russ Lyon | Sotheby’s International Realty russlyon.com 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 current role 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. He earned the 2012 AREA Award for Real Estate Broker of the Year. Toughest challenge: “Cooperating with agents who are not fully committed to the business (and not up to date on issues). You don’t overcome it but encourage continual education and professionalism in our industry.” Business advice: “Be consistent and follow up with clients. Utilize current technology, but don’t forget the importance of personal communication.”
WALT DANLEY President Walt Danley Realty waltdanley.com
Danley moved to Arizona from Oregon for the sunshine and established himself in the residential real estate industry. He decided to make the luxury home market his focus after selling one to an opponent during a tennis match. Business advice: “Know the inventory, treat your peers with respect and always stay focused on your clients’ needs, not your own. Never stop learning.” Childhood aspirations: “I wanted to be a dentist. I’m not sure if there are any corollaries between the two careers other than working hard to take care of people — and inflicting pain occasionally.” Surprising fact: “I was painfully shy when I started my career. I have worked very hard to overcome it, but I am still a bit of an introvert.”
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 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
Chairman and founder HomeSmart International homesmartinternational.com After getting his real estate license in the late 1990s, Widdows decided that if he couldn’t find the technology and systems he wanted anywhere else, he would simply build it himself. After a few years, he was encouraged to start a company around the technology, systems and service he had created. HomeSmart was born. Toughest challenge: “Growth of the business, at all major stages, has always been challenging. Whether it’s hiring that first employee or hitting the $100 million in revenue mark, it’s always challenging and the challenges are different at each growth stage. It keeps things interesting.” Business advice: “Work hard, work honest and always be respectful of your peers because they will come around again. It’s amazing how small of a world it really is.”
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SANDRA WILKEN
President and designated broker Engel & Völkers Sandra Wilken Partners scottsdale.evusa.com Wilken is the foremost expert in representing buyers and sellers in Arizona’s most prestigious neighborhoods. With almost 40 years of experience, Wilken offers an elegant mix of executive insight and unmatched market knowledge that attracts buyers and sellers locally, nationally and internationally. She has worked diligently to earn the firm’s standing as Arizona’s most exclusive, boutique luxury real estate firm. Wilken was recognized as one of 2015’s “Top Women in Real Estate” by the Scottsdale Women’s Council of REALTORS®. Business advice: “Select a good mentor, be patient and shadow them to learn every aspect of the business and thank them.” Surprising fact: “I designed a ski shop in Squaw Valley and then modeled HEAD ski wear for ski commercials.”