Mike Parry has been a member of WCAR since he was licensed in 2006. He is the Designated Broker at Bellwether Real Estate, where he has been since the office opened in 2015. He began his journey into real estate as a commercial broker. His background building/running small businesses gives him great insight into the needs of other small business owners as they look for a place to buy or lease. He sees “a lot of avenues” when pursuing commercial real estate, but the constant is focusing on the unique needs of commercial clients. His leadership and involvement in the community and Association rely heavily on his philosophy that a person gets out of something what they put into it. He puts this into practice during his time serving on the BoD for WCAR, mentoring and advising his team at Bellwether, and in service to local non-profits like Bellingham Childcare & Learning Center.
Lynda Hinton has been a Member of WCAR since she started as a REALTOR® in 2002. Lynda is a staple figure in the real estate community, devoting her time not only to a career and clients she loves, but to other important organizations throughout Whatcom and Skagit counties, too. She is a huge supporter of The Boys and Girls Club, Brigid Collins, Lydia Place, the Festival of Music, and has scholarships in her parents’ names at BTC. As she says, she supports “various different things to make a difference.” You can also see Lynda every year at the Golf Tournament, providing shots to players as her alter ego, Sheila Tequila. Lynda brings joy and professionalism to everything she does and her clients benefit from her knowledge and experience. She sees the real estate community as a “fantastic group of people” and notes that when families thank her for helping them find the perfect house, “it makes everything worthwhile.”
Hannah Jones has been a Member of WCAR since 2020. She is currently the chair of the Rising Committee, which is dedicated to fighting the stark statistic that only 20% of REALTORS® make it past the first year. She notes that Rising 20 is dedicated to helping more agents be successful in the industry by providing resources, education, training, and support for new REALTORS®. Outside of her work with John L. Scott, Hannah volunteers for as many things in the community as possible, especially if she has the chance to work with kids. She currently serves on the Neighborhood King Mountain board and enjoys “helping to guide the development of a neighborhood.” Hannah brings enthusiasm and commitment to her work in, and outside of, the industry.
Ashley Walker has been a Member of WCAR since 2013. She has served on numerous committees, consistently demonstrating incredible leadership. Most recently, she co-chairs the Golf Tournament Committee and oversees sponsorship among many other responsibilities. She describes her work with WCAR and as a Mortgage Program Manager as being about community – making connections, serving others, and strengthening her relationships with others in the industry. Ashley exudes quietly dedication to people and there is no doubt that her decade of commitment to WCAR has brought with it tremendous benefits to other Members, to Habitat for Humanity (which has been the benefactor of the Golf Tournament since Ashley’s tenure on the committee), and to her own business. Ashley believes in working hard and finding balance between work and her personal relationships, especially spending time with her young son.
2023 WCAR Annual Golf Tournament benefiting Habitat for Humanity of Whatcom County. Hosted at North Bellingham Golf and Country Club August 11, 2023.
Randy Dorn has been a Member of WCAR for over a decade. He began working in the mortgage business 14 years ago and is currently the Branch Manager at CMG Home Loans. He describes CMG as “very forward- thinking,” which fits within his own values. In particular, the most important thing to Randy is work/ life balance and he loves this career because it allows him the flexibility to spend time with his kid, nurture his family, while growing his business While this is his first year serving on the WCAR BoD, he has been active as an Affiliate for years – sponsoring the Golf Tournament, breakfast meetings, and happy hour events. Randy believes in giving back to the community, and that’s evident in his involvement with Toys for Tots and CMG’s unique, new The Home Funded Program, which helps young buyers crowd-fund their downpayment. Randy is a quiet guy, but clearly full of passion for the community and our industry.
As an agent with Bellweather Real Estate Ethan brings experience that goes beyond his 6 year membership with WCAR. He began his work in Real Estate at 16, mowing lawns for listings, progressing to sending mailers for other agents until getting his license in college. Ethan exudes commitment to people and his motivation and action underscores this. Noting that “being homed is a necessity and a human right,” Ethan says that what he likes most about Real Estate is being “part of a transaction that is pivotal to someone’s well-being.” In 2022 he was nominated for the WCAR Community Service Award. Ethan is humble about the recognition, but proud that it draws attention to his Hunger vs. Hunger fundraiser and the Bellingham Food Bank it supports. Three years in the running, Hunger vs. Hunger has raised 10s-of-thousands of dollars to combat food insecurity in our community.
This year’s WCAR Golf Tournament is made possible by many amazing Affiliate Members. We couldn’t do what we do without all of you. Thank you, sponsors for supporting the mission of WCAR, Habitat for Humanity, and affordable housing!
Nicole is a broker at John L. Scott. She’s been an agent and member of WCAR for 4 1/2 years. Beyond being a real estate agent she is also a Seniors Real Estate Specialist and a Master Certified Negotiation Specialist. During her time as a member of the Association she has served in various roles on the Banquet Committee and has chaired the Rising 20 Committee. Nicole won the Rookie of the Year Award in 2019 and continues to work toward helping new REALTORS® succeed in the industry. She values connection and collaboration and says that she loves networking, meeting and socializing with people from other offices, and is deeply passionate about education. She appreciates all the opportunities for growth and success the Association offers and after reluctantly joining her family legacy in real estate, she consistently and warmly engages with all the industry has to offer. You would be hard pressed to miss Nicole at a meeting, a class, a social hour, or an event put on my WCAR.
Brandon is the Owner of BNP (Brandon Nelson Partners), he’s been a member of WCAR for 17 years, during which time he has served on the Communications Committee, and he most recently won the Community Service Award! Brandon devotes much of his time – and his business – to giving back. BNP began a “100 House Giveaway” five years ago, giving $10,000 back to the community for the first 100 houses sold each year. More recently they began using their moving truck for their “Fill the Truck” event; one that gathers basic needs items for the school district’s Family Resource Center. Brandon says that his spirit of giving is a “theme” that runs through BNP, which he credits to the “quality of clients and network” that share his values and vision.
Whatcom County Association of Realtors love giving back to the communities we live in! There are lots of opportunities in Whatcom County to volunteer, whether it be at a Habitat for Humanity® build site/store, serving the growing number of people experiencing food insecurity at the local food bank, supporting other local organizations that provide basic needs for residents, and much, much more!
Rachael Wilson is a long-time resident of Whatcom County, Managing Broker and REALTOR® at RE/MAX Whatcom County INC., as well as a Team Leader for Lilac Listings. She has been a member of WCAR for 14 years, during which time she has served on the BoD and on the Education Committee, the latter of which she has chaired since 2017! Rachael believes that education has been pivotal in her personal and professional growth and prioritizes bringing classes to Whatcom County and our Members. She is passionate about fair housing and appreciates the work WCAR does to empower members through education and connection.
Fair housing is more than a list of dos and don’ts, rights and penalties, and mandatory continuing education. As stewards of the right to own, use and transfer private property, fair housing protects our livelihood and business as REALTORS® and depends on a free, open market that embraces equal opportunity. REALTORS® recognize the significance of the Fair Housing Act and reconfirm their commitment to upholding fair housing law as well as their commitment to offering equal professional service to all in their search for real property. This story, from our own Joy Edwards Brown, brings personal experience to the importance of Fair Housing!
Wilhelmina Hardisty is an agent with Compass Real Estate. She prioritizes authentic connections, creates lasting, genuine relationships with her clients, and builds rapports with the people in the community. Wilhelmina is an enthusiastic member of WCAR, serving on the Golf Committee and is actively involved in the community. She values trust, integrity, and communication!
Women make up 65% of REALTORS®️. Since 1978, women have comprised the majority of REALTORS®️. However, according to NAR, “[women] are less represented in executive roles. Changing leadership demographics will require a commitment to developing and promoting female talent at all levels.” Thank you, Mimi Osterdahl for sharing your personal experience as a WOMAN IN REAL ESTATE and your knowledge of the history of opportunity within the industry.
Mimi is the Founder, Team Leader, and CEO of NW Living Group brokered by eXP. She is also the Founder and Team Leader of Expand SUCCESS Organization and a SUCCESS(R) Coach. Beyond that, she holds many impressive titles at the end of her name – CRS, MCNE, GRI, ABR, GREEN, AHWD, C2EX. She has been a member of WCAR for over twenty-five years, during which time she has served the Board as President-Elect, President, a Director, and won the award for Realtor of the Year in 2019. It’s not hard to see how invaluable Mimi is to the Association, the Industry, and our community!
Melanie is the Branch Manager for The Pysden Team at CrossCountry Mortgage. She has been a member of WCAR for 12 years, serving as Treasurer, Treasurer-Elect, and on the banking/finance committee. During her tenure on the Board of Directors, Melanie has contributed by sponsoring events and volunteering countless time behind the scenes ensuring that Affiliate Members are visible, involved, and connected to REALTOR® Members. When she first joined WCAR she became involved in order to meet as many people as she could and she has continued to make these meaningful connections for a decade-plus.
The REALTORS® Political Action Committee and other political fundraising are the keys to protecting and promoting the real estate industry. Hear what our Members (and Major RPAC Investors) have to say about RPAC’s importance.
Tim has been a member of WCAR since 2012. He is a team leader, a managing broker, and has been a broker/owner as well. He sees his role as the “boots on the ground” for clients and in this role, he strives to amplify the voices of REALTORS®, his clients, and others in the industry through involvement in organizations that represent industry needs (such as RPAC and participation in WCAR). Tim is humble about his contributions to the community, but he values high ethics and strives to be the best in his work and his relationships with clients and other agents.
Cassie Robles describes herself as a career committee person. She has been a member of WCAR since 2016, but has been involved in the Whatcom County community for much longer. One of the things that gets her most excited about working on committees for WCAR, specifically, is when these passions overlap. Her passion for service stems from, as she puts it, “business” – she likes working with the people she works with and forming bonds, community, and shared resources with those in the industry. She sees this process as relational, building relationships that benefit everyone in the community.
Jack Hovenier has been serving his community in various ways for decades. He has been a REALTOR and member of WCAR for 15 years. IJack appreciates the community to be found in the Association. He touts the “advocacy, the connections, the breadth of knowledge that we get from talking to each other.” He believes that it’s important to show the world that “we can be successful in our lives as we are,” especially when it comes to things we may have been uncomfortable with or criticized for. He was also instrumental in the creation of the new Crisis Stabilization Center in Whatcom County. He hopes to continue to be involved in meaningful work through all the avenues of his life, including WCAR.
Brad Hanks serves as WCAR President and has been a member of the Association since moving to Whatcom County in 2011. During his time as a WCAR member he has served on many committees, including the Education Committee, which he sees as a vital step for opening his eyes early on in his career “as to what the Association offered.” This awareness drives his belief that it’s “important to bring that good education to our members.” Over the 32 years that Brad has been a REALTOR he has been involved not just in local associations, but state and national associations as well. Brad encourages all of us to give back to our communities and to “get to know the people you’re working alongside.”
Joy Edwards Brown exudes passion and commitment. Joy has been a member of WCAR since becoming a REALTOR®. Prior to this she worked in education and has clearly invested her love of teaching, her intelligence, and her ability to connect with lots of different people into her work with John L. Scott. She shared that whenever she trains new REALTORS® she “always begins with Fair Housing,” believing it is the foundation for everything we do.
Jon Rockwood has been a member of Whatcom County Association of Realtors “since the beginning” of his career in Real Estate. He takes any opportunity he has to get involved with community service. In his words, he’s “obsessed” with volunteering to worthy causes. Whether it’s beautifying the streets with flowers or getting the word out about Miracle Food Network, Jon can’t stop getting involved. He loves working with people and that love translates beyond his brokerage. Jon was the 2021 WCAR Community Service Award winner and it’s not hard to see why.