Beginning my career as a real estate Agent for McNary Real Estate in 1979 as a “part time” sales and marketing “professional” while employed full time at Caterpillar Industrial, Inc. in Dallas, Oregon was ambitious but perhaps ill advised in a time of 18% to 21% interest rates. A decision later reconsidered when the license to practice was placed on an inactive status for a few years.

During those years, a home, a marriage, two children and divorce kept life busy and interesting, perhaps the most challenging of which was the role as the single custodial parent for my wonderful late in life, son who is now grown and out of the house too.

Later when the market conditions improved, the college education complete, and real estate credentials refreshed & updated…the real estate broker’s license was renewed…as was the real estate focus. This time I aligned myself in both, home re-sales and new construction, taking a position with a new home development firm that was developing subdivisions and building homes as well as working on re-sales throughout the Willamette Valley. Although educational, the development firm started to experience difficulty and it was clearly time to move on to areas of greater interest before becoming too deeply entangled in their internal issues.

Always interested in making the most from what was available combined with having a rural background, is what probably heightened my interest in Oregon Land Use Law…that and the fact that my mother worked for 25 years in the Polk County Assessor’s Office during my upbringing on the family farm. The highest and best use (HABU) of property always made “CENT$” to me so it seemed that I had found a new area in which to assist property owners.

Whether converting a newly signalized corner property from a residential use to a highly profitable gas station & convenience store for Space Age Fuel or an old wood mill site into a shopping and professional center known as Jasper Crossing in Polk County, making more from the same is always a rewarding accomplishment.

The years of success have been recognized while working for some of the largest real estate companies in the region or nation. In the early times, while at the Lutz Snyder Company (now Prudential NW) many listing volume awards were received, but lists don’t always equate to earnings and the consolidation of Lutz Snyder into the Portland Prudential network required relocation into a different office environment. Salem’s Prudential Real Estate Professionals (PREP) owned locally by Dan Chandler quickly rose to the top of the firms under consideration.

While at PREP the desire to concentrate on commercial real estate was stressed and eventually facilitated by the PREP’s ownership. During the 10 plus years with the nation’s largest real estate firm the “earnings awards” began to arrive, culminating in several Quarterly Sales Volume awards, Prudential’s Leading Edge Society, Prudential’s Presidents Circle, both annual national awards. A change in ownership and structure at PREP required relocation of my real estate practice which resulted in a contractual agreement with RE/MAX Equity Group for a period of thirteen months before beginning my own company on January 1st, 2004…Commercial Investment Associates was at that time legally formed.

Over the years, having been involved in several community service and volunteer activities including being elected to a local public office. I served on the Salem Realtor’s Association Board of Directors for many years and in 2003 was awarded the Bill Frey Memorial-Commercial Transaction of the Year award. Later the Salem Association of Realtors (SAR) recognized me as their 2006 President and in 2007 awarded me with the honor of being the Realtor of the Year. Although many other accolades have been given over the years, I strive and pride myself on remaining humble.

As a Marion County Private Sector Representative of the Mid-Willamette Valley Advisory Commission on Transportation (MWACT) and a member of the Board of Directors for the Oregonian’s In Action Education Center, I attempt to stay informed on and up to date with, changes made through the governmental process in my home state of Oregon. Honestly an ongoing challenge.

My philosophy is simple…
Work hard, consider the impact on others, extend kindness when the opportunity presents itself, always keep the confidence of others, be honest and don’t worry about the money, things will take care of themselves. Important in maintaining the vision…don’t make excuses…over time, good things will result.

Perspectives have been formed over the years by life in, and experience with…the following:
Native Oregonian knowledgeable in Land Use, Wetland and Wildlife Habitat Regulations.
Experienced in land development for commercial, residential and rural uses.
Familiar with State, County & City Transportation development and their decision makers.
Accustomed to the site evaluation, comparison, and analysis process of national accounts.
Artful negotiator, mindful of individual perspectives and existing client relationships.
An experienced team leader, liaison and facilitator.
Project follow-through from dirt to dream realization.
Involved in several State Ballot Measure # 7, # 37, & finally # 49 restoration of property rights.

EXPERIENCED WITH CLIENTS SUCH AS:
• Auto Zone, Inc.
• Salem Child Development Center(s)
• Space Age Fuel
• Marion and Polk Schools Credit Union Location(s)
• Roth’s Family Market(s)
• Oregon State Bridge Construction
• Western Tool & Supply
• Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic
• Elwood’s Tree Service
• Jasper Crossing, LLC
• Jenrae Development
• Salem Area Mass Transit District
• Bronze Planet Tanning Salon(s)
• Coates Farms Family Trust
• Gray Log Shop, LLC (Seaside, OR)
• White Family Trust (Vale, OR)
• Big Tree NW, Inc.
• Java Crew Coffee
• Taco Bell Franchise(s)
• Shelton Development, LLC