2018 President Gary Williams wants to grow the Council so it flourishes
Like many CRSs, real estate wasn’t Gary Williams’ first career.
Williams worked for a company that made computer processors for military fighter planes. Real estate was a big change, but Williams wanted to work for himself. So in late 1986, he started his real estate career in Edina, Minnesota, where it flourished. As his business grew, he continually sought better education to improve his skills as a REALTOR®, and in 1997 he became a CRS.
Leadership positions within the Council started calling from there, and he always answered. Starting from his presidency of the Minnesota chapter, Williams became a regional vice president, joined the national board and then became the 2018 national president. Williams was also named CRS of the Year in 2007 and won the Medallion Award in 2013.
He takes over as president during a season of change for the Council, which recently renamed itself the Residential Real Estate Council in a rebranding effort that pushes the organization into the future. Williams’ long relationship with the Council and commitment to bringing more members into the fold provides a solid foundation for the Council’s first year as RRC.
Why did you join the Council and earn your designation?
Getting to Know Gary
Family Matters: “I have two sons and two daughters. My son Greg and his wife, Jill, live in Plymouth, Minnesota. They have one son, Derek, and two daughters, Grace and Faith. My second son, Eric, and his wife, Michelle, live in Corona, California. My oldest daughter, Natalie, and her husband, Joseph, live in Fridley, Minnesota, along with their black lab, Dusty. Last, but not least, my youngest daughter, Nicole, and her boyfriend, Zach, live in Saint Paul, Minnesota.”
Downtime Diary: “I am actively serving on the board of directors for my local homeowners association. I have volunteered for local nonprofit organizational groups. I also spend ample time with my grandkids.”
Super Fan:“I like golf and I like watching many different sporting events. I have been a season ticket holder for the Minnesota Vikings football team for 45 years.”
Food Comforts: “Homemade meatloaf, and crock pot roast with all the trimmings.”
Bedside Reading: “’I Love You, Ronnie,’ Nancy Reagan’s book of letters written to her by her husband, ex-President Ronald Reagan.”
While taking my GRI course, instructor Dave Beson [former Council president from Bloomington, Minnesota] said after you complete your GRI, your next step should be earning your CRS Designation—it is the only designation you will have to earn because the Council has the best education in the real estate industry. RRC members are also in the top 3 to 4 percent of REALTORS®. I took Dave’s advice and earned my CRS Designation.
When did you start getting involved as a volunteer leader, and why?
I always like to say, “Because someone asked me to.” I was asked to join my local Council board. Then after serving on several committees and chairing some of them, I was again asked to be their president-elect for the Minnesota chapter. This led me to the May and Annual Meetings where I took part in many different activities. That led me to where I am today, as I was asked many times to step up and get involved in leadership. Fast forward to today and I am now serving as the Council’s 2018 president. Who would have thunk that?
Do you have a real estate philosophy that motivates you?
Yes, I believe in serving buyers and sellers to make their dreams come true! There’s a lot of fulfillment in helping them figure out what is the best fit for them and directing them through the next chapter in life. From the first-time buyers, holding their hand and helping make their dreams become reality, to the seniors moving on to what may be the last chapter in their lives, it gives me so much joy and happiness to see a successful ending to each real estate transaction.
How do you see the real estate industry changing, and how do you see the REALTOR®’s role shifting in the future?
Consumer expectations of REALTOR® professionalism are a significant hurdle for the industry. Technology, differentiation and reduced confidence in REALTOR® services are both a challenge and opportunity for the Council.
As an organization, we have the ability and infrastructure to address these challenges. Our courses need to be on the cutting edge of technology, enabling members to not only know what is available, but how to fully use these tools to run their business. We have the opportunity to differentiate ourselves and re-establish our brand as the gold standard for REALTOR® professionals. And finally, we need to hold our members accountable so that consumer experiences with a CRS Designee are significantly more impactful than transactions without a CRS.
As president, I will be focused on enhancing our brand through both self-improvement and by increasing consumer perception of the best designation available to the residential REALTOR®.
What advice would you give to members, so they can get the most out of their RRC membership?
First, I would tell them to get involved with the Council—and I don’t mean just achieving the designation and paying your dues every year. Stay active. CRSs need to take ownership of the best designation, which they had to work hard to earn. Second, take advantage of all RRC has to offer: networking, the referral network, and the best education courses available from the beginners to the top producers in the real estate industry. Third, attend Sell-a-bration® every year, where top producers throughout the country share all their secrets to becoming top producers.
What do you see as the future of the Council?
With our new branding, updated website, new instructors and so many new classroom courses that are relevant to the market, our image will improve and bring in new designees, and we will retain our current members.
If there’s one thing a CRS could do today to make their business more successful, what would it be?
The No. 1 thing is to take more courses from the Council to stay on the top of their game.
What do you hope to accomplish in your year as president? Where do you hope to see the organization go?
I have a big goal in recruiting and getting thousands of new members. In addition, I hope to be able to work with the RVPs and state leadership teams to build their base, and hold more Council courses in their states. I want to help them create better member benefits, and to draw in more local members through special events that highlight the Council and CRS Designation benefits.
If you want to get more involved with the Council, find more information about your local RRC at CRS.com/local-rrc.
