When you have a great team, you have a great team… and that makes all the difference.
For years and years, it has been said by many inside and outside of the industry, that the West Michigan Lakeshore Association of REALTORS® team is a well oiled machine, and that chatter is exactly right! You should be proud to know that WMLAR’s reputation locally, statewide, and even around the country is that of the highest integrity and professionalism. BE PROUD to be a WMLAR Member!
Let’s introduce you to the team!
Dale Zahn, RCE, CEO
If you know Dale P. Zahn, CEO of WMLAR, at all, you would know that he loves his country, his Chicago Cubs and our REALTORS®. After his 17 years as a REALTOR®, in 1991, he joined the Association Executive ‘Family’ of approximately (now) 40 in the State of Michigan and about 1100 in the country.
For 30 years, starting back in Davenport, Iowa, Dale has worked “almost tirelessly” (because let’s face it, not every day is filled with roses) to support, encourage and grow the REALTOR® profession and reputation. Serving in many capacities within the Michigan REALTORS® Association Executive Council, Dale has always been a tremendous mentor and oftentimes, guidance counselor to his fellow Association Executives across Michigan and the country.
He holds numerous professional designations including REALTOR® Association Certified Executive (RCE) (1996), Graduate Duke University Association Management Certificate Program, and was inducted into the Dr. Almon R.
“Bud” Smith Leadership Society in May 2014. He is a past National Chairman of the RCE Certification Board, the recipient of the Lakeshore Fair Housing Advocacy Award and a second level ($50k) RPAC Hall of Fame Investor. Dale is a Certified Professional Standards Administrator and twice State Chairman of Professional Standards in Illinois. Dale has been a member of National Association of Realtors® Professional Standards Committee for many years and is also a trained mediator.
Dale holds a Bachelors degree from St. Joseph’s College, in Indiana, is a former radio broadcaster and has lived in Holland, Michigan since 2000 with his wife LaVonne. (Thank you also goes out to LaVonne Truelsen Zahn for supporting Dale for 47 years in real estate practice and real estate management! You are also appreciated!)
Lori Santellan – Executive Secretary to CEO
Lori had been with WMLAR since it all began 22 years ago, having previously worked for the former Holland Board of REALTORS. She is the executive secretary to the CEO and is a NAR Certified Professional Standards Administrator….she handles the Grievance and Professional Standards committees and administers services for two other Associations in Michigan. Lori also handles committee rosters and makes changes as required. She continues as staff liaison to the Board of Directors and coordinates General Membership Meetings and is lead coordinator for the annual golf outing. Lori is involved in many other areas of WMLAR administration working hard to provide member friendly service as the Association continues to be a shining star organization in the State of Michigan. Lori and her husband Julian are residents of Allendale…..we’re delighted to have her on our Team! She performs her duties admirably!
Andrea Booker, RCE, AHWD – Director of Education, MLS & Marketing
Andrea is the “Jack of all trades” here at WMLAR as she helps out with a bit of everything. She loves all things graphic designing (and website designing most of the time) and she’s a closet data geek. She earned her REALTOR® Association Certified Executive (RCE) designation in 2017, has a Bachelors in Finance and an Associates Degree. She recently earned her At Home With Diversity certification and is working on her ePro certification so she can bring that education to the WMLAR members. She keeps things ‘interesting’ and definitely brings her own flare to WMLAR as shown in her favorite holiday outfit. She loves riding her Harley motorcycle, camping and spending time with her family. Most days, you can find Andrea in her office with a cup of coffee and fairy lights as she digs through the day’s to do list. (Mmmmm, coffee….!)
Jodi Thelen – Director of Member Services
Call the Association or stop in and it’s likely that Jodi will be the voice you hear or the smiling face you’ll see first! She is our “front desk” person and so much more! Jodi is a important and appreciated member of the professional staff that works hard for WMLAR members everyday. Her responsibilities include handling membership records, applications from new members, making changes, assisting with New Member Orientation, keeping our forms inventory up to date online and (yes) the “paper inventory” as well.
If there was to be a “Ms Sentrilock” it’d be Jodi! A specially trained and recognized expert in the previous Keybox system, she now has become the resident expert in the administration of our Sentrilock system providing training, inventory tracking of boxes to Brokers, issuing of new key apps and more.
When it comes to events, she’s there helping other staff members to ensure success. In addition, Jodi is the staff liaison to the Community, Advocacy and Impact Committee and helps them carry out their programs, services and scheduling.
In a nutshell WMLAR is very pleased to have her as part of the team that makes WMLAR the special award winning association that it is. We like to say “Nobody Does Things Like WMLAR” and it’s the great staff members like Jodi that is a integral part of the organization seeing to it that members are well taken care of. Love you Jodi! <3
Janie Walton – Director of Accounting
Having previously worked in the administration of one of our large member offices in Muskegon, Janie came to WMLAR two years ago. She has been a marvelous addition to staff as our ‘Queen of All Things Numerical (per Andrea) that far exceed money coming in and out.
She handles the budgets, monthly financial reports deals with required filings to the State of Michigan, billing, receivables, dues remittances, and interacts with the many membership programs unique to organized real estate. Janie also keeps the numbers straight for WMLAR’s other two entities: our MLS and our non- profit, REALTORS® Who Care. That is a tremendous undertaking and we are grateful for her expertise and high attention to detail!
Janie is our staff liaison to our Government Affairs Committee. She assists the numerous events in the Government Affairs/RPAC arena as well.
Janie prides herself in providing great member friendly service to WMLAR members at all times. She and her husband Craig reside in Muskegon and when not hard at work you may find her hiking along the beautiful west Michigan shores! We love having Janie as a valued member of our team and a friend!