As I begin my new role with the WRA as President & CEO, I wanted to share with you how I first started my career with the WRA and some of the priorities we will be focusing on in the years ahead.

Twenty-seven years ago, I knocked on the front door of the WRA, looking for an opportunity to learn and pursue my passions for real estate and advocacy. I was finishing up my first year of law school and hoping for a summer internship to help further my intended career as a real estate attorney. I was not responding to a job posting, nor did I have any personal connection with the WRA. However, the WRA had a reputation for being one of the top real estate trade associations in the country, and I wanted to learn from the best.

For 27 years, I have had the privilege of working with one of the best mentors and REALTOR^® association CEOs in the country, Mike “Laki” Theo. Over the years, Laki has taught me a lot about lobbying, leadership and association management. More importantly, he has been a great friend and has served as a wonderful role model by always demonstrating empathy, professionalism and integrity in all aspects of his life. While Laki is retiring from the CEO position and his full-time responsibilities with the WRA, he will continue to assist the WRA in a consulting role and will be spearheading a new for-profit entity aimed at helping REALTOR^® associations in Wisconsin and throughout the country better serve their members.

With historic housing inventory shortages, elevated interest rates, increasing vacancy rates in office properties and growing affordability concerns, the real estate industry faces significant challenges in the years ahead. Moreover, the REALTOR^® organization is faced with challenges of its own with pending federal antitrust lawsuits challenging the current practice of REALTORS^® and creating possible major changes in how properties are bought and sold. Collectively, these issues will require REALTOR^® associations at all levels to evaluate and improve their value proposition to members and consumers. 

With this in mind, the WRA board of directors adopted a strategic plan last year that focuses on becoming more essential to members’ businesses. This plan  includes a local advocacy initiative, which commits more resources to improving the regulatory environment at the local level through zoning reform, streamlining development approval processes, and better educating local officials on the need to create more housing inventory. Moreover, the strategic plan focuses on working together with our local associations to create greater efficiencies where possible in areas like membership, accounting and dues billing. By reducing the time and resources spent on these administrative functions, both the WRA and local associations can focus more heavily on the services that truly add value to your business.

The WRA is fortunate to have another superb volunteer leadership team this year led by Chair Mary Jo Bowe of the greater Eau Claire area. In addition to continuing to implement our strategic plan priorities, Mary Jo has set high goals for the WRA in the areas of professional development, legislative advocacy and other initiatives that demonstrate our value to REALTOR^® members. The WRA staff will be working on these initiatives throughout the year, and we will update you regularly on our progress.

At any time, if you have questions or suggestions on how the WRA can improve to help better service our members, please feel free to share them with me. We greatly value your suggestions and feedback. I look forward to my new role and responsibilities with the WRA and the many challenges and opportunities we will face together.  

Best regards,
Tom Larson
WRA President & CEO