For 27 years, I’ve come to work at the WRA with as much enthusiasm and excitement as I did on my very first day. It’s not hard when you work for the most optimistic, hard-working entrepreneurs in American business. It’s also not hard when you work with a staff that has earned a national reputation as being one of the finest and most talented in the country.

So, as I move offices and responsibilities, from Senior Vice President of Legal and Public Affairs to President and CEO, I do so with a profound sense of eagerness and anticipation about the bright future of our association, our members, our industry and the homeowners, property owners, customers and clients we serve and represent.

For 27 years, I’ve also had the extreme pleasure to work with Bill Malkasian, who is leaving the WRA to assume new duties as Vice President for Strategic Political Planning for the National Association of REALTORS^®. Bill inspired me to pursue a career in association management, gave me every opportunity to learn and grow in that profession, and has always done so from a role of friend and mentor – in that order. We will miss Bill every day, both as a staff and an association, but he will remain a consultant to the WRA for a while, and a friend and mentor to me for a lifetime.

The challenges we face as an industry are both enormous and historic. A difficult economy has given rise to issues that are transforming the very foundations of our business, impacting prices, inventory, values, lending practices and professional collaboration. We will be a different industry and association after this Great Recession than we were before it. This poses great threats as well as great opportunities.

For the immediate future, the WRA is in sound fiscal condition and enjoys an equally sound volunteer leadership team led by Chairman of the Board Rob Keefe of Lake Geneva. Rob has set the bar high for the upcoming year by establishing the following priorities: raising the professionalism and expertise of our members, capitalizing on our legislative opportunities, and maximizing our political effectiveness.

These priorities will be embraced by the WRA Board and staff, and in full partnership with our local associations and their talented Association Executives. I invite you to join us in this effort. I challenge each of you to become a more active and involved member in your state and local associations. You are the survivors of these past few, difficult years. Now, become the market makers of the future by actively participating in the activities and opportunities of your association. I believe that in the process, you will grow as much personally as you will professionally.

In the future, I hope to use these pages to talk about timely issues, industry trends and association developments that will impact your business. I invite you to join me in this endeavor by e-mailing me your thoughts – both supportive and challenging.

I look forward to my new role and duties at the WRA and the challenges we face together. Feel free to let me know what’s on your mind any time.

Best Wishes,

Mike Theo