November 1, 2011…Lake Geneva, Wisconsin…Rob Keefe Leads State’s Largest Trade Association. Local real estate broker and third generation entrepreneur, Robert W. Keefe, has recently been installed as the Chairman of the Board of the Wisconsin REALTORS® Association (WRA). Keefe was sworn in by his father, Michael Keefe, at the organization’s annual conference, attended by hundreds of real estate and related professionals throughout the state.
Known locally as Rob Keefe, President of Keefe and Associates, the newly installed leader begins his tenure with three key objectives, or areas of focus. The first is agent professionalism. “Clearly, this is not a job for amateurs,” Keefe says regarding assisting clients with the navigation toward their most significant investments. He adds, “I believe that holding a high standard of professionalism among our members should be a top priority for the Wisconsin REALTORS® Association. As in any profession, setting the standards of professionalism, knowledge, and ethical practice comes from a professional association of peers. I plan to ensure that the WRA fulfills that role for the practice of real estate in Wisconsin.” Next, is fundraising. “One of the most important functions of the WRA is to represent the interests of our members and Wisconsin private property owners to state government,” he says. “We have been exceptionally effective in that regard, and the WRA is widely regarded as one of the most important lobbying organizations in Wisconsin. I will lead an effort to re-examine our lobbying and fundraising organization to ensure that we are well-positioned to remain effective and relevant in this environment.” Third, is legislative. “Due in part to the effectiveness of our lobbying efforts, we are blessed with one of the most pro-REALTOR®, pro-private property legislative environments in many years. Now is the time to examine the laws and regulations governing the practice of real estate in Wisconsin. We will work to conduct a thorough review of our laws and regulations to identify those rules and regulations and work expeditiously to address them with the legislature and executive branch departments.”
“Rob doesn’t let any grass grow under his feet,” says Michael Keefe of his son. “He will be good at being president because he will be good at getting things accomplished that are valuable and useful to the organization. Rob is very open. He’s somewhat easygoing, but also intense about getting things accomplished. He will be a ‘people’s president,’ so to speak. That will be one of the hallmarks of his administration.”
“Rob accepted this role because he knows he can make a difference,” says Steve Beers, President of Keefe Real Estate.
About Rob Keefe: A native of Lake Geneva, Rob attended the U.S. Naval Academy and served nine years in the U.S. Navy, prior to returning to Wisconsin in 2000. After managing Keefe’s mortgage operations from 2001-2003, he was appointed as President of Keefe & Associates, Inc, Keefe Real Estate’s parent company, in 2004. In this role he oversees Keefe’s real estate brokerage, affiliate services, and development activities. Rob holds a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Naval Academy, master’s degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Business.
About Keefe Real Estate: Based in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, Keefe has over 90 agents in seven offices and sales of more than $525 million annually.
About the WRA: The Wisconsin REALTORS® Association is one of the largest trade associations in the state, representing over 13,400 real estate brokers, salespeople and affiliates statewide. Its membership includes REALTORS®, appraisers, inspectors, affiliate members and others involved in the real estate process.
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