2008 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Click on each name to read their bio

Affiliate Director

Paul Alexander (Term ends 2008)
Mt Pleasant Abstract & Title
116 Court Street
Mt Pleasant, MI 48858
Office: (989) 773-3651
Email: palexander@mtpleasantabstract.com

Melissa Allen (Term ends 2009)
Century 21 Lee Mac
605 Warwick Drive
Alma, MI 48801
Office: (989) 463-6085
Fax: (989) 463-1755
Mobile: (989) 330-9178
Email: melissa@thec21team.com

Mick Bowerman (Term ends 2009)
Century 21 Lee Mac
605 Warwick Drive
Alma, MI 48801
Office: (989) 463-6085
Fax: (989) 463-1755
Mobile: (989) 289-6515
Email: MHBowerman@aol.com

Paula Arndt (Term ends 2008)
Broadway Realty
614 E Broadway
Mt Pleasant, MI 48858
Office: (989) 775-3800
Fax: (989) 775-3400
Mobile: (989) 560-3000
Email: paula@callbroadwayrealty.com

Jim Engler (Term ends 2008)
Engler-Union Real Estate
132 E Broadway
P.O. Box 56
Mt Pleasant, MI 48858
Office: (989) 775-3794
Fax: (989) 779-7571
Mobile: (989) 330-2473
Email: jimengler@hotmail.com

Chandra Dalton (Term 2008 - 2010)
Exit Richmar Realty
4585 East Pickard, Suite G
Mt Pleasant, MI 48858
Office: (989) 775-3344
Fax: (989) 775-7114
Email: chandra@exitrichmar.com

Kevin Keating (Term 2008 - 2010)
Coldwell Banker Mt Pleasant Realty
304 E Broadway
Mt Pleasant, MI 48858
Office: (989) 772-5972
Fax: (989) 773-2197
Email: kevinkeating@mpr.net

MEET THE 2008 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Jim Parsons, President
Jim has been licensed since 2001 and works at Century 21 Bowerman-Peake. He has been a multi-million dollar producer for the past five years. Jim has served on the 2006 Building Task Force, the MLS Committee from 2003-2006 and on the Board of Directors since 2004. Designations earned include ABR and GRI. He has completed Broker training and will be taking his Broker’s test later this year. Born and raised in Michigan, Jim has lived in rural Clare since 1979, graduated from high school there and graduated from CMU in 1999 as a Business Finance Major. His wife, Heather, works as receptionist/secretary for Century 21. In 2004, they were married and built their first home in the Clare area. Like any Michigander, Jim enjoys hunting and fishing during his time away from the office.

Dave Ebbinghaus
Dave, Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker Mt. Pleasant Realty & Assoc., has been licensed in the State of Michigan since 1995. Prior to his real estate sales career he worked in the floor covering industry. He has experience in sales, marketing, construction, and agriculture. Dave is a past President of the Central Michigan Assoc. of Realtors and the 2002 Realtor of the Year of the association. He has served on Board of Directors and several committees within the association as a chairman and committee member. Dave and his wife Rosie reside in the Blanchard area.

Debra Townsend, President-Elect
Debra has been licensed since 1993 and received her Broker’s license in 1996. Debra has been in some type of sales oriented job for over 25 years. She has extensive training in customer relations and finance. She has served on the Bylaws Committee, Professional Standards Committee and the Banquet Committee. She was a Director for 4 years and President of the Montcalm Association of REALTORS® in 1998 & 1999. In 1999, she received the REALTOR® of the Year honors. She holds the ABR designation. She is the President of the Carson City Lions Club, Treasurer for the CCC High School Band Boosters, a volunteer at the Carson City Hospital and has served on various local committees. Her and her husband, Ken, have 5 children, 5 grandchildren that reside in the Sumner area. Debra enjoys gardening, camping, and NASCAR.

Becky Thornhill, Secretary
Becky is Broker/Owner of Property Professionals in Weidman. She is the Central Michigan Association 2007 REALTOR of the Year and the 2002 George D. Noch Leadership recipient. She is a National Association of REALTORS® Certified Professional Standards Instructor and is a part of the Michigan Association of REALTORS Professional Standards and Grievance Recourse Team. Other local Association Committees Becky has contributed to over the years are MLS, Membership, Education, Equal Opportunity in Housing and Professional Standards. Becky's community service includes the Sherman Township Zoning Board, the Lake Isabella Planning Commission, and currently, the Lake Isabella Municipal Airport Advisory Board.

John Leonard III, Treasurer
John is an Associate Broker and has been licensed since 1997. He is associated with Coldwell Banker Mt. Pleasant Realty & Assoc. Prior to his real estate sales career he worked for five years as a commercial real estate appraiser. He also has previous experience in oil and gas exploration as a landman and Promoter – buying, selling and leasing of oil, gas and mineral rights. John has served CMAR on the Finance Policy and Procedures and the Bylaws Task Forces as well as numerous Committees including Membership, MLS, Finance, Bylaws, and Grievance. Designations he has earned include ABR, e-Pro and GRI.

MEET THE 2008 CMAR DIRECTORS

Paul Alexander
This is Paul’s sixth year as an affiliate serving on the Board of Directors. He has held this position since CMAR initially allowed Affiliate Non-REALTOR members as Directors. Paul’s first real estate related job in Mt. Pleasant was as a loan officer for Mutual Savings and Loan. He began there in 1975 and continued until he opened Mt. Pleasant Abstract & Title in 1981 with only 2 ˝ employees. Today Paul employs 60 people and owns 13 Abstract & Title offices throughout Mid and Northern Michigan, serving 24 Counties. Paul is also a member of the Homebuilder’s Association, a prior President and Board member of the Mt. Pleasant Chamber of Commerce, a prior Director on the Art Reach Board, the first Treasurer of the Mt. Pleasant Area Foundation and has also served a term on their Board. Paul earned a BS from CMU 1971-197 and obtained a Masters from CMU 1976-1979, both in Business Management. Paul along with his wife Maryanke lives in Isabella County. Paul has three sons, next year all three will be attending CMU, a stepdaughter currently in Veterinarian School and a stepson in the military stationed in Colorado.

Melissa Allen
Melissa is in her 10th year as a REALTOR and as an associate with C-21 Lee-Mac where she works as part of the “Team Advantage” sales team, along with Phil and Jeanne Smith. This is her 4th year/2nd term as a CMAR Director. She also serves on the CMAR Standard Forms Committee. Melissa was one of the first in Gratiot County to receive her ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative) designation and is currently working toward her GRI (Graduate, REALTOR® Institute) designation. She and her husband Eric have lived in the St. Louis community for the past 15 years. They have two sons. Community involvement is important for the Allens. Melissa is a Commissioner on the St. Louis City Council and on the Parks & Recreation Commission. She is also involved with the ST. Louis Church of Christ and the youth group, teaching Sunday School and attending special events. The many commitments are challenging, time consuming and a lot of work but says Melissa, “Its part of who I am and I enjoy them.”

Paula Arndt
Paula was licensed in fall of 1999 and received her Associate Broker’s license in 2002. She is the Broker/Owner of Broadway Realty in Mt. Pleasant. She holds both an ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative) and GRI (Graduate, REALTOR® Institute) designation. This is her 2nd term on the Board of Directors. She served as President of the Association in 2004 and was instrumental in starting “REALTOR Reach Out Day” in May of that year. She has also served on the CMAR RPAC/Political Affairs Committee 2000-2006, the Membership Committee 2000-2006, Standard Forms Committee 2005-2007, Banquet Committee 2004-2007 and currently serves on the MLS Committee. Paula worked on MAR’s Convention Task Force 2005-2006 and was an integral part of making the 2005 Convention at the Soaring Eagle a successful event. She has been one of our Association’s MAR delegates for two terms. From 2000 to 2002 she was a Director on the Board of the local American Heart Association. Paula’s husband Kirk works as a loan officer for Isabella Bank and Trust. Paula, Kirk and their two children live at Lake Isabella.

Mick Bowerman
Mick has been a part of our Association since 1974; over the years, he has served on countless committees and has held several positions on the Board of Directors including Vice-President and President. He currently serves as Chairperson for the CMAR Bylaws Committee. Mick left Michigan for 11 years to work for the corporate headquarters of Century 21. His responsibilities ranged from Director of Broker Services for Michigan to Regional Director for two states and then on to Director of Broker Services for the Northeast of the United States. While in this position he was responsible for the delivery of service, training and support for 1500 Century 21 offices. One of the things Mick is most proud of is bringing the MLS system to our Association in the mid 80’s. Mick is Broker/Owner of three Century 21 offices in Central Michigan.

Chandra Dalton
As a REALTOR® I have experienced the joy and excitement that buying and selling property can bring to the parties involved. Having lived in the
Central Michigan area my entire life has helped immensely with my real estate career and knowledge of the market.

During my membership with the Central Michigan Association of REALTORS® I have served on committees such as the Legislative/Political Affairs/RPAC Committee (Chair and Secretary positions held), MAR Convention Task Force (Secretary position held), and Bylaws Committee. Also, I am currently devoted to serving on the Board of Directors.

In my free time I enjoy walking my dog Meesha, reading, and traveling. I have set two main goals for myself this year. One is reading 52 books! The other is exhibiting the traits associated with this famous quote by Vince Lombardi, "There's only one way to succeed in anything, and that is to give it everything. I do, and I demand that my players do.” No matter the task set before me whether selling a home, serving on a committee or an aspect of personal life it is essential to give it my all.

Jim Engler
Jim has been licensed since 1978 and is Broker/Owner of Engler-Union Real Estate, dealing primarily in raw land and commercial properties. He has served on the CMAR Board of Directors, the Finance and RPAC/Political Affairs Committees. In 2004 he was on the MAR Convention Committee that moved the event to the Soaring Eagle in Mt. Pleasant. Originally from Beal City, Jim graduated from Michigan State in 1972. His public service is extensive and includes six years on the Isabella County Road Commission with two years as Chairperson. He served four years as Chairperson and four years as Vice-Chair of the West Downtown Development Authority and has been on the Board there for 15 years since its inception in the early 90’s. As a part of the West DDA, Jim worked to bring a municipal sewer system to Union Township. For three years Jim has served on the Union Township Zoning Board of Appeals. He worked as a member of the Fund Raising Committee for the Norval K. Morey Cancer Center at CMCH; the building was constructed in 2005. Jim lives in Union Township with his wife of 32 years, Chris. They have two children.

Kevin Keating
A Mount Pleasant native, Kevin attended Mount Pleasant Public Schools and is a 1990 graduate of Mount Pleasant High School, where he earned varsity letters in Wrestling and Football. Kevin graduated from Michigan State University in 1994 with a Bachelors of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science and Law. After spending over 15 years in the business world, Kevin returned to Mt Pleasant to apply that experience and knowledge to a new career in real estate. In 2005 Kevin earned his ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative) designation.

Kevin’s professional involvement includes serving on the Board of Directors of the Central Michigan Association of REALTORS® and the Board of Directors of the Home Builders Association of Central Michigan as well as active participation in one of the Referrals Over Breakfast (R.O.B.) groups of the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce.

When not selling real estate Kevin spends time with his son Brendan, and also enjoys hunting, fishing, woodworking and restoring the 100 year old fieldstone schoolhouse he bought in the summer of 2006. Kevin is active in many non-work related associations including the Isabella County Sportsmen’s Club, Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, and Whitetails Unlimited.