“I had a good business with a great client base that I had developed over 25 years. I was teaching on the side. I was volunteering on the Business Practices committee, which I enjoyed. Heck, I was having a ball!” Dennis recalls.
“But when I opened up the email and read the job description, I just started laughing, because I knew right away, I was in trouble. Professionalism in this business had been my passion all along and now I was being asked to consider this amazing opportunity.”
The job matched Dennis to a tee, and that was the launch of the first Professional Standards team at the FVREB. He never looked back and says, “I loved my job!” At that time Dennis was one of only two people holding such a position in a Canadian real estate board.
During his time at the FVREB, Dennis spearheaded many of the Board’s professionalism initiatives; digging into course and policy development, and enhancement of support for members. He felt there was a huge opportunity for someone familiar with the practical side of the profession to become the go to rules guy, and to help bolster the training and support for brokers and members alike; thereby raising Realtors’ professionalism.
An impressive career spanning four decades
Dennis began his real estate career in 1980 following a successful career at BC Tel troubleshooting telecommunications equipment and promoting the benefits of the new Internet. Eventually he realized he loved the business of real estate and helping people with their property buying and selling decisions. Over the years, he found the time to contribute greatly to the advancement of his profession by teaching courses and volunteering on numerous FVREB, BCREA and CREA committees.
Among his many accomplishments, Dennis was also the President of the FVREB 1998-1999, the President of BCREA 2002-2003, and the recipient of FVREB’s John Armeneau Professional of the Year Award in 2001.
Who could forget his “Good, Bad and the Ugly” videos featured in June 2016 and re-broadcast the following year? Never one to shy away from the spotlight, Dennis also wrote many well-read columns, provided sage guidance, advice, and tips, and remained passionate and committed to enhancing the standards by which Realtors should operate.
We hope Dennis loves his retirement as well as he loved raising the bar for his profession. Very few people have the skill, passion and opportunity to leave such a lasting impression on their profession. Please join Board staff in wishing Dennis a happy, rewarding, and well-deserved retirement.
Source: FVREB Communications
