Steve Bois, the CEO of Rockford Area Realtors says that YPN is an incredibly optimistic group of young people — the vanguard of a critical mass market that is now coming forward, the millennials.
Many Baby Boomer Realtors are approaching retirement. That means that there is a growing gap between current Realtors and the new blood we need coming in. YPN is a recruiting tool we need to ensure that our industry thrives.
Why? Because we want professionals who will come to the Realtor profession by design, not by default. Who will think proactively about how to solve problems in the community, identify root causes and take effective action.
Our YPN is just such a group, and I would put them up against any comparable group in the country. Every member has a passion for the work, and each is a example of what makes our association great — our energy and bold approach.
I’m excited to see the changes they’ll be making in our community.
How do the members of YPN plan to take on the Rockford community?
“Only 3% of the Realtors in Rockford area under the age of 30. There is a void in our profession in the younger demographic and we want to show that young professionals have a voice.”
– Brandon Johnson, Dickerson & Nieman
“Our group wants to work hard to ensure that when YPs from Rockford talk about our community they highlight all of the positive things Rockford has to offer. The YPN group hopes to lead the charge to encourage other YPs to visit the area, and retain the young talent we have already.”
– Jessica Reilly, Stillman Bank
“We have to accomplish two things: recruit and retain talent in the industry to better serve our clients, and; do all that we can to assist local business leaders in finding housing for the new professionals that are relocating to Rockford for the many job openings with Woodward, AAR, and other expanding organizations.”
– Michael Hughes, Blackhawk Bank
“With so much negativity about, people want to flee our area. So, to have a group of young thinking professionals talking it up and doing things to actually make it better is a changeup. Some people run from the problems, some people confront them head on and make changes. That is YPN.”
– Brad Shields, Dickerson & Nieman, YPN Co-Chair
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