Gwyn Besner: President/Instructor/Auctioneer

Gwyn's Blog

Education:

• Delta College
• University of Michigan
• Graduate World Wide College of Auctioneering in Mason City, Iowa
• Graduate Indiana University Certified Auctioneers Institute (equivalent to a Master's Degree in Auctioneering)
• Auctioneer Accredity in Real Estate

Experience:

• Antiques and used merchandise dealer and appraiser since 1972
• Auctioneer since 1982
• Licensed Real Estate Broker, Residential Builder and Registered Auctioneer
• Approved Real Estate and Appraisal Instructor with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG) since 1994
• Author of Fundamentals of Michigan Real Estate, The Book
• Author of Real Estate Broker's Law 101 and 102
• National Association of Auctioneers and Michigan State Auctioneers Association Advertising award winner and lecturer
• Instructor of Auction Law, Monroe Community College

Memberships:

• National Association of REALTORS®
• Michigan Association of REALTORS®
• Traverse Area Association of REALTORS®
• Michigan State Auctioneers
  • Served as Director
  • Former Secretary MSAA
  • Former Treasurer of MSAA
• National Auctioneers Association
• Appointed by Governer to Michigan Auctioneer Board and elected Chair for 2008
• Certified Auctioneers Institute
• Auctioneer Accredity in Real Estate Institute
• Saginaw Agricultural Society
• Traverse Celtic Music Society
• Chairman of Gates for Orginal Dulcimer Players Club
• President of Traverse City Parrot Head Club

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Connie Rountree, Instructor

Experience

• Sales Manager/Trainer for Century 21 McCoy (September 2008 to present)
• Sales Manager, Association Broker, Real Estate Sales Agent, Coldwell Banker/Schmmidt Realtors Acme Office (2000 to 2008)
• Real Estate Sales Agent, Coldwell Banker/Schmidt Realtors Acme Office (1996 to 2000)
• Real Estate Sales Agent, Preferred Properties, Kalkaska (1991 to 1996)

Memberships:

• National Association of REALTORS®
• Michigan Association of REALTORS®
• Traverse Area Association of REALTORS®
• Former Director on Board of Directors for Antrim-Charlevoix-Kalkaska Board of REALTORS®
• Member of Multi-Million Dollar Sales Club

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Jay Spencer, Instructor

Experience:

• Broker/Owner Lifetime Realty Services, LLC operating under the name of U.S. Home and Realty
• Represented New Vision Homes, a site ready, custom built home development company
• Property management for commercial and residential rental properties
• Site evaluation
• Lease negotiation
• Construction project management and supervision

Education:

• Grand Valley State Unviersity
• Grand Rapids Community College

Memberships:

• National Association of REALTORS®
• Michigan Association of REALTORS®
• Grand Rapids Area Association of REALTORS®
• Barry Eaton Board of REALTORS®
• Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Membership Committee (1994 to 1995)
  • Economic Development Committee (1993 to 1995)
• York Masonic Lodge since 1985
  • Worshipful Master (1993)
  • Grand Lodge Masonic Service & Education Committee (1993)
• Grand Rapids Masonic Temple Association
  • Board of Directors (1989 to 1991)
  • Board Secretary (1990 to 1991)
  • Chair Strategic Planning Committee (2004 to 2006)
  • Chair Member Bulding Sale Task Force (2006 to 2007)
  • Member Leasing Committee (2008)
• DeMolay International: Lifetime Member since 1986
  • Degree of Chevalier for Outstanding Service (1983)
  • Legion of Honor for Outstanding Service to Humanity (2006)
  • Chair Grand Rapids DeMolay Advisory Council (1986 to 1988)
  • State Administrative Staff (1988)
  • Assistant Executive Office for Events (2003 to 2007)
  • Certified Master Advisor Training Instructor (2003 to present)
  • Founders Membership Award (1986)
  • Past Master Councilors Meritorious Service Awared (1982)
  • Past District Master Councilor (District 3 & 4) (1983 to 1984)
  • Past State Junior Councilor (Michigan DeMolay) (1985)
  • Charter and Lifetime Member of DeMolay Alumni Association since 1986
• South East End Neighborhood Association: Secretary/Treasurer (1995 to 1998)

Author and Professional Presentations:

• Michigan Real Estate Practice for Paralegals (1995
• Customer Service 101 & 102 (1993)
• Go Green Cash Machine ~ Client and Time Management Real Estate Training Program (2006)

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Doretha Ardoin, Instructor-Trainer

Experience
• Licensed in 1978
• Long term mentor to young professionals
Memberships:
• National Association of REALTORS®
• Michigan Association of REALTORS®
• Grand Rapids Association of REALTORS®
Awards
• REALTOR® of the Year 1986
• Women's council of REALTORS® Member of the Year 1994
• William Glenn Trailblazer Award 1998
• YWCA Tribute Award 1998
• Lakeside Organization Honor ~ Women's History Month 2010
Doretha has been instrumental in broadening the ranks of the local real estate industry by strongly promoting the inclusion of African-American and Hispanic agents. As a practitioner of Fair Housing she has increased housing and employment opportunities for women and minorities. Having successfully overcoming racial and gender barriers, Doretha is one of the most successful and widely known real estate agents in the Grand Rapids Area. We are very proud to have her join The Acme Institute team.

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Steve Reid, Instructor

Experience:
• Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker AJS Schmidt
• Sales
• Investment counseling
• Lease negotiations and buildouts
• Industrial properties
• Evaluations
• Steve Reid, Builder:
  • Major commercial renovations
  • Design
  • Planning
  • Zoning
  • Handecap accessibility
  • Environmental issues
• Property Management:
  • Landlord for 30 years
  • Tenant screening
  • Section 8 housing
  • City housing code
  • Rental rehabilitation programs
• Residential Builder:
  • New homes
  • Major remodeling
  • Repair fire damage
  • Over 30 years "Flip This House"

Education:

• Completed real estate broker educational requirements and exam 2009
• Licensed residential builder since 1982
• Licensed in real estate sales since 1976
• Grand Valley State University
• Union High School

Memberships & Activities:

• National Association of REALTORS®
• Michigan Association of REALTORS®
• Grand Rapids Area Association of REALTORS®
• Guest speaker at Michigan State Senate on Tenant's Rights
• Investment counseling 20 years
• Member Independent Landlord Association for 2 years
• Property managment for 30 years
• Member of St. James Finance Committee for 5 years
• Coach Kenowa Youth Football for 10 years/President for 8 years
• Coach and president Kenowa Hills Freestyle Wrestling Club for 6 years
• Assistant Scout Master in Boy Scouts for 6 years.

Stephanie Jones, Instructor

Experience

• Real Estate Sales Agent Select Realty, Inc. (1994 to present)
• GRI-I and GRI-II Instructor
• New Member Orientation Instructor Upper Peninsula Association of REALTORS®
• President Marquette Area Jaycees (2006)
• Board of Directors Upper Peninsula Association of REALTORS® (President in 2000)

Memberships:

• National Association of REALTORS®
• Michigan Association of REALTORS®
• Upper Peninsula Association of REALTORS®
• Marquette Area Jaycees

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications Northern Michigan University
• CRS Designation
• e-Pro Designation
• GRI Designation

Awards:

• Upper Peninsula Association of REALTORS® Realtor of the Year (2009)
• Select Realty, Inc. Rookie of the Year (1994)
• Select Realty REALTOR® of the Year (2005, 2007 and 2009)

Stephanie has just the spark it takes to ignite the Upper Peninsula with her enthusiasm and quest for knowledge. Stephanie Jones knows what she is doing, she loves what she is doing and she believes in what she is doing.

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Ray James, Instructor

Experience
• Real Estate Broker in Michigan from 1999 to present
• Spectrum Health Hospitals (Real Estate Management) 2008 to present
• Senior property manager and Associate Broker
• Manage a staff of eight and a portfolio of 48 office, lab and parking facilities
• Real Estate Instructor Holloway's Real Estate Institute 2005 to 2008
• Instructor for Kalamazoo Association of REALTORS®: 2008 (part time)
Memberships:
• Cascade Township Zoning Board of Appeals 2009 to present
• Past Chair Cascade Township Downtown Development Authority
• Past Chair Cascade Township Board of Review
• Former Executive Director Michigan Quarter Horse Association 1999
Education
• Master of Public Administration Western Michigan University 1997
• Bachelor of Science Grand Valley State University 1987
• Fellowship Michigan Political Leadership Program Michigan State University 1994
Ray joins The Acme Institute staff of instructors with 20 years of experience in government, public affairs and media. He has conceived and managed projects for business, government, political and non-profit organizations and has expert knowledge of state and local government processes. We are very excited to have Ray James as part of The Acme Institute team.



Bobbie Stevens ~ Administrative Assistant

Experience
• Administrative Assistant/Events Coordinator Traverse Area Association of REALTORS® (1994 - 2008)
• Administrative Assistant/Admissions Director/Summer Camp Director at The Pathfinder School (1984 to 1994)
Education:
• Bachelor of Art from University of Colorado
• Certified Professional Standards Administrator Traverse Area Association of REALTORS® (2000 to 2007)
Memberships:
• Michigan REALTOR® Association Executive Council (1995 to 2008)
• Central U.S. Ski Association (1994 to 1999)
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