Steve Reese knows that real estate is all about putting together all of the different elements people are looking for to achieve the perfect transaction. Whether that means getting the right price, completing the sale in the right time frame or even helping find a property that has the best chance to be a good investment, Steve can help put it together. It’s something he not only does very well but also has done for many people in the Shawnee area.

A little bit of history

Steve spent a number of years working for the Oklahoma Association of REALTORS®, first in their newly created communications department as the association was looking to make innovative, across-the-board upgrades to their print and online communications. Under his creative management, the OAR Web site was awarded “Best of the Web” by the National Association’s Executive magazine twice in four years. He transformed the association’s electronic newsletters from a bi-monthly text-only version to a system of several monthly e-newsletters targeted to specific niches in the membership and a four-fold increase in circulation.

After several years at the association, he took the position of Director of Professional Development. Their education department consisted of only one program, the Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI). He devised a new curriculum incorporating national speakers into its faculty of instructors that nearly tripled its enrollment and doubled its profits, becoming the association’s second highest non-dues revenue source. The courses were taught live at the Oklahoma City headquarters and broadcast via Internet-based videoconferencing to a classroom in Tulsa. He expanded their designation courses into other specializations with resounding success. He also supervised the development of a multimedia online real estate licensing course. He’s worked closely with the Oklahoma Real Estate Commission and professional associations for real estate educators, such as the Real Estate Educators Association (REEA).

In 2008, he was appointed to his first two-year term on the National Association of REALTORS® Professional Development Committee. In addition to that honor, he was selected to participate on a panel of three state association education directors in Washington, D.C., outlining the successes of their GRI programs as a model to other associations around the country.