The High Desert Association of REALTORS®
About us
HDAOR
Mission Statement
The High Desert Association of REALTORS® is dedicated to empowering leadership and enabling success for our members.
HDAOR History
Strategic Plan
Committees
Board of Directors
Staff Directory
Core Values
Vision Statement
2025 HDAOR President
The High Desert Association of REALTORS®
2025 President- Michael Knight
Michael Knight is the President and CEO of CENTURY 21 Desert Rock, CENTURY 21 Rose Realty and Ardent Escrow, A Non-Independent Broker Escrow. Originally from the High Desert, Michael graduated Hesperia High School in 1996. Michael’s real estate career began in 2003 when he obtained his real estate license and affiliated with CENTURY 21 Desert Rock. In 2015, Michael and Angela Knight, purchased CENTURY 21 Desert Rock followed by the acquisition of CENTURY 21 Rose Realty in 2019.
Supporting the local association of Realtors is something that has been very important to Michael. He served as a director for the Victor Valley Association of Realtors and High Desert Association of Realtors. He was part of a task force that negotiated the merger and full integration of the Victor Valley Association of Realtors and the Barstow Association of Realtors. He has been a member of the MLS committee from 2010 to 2023, has served on the LCRC, and started the local YPN committee. Michael was the State Director for the California Association of Realtors and the President Elect of the High Desert Association of Realtors in 2024.
history of hdaor
The HIGH DESERT ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® original charter was May 22, 1948. Elton Goble was the first President and he served from 1948 through 1950. Originally named, Mojave Valley Board of REALTORS® and in 1958 became the Victor Valley Board of REALTORS®. June 1, 2014 the Victor Valley and Barstow Association of REALTORS® merged forming the new High Desert Association of REALTORS®. Today, the gavel that was presented to the Mojave Valley Board of REALTORS® in 1948 is still used at all Board of Director meetings.
Things and people may have changed over the past 70 years but our mission has remained the same. “The purpose of the HIGH DESERT ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® is to help its members become more profitable and successful.” Our vision is “The High Desert Association of REALTORS® is the source of essential business services and the association of choice for real estate professionals committed to excellence and through collective action promotes the preservation of real property rights.”
Throughout its history, the HIGH DESERT ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® has always strived especially hard to support the needs of the High Desert communities it serves. The HDAR sponsors several fundraising events each year, with the money raised from these events contributed to several local charity organizations.
We would like to thank our Past Presidents for their excellence in leadership through the years.
Past Presidents
1948 Elton S. Goble
1949 Elton S. Goble
1950 Elton S. Goble
1951 Jack D. Ewing
1952 Wheeler Sells
1953 Wheeler Sells
1954 Victor Gamble
1955 Victor Gamble
1956 Mike Dresslar
1957 Donald B. Williams
1958 Walter Woodbury
1959 William E. Hansen
1960 Chester Golden
1961 Everett M. Brummett
1962 C.M. “Bill” Hutton
1963 C.M. “Bill” Hutton
1963 Gene Miller
1964 J.O.E. Emmons
1964 Homer Matthews
1965 Robert F. Flynn
1965 Frank Hunt
1966 Douglas W. Gibson
1966 Joseph Matthew
1967 Alfred H. Crossman
1967 Fred Crull
1968 Paul R. Williams
1968 Al Rudd
1969 Gustave VandeHaegen
1969 Tom Collins
1970 Mildred Barnes
1970 Carrie Hamilton
1971 Dorothy Vaniea
1971 Kirk Isitt
1972 Boots Peter Markkula
1972 Gene Miller
1973 Warren Watts
1973 Chuck Roberts
1974 Lucy Oday
1974 Lavonne Borchert
1975 Ray Jordan
1975 Gary Stater
1976 Helen Gibson
1976 John Wilder
1977 Joe F. Corda
1977 Earl Borchet
1978 Eugene S. Williams
1978 Carol Roberts
1979 Susan Rasch
1979 Mel Ferrerra
1980 Peggy Roberts
1980 Carrie Hamilton
1981 Sam DeFazio
1981 Chuck Roberts
1982 George Frey
1982 Mel Ferrera
1983 D. Cary Watkins
1983 Gary L. Wike
1984 George Beardsley
1984 Bob Hoffman
1985 James H. Bess, Sr.
1985 Rod Kenyon
1986 Nancy Wunker
1986 Becky Otwell
1987 Denis Thomas
1987 Jason Landon
1988 Rosie Conrad
1988 Thelma Hoffman
1989 Rod Kenyon
1989 Jack Harrison
1990 Lynn Pudwell
1990 Craig Kudrle
1991 Betsy Shirkey
1991 James Phillips
1992 Nancy Wunker
1992 Chuck Moore
1993 Carrie Hamilton
1993 Jason Landon
1994 Liz Troy
1994 Hanna Knapp
1995 Mike Castellano
1995 Diane Hess
1996 Marilyn Kruger
1996 Stephanie Glassey
1997 Dee Trad
1997 Marilyn Welker
1998 Lynda Pascoe
1998 Betsy Shirkey
1999 Diane Hess
1999 Eileen Patterson
2000 Terry Fenske
2000 Ann Marie Van Guilder Hammond
2001 Nancy Wunker
2001 Hanna Knapp
2002 Janet Wentz
2002 Jason Landon
2003 Marilyn Welker
2003 Bess Kline
2004 Nancy Olguin
2004 Deborah Light
2005 Nancy Wunker
2005 Donny Jensen
2006 Teresa White
2006 Chuck Knapp
2007 Teresa White
2007 Ann McDonald
2008 Nancy Olguin
2008 Caroll Yule
2009 Curtis O’Brien
2009 Jo Ann Tidwell
2010 Curtis O’Brien
2010 Glenn Zimmerman
2011 Nancy Bilsborough
2011 Cecil Volsch
2012 Debra Harroldson
2012 Bess Kline
2013 Debra Harroldson
2013 Michele Davies
2014 Curtis O’Brien
2014 Kari Leon
2015 Becky Otwell
2016 Serena Whyte
2017 Karen Sanchez
2018 Kari Leon
2019 Cecil Volsch
2020 Larry Mason
2021 Larry Mason
2022 Glenn Zimmerman
2023 Fidel Carranza
2024 Joseph Hisquierdo
2025 Michael Knight
Board of Directors
Staff directory
Executive Officer: Diane Smith
Contact: 760-244-8841 / diane@hdaor.com
Accounting: Veronica Swarts
Contact: 760-244-8841 / veronica@hdaor.com
Accounting: Kristy Pele
Contact: 760-244-8841 / kristy@hdaor.com
Membership: Rosemary Chavarin
Contact: 760-244-8841 / rosemary@hdaor.com
Communications: Valerie Penalber
Contact: valerie@hdaor.com
HDAOR Office
Address: 11890 Hesperia Rd. Hesperia, CA 92345
Phone: 760-244-8841
HDAOR Office Hours
Open Monday – Friday from 8:30am – 4:30pm
Closed Saturday & Sunday
High Desert Association of REALTORS®
2025-2028 Strategic Plan
Coming out of a re-calibrating Strategic Plan that led the association out of the Covid Era and into regional stability from 2021-2024 the High Desert Association of REALTORS® (HDAR) looks to this next period to redefine their position in both the real estate industry and in the High Desert communities with a focus on what the association represents.
To that end HDAR has established a new mission statement for the organization:
“The High Desert Association of REALTORS® is dedicated to empowering leadership and enabling success for our members.”
The association and its leaders are committed to accomplishing this through the core values the organization operates by:
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- We are COLLABORATIVE – we work together as one to further the interests of property rights and the interests of our clients.
- We are COMMUNITY FOCUSED – we work together with our communities to meet the regional real estate needs TOGETHER.
- We are SUPPORTIVE – coming together to solve issues, and provide expertise in order to ensure a stronger industry and region.
- We are TRUSTWORTHY – providing transparency, education, and advocacy that furthers the position of the organization and our members to lead the region.
- We are INTENTIONAL – decisions made are through the lens of our Mission and Core Values in order to ensure cohesive decision making, and directed efforts.
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Building upon the success of the 2021-2024 Strategic Plan for HDAR, the association plans to focus on continuing to deliver the previously identified core goals, while re-structuring the associations efforts to ensure:
1) Enhancing broker outreach
2) Developing new member programming
3) Reframing communications
4) Expanding community involvement opportunities
5) Advancing Technology Opportunities for REALTORS®
The events of the past few years – from advocacy campaigns to lawsuit settlements – has shown that the current expectation is not necessarily tomorrow’s reality. HDAR will remain relevant in the industry and community by adapting to changing market forces.
The association can use this guide for organization, staff, budget, and direction to staff and committees to complete these goals collectively.
NAR’s Diversity and Inclusion Commitment Statement
The National Association of REALTORS® represents more than 1.5 million REALTORS® in diverse communities across the country. NAR staff fosters a culture where diversity and inclusion are integrated into each of our five core values. Through inclusive collaboration and mutual respect for our colleagues, we focus on the principles that matter to the organization and drive how we engage each other to reach our common goals. We fully embrace perspectives from all walks of life—regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, national origin, socioeconomic status, political affiliation or any other qualities by which we may define ourselves. We commit to bringing out the best in ourselves, uncovering our hidden talents, and celebrating differences in our day-to-day interactions. These beliefs are essential as we serve our members who help fulfill the dream of home and property ownership in America. https://www.nar.realtor/diversity#statement

commitees & Chairs
HDAOR REALTOR & Affiliate members may be able to serve on some committees. Please contact a committee chair person below to get details on the days and times of each committee.
HDAOR Committees & Chairs
Past Presidents Committee
Fidel Carranza- Strategic Planning Committee Chair
Bylaws Committee
Michele Davies – Bylaws Committee Chair
Finance Committee
Cecil Volsch- Finance Committee Chair
Fair Housing and Diversity Committee
Wendy A. Ramey – Fair Housing and Diversity Committee Chair
Professional Standards Committee
Jeffrey Longshore – Professional Standards Committee Chair
Government Relations Committee
Donald Brown- Government Relations Chairman
Grievance Committee
Mathilde Kirkland – Grievance Committee Chair
Special Affairs Committee
Cameron Greene – Special Affairs Committee Chair
Strategic Planning Committee
Young Professionals Network (Y.P.N.) Committee
Johnna Griffin – YPN Committee Co-Chair
Andrea N. Bergin – YPN Committee Co-Chair
want to know more??
Contact us!
call us at 760.244.8841 or email valerie@hdaor.com