The High Desert Association of REALTORS®

About us
HDAOR

Mission Statement

The purpose of the High Desert Association of REALTORS® is to help its members become more profitable and successful.

HDAOR History

Strategic Plan

Committees

Board of Directors

Staff Directory

;

vision Statement

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.

2025 HDAOR President

Fidel Carranza Photo

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

Fidel Carranza Photo
Joseph Hisquierdo Photo
Donald Brown Photo
Cecil Volsch Photo
Fidel Carranza Photo
Donald Brown Photo
Colleen Couse Photo
Colleen Couse Photo
Mathilde Kirkland photo
Mathilde Kirkland photo
Mathilde Kirkland photo

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®
2021-2024 Strategic Plan

In one of the most highly unusual of years – 2020 – The High Desert Association of REALTORS® Leadership worked collaboratively to identify, discuss, and prioritize HDAR’s goals. With a focus on meeting the future’s challenges for the REALTOR® members of the association, the following plan identifies how HDAR will succeed.

This report overcame many obstacles to craft, draft, and revise the association’s goals to meet the following key organizational objectives:

  • Engage Member Segments
  • Advance Member Technologies
  • Promote Member Education and Services
  • Advocate and Promote REALTOR® and Fair Housing Issues

Building upon the success of the 2017-2020 Strategic Plan for HDAR, the association plans to focus on continuing to deliver the previously identified core goals, while expanding into the above efforts. The 2017-2020 Strategic Plan focused on:

  • Improve Member Services
  • Improve Communications
  • Demonstrate Community Outreach Efforts
  • Engage in Advocacy Efforts
  • Address Membership and Facilities

Encouraged by the success of the association in implementing the goals of the 2017-2020 Strategic Plan – while also limited by the impacts of COVID-19 – the association leadership dutifully contributed to the shaping of this report through:

  1. Interfacing with peers on core issues
  2. Individual interviews and discussions on key topics
  3. Completing comprehensive feedback surveys on association needs
  4. Group discussions of applying feedback to association objectives
  5. Leadership review of key topics for inclusion in the strategic plan

Those efforts led to a careful consideration of the needs of the membership, the capacities and appropriate roles of the association, and the state of the industry. This guide is designed to be fluid and malleable as conditions impact the organization. As learned in 2020 – there is no way to predict what may occur.

The association can use this guide for organization, staff, budget, and direction to staff and committees to complete these goals collectively.

OBJECTIVE 1 – ENGAGE MEMBER SEGMENTS
To improve outreach and connection between the association and the membership

Goal 1 – Provide Membership Engagement Opportunities

  • Use locations, leaders, and technology to expand opportunities for members to engage with one another
  • Advance efforts to establish opportunities for the membership to get involved
  • Create forums for engagement within specific interest groups of the association
  • Develop MLS opportunities
  • Co-opt association events as a way to build community

Goal 2 – Connect Association Leadership to Brokers

  • Create contacts and outreaches to brokerages by leadership
  • Communicate the value the association brings to the brokerages
  • Encourage Leadership among brokers, managers, and industry leaders
  • Develop broker oriented information about the association

Goal 3 – Establish Association Opportunities for the Agents

  • Inform agents about the opportunities their membership provides
  • Create leadership training for members interested in advancement
  • Promote to agents the value of involvement in the association structure

Goal 4 – Develop New Options for Member Education

  • Identify opportunities to expand traditional education into new offerings
  • Enlist broader platforms and offerings available to members to share education
  • Encourage committee development of learning opportunities

OBJECTIVE 2 – ADVANCE MEMBER TECHNOLOGY
Ensure Member Technology provides the most available information

Goal 1 – Expand Data Opportunities

  • Investigate the best opportunities to expand data exchanges
  • Identify the most important data sources to best empower members
  • Utilize technology that allows for the best user interface
  • Ensure consistency of member expectations while also advancing access
  • Incorporate connectivity to a broad list of member used business software

Goal 2 – Pursue Tech Agreements that Benefit Members

  • Identify key technology offerings that are needed by members most
  • Connect with providers and partners to expand membership capabilities to service their clients
  • Execute agreements with appropriate partners
  • Identify educational, exchange, networking, and property data opportunities

Goal 3 – Build MLS Opportunity

  • Identify opportunities to expand MLS information available to members
  • Pursue agreements with potential industry partners
  • Consider cross-platform capabilities to minimize member impact

Goal 4 – Create Member Focused Information on Technology Opportunities

  • Develop marketing materials for each offering
  • Build comprehensive education on tech integration
  • Create forums for member sharing on application of technology

OBJECTIVE 3 – PROMOTE MEMBERSHIP EDUCATION AND SERVICES
Reinforce membership value through advancing association offerings

Goal 1 – Increase Membership Awareness of the Association
– Promote opportunities for members in new and different ways

Goal 2 – Enable New Learning Opportunities

  • Identify existing education of the association, and explore needs
  • Employ technology to expand availability and convenience of offerings
  • Connect emerging trends within the industry
  • Seek partnerships with new education providers

Goal 3 – Empower Member Led Learning Opportunities

  • Establish framework for appropriate educational offering from members
  • Create opportunities to test and refine educational offering
  • Vet material for appropriateness
  • Enable offering options where appropriate

Goal 4 – Connect Offerings to Education, Committees, Products and Events

  • Establish a compendium of available opportunities
  • Develop connectivity and cross promotion across the association
  • Encourage synergistic cooperation among association segments
  • Encourage brokerage and member adoption of association offerings

  
OBJECTIVE 4 – ADVOCATE AND PROMOTE REALTOR AND FAIR HOUSING ISSUES
Promote the REALTOR® Commitment to Fair Housing, Equity & Inclusion.

Goal 1 – Incorporate Fair Housing Opportunity in the Association Advocacy

  • Incorporate Fair Housing resources into advocacy efforts
  • Promote use of Fair Housing resources (ie. NAR Fairhaven Course)
  • Encourage discussion of Fair Housing, and where improvement is needed
  • Expand awareness and understanding of the PAC with members
  • Build roles for liaisons between LGR & other committees and organizations

Goal 2 – Encourage Participation in Association Advocacy

  • Enlist member input on issues pertinent to the members business models
  • Secure support from brokerage on association advocacy efforts
  • Work with committees and association structures to raise PAC involvement
  • Promote member engagement in C2EX Course

Goal 3 – Build Upon Established Community Relationships

  • Support and advance relationships with local government leaders
  • Build upon existing relationships with chambers and business groups
  • Expand relationships with affiliated industries and aligned organizations
  • Explore new organizations with similar advocacy interests as HDAR

Goal 4 – Promote Fair Housing Accomplishments

  • Compile information on successful efforts of the association – and parent associations – to improve Fair Housing, Equity and Inclusion in the community
  • Report success of member participation in Fairhaven Course
  • Report success of member participation in C2EX Course
  • Report success of member ethics course engagement
  • Report success of member efforts in association Fair Housing events

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

Join a Committee Picture

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

Century 21 Desert Rock

15311 Bear Valley Rd. Hesperia, CA 92345, Contact: (760) 985-0337 / homesbycarranza@aol.com

Bylaws Committee

Michele Davies – Bylaws Committee Chair

Real Living College Realty

14767 Bear Valley Rd. Ste. A Hesperia, CA 92345, Contact: (760) 244-6145 / Brokerette@live.com

Finance Committee

Cecil Volsch- Finance Committee Chair

Volsch Enterprises, Inc.

14372 Cronese Rd. Apple Valley, CA 92307, Contact: (760) 912-8904 / cecil@volschteam.com

Fair Housing and Diversity Committee

Wendy A. Ramey – Fair Housing and Diversity Committee Chair

Coldwell Banker Home Source

14411 Main Street Hesperia, CA 92345, Contact: (760) 244-1921 / wendyfished4myhouse@gmail.com

Professional Standards Committee

Jeffrey Longshore – Professional Standards Committee Chair

Coldwell Banker Home Source

18484 Highway 18/Ste. 150 Apple Valley, CA 92307, Contact: (760) 242-6000 / jeff@jefflongshore.com

Government Relations Committee

Donald Brown- Government Relations Chairman

Lee & Associates

14369 Park Ave Ste 200 Victorville, CA 92392, Contact: (760) 241-5211 / dbrown@lee-associates.com

Grievance Committee

Mathilde Kirkland – Grievance Committee Chair

First Team Real Estate-High Desert

15545 Bear Valley Rd. Suite A Hesperia, CA 92345, Contact: (760) 881-3771/ mathilde7@aol.com

Special Affairs Committee

Cameron Greene – Special Affairs Committee Chair

Escrow Junction Inc

12600 Hesperia Rd Ste C Victorville, CA 92393, Contact: (760) 245-1966 /cblue@escrowjunction.com

Strategic Planning Committee

Joseph Hisquierdo – Past President Committee Chair
Lee & Associates

14369 Park Ave Ste 200 Victorville, CA 92392, Contact: (760) 241-5211 / jhisquierdo@lee-associates.com

Young Professionals Network (Y.P.N.) Committee

 Johnna Griffin – YPN Committee Co-Chair

First Team Real Estate-High Desert

15545 Bear Valley Rd. Suite A Hesperia, CA 92345, Contact: (760) 881-3771 / johnnarae.agent@gmail.com

Andrea N. Bergin – YPN Committee Co-Chair

Realty ONE Group Empire

12765 Main St. #640 Hesperia, CA 92345 , Contact: (760) 953.2066 / andrea@thebergingroup.com

want to know more??
Contact us!

call us at 760.244.8841 or email valerie@hdaor.com