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

● 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.

;

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®
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:

        • 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.

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

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