From advocating for communities to making a difference in people’s lives, REALTORS^® prove that “A REALTOR^® Can” do much more than sell homes. 

Earlier this year, the WRA launched the “A REALTOR^® Can” campaign to highlight the invaluable role REALTORS^® play in every real estate transaction. In today’s ever-changing market, it’s crucial that consumers understand the benefits of working with a REALTOR^®, whether they are buying or selling a home, investment property or vacant land.

This campaign emphasizes that REALTORS^® are not just transaction facilitators — they are advisors, negotiators and problem solvers whose expertise is indispensable.

Campaign themes

• Complex challenges: Real estate transactions often involve obstacles that can be daunting for consumers. An experienced REALTOR^® handles these complexities, resolving unforeseen issues and navigating intricate paperwork to ensure a smooth process
• New possibilities: REALTORS^® use their market knowledge and negotiation skills to secure deals, uncover hidden opportunities, and open doors that clients may not find on their own.
• Behind the scenes: Many consumers are unaware of the scope of work REALTORS^® do behind the scenes, such as coordinating inspections and managing multiple tasks that ensure a seamless transaction. This campaign spotlights these efforts, showcasing dedication and diligence.
• Expertise: REALTORS^® provide unmatched guidance with the major decisions involved in real estate transactions. Their deep market understanding and ongoing education make them trusted advisors.

By targeting consumers through digital, radio, outdoor and print media, the “A REALTOR^® Can” campaign educates the public on the critical role REALTORS^® play, highlighting their value beyond the sale.

Below, you’ll meet two Wisconsin REALTORS^® who exemplify the “A REALTOR^® Can” spirit through their commitment to service and community impact.

A REALTOR^® Can: Lead with Vision and Service

Longtime Wisconsin REALTOR^® Jim Imhoff Named 2024 Recipient of NAR’s Distinguished Service Award

Wisconsin REALTOR^®, broker, owner and former WRA leader Jim Imhoff has been named as one of two recipients in 2024 of the National Association of REALTORS^®’ (NAR) Distinguished Service Award. This award is the highest honor outside the presidency bestowed on a NAR member. The following is reprinted with permission from NAR. 

Jim Imhoff, a licensed real estate professional since 1971, is Chairman Emeritus of First Weber Inc., a Wisconsin firm with more than 1,200 professionals in more than 70 offices, and a part of HomeServices of America.

Imhoff credits his father with instilling a commitment to be involved. When he told his dad, who was a general contractor, that he was going into real estate, his dad said, “If you do, you’d better be all in. Be involved in the industry. Get the education you need. Be part of the association. And that’s what I did from day one,” he says. “I’ve been active at all levels — local, state and national — since the 1970s.”

That involvement has been invaluable to his business, he says. “Being able to share ideas with other brokers has allowed me to take those back to my firm.”

Of the award, Imhoff calls it “quite an honor. My name has been in consideration before, but I never felt bad when I didn’t get it because the people who did were well-deserving.” 

As chair of the RPAC Trustees in 2001, Imhoff helped establish the REALTORS^® Political Action Committee Hall of Fame and has been a member since its inaugural year, 2002. A longtime President’s Circle member, he is a passionate advocate for the industry and currently serves as chair of the American Property Owners Alliance, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization created 
to protect and support property owners. 

Joe Hanauer (2010 DSA), chair of the Distinguished Service Award Council, calls Imhoff a “lifelong leader. Jim has applied the same skills used to drive his firm to its leading market position to helping drive RPAC’s success. And he has tirelessly served the local, state and national associations.”

Over the course of his career, Imhoff has spent some 20 years as an NAR director, and he has been a trustee of the REALTORS^® Political Action Committee for more than 20 years. He was a liaison to the Leadership Team in 2015 and 2019. Additionally, he has chaired or served on a variety of NAR committees, work groups, advisory boards and presidential advisory groups, primarily focused on brokerage and advocacy issues. Among others, those include the Broker Engagement Committee and Broker Engagement Work Group, the REALTOR® Party Coordinating Committee; the RPAC Issues Conference work group; and the Issues Mobilization Committee.

At the state level, Imhoff received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017 for outstanding service to the Wisconsin REALTORS^® Association. He was president of WRA in 1991 and received that organization’s REALTOR^® of the Year in 1993. The Madison Board of REALTORS^® (now the REALTORS^® Association of South-Central Wisconsin) also named Imhoff REALTOR ^® of the Year in 1993. He was president of the local association in 1980. He helped establish and served as a director for RASCW’s nonprofit arm, the Greater Madison Housing Foundation, which provides housing purchase assistance for low-income families. In 1994, Gov. Tommy Thompson appointed Imhoff to the state real estate commission. He was elected chairman in 1995 and served until 2002. 

Imhoff, a 1966 graduate of Marquette University School of Business, serves as a director on the Advisory Board of the University of Wisconsin – Madison School of Business, James A. Grasskamp Center for Real Estate, and on the Advisory Board of the Marquette University School of Business Real Estate Center, a program he helped establish. And his leadership has extended to many other community organizations. For example, he served 12 years on the Board of Trustees for Edgewood High School, three of those years as chair, and he was on the Edgewood College Board of Trustees for eight years. He was instrumental in forming the First Weber Foundation in 2005; to date, the foundation has contributed more than $4 million to deserving charities around Wisconsin.

A bank examiner early in his career, Imhoff continues to serve in the banking industry. Since 1978, he has served as a director of the Park Bank of Madison. From 1978 to 2021, he was also a director of a Madison, Wis.-based mutual fund, Madison Funds, with assets of more than $5 billion. He chaired the fund for more than 10 years.  

Imhoff is a veteran who served for six years, from 1967 to 1973, in the Wisconsin National Guard.

He lives with his life partner of more than 30 years, Kitty Kuhl. Between them, they have four children and seven grandchildren.

A REALTOR^® Can: Uplift the Local Community

Wisconsin REALTOR^® Charlie Wills Named 2024 Finalist of NAR’s Good Neighbor Award

The National Association of Realtors^® has selected Charlie Wills, a Realtor^® from Madison, among 10 finalists for its 2024 Good Neighbor Awards program. This award honors NAR members who make extraordinary differences in their communities through volunteer work by giving time, money, energy and expertise to uplift people. Now in its 25th year, the Good Neighbor Awards have recognized 250 Realtors^® making an impact in 43 states, Puerto Rico and 17 countries worldwide.

Wills, co-founder of 100 Men of Dane County, initiated a program where 100 community members make a significant impact by committing to donate $4,000 annually. Each quarter, they accept proposals from local nonprofit causes supporting children and select one to receive a $100,000 grant. To date, they have donated more than $2.3 million in grants, primarily benefiting small nonprofits. 

“The Good Neighbor Awards underscore the profound impact real estate professionals provide beyond the transactions and titles, including the value of service and community engagement,” said NAR President Kevin Sears, broker-associate of Sears Real Estate/Lamacchia Realty in Springfield, Massachusetts. “Charlie’s unwavering dedication and exceptional contributions truly inspire us, as he works tirelessly to better lives and strengthen neighborhoods.”

Five winners will each receive a $10,000 grant and national media exposure for their charity, including a feature in the fall issue of REALTOR^® Magazine. The winners will also be honored in November during NAR NXT, The REALTOR^® Experience in Boston. Five honorable mentions will receive $2,500 grants.

Starting now, the public can vote for their favorite Good Neighbor finalists. The top three vote-getters will be recognized as Web Choice Favorites, with the winner taking home $2,500, and the second- and third-place finishers each receiving $1,250, funded by Realtor.com^®. People may cast their vote at realtor.com/goodneighbor between September 4 and October 2. Both the winners, as determined 
by judges, and the Web Choice Favorites, determined by online voting, will be announced on October 7. 

Nominees were judged on their personal contributions of time as well as financial and material resources to benefit their causes. NAR’s Good Neighbor Awards are supported by primary sponsor Realtor.com^®.

“The Good Neighbor Awards spotlight the commitment to going above and beyond one’s professional duties to improve lives and build communities. This dedication is why Realtor.com^® proudly continues to sponsor the program year after year,” said Realtor.com^® Chief Marketing Officer Mickey Neuberger. “We congratulate this year’s finalists and celebrate every agent who is a Realtor^® striving to make the world a better place — it all starts with being a good neighbor.”

Copyright National Association of REALTORS^®. Reprinted with permission.