Meet the New CRS President

2016 CRS President Janelle Pfleiger is well positioned to lead the Council in a new direction.

Interview by Mike Fenner

Despite its remote location, Anchorage, Alaska, has made a name for itself as a hub of the world economy. Its relative proximity by air to both the U.S. and Asia has made it a key refueling stop for international flights and a hub for international shipping. It’’s also home to approximately 40 percent of the state’s population, which supports a robust residential real estate market.

Janelle Pfleiger, CRS, has served that Anchorage market for more than 35 years, helping residents buy and sell homes. She has been a REALTOR^® her entire professional life and a CRS since 1989, which gives her a unique perspective on the industry.

The Residential Specialist caught up with Pfleiger shortly after she was installed as the 2016 CRS president to discuss her background, her lifelong commitment to the real estate industry and the possibilities that lie ahead for the Council and its members.

What was your background before you got into the real estate business?

I am one of those rare birds in our industry in that I have a bachelor’s degree with a minor in real estate and I have sold real estate in Anchorage since the day I graduated from college. I started my career in 1979 but still feel I am learning and growing every day.

I grew up all over the Southwest: Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas and Texas. I came up to Alaska one summer during college and kept coming back. Of course, I thought it was just a short adventure at first, but now after 40 years, I’’ve raised three great kids, I have a great life partner and a long-established career, so obviously I still enjoy the lifestyle. As a young businesswoman starting out, there was a lot of opportunity and a kind of “no-doors-closed” attitude in the last frontier.

What attracted you to real estate as a profession?

During my years in college, I explored different areas of emphasis, but I was continually drawn to the real estate discipline. Both of my grandparents were farmers, keepers of the land and leaders in their communities and counties, so I was always attracted to “the land.” I did not view the industry as a sales career, but a career where I could be involved in three areas: finance and structuring a deal, being an entrepreneur, and helping people achieve a goal of making what amounts for most people to be the largest financial decision of their lives. The fact that the industry and the buyers and sellers we serve are ever-changing is also attractive to me. I love helping someone with their first purchase just as much as helping a family downsize and retire. We serve consumers through their entire life cycle, and that’’s very rewarding.

How did your training as a CRS help you build a successful career?

I earned my CRS Designation fairly early in my career (1989), and obtaining it truly changed my professional and personal life. I was amazed at the level and quality of the instruction, and the energy and the possibilities this education afforded me in my career. I am a true example of what can happen with your career after obtaining the CRS Designation. My production doubled, I learned to operate as a successful business and I saw how important it is for us to work to increase the level of professionalism in our industry.

When did you start getting involved as a volunteer leader for the Council? Why?

This is my life’’s work and it is important to me to give back to the industry. I was involved in our Alaska Chapter after obtaining my Designation in 1989, but I really began this journey in earnest in 2003. Since then I have served as the Alaska CRS President in 2005 and 2007, served on several National CRS committees, held a long-term Regional Vice President position with three different regions and held a position on the Board of Directors. This journey taught me that these volunteers are true professionals in our industry and an outstanding group to network with, learn from and grow with.

What have your years in leadership taught you, and what insight have you gained about how CRSs do their day-to-day jobs?

I’’ve grown up in this organization. I have learned to be a leader both in our industry, in my community and in my personal life.

I credit CRS for being the catalyst and support mechanism for that growth. I quickly came to understand that networking and developing relationships with fellow CRS members was going to be extremely valuable. These are very rewarding connections to cultivate, both professionally and personally. Over the years, I have been able to work with other volunteer leaders and have learned valuable leadership skills and a passion and tenacity for making CRS the best organization it can be. Having the opportunity to work with the staff of CRS over the years also has been invaluable. The dedication and talent of the staff is tremendous—they live and breathe our mission each and every day.

I am amazed at our colleagues’ willingness to share best practices with others throughout the country (and beyond), our opportunities to brainstorm with the true masters in our industry and the mentoring of new CRS members.

How has the Council changed over the last few years, and what initiatives is it taking to build a strong foundation for the future?

The Council has changed in some areas and in other areas remained steadfast. I believe the Council remains well-respected in the industry for educating and retaining top-notch professionals in our industry. The Council has adjusted to a changing landscape and an aging REALTOR^® population. Under strong volunteer and staff leadership, the Council has undertaken initiatives to restructure the membership model in order to better engage members and provide additional member benefits. It is vital that we reach and bring value to every one of the more than 31,000 members in our organization. We continue to work on initiatives that enable us to be more nimble in bringing timely, relevant education and benefits to our members.

What advice would you give to our new CRS members on how to get the most out of the organization?

Engage, get involved and ask, ask, ask! There are so many great producers, mentors and peers to network with and learn from in this organization. You can interact with the CRS community at so many levels, especially now with the advent of the State CRS Communities. Take webinars and courses, and get involved in your State CRS Community. Sell-a-bration^® gives agents an annual opportunity to build their referral business and their professional and personal networks. This helps CRSs establish their path for success for the life of their career.

What does the CRS Designation mean to you?

The CRS still stands as the premier residential designation in our industry, truly the gold standard for education, professionalism, production and experience. The designation for me personally represents a high level of commitment to a life of learning, high proficiency and top-notch professionalism. My involvement with CRS is the pinnacle of my professional career and leadership journey.

Web Exclusive Question: What kind of legacy would you like to leave with the Council?

I hope I can say that I had the courage to help make the changes necessary to insure the relevance of the Council going forward. But this is really not “my legacy.” I am part of a strong leadership team working with a capable staff and passionate volunteer leaders. Together, we are creating this legacy and positioning CRS for the future. Our emphasis is on providing value and new opportunities for every member of CRS from the beginning of their career to the end of their career.

Learn how to get involved in CRS leadership.