Twenty-three years ago, Cade Fowler was laying sod at the old Lubbock Association of REALTORS® (LAR) office when family friend and current REALTOR® member Janice Jones encouraged him to apply for the position of Key Service Administrator. Janice, serving as Administrative Assistant at the time, inspired Cade, and he submitted his application. “Long story short, I’ve been here ever since,” he shares. “The Lord works in mysterious ways!”

 

Cade now works at the beautiful new office at 6510 70th Street, purchased in 2020, along with the meeting and event space at 6514 70th Street. Cade and five other dynamic professionals devote their days to LAR, a non-profit 501(c)6 with a detailed history dating back to 1926 and serving more than 1,800 REALTORS® and affiliate business partners.

 

Currently the CEO, Cade, a Lubbock native, works with the Association’s elected officers and the Board of Directors to achieve the Association’s mission, goals and objectives and works closely with the committees and oversees the staff. A lifelong learner, Cade stays current on the rapidly changing real estate industry to provide relevant products and services to help members be great REALTORS®. “I want us to always be a shining example of a professional trade association,” says the proud recipient of the Tom D. Morton Award for outstanding real estate association executive from the Texas Association of REALTORS® in 2014. Cade loves spending time with his wife and two sons, ages 11 and 7, when he is not hard at work, and he names watching movies and traveling as favorite pastimes.

 

Operations Director Holly McBroom, a born and raised Bloomington, IN, Hoosier who got to Texas as soon as she could, oversees the day-to-day operations of the LAR office while upholding the LAR mission statement: “To serve the REALTOR® profession, protect private property rights and promote the professional marketing of real estate.” Holly, a graduate of Abilene Christian University, loves her work. “We have a fantastic membership and staff,” she says. “Every day is different with new challenges to meet.” Holly’s hobbies include singing and taking motorcycle trips with her husband. 

Tonya Marley, MLS Administrator, originally from Central Texas and a West Texas A&M University graduate, ensures the data in the MLS is as accurate as possible, helping agents learn the system through training and troubleshooting and working with IDX vendors, agents and offices to include MLS listings on their websites. Tonya is currently working on the IDX vendor transition from RETS to API, which will allow listings to display on websites more quickly and securely. Tonya is grateful for her position. “I enjoy helping people, and I get the opportunity to do that every day, she explains. She also enjoys listening to books on Audible, caring for a growing assortment of succulents and spending time with her Maltipoo, Bobby. 

 

Brenda Fisher, Communications Director, tells REALTOR® stories via social media and marketing. The Frederick, MD, native who graduated from the University of Utah, is a former award-winning newspaper reporter and editor who reveals that the real estate industry chose her. “I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I started working in REALTOR® communications six years ago,” she explains. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity because it has allowed me to share my talents and skills for a group of people I respect and admire.” In her free time, she is usually at home working on cross stitch while listening to a book.

 

Key Service Administrator Christine Michaels, a Lubbock native, provides member services like managing keybox transactions, auditing keybox inventory and accounts, helping with LAR store purchases and offering a friendly face to greet REALTORS® and visitors at the LAR office. Christine considers the opportunity to work at LAR an unexpected blessing. “It’s a brand new adventure for me professionally,” she states. “I’m eager to learn everything we do as staff to support our membership. Learning about the role a REALTOR® plays in our communities is so exciting.” Christine also wears many hats at home as a mom.

 

Tino Vela, also Key Service Administrator, strives to provide courteous and professional service to all REALTORS®. Born and raised in Slaton, TX, and a Texas Tech alum, Tino was in the United States Air Force for six years, serving as a B-1B Avionics Technician, Senior Inspector. Tino is thankful that a good friend introduced him to the real estate industry, and when he isn’t working with members, he enjoys photography and woodworking. 

 

Cade, Holly, Brenda, Tonya, Christine and Tino are steadfast champions of LAR, where membership is crucial for any agent who wants to be a part of the REALTOR® family. “Being a member gives you access to many of the tools you need to be successful in this business,” Cade expresses. “We are a member-driven organization, which means that the member volunteers are the lifeblood of the Association.”