You may think the winning formula for success in real estate is to be competitive, to outsell other agents and to have more transactions than anyone in your office. Vickie Gartley has proved that focusing on those goals doesn’t matter. She never worried about the sales part of being a REALTOR®, only making a difference. 

It was no surprise when asked what success means, that she didn’t have an answer. The irony to that is she is the current 2022 REALTOR® of the Year for Alaska and is 1 of 6 

REALTORS® to be inducted into the REALTOR® Hall of Fame.

With her focus being primarily on giving to others, education, mentorship and community, success naturally followed Vickie. Her only true formula is “to not worry about the money.” By giving back, mentoring and being kind to her team – the money just naturally follows.

Vickie’s career started almost 17 years ago when she decided to make a change after her husband’s company relocated them from Dutch Harbor to Juneau. While on vacation in Florida, Vickie was sitting by the pool and announced to her husband and number one supporter, Todd, that she wanted to change careers and get into real estate. Since that day, Vickie said Todd continues to be her “guy” as he supports her in helping with lock boxes and signs.

Starting a career in real estate proved to be exactly where Vickie belonged. She first started with RE/MAX as an office manager and enjoyed the challenge of getting tasks completed that had not been done previously. During her time as the office manager, she also worked on getting her real estate license. Completing the licensing process set Vickie on the journey of writing her own definition of what it means to be a successful agent.

In 2016, she opened her own company, Platinum Real Estate Group alongside her good friend and business partner, Robyn Long. They became independent under Keller Williams in 2020 and eventually sold to Keller Williams Realty Alaska Group in December of 2022. With 13-15 million in volume each year (approximately 40-45 units) and prestigious awards such as 2017 REALTOR® of the Year for Southeast Alaska Board of REALTORS®, inducted into the Hall of Fame for the National Association of REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) in 2020 and her current reign as the 2022 REALTOR® of the Year for Alaska REALTORS®; Vickie shows how leading with heart is a winning formula.

The National Association of REALTORS® Hall of Fame recognizes dedicated members who have made a significant commitment to RPAC over the years by investing an aggregate minimum lifetime amount of $25,000. As a REALTOR®, Vickie feels it’s important to be involved in RPAC and continues to set goals to invest more in the real estate industry. Currently, she is working towards achieving her Platinum R within the RPAC Major Investor Program.

The funds that Vickie and other REALTORS® continue to invest in RPAC help elect candidates across the political landscape who understand and support real estate interests. Vickie acknowledges that she could invest money with other organizations but chooses RPAC because it’s important to “protect home ownership and protect our profession, it’s my way of giving back.”

When asked what Vickie would impart to up-and-coming agents, she would encourage them to get involved in RPAC because of its impact on the real estate industry. In addition, she expressed the importance of being careful when choosing a brokerage to work under. “Find someone who is willing to mentor you and who isn’t in it just for the money.”

Have a conversation with Vickie and you will easily understand why she was able to go from working in the banking industry to being REALTOR® of the Year. Making the career change at 54 years old, she is described as “honest, loyal and authentic." Her husband, Todd, describes her as “one of the hardest working people I know” and this, no doubt, has contributed to her success in the industry.

A dear friend and former business partner, Robyn Long shared with us that “Vickie is one of the most genuine, heartfelt, passionate people I’ve had the privilege of knowing. This is evident every day in her work as she shows up for her clients and colleagues. She’s been a mentor and model to many and will leave a legacy in our industry.”

Forcing her to brag about herself, she reluctantly shared stories of her contributions to her community in which she has thrived as a REALTOR®. in. The Children’s Advocacy Center, Family Promise (where she served three years as a board member), and Aware Shelter are other organizations to which Vickie often contributes. Two years ago, for Christmas, instead of purchasing gifts for her children and grandchildren, she opted to provide wish list items to the above-mentioned organizations. Capturing pictures of the gifts, she gave each family member a picture and a note explaining the donations that were made in their name. This tradition continues with no complaints from her loved ones.

“She is the hardest working person I’ve ever met,” states her husband. He added to the list of adjectives the word “compassionate” which would be difficult to disagree with. Each year she buys and fills backpacks for students returning to school that otherwise would struggle to afford the necessities of being a student.

To balance the demanding world of real estate and her own personal time, she makes a point of turning work trips into mini vacations. During our interview, Vickie and Todd were visiting their family in Washington where they have a condo and get to spend every morning doing one of their favorite activities - waking up early to walk the Columbia River. As an early riser, she likes to squeeze in daily naps and makes time for what she defines as “trash TV” to unwind.

What most people are surprised to discover about Vickie is that she’s 71 years old (and doesn’t look a day over 50). And at the young age of 71, she is still invested in her career as she “loves people and loves houses”. She draws her inspiration from many of those that have won the REALTOR® of the Year in Alaska before her because she knows that they are like-minded and know how important getting involved is to our industry. Influenced by individuals such as Mark Masley, Evelyn Arnot, Erroll Champion, Uli Johnson and Angie Tallant she has appreciated that they don’t look at real estate like a “transactional business”, they are all truly there to make a difference.

And those that influence Vickie also hold her in equally high regard as Angie Tallant shares “Vickie has not only been prominent within her community in volunteering and giving back but has mentored many agents within her brokerage and established herself as a true leader within Alaska advocating for homeownership rights,” states Angie Tallant.

These formed relationships with agents across the state are something that Vickie enjoys as she finds it important to surround herself with others who are involved in leadership conferences and conventions. Vickie feels these agents are on a different level since their intentions are greater than the money that enters their bank account. “My focus has never been on the dollar sign; success breeds success and I believe in spreading it out in my office.”

She continues by stating “I believe in mentoring. I don’t believe in being neutral. I don’t ask for referral fees (when referring to an office mate); I don’t want them – I want everyone to do good.”

“When I won REALTOR® of the Year, I was beyond speechless.” She lost her words and hopes that she will be able to share her gratitude when she presents this year. She is excited to recognize those that went before her as the Alaska REALTOR® of the Year.

“There are no words to express how blessed I am. I am surrounded by people I love.” Humble is another word we discovered during this interview as she continued to talk more about those she’s influenced by and those who have supported her. For her, there is “nothing more heartwarming than handing keys over to first-time home buyers - everybody deserves to own a home. The people that want that, should experience homeownership. I feel a huge satisfaction to be able to do that”.

Oh, and when it comes to “Heart and Soul” she is full of that – as another award that
decorates her office states “Heart AND Soul, Presented to: Vickie Gartley”, on behalf of Platinum KW Alaska Group.

When asked a mantra that she lives by it was easy for her to tell us “Dance like nobody’s watching, love like you’ve never been hurt, sing like nobody is listening and live like it’s heaven on earth.”