Apple Valley resident Robin Peterson benefits from possessing a positive attitude – a vital trait in today’s real estate market. “I don’t look at life with obstacles,” Peterson said. “People say the real estate market has been challenging. We’ve gone into a challenging real estate market and found homes for people and helped people sell homes.” As president of Coldwell Banker Burnet, Peterson oversees the day-to-day operations for the company’s 24 sales offices in the Twin Cities, St. Cloud, Rochester and Western Wisconsin, as well as managing 1,800 sales associates. Her journey to the top of Coldwell Banker Burnet began where she grew up – Westfield, NJ – 20 miles from New York City. Peterson grew up watching her father operate the family textile business in New York City. He died when she was 16, leaving her to help keep the business going. “I was exposed to even the business elements and responsibility at a very young age,” Peterson said. “I reapplied some of what I saw him. He had an extremely strong work ethic.” Peterson’s mother had a strong influence on developing her positive attitude – a trait she relies heavily on as president. “She always looks for the good in people and always taught me how you seek out positive attributes, and that in turn enriches your life,” Peterson said. That advice has helped make Peterson successful in the real estate world. Robin Peterson, President, Coldwell Banker Burnet
>>>> Forging a Private Path-Page 6
2 Women in Business – Thursday, October 27, 2011 – www.MinnLocal.com
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“
My management style is one of involvement, but also one of empowerment. I give permission for everyone to give and receive feedback. It’s a culture that success begets success. Without a strong work ethic, you can’t achieve your ultimate potential or success.
”
Robin Peterson, President Coldwell Banker Burnet
Fulfilling dreams, achieving goals Peterson/From cover BY MATT HANKEY - SUN NEWSAPERS A former middle school English and history teacher on the East Coast, Peterson moved to Minnesota in 1976 when her husband, Fran, was pursuing a job opportunity in the Twin Cities. After some exposure to real estate on the east coast, Peterson launched into the field after meeting the company’s founder – Ralph Burnet – when buying her first home in Eagan in 1976. “He was extremely inspiring and I decided to go into real estate at the point in time,” said Peterson, who has lived in Apple Valley since 1979. She saw the real estate business as one she could advance in, while helping others achieve their home ownership goals. “My belief in helping others grow motivates me,” Peterson said. “I get passionate about our business, but I’m as passionate about seeing people succeed.” She began her career with Coldwell Banker Burnet as a sales associate, and later became branch managers for Bloomington and Eagan, afterwards becoming the director of training for the company. From there, Peterson was the regional vice president and executive vice president before becoming president of the company in 2000, working at its headquarters in Edina. Peterson noted that women comprise roughly half of the upper management positions in the company. “There are no glass ceilings in this company,” Peterson said. “The sky is the limit as long as you want to work hard and be passionate about what you do.” She is an admitted proponent of being a hands-on manager. “My management style is one of involvement, but also one of empowerment,” Peterson said. “I give permission for everyone to give and receive feedback. It’s a culture that success begets success. Without a strong work ethic, you can’t achieve your ultimate potential or success.”
Apple Valley resident Robin Peterson has been the president of Coldwell Banker Burnet since 2000. “I see life as a series of growth experiences,” Peterson said. “I fell in love with the career of real estate because it helps people grow themselves and helps change lifestyles.” (Photo by Matthew Hankey – Sun Newspapers) As president, Peterson has helped implement a home resource center for the company. The center has a concierge service and a call center, which helps both real estate shoppers and company sales associates. One center feature allows customers to call the company when they have a question or need with their home and a sales associate can then recommend a business specific to their needs. Peterson said the customer feedback has been excellent regarding the home resource center. “In addition, people come through our website and can ask questions in real time
about their real estate needs,” Peterson said. Peterson has also overseen the creation of the company’s transaction management system, which contains all customer closing documents – accessed by customers with a username and password. Peterson said she has worked to make business easier for both her employees and the clients they serve. “I have a belief that you have to try different things that are consumer-based and also for our sales associates,” she said. “If 51 percent of them work, you’ll still be in business.” Peterson derives inspiration from numer-
ous places, but cites her family as one of the strongest. Her job duties often overlap with important dates such as holidays – days she would rather be with her family. But, she involves her family in her work life and said that is a key for anyone’s success, not just her own. On one Mother’s Day, she was working an open house and her husband and two children came through the home’s front door and surprised her with balloons and flowers. She wouldn’t have it any other way. “My children have been able to grow up seeing me live my passion,” Peterson said. “They’ve been so supportive of my career.”
4 Women in Business – Thursday, October 27, 2011 – www.MinnLocal.com
In the Community, With the Community, For the Community
BY KASSIE PETERMANN SUN NEWSPAPERS
She is representing the community she grew up in, while finding a healthy balance between work and family. Lori Higgins is the president and first female CEO of the MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce. She became the new president May 17, 2010, replacing Tom Snell, who retired after 26 years. Higgins graduated from Coon Rapids High School and received a four-year full tuition scholarship to Augsburg College. She took advantage of post secondary opportunities in high school, which earned her college credits. So, Higgins was able to major in German and international relations, minor in political science and history, study abroad and graduate in four years.
Lori Higgins is the president and first female CEO of the MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce.
Crest View Senior Communities Shirley Barnes, Chief Executive Officer Shirley Barnes is the Chief Executive Officer for Crest View Senior Communities, a faith based, not-forprofit organization serving over 400 seniors in Anoka County and employing approximately 270 people. Crest View has just entered its 60th anniversary year of serving older adults in Columbia Heights and is expanding its services in Anoka County, including developing its second campus in the City of Blaine. Crest View is a community serving our community, and we are active and supportive participants in events. We serve older adults across the spectrum that includes senior housing (both market rate rental and rental for people on limited incomes), assisted living, memory care, skilled care in our care center, short term rehab care, home health care, outpatient rehabilitative therapy. We also are a major employer in the City of Columbia Heights, and therefore, an economic development driver. In addition, we offer volunteer opportunities for people of all ages. Shirley has over 32 years of experience in the older adult services provider community and has a Master’s degree in Health Services Administration. She currently serves on the Board of Directors, as Vice-Chair, for the Anoka County Workforce Council. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches. Shirley serves on the Executive Committee for the Board of Directors for CareChoice, a cooperative made up of 23 non-profit organizations serving older adults. On a national level, Shirley serves on the Leadership Circle for LeadingAge, the national association representing not-for-profit providers of aging services and also on a long-term care committee for MedAssets, a national group purchasing organization. When asked what advice she would give young people coming out of college, she commented, “Never forget how you got to the dance and never burn bridges”. She went on to say, I remember why I felt called to this field of work and that is to make a positive difference in the lives of the people we serve and those who serve them. This is like a family and we create community by embracing the people we serve. We are facing challenging times and it is the organizations that are “fluid” and more fearful of not changing, than of changing, that will thrive. I have two favorite quotes and they are, “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity” by Albert Einstein. The other favorite is by Will Rogers, “Even you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.” The quote that I rely on most is from the Bible, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
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Growing up, Higgins wanted to be an ambassador to the United Nations or an ambassador to Germany. “When I graduated from college, they were not knocking on my door,” Higgins said with a laugh. “So I had to figure out Plan B. I’ve learned since then that life is a series of stepping stones.” Higgins worked as a deputy district director for a U.S. congressman for eight years and then worked in the private sector for six years. She said she missed working more with the community, so she left her job right as the recession began. “It was a difficult move, but I
decided it wasn’t my calling,” she said. Higgins served as the director of operations for MetroNorth beginning in February 2009 before being named president and CEO. Of her position as president of the chamber, Higgins said, “It’s just been a really good fit.” Founded in 1968, the chamber is the fourth largest in the metro area and has nearly 700 members in the greater Anoka County area. Higgins said the chamber tries to be the voice for businesses when it comes to issues such as taxes and transportation. She said the chamber offers members opportunities that relate to education, networking and advertising. Leading way
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Success comes through service to community Leading way/From previous
50 to 70 members have attended each meeting. “It’s been a phenomenal success,” “We wear a lot of hats here as we try to Higgins said. “It’s really filled a niche that accomplish all those things,” Higgins said. As chamber president, Higgins manages was a need in the community … It’s been the daily operations of the office in Blaine. really well received, and we’re really proud She reports to the 15-member Board of of that.” Asked about any challenges she’s experiDirectors, which helps plan the chamber’s strategic vision, which in turn Higgins helps enced as chamber president, Higgins said it can be difficult to find balance between execute. She is also responsible for the chamber’s work and taking time to renew and spend finances – ensuring everything is budgeted time with family. Higgins is also working appropriately and that the chamber is a good toward a master’s degree in leadership through Augsburg College. steward of membership dollars. “Trying to represent so many different Higgins also looks for and sets up cremembers is always a ative events and prochallenge,” she said. gramming for mem“You want to please bers. everybody, but that’s “It’s exciting,” just not possible, so Higgins said of being you hope that you’re the chamber’s first doing the right thing. female CEO. “I was A lot of women “A lot of women happy to get to work tend to be very relatend to be very relahere in this organizationship oriented, tionship oriented, and tion and get to meet it’s very easy to take so many people. and it’s very easy to things personally. So “I was just really take things personalif something goes blown away by all the ly. So if something wrong or somebody’s support I’ve received upset, it’s very easy to from the members goes wrong or someeternalize that, and I and the board. … It’s body’s upset, it’s have to remind really an honor,” she myself not to do that said. “I just feel realvery easy to eternalso much.” ly blessed. ize that, and I have to Higgins said she “I’m really happy remind myself not to most enjoys getting to to represent the comknow all of the chammunity that I grew up do that so much. ber members – meetin and the people who ing the faces behind are my neighbors and Lori Higgins the businesses and lisnow friends. I really CEO, MetroNorth tening to stories and enjoy it.” perspectives. Asked about some Chamber of Commerce She added that of the chamber’s she’s proud of the accomplishments team’s energy and since she’s been prescommitment to the ident, Higgins noted the U.S. Chamber of Commerce awarded chamber and the efforts toward “staying the chamber with an accreditation for its ahead of the curve.” “We’re not your father or grandfather’s sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact on the commu- chamber,” Higgins said. “We’re trying to make that impression to the entire community. The chamber also began offering a net- nity, that we want to be a value to all of our working group called Working With members for things now and in the future.” Higgins lives in Blaine with her husband Women, which seeks to inform, educate and connect business women in the area. The and daughters, ages 10 and 6. group is open to any chamber member, and
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6 Women in Business – Thursday, October 27, 2011 – www.MinnLocal.com
In the Community, With the Community, For the Community
Forging a Private Path Former Lee Carlson Center counselor sets out on her own Vicki Langemo of Blaine worked with the Lee Carlson Center in Fridley for 17 years, counseling students in the Spring Lake Park, Columbia Heights and Fridley school districts. This year, Langemo opened her own private counseling practice, with an office in Coon Rapids. She also released a new meditation CD – “Relax, Unwind and Sleep: A Relaxation Meditation and Positive Visualization Journey” – based on techniques she used previously with clients, several of whom later requested a recording of the meditation to practice more regularly.
Vicki Langemo of Blaine BY SARAH PETERSON – SUN NEWSPAPERS
“I’ve always loved my job. ... Almost everybody is struggling a little on the inside ... but we all kind of tend to hide those sort of things, so to make people feel comfortable and make them realize everyone struggles a little bit and help them find ways to solve a problem in a positive way is something I enjoy doing,” Langemo said. But prior to pursuing counseling, she actually studied business, earned a degree and worked in business before becoming a stay-at-home mom. She then became more involved at her church, where she began teaching church classes. “The funniest thing happened: The church students and their parents came to me with their problems (for advice). ... I realized I wasn’t all that knowledgeable, and it got me thinking, ‘Hmm, maybe this is something I want to do,’” Langemo said. She went back to school, now in her mid-30s, and earned
her masters in counseling psychology and is licensed as a professional counselor. Her specialties are anger management, stress reduction, child and teen issues, chemical awareness, and group and individual therapy. “I like working with young people, so I got a position with Lee Carlson Center; their biggest emphasis is helping young people,” she said. The Center’s founder had wanted to provide counseling in the schools to make it more accessible, because many people don’t take the time and effort to bring their children to counseling, in addition to all the other commitments students might have, she said. So Langemo worked in Westwood, Northpark and Kenneth Hall Elementary schools, as well as Fridley High School and Fridley Alternative Learning Center. One lesson she learned in those years, she said, is that you can never truly tell when you’re helping someone. Forging her own path
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Connecting in way that offers needed help Forging her own path/From previous When she was working previously in the elementary schools, a first-grader had been referred to her for a peer counseling group. The boy made a point of telling her regularly, “I don’t want to be here,” rarely participated and didn’t want to talk. The next year, his parents said they wanted him to continue with counseling, so, despite Langemo’s doubts, he continued to silently attend the counseling. That year, he began to participate a little more in some counseling topicrelated games, but otherwise refused to participate. In the third year, he wasn’t at the same school, so he wasn’t initially signed up to attend the counseling group. He ran into her later that fall and told her that he had needed the counseling group, although he admitted that, no, he hadn’t wanted to attend. “I could tell, from the things he said, that he had learned a lot from my group,” Langemo said. The student was using some of the key words and phrases that had been taught in the group sessions when talking about his feelings. “For two years, I thought I wasn’t helping this young boy at all, and I found out, yes, I had been,” Langemo said. While her career has its fair share of mundane paperwork – her least favorite part of her job – it also has the thrill of making
connections with people. “My favorite is ... being able to help create a new awareness in their life about what their problems are causing in their life, and how to change,” she said. Many people are uncomfortable with the idea of counseling or wonder what new thing a counselor could possibly say to them, Langemo said. Potential visitors should visit her website to learn more about her and meet her via a video she posted, where she talks about her counseling and how she believes in working with and empowering people. “So many people want there to be something magical or simple that will be a quick fix, but normally it’s something you have to work on, like a sport,” Langemo said. If you’re learning a new sport, like golf or basketball, you don’t pick up the gear, go out there and play like a pro, she said. “You have to go learn the basics and practice, and when someone’s trying to change something in their life, they need some techniques and tools, because they might have no clue how to change,” Langemo said. “Change doesn’t necessarily come super easy, but if you work at it and practice, there’s all kinds of things you can change in your life,” she added. Online: betterlifetoday.net.
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