Continuing with our monthly Director Spotlight, this year I have the privilege of serving alongside Secretary-Treasurer Mike Purcell. Mike’s dedication and passion for the association and our members are shown through the same actions he puts in place for his clients - always having their best interests at heart. You’ll see what I mean in his answers below.
What did you do before transitioning into this profession?
I spent 37 years with TVA, initially as a mechanical engineer. Then, I held various leadership roles in nuclear and fossil power production, including engineering, business and training.
In 2015, I retired from Sequoyah Nuclear Plant and after working with a consulting firm and traveling the northeast, I decided to settle down and began my real estate career in 2016, working with my wife, Brenda, who has been a broker for 23 years. Interesting note, as a young married couple, Brenda and I always loved real estate and going to open houses. So very early in our marriage, we both took real estate classes at UTC. Al Cannon was our instructor. I didn’t get my license then, but Brenda did and put hers in retirement until a number of years later.
You're currently serving a second two-tear term on the board and this year we’re elected as secretary-treasurer. Why did you choose to serve in a leadership capacity?
Since I was young, I’ve always leaned towards opportunities to lead. Some of it comes from a desire to be in a position where others trust your abilities and your decision-making, and sometimes it’s just being in a position to say “yes.” As I’ve gained more experience, it has become more about service and a desire to give back to things I’m passionate about, like Greater Chattanooga Realtors. I want to serve my fellow realtors and be part of the decision regarding what program and services we offer as member benefits.
What would you like your fellow realtor/members to know that our association offers to its members?
Through committee work and now in an officer position, I see firsthand how much our staff, officers and directors are looking out for our members and are such great advocates for our membership and the community. We work to ensure a seat at the table to help guide the conversation through education and information to keep community leaders involved and up to date with our ever-evolving market and industry.
What is your favorite part of being a realtor?
My clients. Although by nature I am an introvert, I really enjoy being accessible and helping my clients. I think it’s the engineer in me - I enjoy solving problems and connecting them with my network of friends, business partners and other service providers to achieve their goals. I’m also a bit of a process nerd, so I’m always striving for excellence in my business approach, which results in increased satisfaction for me and my clients.
What is something your fellow realtors do in the community that you love and want others to know about?
They give back of their time, talents and resources. Some notable examples include Snack Packs, where teams of realtors work with other volunteers to provide weekly snack bags for children who are food insecure. Also, realtors support Habitat for Humanity through various fundraisers and participate in builds and neighborhood revitalization projects. Another is our Placemaking Committee that identifies and recommends partnerships to improve an existing space in our community. In the last few years, realtors have provided shade structures for the City’s pickleball courts, created a community flower garden and cleaned up a hiking trailhead in St. Elmo.
Have you read any recent books you want to share with others?
Good to Great, by Jim Collins. While not a new book, this is a fantastic read and it delves into one of the biggest challenges we all get bogged down with - complacency. Collins explains how Good is the enemy of Great and how being good can keep us from achieving our full potential of greatness.
With each of these monthly spotlights, my goal is to inspire other realtors to take up the torch as Mike has and become more involved in the inner workings of the Association. Mike has shown amazing attributes that set him apart as a leader and as a realtor. That’s Who We R.