At our Annual General Meeting in February, the Board awarded its highest honour, the John Armeneau Professional of the Year award, to longtime member Dan Corsie.
If you know Dan, then you’ll know him as an incredible contributor to our industry and communities.
Our immediate Past President John Barbisan, who knows Dan and presented the award, had this to say:
“I can attest to his exceptional character and the qualities that make him so worthy of this award. He gives back to his community, profession, to those less fortunate and has the respect of our members. I can think of no one better to be recognized as our 2019 Professional of the Year.”
And if you don’t know Dan, we’ve got you covered.
The Board reached out to our 34th Professional of the Year to get to know him better and ask about his career and the life he lives outside of it. Here’s what he had to say.
Being a REALTOR®
1. How did you begin your career as a Realtor?
In 1976, I co-owned and operated 2 gas stations in New Westminster for 3 years, until my partner decided that he needed more out of life than working. One of my customers, who visited our garage frequently, was a Realtor. He always dressed nice and had a nice car. He knew that we were selling the business so he said, “You should get your real estate license because you’re good with customers.” I took his advice, finished my real estate course in six weeks at UBC and was licensed in 1979.
My uncle, John Corsie, was in the business at the time, so he helped me get up-and-running at a small firm called “Team Realty.” Between the freedom the job gave me and the fact that once again I was my own boss, I was hooked. Since then, I have gone on to have a great life in this business with the support of my wife Brenda and two sons, Ty and Ry.
2. What has been the most memorable experience in your time as a real estate agent?
I have so many memories from this business, but what’s most memorable is meeting with and being part of so many happy occasions when your clients sell or buy their first or last homes. The gratification that you feel to be part of such joyous occasions reminds me of my volunteering with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and seeing the look on those kids’ faces when they get to go to Disneyworld or meet their idol.
3. What key piece of advice can you give to Realtors to stay successful in a changing marketplace?
My key piece of advice to new Realtors is: Never think of the money. Always think of doing the best job you can for your client.
Also, know your product and keep your clients informed. This is huge, whether you’re working for a buyer or seller. Help them get through it and they will remember you.
4. What’s the one thing you wish you knew before you became a Realtor?
I think the one thing I wish I knew before I became a Realtor is that you don’t get a paycheck every two weeks. But just keep working and they keep coming eventually!
Just for Fun
5. As a child, I dreamt I would become a…
hockey or football star.
6. I grew up in…
the great city of New Westminster where, at the time, everyone attended the same high school and I met some lifelong friends.
7. My favourite thing to do each day…
is to go for a walk with my wife of 43 years Brenda, and to be with my two boys Ryan and Tyler talking about family vacations on the Oregon Coast.
8. The best piece of advice…
would have to be my Mom telling me to “marry that girl!”
9. People would be surprised to learn that…
a lot of parents might not have wanted their kids to hang with me when I was young (but I guess they were wrong!).
10. I am really inspired by…
the resilience of young kids. With the work I do with Make-A-Wish, I’m constantly inspired by the positive way kids look at life despite its hardships. I just love to hear them say “I can do this.”
And lastly, a message from Dan:
I should mention that I never got to meet John Armeneau directly. But year after year, I’ve attended our AGMs and admired the past recipients who have received this prestigious award. So this recognition means a lot to me, because it’s given by your peers who are acknowledging your professionalism and your volunteering contributions, which I am greatly humbled and honoured by.
Thanks Dan, keep up the great work!