Instructors
Meet our qualified staff of instructors:
John Buttery
John Buttery's goal in every real estate transaction is quality client representation. John has over 28 years experience in the profession and has continued his professional growth, earning the GRI and RAM (Real Estate Alumnus of Michigan) designations, and multiple awards for Educational Achievement from the Greater Kalamazoo Association of REALTORS®.
John's involvement with the Greater Kalamazoo Board of REALTORS® includes having served as Director of the Board and as a Chairperson of the Risk Management Committee. He has gained further experience and understanding of real estate from spending 17 years in Sales Management.
John, a lifelong resident of Kalamazoo, is active in the community. He has served as a Board member for the Kalamazoo Youth Ministry, Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity and the Board of the Kalamazoo Christian School Association. Family time is important to John and wife Jane, along with their sons Jeff and Mark. They spend time skiing, playing golf and traveling together.
Guiding buyers and sellers through the successful purchase or sale of a home gives John immense satisfaction. He is committed to excellence and practices clear, consistent communication with each and every client.
Lee Crossley
Lee Crossley looks for opportunities to learn about, apply personally and teach to others, the business of selling real estate. With 10 years experience in real estate sales along with more than six years in sales management, he has found many of these opportunities to help agents.
As an Associate Broker and an instructor, Lee continues to enjoy preparing individuals for becoming licensed sales associates. Additionally, Lee is a Certified Career Development Specialist for Prudential Preferred REALTORS® and uses acquired knowledge and skills to prepare agents for a successful sales career. His wife Sherry and son Adrian are constant supporters.
Dan Jaqua
Dan comes from a well-known real estate family in the Kalamazoo area. Educated at the University of Michigan, Dan has also achieved designations for GRI, CRS, ABR, RAM, CRP and CRB. He is also a licensed residential builder and recipient of numerous individual educational achievement awards through GKAR.
Dan is the President of Chuck Jaqua Realtor, Inc. and concentrates on listings and sales in addition to serving as the training coordinator and director of finances and computer technology for Jaqua. He has an extensive background in corporate relocation and third-party relocation.
Dan is committed to his community and is involved in a variety of organizations including Portage Rotary Club, United Way, Home Builders Association and the American Heart Association.
According to Dan, "Being a part of a family owned business, I understand the importance of commitment to excellence in service through trust, knowledge and clear communication. I take pride in the reputation my father has worked so hard to build, but more importantly, I take the extra effort to strengthen it."
Woody King
Woody's real estate career began in February 1973. He has been a salesperson, associate broker, sales manager, broker/owner, general manager, Vice-president for Development, Business Quality Manager, Marketing Director and is currently the senior Associate Broker for one of the largest real estate brokerage firms in Michigan.
Woody served as the President-Elect of GKAR, President of GKAR, MAR (Michigan Association of REALTORS®) District Director, MAR Treasurer, MAR President-Elect, MAR President, the Executive Vice President of the Macomb County Association of REALTORS® (1993 - 1996), and a NAR Director.
Woody has been an instructor for GKAR since the middle 1980's, developed the current outline for MREA's pre-license course, has taught continuing education for more than 15 years and has been a freelance national sales trainer and motivational speaker. He is considered to be an expert on agency in real estate and has authored several articles and publications on agency in real estate in Michigan.
Marcia Miller
In her over 10 years of experience in the real estate field, Marcia Miller has served as an award-winning home sales expert in addition to an extensive history with urban and community development projects.
Marcia has achieve the following designations: ABR-Accredited Buyer Representative Designation, GRI-Graduate Realtor Institute, CRS-Certified Residential Specialist ,SRES-Seniors Real Estate Specialist.
Marcia has worked as an Associate Broker at RE/MAX Advantage concentrating in residential sales since 1995. She also has experience as a director of urban development and a deputy director/comptroller of a multi-million dollar community development commission.
In her free time, Marcia is a Kalamazoo City Planning Commissioner, and is involved with the Board of Directors of Gulf Coast VA Federal Credit Union, training at Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and the "Christmas in April" housing repair program.
Al Rowe
Al Rowe has been working in real estate since he was first licensed in Illinois in 1972. Al is a Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Advantage with offices in Portage and Kalamazoo.
Al has achieved the following designations and awards: ABR, CRB, CRP, CRS, GRI, e-Pro 500, 1988 RE/MAX Broker/Owner of the Year and RE/MAX Distinguished Service Award in1989
Al has been very involved with the Greater Kalamazoo Association of REALTORS®, serving as President in 1995 & 2003, Director from 1990 - 1996 and 2001 - 2003 and was named REALTOR® of the Year in 1998.
Al is married to fellow real estate guru Cindy and is father to Christie and Natalie and grandfather to Alivia and Marius.
Marty Wagar
Martin J. Wagar, IFA-S is the owner of Wagar & Associates Inc., an appraisal company located in Kalamazoo and active throughout Southwest Michigan. The business is engaged full time in real estate appraising and consulting for a variety of reasons including: litigation, tax appeals, estate planning, employee relocation and both primary and sub-prime mortgage applications.
Mr. Wagar is a Certified Residential Licensed Appraiser in the State of Michigan and a Certified Residential Licensed Appraiser in the State of Florida. Mr. Wagar holds a Senior Designation (IFA-S) through the National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers and has been engaged in an active appraisal practice in the State of Michigan for over 30 years.
Business affiliations include active membership to the Greater Kalamazoo Association of Realtors since 1972. Elected to the Board of Directors in 1992, served through 1997 and elected 2004 President and currently serving as director. Mr. Wagar continues to be active in the Association including committee involvement in Computer Technology/MLS and Fair Housing.
Mr. Wagar is currently a State approved instructor through the Michigan Real Estate Academy for both the Real Estate Appraisal and Real Estate Sales pre-licensing classes.
