Member Central

2024 President-Elect Candidate

1 Position Available, 2-Year Term 

Tammy Dykema-Halloran
Office: Keller Williams Kalamazoo Market Center
Joined GKAR: April 2016
GKAR Committees: Advocacy 2020-2023; Advocacy Chair 2022; Advocacy Director Liaison 2021-2022; Board of Directors 2021-2023; Membership 2020; Professional Development 2018 
Personal Message:
Hello! I am honored and excited to be nominated for the role of GKAR President Elect!

Since 2018 I have been involved with GKAR. I take pride in the fact that I have been able to be an integral part of the growth and development of our association these last 5 years, 3 of those years serving as a Director on the Board.

In addition to my GKAR involvement, I serve as an RPAC Trustee for Michigan Realtors and am in my second year of a 3-year term. I am also a Major RPAC Donor at the Crystal R level.

Women’s Council of Realtors-Southwestern has also been a point of involvement. I have served in different capacities with this organization and have worked alongside some amazing women to get this new network up and running in the past few years.

I also currently serve as the President for the Gun Lake Business Association.

This isn’t just a job that I do, I am passionate about our profession. Connecting with people, advocating for change & raising the level of industry professionalism have always been top priorities. I want to be your partner; someone you can collaborate with and also work alongside.

I would be honored to be your representative and will do my best to listen to what matters to you. While I can’t promise we will always see things the same way, I promise to listen and take your feelings and thoughts into consideration while supporting the policies and procedures of this organization.

Personal noteables: I am a Wife (of a Portage Central teacher), a Mother of 4 (three adults and a Junior at Kalamazoo College) and, we are very proud to have two Kalamazoo Promise recipients in the mix; 1 lovely daughter in law, a Nana of 5 and a dog momma to 1 very large fur baby. I have been a full-time Realtor since 2016. I am a lover of water (we live on Gun Lake) - it is where I find my peace - this is where you will find me in my ‘down time’.

I would be honored to have your support. Thank you for your consideration.

2024-2026 Director-at-Large Candidates

3 Positions Available, 3-Year Term 

Charlie Bradford
Office: Chuck Jaqua, REALTOR^®
Joined GKAR: May 2014
NAR Certifications: At Home With Diversity; e-PRO^®
GKAR Committees: Advocacy 2017-2019, 2023; Advocacy Vice Chair 2018; Advocacy Chair 2019; Board of Directors 2021-2023; Community Relations 2017-2023; Community Relations Vice Chair 2020; Community Relations Chair 2021; Community Relations Director Liaison 2021-2022 
Personal Message:
I would be honored to serve another term on the GKAR Board of Directors. Over the past 3 years, I believe we have made great progress in making GKAR more effective in supporting you and your business. I would love to continue that work in another term. Over the last 9 years, I have been involved with GKAR - serving on various committees and taking leadership roles on the Advocacy Committee and the Community Relations Committee. I believe this experience can make me a more effective director. I am grateful for your support!

Lori Knoll Ambs
Office: Five Star Real Estate
Joined GKAR: January 2018
Personal Message:
I would like to thank the nominating committee for contacting me as a potential candidate for a Director At large position at GKAR.  My basic core values of how I live my life daily revolve around the power of a positive attitude, listening to and caring about others, and strong ambition.  Through these values, I will provide leadership to the community and look forward to growing within this board.

I have lived in the Greater Kalamazoo community my whole life. During this time, I became a WMU Alumni, have been happily married to my husband, Ken Ambs, for 31 years and raised two children. Our children Lexi Ambs Dundore and Max Ambs both attended Portage Public Schools and Kalamazoo College.  Lexi earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from WMU and is clinic director at Armor PT in Three Rivers. Max is currently in Veterinary School at MSU. Lexi also married Tyler Dundore one year ago and he has since joined me in real estate. We recently built a home with Lexi and Tyler that we proudly share with our two dogs and two grand-puppies.  

Throughout my family’s time in the Greater Kalamazoo area, we have been proud to support our local schools, our kids’ athletic endeavors, and take steps to shop locally and support this community.  Something that my family and I all pride ourselves on is being vested in this community and doing what we can to make it a better place for everyone living here.  

After working/traveling for close to 30 years in sales and management I took the opportunity to join the real estate profession to re-engage in the community that our family calls home.  I added this as a second profession, and I do it because I love it.  The real estate profession is about more than just financial gains, as no transaction is the same.  Our strong ethics, ability to listen and educate others, and patience all play a part in our success as realtors. I am fortunate to have been able to join the real estate profession and be a resource for families to grow in this community like my own has.

Thank you again for considering me for this position, and I look forward to being able to give back more to my fellow realtors in this new role.

To GKAR Members:  

I appreciate your consideration as I reach for this next opportunity to serve as Director for GKAR. I have been a licensed Realtor® for over 8 years and truly love the real estate business. I have a strong commitment and desire to be involved in the different functions, committees, and leadership processes of our great association. Over the years I have taken the incentive to attend the national & state NAR conventions in hopes of learning more about our industry and capturing the opportunity to network with other agents across the country. 

In addition to being a Realtor® I have an extensive background in business management that I feel will be a huge asset for this role. I held a 14-year Operations role for a growing product development company prior to stepping into the real estate world. During that period, I sat on the leadership team which oversaw all major changes and growth for not only our company but the companies that we served. I have assisted several other small businesses along the way with organization, accounting and implementation of new processes and procedures.  

I currently oversee all operations for Blue Line Remodeling, I am in my second year as a Women's Council or Realtors board member and enjoy serving on GKAR’S Advocacy committee. 

I strive to add value wherever I go, and I plan to grow with my fellow realtors for years to come! It would be an honor to serve GKAR as one of your Directors and I really appreciate your support.

Beyond my real estate career, I am deeply committed to giving back to the community that has supported me throughout my journey. I actively engage in community service initiatives, such as:

- Back to school funds for children in need
- Kalamazoo animal rescue donations & adoptions
- Restoring homes for families in need, Veterans, first responders, police & firefighters
- Operation Good Cheer- providing children in Michigan foster care a Christmas

Thank you for considering me as your new director at large for GKAR and I look forward to the betterment of our industry!

I have been a member of GKAR since 2002 and am fortunate to work alongside and learn from the expertise of my fellow REALTORS, who are some of the best in our industry. Since 2018, I have served on the Community Relations Committee, giving me first hand experience and true insight on how we, as GKAR members and our community, benefit from our association. This year, I am serving as chair of the CR Committee allowing me to strengthen relationships with my fellow members. We work hand in hand to better our community with some incredible programs such as Habitat for Humanity Builds, HRI’s Walk to End Homelessness and Day of Service for Veterans, just to name a few.

I would be honored to become part of the Board of Directors as this would present an excellent chance for me to deepen my engagement with GKAR, find new opportunities for advancement and foster growth. Having spent 21 years as a REALTOR and serving on the CR Committee for the past 6 years, I am excited to enhance my contributions with GKAR. As a Director, my objective is to utilize the extensive network I have cultivated over the years to offer our members the necessary tools to accomplish their personal and professional aspirations.

Currently, I am a member of the Portage Garden Club and have a passion for the arts. A past member of HAP (South Bend Hoosier Art Patron) and have served on the board of directors for the Vicksburg Cultural Arts Center. I am an animal enthusiast and in my spare time, I show and breed Australian Shepherds for conformation and performance. I am also active in the American Kennel Club, Australian Shepherd Club of America, The United Kennel Club and a founding member and on the Board of Directors with the Michiana Australian Shepherd Association. It would be an honor to represent all of you and contribute to the Board of Directors. Your support and vote is sincerely appreciated.

Steve Revor   
Office: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices MI
Joined GKAR: September 2011
NAR Certifications: Pricing Strategy Advisor
NAR Designations: ABR
GKAR Committees: Advocacy 2022-2023; Advocacy Chair 2023; Governmental Affairs 2016; Membership 2019-2021, 2023; Membership Chair 2020-2021; MLS 2016-2018; Professional Development 2020-2021 
Personal Message:
My approach to life is one built around a mindset of servanthood. Serving as a coach, a volunteer, and a ministry team leader I have served my community. Being a small business manager/owner, a REALTOR®, and a team leader in manufacturing department I have served customers and clients. As a father, husband, and a brother I have served my family. As a township government official, I serve a group of constituents in my community.  And as committee member and leader here at GKAR, I have served my/our Board.

I have had many experiences with dealing with a diverse group of individuals. I have been involved with financials decisions, policy decisions, decisions on how to foster a winning attitude and how to meet challenges. During these experiences I have listened and learned and became educated.  Not all decisions result in all parties being happy, but for the most part, the choices made are good for the WHOLE.

As your next Director at Large, I will listen, learn, and take advice. I will SERVE ALL that I represent.

I ask for your VOTE and support and ask that you allow me to SERVE you.

Madelyn Rome
Office: Jaqua, REALTORS^®
Joined GKAR: July 2020
Personal Message:
I am asking for your vote!

As a lifetime resident and active member of the Kalamazoo community, it would be my honor to serve on the GKAR Board of Directors. My mom has been a GKAR member since before I was born and I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with many of you through the years as her assistant and now as a fellow Realtor.  I plan to make this my lifelong career and will bring an energetic perspective on future board decisions. I currently serve on the Board of Directors for the nonprofit Forever Strong Foundation which was formed in response to the shooting & biking tragedies that took place in Kalamazoo in 2016. We organize and plan several community events, scholarships, & fundraisers each year that greatly benefit residents of Kalamazoo and surrounding counties.  My goal is to bring a fresh & dynamic point of view to the GKAR board and I promise to do the best job possible for all of us!

Rachel Simonds
Office: ERA Reardon Realty
Joined GKAR: October 2014
Personal Message:
After several years as a stay at home mom, raising three daughters and managing the demands of family life, I transitioned to a new career in real estate. In 2014, I received my license and hit the ground running. Serving my clients became my passion and my business has been growing steadily each year. I have been a Member of GKAR for 9 years and am grateful for the support that I have been given as I have continued to learn and grow as a REALTOR^Ⓡ. What GKAR does for its Members and the community sets it apart from any other association and I would be grateful for the opportunity to serve you as a Director-at-Large as we work together to support and maintain the integrity of the real estate industry. Giving back to the association that has done so much would be an honor. Thank you in advance for your vote! I am excited to partner with you!