Congratulations, Legends of the S.E.C.


After months of planning and homework, the Society’s Education Foundation has implemented the “Legends of the S.E.C.” program. This is an effort to recognize certain past, present and future Members who have truly left a legacy beyond the Society through ideas and innovation in our real estate industry. In this process, we will memorialize some of the significant history of the Society of Exchange Counselors and its unique status as a professional organization giving future real estate professionals the knowledge of the standard of excellence that these “Legends” represent.
At the Charlotte meeting the S.E.C. Education Foundation Board of Directors reviewed the recommendations of its Legend’s Committee, and information provided by the membership, and elected the inaugural group of “Legends.” It is with a great deal of pride and admiration that the following individuals are so designated as “Legends of the S.E.C.”
Richard Reno S.E.C.: The founder of the Society of Exchange Counselors. Mr. Reno embraced the philosophy that “real estate problems are not with the property, but with the people who own the property.” He taught real estate classes nationally to pass on his ideas and spread the concept that exchanging real estate equities was a path to innovative real estate solutions.
C. Charles Chatham S.E.C.: Mr. Chatham is known as “Mr. Counselor” to our industry. He created the original seminar entitled “The Art of Real Estate Counseling,” which educated over 17,000 students nationally in a 20-year period of instruction. The Chatham Method of Professional Client Representation left a legacy that will live on for the benefit of real estate practitioners and clients for many generations to come.
Don Eymann S.E.C.: Mr. Eymann was an early well-known educator and organizer of many of the first exchange groups. He was Co-Founder of Orange Coast Exchangors, and authored many writings on creative real estate concepts and values. Don is remembered as the developer of the “Mini-Offer” concept that he created in 1968 which is used throughout the U.S. in most marketing and exchange sessions.
William R. (Bill) Broadbent S.E.C.: Mr. Broadbent has been an innovator, educator, and writer throughout his real estate career. He pioneered the concept of “Single Agency,” which is now accepted nationwide. He was Co-Founder of the national professional directory, “Who’s Who in Creative Real Estate,” and Charter Inductee into the “Exchangors Hall of Fame.” Bill was the first Broker to hold both the S.E.C. (1962) and CCIM (charter member 1963) professional designations.
Robert W. “Bob” Steele S.E.C.: Mr. Steele has practiced real estate and taught creative real estate classes in many places in the world. He was Co-Founder of the Orange Coast Exchangors and inductee into the Exchangors Hall of Fame. Bob has authored numerous books and articles including the classic “100 Ways to Make Real Estate Deals without Using Cash.”
Colby B. Sandlian S.E.C.: Mr. Sandlian has developed a national reputation as a developer, educator, and originator of innovative formulas and ideas. Mr. Sandlian is specifically known for promoting the concepts of becoming one’s own best client by instructing the widely popular course, “Broker Estate Building.” Colby is the founding member of Self Service Storage Association (SSSA), a national trade organization establishing national standards of operation and management training. He has received many significant awards including a lifetime achievement award from Wichita State University for his contributions to the real estate industry.
Madge Irene Davis S.E.C.: Ms. Davis is described by her peers as “the best listener of the listeners” and the “first lady” of the Society. She selflessly promoted the Society concepts of marketing sessions and led the way for women to become active in creative real estate in a previously male dominated business. The national success of marketing sessions and the reputation of the Society would not be what it is today without Madge, who was the most active organizer and mentor nurturing the early ideas and methods to successful implementation.
Please join the Education Foundation in congratulating these individuals and their families for this distinctive honor. The Society will invite the individuals or their family representatives to a formal presentation at the Society’s Las Vegas meeting in January 2008.
It has been a pleasure for me to serve as the Education Foundation President for 2007.