In her words: Cherie Williams, realty group executive

Northern Nevada Business Weekly: Tell us about the Reno/Sparks Association of Realtors and your position.

Cherie Williams: I am the chief executive officer of the Reno/Sparks Association of Realtors, an organization of 1,900 real estate professionals who join the association to receive value and benefits in the form of continuing education, adherence to the Realtor code of ethics, industry trends and statistics, and political advocacy to protect private property rights. I have a team of seven terrific employees who work hard delivering benefits to the Realtor membership.

NNBW: How did you get into this profession?

Williams: I've been in the real estate industry since the '70s. I don't think I picked it, it picked me when I worked as an executive secretary for Howard Homes. From there I worked for a real estate office and obtained my real estate license. In the '80s when interest rates were at 14 percent, a position became available at the Reno Board of Realtors, and it launched my career into association management. Working with and for Realtors runs through my veins.

NNBW: What's the most important thing you have learned in your career?

Williams: The time might not be right for an idea. I've seen many ideas run up the flagpole, only to be sunsetted as a "failure," but then re-hoisted at a more opportune time and it was a resounding success. It's sometimes a matter of timing rather than a bad idea.

NNBW: As the bottom fell out of the real estate market, have you ever regretted the career decision?

Williams: I have no regrets. Today I have the privilege of working with the real estate professionals who have survived one of the toughest real estate markets in history. These Realtors are the survivors who are in the profession for the right reason to help people make the dream of homeowership a reality.

NNBW: What was your first job?

Williams: My first real job was a summer job for Mission Linen Supply, pulling sheets and table cloths out of bins after they had been tied in knots by the commercial washing machine. It had to have been 100 degrees in there, and I knew I didn't want to do it for more than a summer.

NNBW: Tell us about your dream job. Why aren't you working it?

Williams: My dream job would be running a sailboat charter business in some warm tropical location like Belize. I may not be working towards doing it, but it's still a dream for someday.

NNBW: What are your favorite hobbies or pastimes? How do you spend your time away from work?

Williams: I love to sail, read and walk my dogs. All of the above as much as time allows.

NNBW: If you could live your life over again, what one thing would you change?

Williams: I feel like I am very blessed and wouldn't change a thing well, maybe if I had a magic wand I would eliminate the real estate bubble and the chaos leading up to and following it.

NNBW: What's the last concert or event you attended?

Williams: I recently stumbled into tickets with friends to an on-stage performance of Mary Poppins.

NNBW: Why do you choose to work and live in northern Nevada?

Williams: I'm a native Nevadan and have left Reno a few times, but my family, friends and the people in general are the reasons I always find myself back here. I travel the U.S. in my position with RSAR, and when I tell people I'm from Reno they never fail to say what a great place it is. The grass may be greener on the other side, but there is no place like Reno.

The basics:

Name: Cherie Williams, chief executive officer of the Reno/Sparks Association of Realtors

Number of years in this job? 10

Number of years in this profession? 30

Education: Graduated from Sparks High School, attended Link's School of Business in Boise Idaho. Continued my education at Truckee Meadows Community College and the University of Nevada. I also have earned the Realtors Certified Executive and the Certified Association Executive through the American Society of Association Executives

Last book read? I really enjoy some authors and recently found time to read one of the older books by John Grisham, "The Testament."

Favorite movie? I can never channel surf past the "Shawshank Redemption" or "Pretty Woman."

What's on your iPod? Everything from Kenny Chesney to Maroon Five and Lady GaGa to soothing sounds of the ocean for nights I can't sleep

Spouse, kids or pets? Married to Rod Williams going on 40 years. We have a terrific son, David (age 34). We also have two dogs, OB and Morgan, whom my son insists are treated better than he was as a kid.