After serving as the elected president of the Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS® (MAAR) in 1997, Mark was hired as the Chief Executive Officer of MAAR, a position he has held since 1998. As the executive officer, it is his duty to direct the many programs and services of MAAR, including MLS services, information services, public and regulatory affairs, industry research, professional development programs, communications, and broker relations.

From 1986–1998, prior to his employment at MAAR, Mark was a partner at Counselor Realty, Inc., where he served on their executive council. Mark began his licensed real estate career as an agent and relocation services director at ERA – M.B. Hagen Realty in 1982. Before becoming licensed, Mark worked in other facets of the real estate industry, including construction and property management.

A graduate of St. Cloud State University, Mark earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1982. He has also earned the CRS designation (Certified Residential Specialist) from the National Association of REALTORS® and the Duke University Certificate for Nonprofit Management.

Bill Gerst is responsible for the local and regional governmental affairs program of the Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS®.      

On behalf of the association, he coordinates strategic relationships with business and community organizations and works closely with equal opportunity and cultural diversity issues.

Prior to serving in this position, Bill was responsible for the association's ethics and arbitration program, directed the education program and was in charge of day-to-day operational programs.

Bill earned his undergraduate (history) and graduate (education) degrees from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. He holds the RCE designation (REALTOR®  Certified Executive) from the National Association of REALTORS® and the CAE designation (Certified Association Executive) from the American Society of Association Executives.

Kevin Knudsen is a Minneapolis native who began his real estate career in 1979. He has managed the Lake Nokomis Office of Coldwell Banker Burnet for the last 12 years and has been a member of Coldwell Banker Burnet President's Council for the last seven years. He has volunteered time in Coldwell Banker Burnet's "Trees for Toys" program and for Habitat for Humanity, and he has served on MAAR's Governmental Affairs committee, among others.

Deb Greene started her Minnesota real estate career in 1986 with Real Estate Plus and is currently affiliated with Coldwell Banker Burnet in Plymouth. In addition to several earned designations, Deb has received the MAAR Certificate of Recognition for community service.

Deb was the 1999 President of the Minnesota CRS Chapter and has served on many local and national CRS committees. She is a member of the Women’s Council of REALTORS®, and has served on several committees within MNAR, MAAR and RMLS.