NKY native Steve Stevens, leaving the Kentucky Realtors Association after six years, is ready for the next step

A tireless advocate for real estate professionals and increasing home ownership for Kentuckians is leaving the state’s leading industry group after nearly 6 years.

A native of northern Kentucky, Steve Stevens, Executive Director of Kentucky REALTORS® (Association), will be leaving the organization in January.

Stevens spent more than two decades as a senior executive at chambers of commerce and economic development organizations in Kentucky and Spokane, Wash., Before returning to Kentucky to lead the association of State of REALTORS®.

“I have truly enjoyed the opportunity to serve the State REALTOR® Association with so many wonderful leaders, volunteers and staff,” said Stevens. “This work has been very rewarding for me. Working on behalf of such a strong industrial sector has given me a tremendous sense of pride. However, I think it is time for me to move on to my next professional opportunity.

Stevens is a triathlete and marathoner and has completed a dozen marathons.

“For most distance runners, the moment of truth is usually around the 20 mile mark when we think of one of two things: ‘I have the courage to finish this run’ or ‘What? I thought? ‘”he said. noted. “I realize that now is the time to take my second breath and pursue other professional endeavors that I have considered so that I can look back and smile when I cross the finish line at the end of my life. professional. “

KYR Past President Charles Hinckley, broker at Network Realty in Elizabethtown, says Stevens is one of the main reasons the association has been so successful in recent years.

“His professionalism and attention to improving our people and processes has taken us to a whole new level,” he said. “Steve is a leader who cares deeply about the success of REALTORS® and our improvement at all levels. He is also a devoted husband and father, and a good friend to so many people in the business community, ”he added. “Although I am sad to see him leave the state association, I am enthusiastic for him personally and professionally and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

The Kentucky REALTORS®, which marks its centennial in 2022, will conduct a nationwide search for Stevens’ successor.

Here are some of the major accomplishments of the association during Stevens’ tenure:

• Win your very first National Association of REALTORS® Presidents Cup Presidents Cup – awarded to less than 20 states each year for achieving advocacy and political action goals. In 2021, the association won its fifth consecutive Presidents Cup.

• Obtain legislative victories this included shaping the reorganization of the Kentucky Real Estate Commission and defending the real estate industry against taxes on real estate services.

• Creation of a multi-product health insurance program for the nearly 13,000 members of KYR

• Offer extended continuing education opportunities for real estate professionals offered by the REALTOR® institute of KYR.

• Carrying out of a complete demographic study of the 13,000 KYR members in the real estate sector to support the creation of the association’s first diversity, equity and inclusion program.

• Ensure an unprecedented $ 1.5 million in disaster relief grants for Kentuckians affected by the December 2021 tornado outbreak.

Stevens, a graduate of the University of Kentucky, began his career with the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce in 1991, when he was hired to develop a small business division and worked in government affairs for the State Chamber. . He joined the Northern Kentucky Chamber in 1994 to manage government affairs and served as the House’s legislative agent in Frankfort before becoming the chief executive of the organization where he served for an additional eight years.

After 20 years at the Northern Kentucky Chamber, he became CEO of Greater Spokane Incorporated, a combined chamber and economic development company in eastern Washington.

Stevens says that he and his wife, Marilyn, live in Georgetown and are essentially “empty nesters”. Their son, Stewart, lives in Lexington and is a business appraiser, and their youngest son, Logan, works for a large GIS software company in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“Kentucky is our home and where I have deep roots, strong friendships and a genuine appreciation for the quality of life that few Americans are lucky enough to experience,” he said. “It’s impossible to replace. I enjoyed my time at the REALTORS® association.