Foremost Realty Announces Staff Change

By VERNON ROBISON

The Progress

The entire staff at Foremost Realty and many of their family members gathered for a luncheon on Friday, July 22 at the Old Logandale School to celebrate an important passing of the torch.

It was a fond farewell to long-time office assistant Alisha Cooper, who is leaving the agency after nearly 20 years at the front desk. Cooper is taking a new job at Moapa Valley High School. Friday was her last day at the company.

But the office luncheon event was also a ‘get-to-know-you’ for Margaret Vodine who will be taking Cooper’s place on the Foremost team.

Foremost broker Janet Marshall expressed deep appreciation for Cooper’s many years of hard work for the business.
“Alisha came on board in June of 2003,” said Foremost broker Janet Marshall. “We haven’t let her go since. Now we will let her go, but it is not easy.”

Cooper reflected that she had worked with a total of 21 different real estate agents over the 19 years at the agency.
“Thanks to all of you for taking me into your families,” Cooper said. “I feel like we have all become family here.”

Margaret Vodine, who takes Cooper’s place, has lived in the Moapa Valley for about a year now. However, she was somewhat familiar with the community before that. Her mother, Betty Nickels lived in the valley for many years as a retiree. Nickels was a contributor to The Progress for a time.

Before moving here, Vodine lived in Phoenix for five years working as a restaurant manager. Prior to that she lived in her native California where she also worked in restaurants.

Vodine admitted that this is the first time she has worked in the real estate industry.
“I had no real estate experience at all before about three weeks ago when I was hired at Foremost,” Vodine said. “But I know I can learn. I have already learned a lot. The people here at Foremost have been great. They have taken me in like family.”

Marshall said that Vodine will be a good addition to the Foremost team.
“We are excited to have her,” she said. “She will do great! She is already picked it up and is running with it. She will be a valuable asset to our office and to the people we serve.”
Also during the luncheon, the Foremost brokers and agents began informally tabulating the years of real estate experience represented in the Foremost team.

Broker Doug Barlow was the most senior with 50 years as a real estate agent. Tracey Thornton was next with 36 years. Marshall had 30 years experience. Also in attendance were Trisha Cooper, who has been in real estate for 8 years, and Joshlyn Wheeler who has 4 years of experience.

“That is a lot of years and a lot of experience in one room,” Marshall said. “Real estate brings all kinds of stuff and I think that we have probably done and seen it all.”