A lifelong resident of Dutchess County, I have been a dedicated real estate professional for nearly 25 years.  I started my career at R. Ferris Real Estate in LaGrange where I worked as an agent for 8 years closing more than 100 sales during one of the most difficult markets in history.

In 1995 I moved to Weichert, Realtors in LaGrange.  At Weichert my career flourished as I became one of Weichert's top 3 agents and a frequent sales award winner.  In 1997 I was promoted to manager of the Fishkill office were I was twice named Manager of the Year.

In 2001 I left Weichert to open my own company, Realty Executives - Williams-Sykes Realty (Sykes being the maiden name of my wife of 27 years, Beverly).  Starting as a one-person company and building on my reputation as one who brings out the best in people, I began to attract top quality agents as I continued to excel as a listing and selling agent.

Rapidly Realty Executives - Williams-Sykes Realty grew.  I never wanted an office full of agents (most of whom don't sell more than 2 houses a year) but instead I wanted an office where top agents could work to grow their business and serve their clients.  My goal was for our company to rank #1 in our marketplace in Closed Sales/Agent.  In 2006 we earned that distinction for the first time and have repeated as #1 every year since.  Also, in 2009 and 2010, despite having just 17 agents, our company ranked #4 in terms of total sales of Dutchess County homes.  Interestingly, the three companies ahead of us average more than 130 agents each in their companies.

I believe that nothing can replace experience.  Today's real estate transactions are so complicated and so fraught with danger and pitfalls that to trust your real estate needs to just anyone - instead of a professional with a proven track record - is an unnecessary gamble.

Over the course of my career I have participated in more than 3,000 sales as either an agent, broker, or manager.  There is virtually no situation that could come up and threaten your deal that I have not personally handled many times before.

But it is not just my real estate career experience that benefits my clients.  Real estate is a people business first and my personal life is full of experiences that show a history of accomplishment, leadership, and successful interraction with others.

I graduated from Roy C. Ketcham High School in 1976.  At RCK I was a member of the National Honor Society and track/cross country star.  I was named co-captain of both the track and cross country teams my senior year.  In 2009, I was inducted into the WCSD Thomas Macrini Sports Hall of Fame.

I spent my first two years of college at Albany State where, as an 18 year-old sophomore,  I was elected by my teammates as co-captain of the varsity cross country team.  I transferred to Binghamton before my junior year and again was elected co-captain by my teammates. 

In 1980 I graduated from Binghamton with a BS in Business Management.

My running career continued into the 1990's and for three years I was president of the Mid-Hudson Road Runners Club.  I also directed the summer track series and founded the very popular 'Ring in the New Year 5-Mile' road race.

Throughout the 1990's I was also a freelance writer for, among others, the Poughkeepsie Journal and I have had more than 300 articles published.

From 2003-2006 I served as a Director for the Dutchess County Association of Realtors.  From 1997 to the present I have taught real estate licensing courses to more than 1,000 students.

Presently I am an Elder at the Hopewell Reformed Church.

Interwoven through, but certainly not secondary to, all these experiences are my wife of 27 years and four children (aged 25, 22, 17, and 8).  While I am proud of my business and many other accomplishments, it is time with my family I cherish most and my family I am most proud of.

Dealing with thousands of people in many hundreds of negotiations over the years has taught me much.  It is experience I can put to work for you!