Bowe joins the list of elite few as chair of the WRA

Mary Jo Bowe (bottom left) sits beside the rest of the executive board of the Wisconsin Realtor Association, after being inducted as the chairman of the association. The Cadott native is just the 10th woman to serve in that position. Submitted Photo

By Ginna Young

Mary Jo Bowe has long been the face of Edina Realty, having served her hometown of Cadott and the surrounding areas, since 2005. Through that experience, Bowe has advanced her career to the point that she was appointed chairman of the Wisconsin Realtors Association (WREA), in October, just the 10th woman in the history of the organization to serve in that capacity.

Bowe grew up in Cadott, graduated high school there, then moved away for a few years, before retuning to her roots. Prior to her real estate venture, Bowe worked for the state, at UW-Eau Claire, but when a family member began selling houses, Bowe decided that was the right path for her, as well.

She then formed a team and opened an office in Chippewa. Edina took notice of Bowe, asking her to interview for a manager position with their company. Although Bowe at first turned down the offer, Ednia refused to give up and Bowe agreed to an interview, accepting the job.

In her 19 years of real estate, Bowe has been on a board of directors for most of the time, including the Realtors Association of Northwestern Wisconsin, which she’s served on for 10 years.

As part of the WRA, which she’s been on for seven years, Bowe was asked to consider getting in the running for the chair of the executive team, but Bowe wasn’t entirely sure that was something she wanted to tackle.

“It is a very time-consuming and very weighted position,” said Bowe.

However, past chairs called her, as well as staff at the WRA, asking her to reconsider. Finally, Bowe accepted the invitation to be in the running for chair.

The volunteer position is more than just calling a meeting to order, it’s a very prestigious honor, filled with important tasks, such as sitting with the governor and attorney general. To continue that work, Bowe and other realtors will head to the state capitol, in February, to discuss real estate and housing needs in the area, with local representatives.

“At the state level, a lot more of our time is spent talking with assemblymen, legislators, about what’s going on in our real estate industry,” said Bowe.

That could consist of zoning laws and Airbnb infrastructure, while taking into account 17 smaller real estate boards, spread out over Wisconsin.

“We are trying to – with the state – really get more of a voice out to these small associations and the real estate people that are dealing with these housing issues,” said Bowe. “Our clients are suffering, because of the lack of housing.”

To help with that, the WRA has partnered with county boards and the Homebuilders Association. They’re also there to provide counsel to not just homeowners, but also local boards, about what is legal and what isn’t, such as trying to change the way taxes are structured.

“I, along with my agents, just really have a much greater pulse on the industry,” said Bowe, “because then, I get to sit in front of state economists, that are telling me what predictions are for next year.”

Bowe’s chair position might be volunteer, but she still is the manager for multiple Edina offices in northwest Wisconsin, with a lot of travel time around the state. Despite the many hours dedicated to her career, Bowe is part of working on solutions to better the lives of homeowners, home sellers and home buyers, in communities across Wisconsin.

“It’s really an eye-opening experience,” she said.