Windermere Real Estate announced the change in ownership of the five Windermere/Glenn Taylor Real Estate offices in the Gorge.
The offices were purchased by longtime Windermere brokers, with Kim Salvesen purchasing the Hood River office, Dennis Morgan purchasing The Dalles office; and Carl McNew purchasing the company's offices in Bingen, Goldendale and Stevenson.
"I am happy to turn over the company to Kim, Dennis and Carl. They are all local people who have been involved in the company and community for many years," said Glenn Taylor, who opened his first real estate office in 1973 in Hood River. "I am confident that they will carry on the traditions of offering first-class service to the public and providing unparalleled support for the agents who work in these offices. I'm also excited to watch them take it to the next level."
McNew, the owner of the Bingen, Goldendale and Stevenson offices, has been a real estate broker in the Gorge since 1990. He is licensed in both Oregon and Washington.
In 2005, McNew was voted the Realtor of the Year for Mid Columbia Association of Realtors (MCAR). Currently, he serves on the board of the White Salmon/Bingen Rotary, the Mt. Adams Chamber of Commerce, and MCAR.
Recently, McNew was appointed to the Columbia Gorge Commission and will serve as a commissioner through 2009.
"As a manager for Windermere/Glenn Taylor Real Estate for the last 10 years, I have grown to admire and appreciate both our company here in the Gorge and Windermere in general," said McNew. "It is truly an honor to be in this position and I have to thank Glenn for making this possible. I am inheriting a great group of agents in the three offices that I am purchasing, many of whom have been with me for my entire 10 years as a manager."
Salvesen has been the principal broker for the company's office in Hood River since 2005.
Morgan has been in real estate for the past 10 years and with Windermere for seven years.
Taylor, who plans to assist the new owners during the transition period, says he will remain active in the community and may also get involved in some real estate development projects. But first, he plans to take some much-needed time off.
"I have a Harley that doesn't have enough miles on it yet," he jokes, and adds that he and his wife recently bought a motor home, giving him the opportunity to take a road trip to visit family members and explore new places throughout the states.
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