National Association of REALTORS® CEO Bob Goldberg and NAR’s leadership team and staff join in mourning after the passing of NAR’s 2023 Vice President of Association Affairs, Margo Wheeler. A REALTOR® from Tacoma, Wash., Wheeler was a veteran of the United States Army and served as president of the Washington REALTORS® in 2017.
Margo E. Wheeler (ABR®, CRS, GRN, PMN, SRES®, AHWD, C2EX, MRP), a REALTOR® from Tacoma, Wash., was 2023 Vice President of Association Affairs for the National Association of REALTORS®. She was a managing broker with John L. Scott Real Estate -- University Place, specializing in working with military homebuyers, first-time buyers, and families in transition because of divorce or loss.
A natural leader, Margo served in the military, was a drill sergeant, and retired as a United States Army First Sergeant before beginning her more than 29-year career in residential real estate. Accustomed to moving frequently in the Army—10 times in 20 years—she was committed to helping buyers and sellers move with as little stress as possible.
She believed that as a leader, “It’s more important to ask questions that will move us forward than to have all the answers.”
Margo brought her philosophy to numerous roles within the REALTOR® organization, including as a Director on NAR’s 2021 and 2022 Board; as a multiyear member of the Leadership Academy Advisory Group; and on the RPAC Trustees Fundraising Committee in 2020 and 2021. She also served as President of the National Women’s Council of REALTORS® in 2011.
With her background as a diversity issues trainer, she served on the Housing Opportunity Committee between 2015 and 2017; on the Diversity Committee in 2014 and in 2015, the latter year as Committee Liaison; on the Fair Housing Discriminatory Effects Committee in 2013; and on the Equal Opportunity-Cultural Diversity Committee between 2000 and 2003.
At the state level, Margo served as Washington REALTORS® President in 2017, and chaired the Strategic Planning Committee in 2013 and 2016. She has also served as a state Director, and on numerous committees, including Finance, Diversity, Government Affairs-Legislative Steering, and RPAC.
As a Washington State licensed instructor, she taught real estate courses, including NAR's At Home with Diversity (AHWD) and Military Relocation Professional certifications. She was also a Washington State Housing Finance Commission instructor, providing first-time homebuyer education classes. Margo was an expert in government mortgage programs, especially FHA and VA.
At the local level, Margo served as Tacoma-Pierce County Association of REALTORS® President, and on numerous committees ranging from Education to Member Services.
Margo was also a leader in her community. She was an active volunteer with Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program in Tacoma, and the Tacoma Rescue Mission. And she has served on the board of the Helping Hand House, a nonprofit that provides emergency shelter and housing solutions to homeless families.