Tracy Johnson: President & CEO of CARW

What do you do? President & CEO, CARW (Commercial Association of REALTORS® Wisconsin)

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If you could share a meal with any 4 individuals, living or dead, who would they be? Jimmy Fallon, Huey Lewis, Elon Musk, Jack Welch

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What was your first job? Waitress at Jimmy’s Family Restaurant

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Favorite Hoan/Nolen event? One of the first events at Andy Nunemaker’s house

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Song you'd sing at Karaoke? Workin’ For a Livin’
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Favorite/least favorite part of your job? FAVORITE – working with entrepreneurial-minded professionals LEAST FAVORITE – changing the printer toner

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Book/podcast you’re listening to right now? GRIT – Angela Duckworth

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Biggest pet peeve?  Slackers  

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What skill would you like to master? Spinning a pen around my thumb

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What’s the best way to start the day? Running 4 miles

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What are some things you’ve had to unlearn? Feeling the need to have a response for everything – sometimes I just have to listen

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What is the most annoying question that people ask you? Did you play basketball?  (even though I’m 5’10” athletics were not my strong suit)

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Tell me where you would like to see the city in five years (as far as policies or culture, etc)? connected, appreciative, bold and innovative

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What drew you to join Hoan?  Curiosity about connecting with individuals I would not normally have the opportunity to work with in my normal course of business.

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What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation? I give a good pep talk

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What do you wish your brain was better at doing?  Adjusting to different time zones when I travel

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What are your hobbies, and how did you get into them? Violin – my mom played violin and my dad played piano - we were raised appreciating classical music – it was going to happen; running - I’m not athletic so it was the most accessible form of exercise

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What’s the best and worst piece of advice you’ve ever received? BEST – do the hardest thing first; WORST – when biking – grab the handlebars with the opposite hands – yes – I went into the ditch

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What was the last show you binge-watched? Dead to Me

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What originally got you interested in your current field of work? I was inspired by a friend who sold ‘association management’ as a rewarding, challenging career.  I worked for him for 5 years then found my own opportunity to lead an organization

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What career advice would you give to your younger self? Hard work pays off – It’s OK to let them see you sweat

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If you could do it all over again, would you pursue the same career? Why or why not?

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What do you regret not doing in the last year? Recognizing a friend in need

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How are you handling COVID/how has it affected you? – It has been a roller coaster for all of us.  I look at every disruption as an opportunity to innovate and recreate.  In some ways it has made me fall in love with my work again and gave me a new sense of purpose.

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What was the first thing you wanted to be when you grew up? Meteorologist

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Favorite spot in Milwaukee The intersection of Water Street and Wisconsin Avenue

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When will you know you've "made it"?  I’m never satisfied

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What's your favorite board/card game? Scrabble

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