The Chicago Association of REALTORS (CAR) announced this week the hiring of Zack Wahlquist, M.S., CAE, as its new executive vice president, following a nationwide search. Wahlquist will begin his role on December 2, 2019.
The executive vice president role will have responsibility for the centralized delivery of the CAR’s operations, including performance management, implementation of the strategic plan and supervising several members of the executive management team while providing oversight to various departments.
“We are thrilled to welcome Zack to our team,” Michelle Mills Clement, chief executive officer of the Chicago Association of REALTORS, said. “We conducted a thorough search and extensive interview process, involving our volunteer leadership team, management team and staff, in order to find the best fit for the role. I’m confident Zack will be an asset to our association and instrumental in executing our ambitious new strategic plan.”
Wahlquist’s most recent association management experience includes a dual role as executive director for the Network for Change and Continuous Improvement (NCCI) and director of education for the Association of College Unions International (ACUI). His recent experience afforded him the opportunity to work with the board on strategic direction and financial management of the association. Throughout his association management experience, he has learned the importance of professional development opportunities and events and the value of face-to-face interaction with members.
“I always look for positions that embody what I’m passionate about, and I’m excited to work with staff and volunteer leaders to successfully execute the strategic plan and improve Chicagoland communities through business and economic development,” Wahlquist said. “It was evident throughout the interview process that the volunteer leadership and staff are very committed and engaged. I’m looking forward to stepping into a high-functioning team to take CAR to the next level.”
Wahlquist holds a bachelor of arts in political science from the University of Utah, as well as a master of science in higher education and student affairs from Indiana University. He’s an active member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and holds the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation conferred by the association. Wahlquist is also a scholar in ASAE’s Diversity Executive Leadership Program (DELP), an initiative that supports individuals from under-represented identity groups to advance into the ranks of leadership in the association management profession.
