Grand Rapids lost a real estate icon on Nov. 5. Stanley Wisinski, III passed away at the age of 80. Stan had been a Realtor in West Michigan for the past 59 years and was still active in the business until recently becoming ill.
Stan left his mark on the local commercial real estate and business community. He will long be remembered for his tireless work ethic, always putting the client first, his willingness to help others and a desire to see those around him succeed.
Over the span of his career, Stan closed more than $2 billion in real estate transactions. He operated on the philosophy that no matter how big or how small the transaction, all clients deserve the same degree of professionalism and expertise. As a result, much of his business came from loyal clients with whom he had established long-standing relationships.
“By always making sure he helped a client solve a problem, Stan Wisinski set the gold standard for commercial real estate in West Michigan. His engagement went beyond commercial real estate and he took great pride in being a part of the growing west Michigan region. He will be greatly missed,“ said Birgit Klohs, chief executive officer of The Right Place.
After beginning his real estate career with Westdale in 1961, Stan started his own company in 1986, SJ Wisinski & Co. In 2011, Stan merged his company with another local company to form NAI Wisinski of West Michigan. At NAI Wisinski, Stan was a Partner and the Designated Broker.
Stan earned the prestigious designations of SIOR (Society of Industrial and Office Realtors) and CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member), designations that less than 3% of all Commercial Realtors have earned. Stan was the first person in the State of Michigan with both designations. Stan was recognized several times as Realtor of the Year through the Commercial Alliance of Realtors (CAR), Michigan Realtors, and CCIM. He was honored with the CAR Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017. Stan also is a previous winner of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
Stan was active in the local community. He was the 2020 City of Grand Rapids Brownfield Redevelopment Chairman and the 2020 Economic Development Corporation – City of Grand Rapids Chairman. He previously served as the President of Cascade Hills Country Club, Director and Executive Board Member of The Right Place, Director of the Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation, and was a part of the West Michigan Regional Planning Committee.
For more than 25 years, Stan had the privilege of working alongside his daughter, Mary Anne Wisinski-Rosely. They teamed on many transactions over the years. Stan had tremendous pride in working with Mary Anne and seeing her flourish in the industry he loved.
Stan was also responsible for hiring and grooming many individuals who are still in the commercial real estate industry today. Stan had an unwavering desire to assist others, always maintaining an open-door policy. He willingly shared his wisdom and offered advice to others, but did so with great humility. Stan was a leader by example, which motivated others to always do their best.
Stan loved his family, deeply cared about his co-workers and clients, and proudly served this community, where his impact has been felt for decades.
“Stan Wisinski was instrumental in creating the cooperative, collaborative culture that commercial real estate practitioners in West Michigan appreciate. His attention and dedication to his clients has been learned and replicated by many in our community, and the high standards that he set for himself and those around him will leave a lasting legacy,” said Shari Veldman, Executive Director of Commercial Alliance of Realtors.
