DOUGLAS SKARIN, M.S.

16008 Nottingham Drive ~ Omaha, NE 68118

(402) 319-6060 ~ ds57a85c@westpost.net
PUBLIC RELATIONS * STRATEGIC PLANNING * BRANDING / ADVERTISING * NEGOTIATIONS *
PROACTIVE LEADERSHIP
PERSONNEL TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT * TEAM BUILDING * CLIENT RELATIONS * BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT
MARKET TREND ANALYSIS * RECRUITING AND HIRING (HR) * MENTORING, COACHING, AND MO
TIVATION
QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY
Top-performing and results-oriented entrepreneurial business executive and visio
nary community leader with over 20 years of experience and an exceptionally stro
ng track record of demonstrable success in real estate/mortgages/appraising, bus
iness development, education (at the university level), organizational leadershi
p, project and program development, and marketing/communications. Transformation
al change agent and celebrated natural leader with a proven history of motivatin
g and leading teams to consistently exceed goals. Captivating communicator with
strong interpersonal skills to easily and effectively establish trusting rapport
with others. Innovative, strategic thinker who excels at anticipating needs and
implementing creative solutions to address even the most complex problems. Very
resourceful consummate professional who always maintains the highest level of p
ersonal integrity and is driven to far exceed expectations.
HONORS AND RECOGNITIONS
- Recently honored to serve as a guest columnist for the Des Moines Register off
ering expert background and opinions on the current mortgage crisis (article ent
itled "How To Address the Mortgage Crisis").
- Honored with the prestigious "Clarence Award" as Denison, Iowa's "Community Gu
ardian Angel" for tireless efforts in advocating for the community and for spear
heading and completing numerous improvement projects.
- Referred to as the "the smartest man in Denison" by Pulitizer Prize winner Dal
e Maharidge in his book about Denison, Iowa, as a microcosm of America and speci
fically how the town reacted to ethnic changes.
- Nominated for a national "Good Neighbor" award by the National Association of
Realtors.
ENDORSEMENTS
Doug is truly a unique individual in every sense of the word. . . . Doug is a pe
rson who has the ability to visualize. He is a visionary. He can look at a parti
cular situation and see, not how it presently is but, moreover, how it ought to
be. . . . Doug is a person who has always seen the "big picture". He has proven
his leadership abilities time and time again. Doug is open-minded, innovative, a
nd can be just as an enthusiastic follower as he can be a leader.
- William Wright, Superintendent, Denison Community School District
There is no way that I could capture all that Doug has done. . . Doug has taken
the initiative to fundraise to acquire a building for our food pantry. . . .He h
as introduced initiatives that have set it (Crawford County Fair Board) on the r
ight course. . . . Doug's valuable leadership was considered pertinent in addres
sing 38 separate issues facing our community. . . .Whenever there is a fundraise
r or a project to develop, Doug is always the first to reach into his own pocket
to help.
- Ken Livingston, Mayor, City of Denison
Media people often complain about a lack of leadership in Iowa. That's why when
we see some, it's worth taking a moment to praise it. . . . Denison is going to
make it. And with stand up leaders like him (Doug Skarin), so will the rest of I
owa.
- David Yepsen, Political Reporter, Des Moines Register (in an article about Den
ison, Iowa, and Doug Skarin)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
SKARIN APPRAISAL SERVICES 1985 - present
OWNER, PRESIDENT
Founded and currently direct and lead daily operations for this licensed and cer
tified residential, commercial, and rural appraisal firm. Recruit, hire, and tra
in/mentor appraisers to cover Western Iowa and Eastern Nebraska. Serve as an exp
ert witness regarding commercial property value for assessment and condemnation
purposes.
* Conceptualized and built firm from scratch and then grew it into one of the la
rgest suppliers of residential appraisals throughout Western Iowa and Eastern Ne
braska
* Directed and oversaw analysis of over 1,200 properties per year with less than
a 5% rate of underwriter challenges
* Cultivated strong partnerships and became the "appraiser of choice" to many le
nders and clients due to meticulous attention to detail, quick "turn-around" tim
e, and ease with which reports were accepted by loan underwriters
SKARIN REAL ESTATE 1985 - 2005
OWNER, PRESIDENT
Founded and directed operations for this full service real estate agency. Source
d, hired, trained/developed, and supervised sales and support staff and appraise
rs. Spearheaded and implemented innovative sales and marketing strategies and ca
mpaigns. Designed, authored, and distributed a client newsletter. Authored a wee
kly column in the local newspaper.
DOUGLAS SKARIN, M.S. 16008 Nottingham Drive ~ Omaha, NE 68118
(402) 319-6060 ~ ds57a85c@westpost.net

* Conceptualized (from scratch) and led this real estate agency to become the do
minate player in the local real estate market (started with a 20% market share a
nd sold business with a 60% market share)
* Developed strong ties with a growing Hispanic population and became their "age
ncy of choice"
* Built solid professional relationships with clients to generate repeat busines
s and referrals (40% of sales were a result of referrals and 25% of sales were r
epeat clients)
* Developed content and hosted a weekly radio program addressing community issue
s and promoting community events as well as real estate sales
* Led company to be recognized as the top producer in residential and commercial
property sales
FIRST FINANCIAL MORTGAGE SERVICE 1986 - 1995
OWNER, DIRECTOR
Established and directed operations for this mortgage brokerage firm serving sma
ller towns and rural borrowers in Western Iowa. Mentored/coached underwriters, r
ecruited and hired additional employees, and developed and established all inter
nal operating policies and procedures.
* Recognized as the first lender in the area to offer "secondary market" financi
ng to local homeowners and buyers
* Authored and edited the content of a weekly column in the local newspaper
* Originated over 50 loans per year, all in the "A" paper market with no sub-pri
me loan exposure to investors
Previously enjoyed success as the Owner and Head Instructor of Communication Man
agement Consultants (developed and taught courses in business communication, int
erpersonal communication, client/personnel management, and sales strategies), as
an Instructor and Assistant Director of Forensics for Iowa State University's C
ommunication Department, as Founder and Owner of a successful full service broke
rage office for a national company with a spotless compliance record, and as Fou
nder and Owner of a full service independent financial services firm also with a
spotless compliance record.
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP / PUBLIC AFFAIRS
FOUNDER, CRAWFORD COUNTY CHAMBER AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
Spearheaded and led a very contentious and complex merger of the Crawford County
Development Corporation and the Denison Chamber of Commerce into a single entit
y.
FOUNDER, DEVELOPMENT UNLIMITED
Established and led the first local board with a specific goal of raising money
and identifying and purchasing sites for the expansion of a local manufacturing/
business base.
PRESIDENT, BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR DENISON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Successfully integrated several new Latino businesses into the Chamber. Spearhea
ded the Southwest Iowa Council of Chambers of Commerce to advocate for Western I
owa's needs in the state legislature. Successfully led efforts to establish a lo
cal hotel/motel tax to promote local tourism.
EXECUTIVE ADVISORY BOARD, DENISON 20/20 PLAN
Conceptualized and led all aspects of the development and implementation of the
city-wide 20/20 plan.
FOUNDER, DENISON EVENTS
Created this organization that planned, brought in, and supported local activiti
es/functions with a more regional appeal.
PRESIDENT, DENISON HOUSING AUTHORITY
Convinced the city of the need to establish this local housing authority and the
n served as the first board president. Partnered with the Iowa Finance Authority
, the Region XII Council of Governments, and local agencies to address the needs
of local low-to-moderate income home ownership.
PRESIDENT OF THE CRAWFORD COUNTY FAIR BOARD
Transformed this board that was on the brink of insolvency into a thriving and s
uccessful board. Negotiated a pending lawsuit from a $250K settlement down to a
$27K settlement. Rewrote the association by-laws.
Also served as an active member of numerous boards and committees and as a respe
cted consultant to government leaders at the city, county, and state level.
EDUCATION
MASTER OF SCIENCE, COMMUNICATION WITH A MINOR IN BUSINESS - University of South
Dakota
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE, DOUBLE MAJOR IN SPEECH AND POLITICAL SCIENCE - Morningside
College