After more than three decades in real estate, longtime broker and managing broker Mary Jo Gibson has announced her retirement from Mel Foster Co.’s Kewanee office.
Gibson said the decision has been in motion for about a year.
“I began facing a few health issues and decided that life was just too short,” she said. “So, after 32 years in the business I decided it was time to hang it up.”
During her career, Gibson worked with more than 600 clients. The Kewanee Mel Foster office, which she helped build and lead, has served nearly 6,000 clients with more than 5,300 transaction sides and more than $365 million in collective sales volume.
Gibson began in 1993 as a salesperson with The Real Estate Center in Kewanee. When Mel Foster Co. opened its Kewanee branch on Jan. 1, 2000, she became the designated managing broker. She launched the office with what she described as “a small band of people who believed in the impossible” and said she is proud of what the team accomplished by running “a successful office in an area that boasts the lowest average sales price in Illinois.
“And against all odds we did just that,” she said. “I couldn’t be prouder of what we created all those years ago, and it still continues today.”
As she steps away, Gibson said she will miss the people most.
“I will miss all the people, both clients and agents, and the everyday interactions,” she said.
What she will not miss is the pace of the work.
“Realtors work when others don’t. So, it’s definitely a seven-day work week including nights, weekends and all holidays.”
Her plans for retirement center on family and community.
“I plan on spending my retirement with my son and family, who have taken a backseat for many years,” she said. She also plans to volunteer locally.
Leadership of the Kewanee office will transition to Becky Blackert of the Geneseo office, who will manage both locations. Gibson said the Kewanee team is well prepared for the change.
“The Kewanee agents have always been a great group and well trained,” she said. “I trust that they won’t miss a beat and will continue to serve our communities very well.”
