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Real Estate, Residential Real Estate

Russ Lyon SIR Names Kevin Gonzales as Chief Operating Officer

Kevin Gonzales brings 27 years of real estate experience to the role, all within the Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty umbrella.

Arizona’s leader in luxury real estate, Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty is pleased to announce the internal promotion of a long-time team member to a critically important role.

Kevin Gonzales was recently promoted to the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty. Gonzales brings with him 27 years of expansive experience at the luxury brokerage, and he most recently served as the company’s vice president of operations. Gonzales’ passion for real estate began in 1996 when he started with Russ Lyon Realty Company. A consistent top producer, Gonzales decided to step away from the sales side in 2007 and accepted a position as the Branch Manager of the Russ Lyon Realty Pinnacle Peak Office.

In 2019, Gonzales was promoted to Vice President of Operations for Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty, where, in addition to continuing to manage the Pinnacle Peak Office, he was given the additional responsibilities of supervising all areas of operations, which included overseeing the managing brokers of each branch as well as the operations departments, which is comprised of the firm’s marketing, relocation, IT, training, and agent development functions.

“Kevin Gonzales has been a tremendous asset to our brokerage since he joined us in 1996. There is probably no one more seasoned or better at overseeing so many diverse areas of our operations than Kevin. Between his vast knowledge of real estate, his leadership and his great ability to work with people, we couldn’t be prouder to continue to elevate Kevin here at Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty,” said CEO Todd Gillenwater of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty.

Gonzales assumed the Chief Operating Officer role on January 1st, 2024. In addition to the responsibilities noted above in his capacity as Vice President of Operations, Gonzales will be more involved in expanding the brand and sourcing new technology and systems to add additional value to the firm and its agents.

“Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty is a special place,” said Gonzales. “I am especially grateful to this incredible organization and committed to assisting all of our branch managers, department heads, brokers, agents and back-office personnel to offer our clients the highest level of service and success in the industry.”

In addition to the promotion of Gonzales, Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty has had several other noteworthy personnel changes. 44-year veteran of the firm, Deems Dickinson, recently announced his retirement; he was most recently in the role of Designated Broker for the state of Arizona. Attorney and Broker Bret Lamberson was promoted from the role of Managing Broker to replace Dickinson as the firm’s Designated Broker.

Real Estate, Residential Real Estate

Russ Lyon SIR Names Bret Lamberson as Designated Broker

Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty Announces The Promotion of Attorney and Broker Bret Lamberson as The Brokerage’s New Statewide Designated Broker

Lamberson has assumed the role of statewide Designated Broker, succeeding the retiring Deems Dickinson.

Arizona’s Leading Luxury Brokerage, Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty, is pleased to announce the appointment of Attorney and Broker Bret Lamberson to lead the brokerage’s most crucial role.


Bret Lamberson will be taking on the role of statewide Designated Broker and replacing Deems
Dickinson, who is retiring after 44 years with the brokerage. A Designated Broker is heavily involved
in the operations of running the company and managing critical functions such as hiring new agents,
establishing policies and procedures for the firm, overseeing all real estate contracts, and setting
company goals.


“I am incredibly honored and humbled by the trust that Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty
has shown by bestowing this opportunity onto me. Deems Dickinson has left some massive and
inspiring shoes to fill, but at the same time, he serves as an excellent role model and mentor as we
embark on some historic times overseeing some of the state’s most significant sales,” said
Lamberson.


Lamberson, who grew up in Flagstaff, Arizona, was an exemplary student and athlete,
excelling in his studies, alpine skiing racing, mountain biking, and whitewater rafting. He joined Russ
Lyon Realty of Flagstaff in 2005 quickly ascended to one of the top Realtors in Flagstaff.
“Bret is a brilliant and very forward-thinking talent in our company. He not only
brings the legal background and very vast knowledge of our real estate laws and contracts, but he
also has the people skills to lead our growing network of 950 agents, which now expands to 13 offices
across the state and continues to grow in the luxury sector,” said CEO Todd Gillenwater of Russ
Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty.


Lamberson, who moved to San Francisco in 2012, earned his law degree and was admitted to the
California State Bar, where he practiced real estate and immigration law. Family and the draw of all things Arizona brought him back to Flagstaff in 2018, where he was admitted into the Arizona State
Bar and appointed Managing Broker of the Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty Flagstaff
offices. On January 1st, 2024, he assumed the role of Designated Broker for Russ Lyon Sotheby’s
International Realty statewide.


Lamberson and his wife, Stephanie, reside in Flagstaff and split time between the high country and
their home in the historic district of downtown Phoenix with their children: their two-year old son
Hendricks and one-month-old daughter Willa Jane.

In The News, Real Estate, Residential Real Estate

Deems Dickinson Retires as Designated Broker and President

Accomplished Designated Broker and President Deems Dickinson of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty Retires and Reflects on 44 Years Guiding Arizona’s Leading Luxury Brokerage.

Dickinson Led a Team of 900+ Agents and Oversaw Four Decades of Real Estate Transactions at Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty, Including Some of the State’s Highest Sales.

Arizona’s Luxury Leader Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty announces with great regards and gratitude the retirement of one of its longest-tenured and most impactful company leaders.


Deems Dickinson has been part of the Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty family for an
incredible 44 years, retiring as President and Designated Broker, a role that he held for 14 years with
the firm, having previously served as Managing Broker of 5 different offices for 25 years on behalf
of the company.


Dickinson ended his career as a REALTOR Emeritus and exemplified a spirit of service and a
lifetime of learning, as he served as an Advisory Council Member of the Russ Lyon Foundation, on
the Board of Directors of the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service (ARMLS), and on the Board
of Directors of The Realty Alliance. He had previously been on the Board of Directors for the
National Association of REALTORS, the Chair of the Professional Standards Committee of the
Scottsdale and Arizona Associations of REALTORS, and served as the Director of Training for the
Elite School of Real Estate.


Reflecting on his career, Dickinson said, “As the steward of such a remarkable company, I have had
many opportunities in the real estate industry locally, across the state of Arizona, and nationally,
which allowed me to grow my career to what it is today. I will always cherish the lifelong friendships
and business relationships that I have developed over the last 44 years.”

As for what’s next for Dickinson, he is looking forward to schedule-free mornings, time with his
wife Betsy, their grandchildren, and adult children, traveling and volunteering for causes they care
about. He also looks forward to enjoying his passion for the outdoors in greater depth, including
fishing, jeeping, hiking and camping, golf, and pickleball. Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty
thanks him for both how he helped the firm grow, as well as the personalized expertise and warm,
white-glove service he provided to the Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty family.


“It is with an overwhelming amount of gratitude and pride and that we congratulate Deems on 44 years with our company. I began working with Deems when my father Dennis Lyon, was still running the company many decades ago. Deems’ knowledge, patience, and leadership has not only
been an inspiration to all our agents but also to my own family and everyone who has had the pleasure of working with him these last four decades. We will miss him tremendously, but we know he will have some great times ahead in retirement.”

Jim Lyon, Owner and Chairman of Russ
Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty


Dickinson will be succeeded as the statewide Designated Broker by Bret Lamberson. Lamberson
grew up in Flagstaff, AZ, and joined Russ Lyon Realty of Flagstaff in 2005. Lamberson is a licensed
attorney in Arizona and California. He and his wife, Stephanie, reside in Flagstaff and split time in
their home in the historic district of downtown Phoenix with their two young children.

Real Estate, Significant Sales

Significant Sales: March 2023

Throughout the state of Arizona, Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty has been proud to represent and participate in the following sales for March.


We refer to these as ‘Significant Sales.’ While all of our transactions are genuinely significant, we hope you enjoy discovering these unique homes based not only on price but their architectural, cultural, and geographical significance, as well as those involved in the journey.

Enjoy!

Seller Representation:

5990 E Jeremy Lane, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Sold for $1,157,500
Seller Representation: Blake Cain
3325 North Spring Valley Road, Parks, AZ 86018
Sold for $1,710,000
Seller Representation: Josh Winnicki & Sharan Winnicki
507 W Fir Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Sold for $724,000
Dual Representation: Rosemary Lamberson
6405 E Leisure Lane, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Sold for $570,000
Seller Representation: Valerie Core & Freddi Paulsrud
5739 E Cactus Wren Road, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
Sold for $7,995,000
Seller Representation: Bill Bulaga & Frank Aazami
5833 N 46th Place, Phoenix, AZ 85018
Sold for $4,500,000 | Dual Representation
Seller Representation: Amy Murphy
Buyer Representation: Fabi Meoli & Augi Meoli
5455 E Berneil Drive, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
Sold for $4,015,000
Dual Representation: Michele Wolf & Rod Wolfe
10 Valencia Road, Sedona, AZ 86336
Sold for $1,900,000 | Dual Representaion
Seller Representation: Jacque Weems
Buyer Representation: Magdalena Romanska
1484 Sierry Springs Drive, Prescott, AZ 86305
Sold for $750,000
Seller Representation: Terri Kiffer
4801 N La Lomita, Tucson AZ 85718
Sold for $2,400,000
Seller Representation: Bryan Durkin, Susan Neitzel
13431 E Sahuaro Sunset Road, Tucson AZ 85749
Sold for $1,320,000
Dual Representation: Bryan Durkin, Susan Neitzel, Jeff LeBlanc, & Chrissy Martinez
7770 N Placita Sin Mentiras, Tucson AZ 85718
Sold for $1,200,000
Seller Representation: Susanne Grogan
1050 W Saddlehorn Drive, Oro Valley AZ 85704
Sold for $970,000
Dual Representation: Christina Tierney, Frank Lococo, & Susanne Grogan
37405 N School House Road, Cave Creek, AZ 85331
Sold for $2,780,000
Seller Representation: Julie Antunes
6644 E El Sendero Road, Carefree, AZ 85377
Sold for $2,485,000
Seller Representation: Julie Antunes
7443 E Lazy Lane, Carefree, AZ 85377
Sold for $2,195,000
Seller Representation: Erika Willison
42395 N Saguaro Forest Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85262
Sold for $7,000,000 | Dual Representation
Seller Representation: Bee Francis, Karen Baldwin, Kathleen Benoit, Madelaine Elfgren
Buyer Representation: Paul Perry & Michelle O’Neill
11433 E Salero Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85262
Sold for $4,050,000
Seller Representation: Bee Francis, Karen Baldwin, Kathleen Benoit, & Madelaine Elfgren
29171 N 107th Way Scottsdale AZ 85262
Sold for $4,500,000
Seller Representation: Will Foote, Debbie Negrin, Jay Pennypacker, & Mike Holder
11428 N 64th Pl Scottsdale AZ 85254
Sold for $3,960,000
Seller Representation: Allan MacDonald
10263 E Windrunner Dr Scottsdale AZ 85255
Sold for $3,950,000
Seller Representation: Amy Gilbert, Michelle Mowzoon
19830 N 86th Avenue, Peoria, AZ 85382
Sold for $545,000
Seller Representation: Bobbi Martin
38 Avenida De Otero, Tubac AZ 85646
Sold for $960,000
Dual Representaion: Michael Connelly
2911 Vista Del Cielo, Nogales AZ 85621
Sold for $700,000
Seller Representation: Gary Brasher
11 Cir Nomada, Tubac AZ 85646
Sold for $670,000
Seller Representation: Gary Brasher

Buyer Representation:

  • 4784 S Bright Angel Trail | Flagstaff
    • Sold for $725,000
    • Buyer Representation: Angela Davis
  • 5102 E Orchid Lane | Paradise Valley
    • Sold for $5,900,000
    • Buyer Representation: Judy LeMarr
  • 7175 E Camelback Rd 1303 | Scottsdale
    • Sold for $5,500,000
    • Buyer Representation: Sue Shapiro
  • 80 Bronco Drive | Sedona
    • Sold for $1,695,000
    • Buyer Representation: Brenda Cady
  • 30 Via Del Arte | Sedona
    • Sold for $1,430,000
    • Buyer Representation: Julie Holt
  • 30 Canyon Ridge Circle | Sedona
    • Sold for $3,000,000
    • Buyer Representation: Debbie Gregor
  • 1877 Forest View 69 | Prescott
    • Sold for $789,000
    • Buyer Representation: Linda Wood, Chris Wood, & Paige McCargor
  • 11910 W Windy Canyon Way | Prescott
    • Sold for $1,750,000
    • Buyer Representation: Linda Wood & Chris Wood
  • 7782 E Sunflower Court | Scottsdale
    • Sold for $2,475,000
    • Buyer Representation: Stacy Paluscio, Courtney Woods Olson, & Darcy Whalen
  • 10414 E Mirabel Club Drive | Scottsdale
    • Sold for $4,360,000
    • Buyer Representation: Patrick Rice
  • 1855 N Woodruff | Mesa
    • Sold for $952,500
    • Buyer Representation: Neal Farrell, Renee Ryan
  • 13453 W Red Hawk Drive | Peoria
    • Sold for $879,500
    • Buyer Representation: Neal Farrell & Renee Ryan