75 Years Serving Arizona
The Lyon family was at the forefront of transforming the Valley into what it is today through development and real estate, dating back to World War II when Russ Lyon moved here, got his real estate license, and started Russ Lyon Realty in 1947.
Russ’ son Dennis took over the real estate practice in 1968 as the company’s president, continuing to dominate the luxury market, primarily in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, and growing the company to about 350 agents.
Dennis’ son Jim bought the company from his father in 2008 and merged it with Sotheby’s International Realty in 2014.
During these 75 years, Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty has grown into a 7 billion dollar, full-service luxury real estate brokerage with more than 900 full-time real estate advisors and 13 offices across Arizona from Tubac and Tucson to Scottsdale, Carefree, Gilbert, Peoria, and Fountain Hills to Prescott, Sedona, and Flagstaff.
With 2022 being a banner year for Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty, we took a moment to connect with a few individuals who got to see different aspects of what makes Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty have a trusted legacy over the years.
Jim Lyon – Third Generation Lyon | Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty Chairman
What about Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty are you most proud of? I am most proud of the longevity of the company and all of the success we have had over the last 75 years. We have withstood all the different markets with the same basic philosophy my grandfather established.
What about Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty are you most proud of? What fun, memorable moment have you had at Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty? I have had so many fond memories over the years that it’s hard to narrow them down. But if I had to choose just one, I would have to go with our last managers retreat in Greer, Arizona, where we got all of our leadership team out of their comfort zone and had so much fun fishing, hiking, eating good food, painting, and celebrating what a fantastic group of leaders we have.
How does Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty stand out from other organizations? We have always held true to our roots and excel in the Arizona real estate market. We have been fortunate enough to be synonymous with fine properties since 1947.
What does Russ Lyon Realty/Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty mean to you? It’s an honor to be the steward of the company my father and grandfather ran and continue what they started.
How has Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty done over the years? We have done very well. We are debt free, have the best leadership in the business, and have stood the test of time through both good and bad markets.
Can you describe Russ Lyon Realty/Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty in one sentence? We deliver white glove service to our buyers and sellers regardless of the price point.
For those who have never heard of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty, what makes Russ Lyon SIR stand out against the rest? Why is it so special? Why/How has it lasted for 75 years? Russ Lyon was one of the original names in Arizona real estate, and adding Sotheby’s name brought us a global reach and provided the best network of any brand out there.
Stephanie Stewart – Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty Controller | Russ LyonFoundation President
What is the Russ Lyon Foundation? The Russ Lyon Foundation provides a way for our Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty family to get involved and serve in the communities in which we live and work. We do this through volunteering and direct giving.
What makes the Russ Lyon Foundation so unique? I love how the foundation supports the local organizations that our agents and employees are passionate about. We have an advisory council with representatives from each of our offices. The foundation is there to support them in the events that they organize to help organizations in their local communities.
How did you get involved with the Foundation? I began by participating in some of the volunteer events when the foundation first started in 2014. In 2016 I was asked to be the treasurer, in 2018 I became a member of the Board of Directors and then President in 2022.
How many events have you participated in? I have participated in 2 or 3 events a year since the foundation started in 2014.
What do you enjoy most about the Russ Lyon Foundation? I enjoy volunteering the most. It is a great way to learn more about the people in the community. I also really enjoy getting to know the agents and employees on a more personal level when we volunteer together.
What should those who have never heard of the Russ Lyon Foundation know? The agents and employees of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty have a long tradition of being involved in community service. The Russ Lyon Foundation is here to help support this work throughout Arizona.
What is the Foundation’s goal for 2022? After being restricted from volunteering in 2020 and 2021, our goal was to get back out into the community and begin to serve again. We have had a great response from our agents and employees.
What is the Foundation’s goal for 2023? Our goal for 2023 is to promote our events more consistently, so we can increase our participation across our great state.
Cionne McCarthy – Russ Lyon Realty & Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty agent | Women’s Council of Realtors Award Winner 2021
How long have you been a real estate agent? How long have you been with Russ Lyon Realty/ Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty? As of September this year, I celebrated a 41-year career in real estate and 40 of those years with Russ Lyon Realty.
Why did you get into real estate? After I graduated college, a mentor suggested that real estate would be a career where my work mattered. The word “home” is powerful for me. It conjures beautiful images and emotions in all of us. Matching people with the homes of their dreams has always been a passion for me!
Do you remember why you joined Russ Lyon Realty? I joined Russ Lyon Realty because it was the iconic luxury brokerage in Arizona – and still is.
Why have you stayed over the years? Simply put, loyalty and family. The Lyon family has always been good to me. I was hired by Dennis Lyon and had the pleasure of working alongside Jim Lyon when he started in residential real estate. Everyone in the company made it feel like a family. Every meeting, event, and piece of advertising were centered around the culture of the company, which raised the expectation and level of professionalism in the industry – a culture of family and high values.
What keeps you here? Ultimately, I always fall back on the high standards that Russ Lyon Realty started/provided and the Sotheby’s International Realty name that this company has built upon. Russ Lyon Realty/Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty is built on integrity, values, and culture. The marketing and global reach are a bonus; it is the people and the other agents in this company that has brought this company to such a caliber.
For those who have never heard of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty, what is something they should know? I can’t imagine anyone not hearing about Russ Lyon. There is no other brokerage house in Arizona that has the history, depth of experience, or commitment to the highest level of service.
Can you describe Russ Lyon Realty/Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty in one sentence? A trusted legacy.
What changes have you seen over the years? Lots. Lots of changes – in the industry and within the company. As the business of Real Estate has grown, it has become an intricate industry where the level of professionalism that real estate agents must have has increased. As this career keeps evolving, agents and companies must evolve to keep up with and exceed the changes happening.
Russ Lyon has always been at the forefront of it all by elevating its business and needs to fit the market around it. This includes but is not limited to exceptional support and continued education to execute changes.
When I started in the business, the contract was one page. The listing agreement was one page. A lot has changed since then, and Russ Lyon has always adapted. Through all of the years, changes, a growing city, and industry/professional growth, it became imperative that to serve our clients correctly we had to stay on top of the market standards, industry trends, and our service. Russ Lyon and now Sotheby’s have always worked from the base of “our clients are what we are working for,” and we are committed to setting the industry standard and exceeding expectations to provide the highest quality of service.
Of course, in addition to creating the highest level of professionalism originating in 1947, Russ Lyon, with all of its’ connections, values, and commitment to luxury service, regardless of price point, then adding the Sotheby’s International Realty name has solidly placed us at the top in both national and international markets. This was an absolute win for our clientele. This excellent company partnership brings professional standards and a marketing package that reaches the world for our clients with accurate White Glove Service.
Anything else you would like to add? Yes, if I may, I just want to say something about Deems Dickinson. Deems has been a part of the Russ Lyon family since before I was an agent. He was wonderful as an agent and is an excellent Designated Broker. Deems is the type of person that is calm, collected, committed, honorable, genuine, approachable, wise, and knowledgeable. He is a true example of what Russ Lyon Realty and Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty is about. He provides exceptional leadership, not only to our clients but to all of the agents. He is a fantastic human being in every sense of the word.
