Seattle King County REALTORS® CEO Announces Retirement
September 4, 2026
Russell Hokanson, longtime CEO of King County’s foremost real estate trade association, recently announced his retirement at the end of 2026. Hokanson has led the organization for 20 years, which represents nearly 6000 residential real estate brokers throughout King and Kittitas counties. He managed the association’s merger with the former Kittitas organization in 2023.
Seattle King County REALTORS® is known for its housing advocacy efforts with cities and counties and its championing of “middle housing” development as a solution to meet the needs of the region’s workforce. The association also provides innovative professional development opportunities to brokers and has continued presenting the Seattle King County First Citizen Award, showcasing civic leadership, for the past 88 years.
“Russ’s leadership as CEO of Seattle King County REALTORS® has helped shape not only our association, but the real estate industry throughout Seattle King County, and Washington state” said Cheyenne Gillooly, a broker with Keller Williams Greater Seattle and the 2026 President of Seattle King County REALTORS®. “He has an incredible ability to understand the landscape in front of us, see around the corner, and find the path forward. He leaves our organization with a strong foundation and a respected voice.”
The Association is currently conducting a search for a new CEO with the assistance of Stephen Kowalchuk of Corporate Management Advisors Inc.
“When thinking about the highlights of my tenure with Seattle King County REALTORS®, the answer is very simple – it’s the people,” said Hokanson, “REALTORS® are unique. They are dedicated professionals who help people realize their dreams of home ownership every day. Working with them through our organization has made my career incredibly rewarding.”
Seattle King County REALTORSÒ is a nonprofit professional trade association whose goals include promoting ethical business practices and supporting policies that preserve and expand real property rights and housing affordability. Based in Bellevue, SKCR has 6,000 members and is a local board of the National Association of Realtors®.