My parents (Ray & Irene) fell in love at Illinois State University and decided to make Bloomington/Normal their home together. They married in 1972 and raised my sister and me in Bloomington. As a lifetime Bloomington, Illinois resident, I hope to make my friends and clients feel just as comfortable in my hometown as I do.
I went to District 87 schools and graduated from BHS with honors in 1995. Since I was young, I always said I would attend Illinois State University and live in the dorms, like my mom did. I majored in mathematics education and minored in economics. After graduating in May 1999, I took a teaching position at my alma mater, Bloomington High School. After two years of teaching Algebra, Pre-Algebra, and Honors Geometry, I decided to explore the business world with my family business.
In July 2001, I bought my first investment property and joined the family business, Denbesten Real Estate. I worked for my father and maintained my own building and tenants for the following year. In September 2002, after a year of assisting my father run Denbesten Real Estate and manage his investment properties, I passed my Real Estate Salespersons license exam. After my first year as a Realtor® I had accomplished 5 closings and had satisfied 6 clients. In February 2004, I passed the Broker’s exam, and in April took over Denbesten Real Estate from my father, Ray. In September 2005, I bought my second apartment building. For many years, I was involved with various committees at our local MLS office. Since October 2009, I have chaired the Education Committee at the Bloomington Normal Association of Realtors. In May 2010, I graduated from Illinois State University a second time, this time with my MBA (Masters in Business Administration). In October 2011, I was elected by my colleagues to sit on the board of directors for the BNAR.
Connie Beard had been with my family business for many years and stayed on when I took over. She has always been an uplifting person to have in my office and serves her clients to the utmost. Greg Meyer joined my boutique company in 2008. His intelligence, humor, and dedication to client’s needs is humbling to me. We are all excited to help every individual reach their dreams through real estate in central Illinois.
In my personal life, I went on a mission trip in March 2002 to Mexico with my church, Second Presbyterian in downtown Bloomington. A gentleman named Nicholas Miller and I were reacquainted during the excursion. We are both lifetime members of 2PC and have known each other and our families for many years. Romantic sparks did not fly until after we got back in our hometown of Bloomington. A few weeks of dating and he asked me to marry him. We announced the news to friends and family in June 2002. In July 2003, Nick and Cathy became Mr. and Mrs. Our first daughter was born in 2007 and our second little girl in 2009.
I am active in my church, attend Bible Study Fellowship, volunteer with the 4-H fair in the summer, lend a hand to McLean County Young Life, and am a member of the Lake Run Club.
Give me a call or send me an email so that I may come to know you as a friend and client. Feel free to ask me for a list of references of past clients.
