NASCAR driver, private pilot, skydiver, hot air balloonist. High-altitude record seeker. Does this sound like the typical profile of a top corporate executive? But it is indeed. The co-founder and chairman of the largest real estate franchise organization in the world - RE/MAX International is totally extreme.

Dave Liniger is a risk taker. He says all real estate agents are. The only difference is that he is willing to get up earlier and work harder than some to get what he wants. And what does he want? He apparently enjoys being first at accomplishing goals. RE/MAX was the first company to be successful at the 100% concept, an idea that incited hate mail and stall tactics from other real estate organizations in its infancy. Liniger's was the first company to launch a national recognized logo - the hot air balloon, and the first to put the company logo on the side of a racecar. RE/MAX was the first real estate company with an Internet presence. And there are a number of other examples. In December, Liniger and his team will complete the first civilian space mission in history - in a balloon.

There is no question that Liniger is driven. His relentless schedule includes arriving at the office at 5:30 in the morning and traveling as much as 250 to 280 days a year. "He is an energy machine," says one close associate.

"I'm just not one to sit and watch television - I am a participant," Liniger explains.

He is also a man of integrity. He fulfills his promises and when he makes a commitment he doesn't back down. His character has been proven on numerous occasions but never so poignantly as when his bride-to-be was seriously injured in a small airplane crash. She was in rehabilitation for years, cared for daily by Liniger. Told she would never walk again, she proved the doctors wrong within months. Although she remains partially paralyzed on her left side, she not only walked, but married Dave Liniger and was instrumental in the building of RE/MAX International. She is Gail Liniger, CEO of RE/MAX.

The Linigers are grateful for their success, but Liniger never forgets for a moment to give credit where it is due. "I was raised on a farm, and my parents instilled in me a work ethic. I was responsible for myself and to my family. Later, as RE/MAX became successful I was able to hire people who would do a better job than I could. It was always a team effort. All of the best ideas we have came from our agents, including our logo."

But he knows there are those who are unable to help themselves. That is why Liniger gives back to the community through RE/MAX International's sponsorship of the Children's Miracle Network. In only six years, RE/MAX affiliates have raised more than $18 million for the charity.

The Sanctuary, Liniger's private PGA-quality golf course that inspired Golf Digest to call it the "best private course in America," is used exclusively for charitable fundraisers and top relocation clients. Only 3,000 rounds of golf per year are allowed, with the proceeds going totally to the charities and their beneficiaries. The course is only open from May to early October.

Liniger is far from a scratch golfer, but he shoots respectably below 100. "I could play better, and I would like to, but I understand that to be good at something takes time and commitment and I am not willing to put the time into shaving a few more points off my scores. There are some things I have learned to recognize that I'll never be the best, but I can enjoy the sun, the trees and the mountains whether I shoot an 85 or not."

Sounds pretty philosophical for a man who races at 180 miles an hour and flies at 130,000 feet.

Click here for Part II

Published: August 13, 1998

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Blanche is a renowned author of five real estate books. Her newest, Bubbles, Booms and Busts: Make Money In Any Real Estate Market, McGraw-Hill, was rave-reviewed by The New York Times. She was also selected from hundreds of real estate experts to contribute to Donald Trump's book, Trump: The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received: 100 Top Experts Share Their Strategies, Rutledge Hill Press, and is featured on page 68. Order Now Review - Honors In 2006, Blanche was selected among scores of candidates to author two consumer real estate guidebooks for the National Association of Realtors: The NAR Guide to Home Buying, and The NAR Guide to Home Selling, Wiley & Sons. She is currently planning two new books for the NAR and its members.       Known for her keen insight into real estate industry issues and for her ability to make complex subjects easy to understand, Blanche is a sought-after keynote and continuing education speaker. Real estate organizations from MLSs, to brokerages, to franchisors, to associations hire her to provide up-to-the-minute analysis of real estate industry news and advice on how to improve revenues. Her passionate delivery, peppered with stinging wit, is a huge hit with audiences and fans. Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors, Blanche Evans, Richard Courtney, president 2007, GRAR "The GNAR membership meeting last week featured Blanche Evans as the keynote speaker. Her comments and insights resonated extremely well with those in attendance and we have had many requests for copies of her PowerPoint Presentation. She was a terrific part of the membership meeting and convention program!" - Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors Coverage from WSMV, Nashville - 8-14-2007 That Interview Guy - Get Inside The Head Of Today's Generation 2007 AE Institute Session - To purchase 2006 AE Institute Session - Parts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 HouseValues Mastermind call - Parts 1 2 Blanche's fireside chat with Jeremy Conaway, HAR - Click here. For more articles by Blanche, click here.