By Mari Radtke
Her climb began in 2008 when she was hired to do research on property in the appraisal department at Vander Werff and Associates in Sanborn. There she came to understand property history. Following several years in the appraisal department, Shannon Rydberg moved into the daunting position of Auction Coordinator. There she managed all phases of an auction. Marketing/advertising and promoting auctions was the front end of the coordinating needed by the ever-present auctioneers, Rich Vander Werff and Todd Hattermann, along with a few others through the years. The backside of a successful was the closing of the auction from tracking buyers to paying the bills and balancing the books.
“I always did the work as an employee. Now I do it for myself,” said Rydberg about obtaining her most recent certification. “I wanted to be needed. I wanted to get a seat at the table. I always wanted that. It was important that my girls see that. I wanted them to see someone who has done well and that you can make it in a Ômale dominated’ industry.'”
She is quick to give credit to her mentors, Todd and Rich saying, “They are the reason I am here. Todd allowed me to walk alongside him, to learn.”
She learned and grew in her job. She was encouraged and eventually she took the necessary training and earned her auctioneer’s license in 2022. Her success with auctioneering strengthened her desire to advance her career with even more certification.
She attended Real Estate School during June of this year. Classes conducted through Zoom. The test was required to be in person in Des Moines. The test was over the first 60 hours of class time and it allowed 3 hours to complete the test. Shannon finished in 2. She followed that up with more classes in buying, listing and ethics.
She says that she and Rich and Todd make a great team. They each bring something different that makes Vander Werff and Associates stand out. She notes that for every auction through Vander Werff and Associates the client will deal with her. She touches all aspects of each auction. She also gives a shout out to the great crew at Vander Werff and Associates.
“I’m excited to work in the community.” Entering the real estate business she says, “I am another choice,” she says.
She recently listed her first piece of real estate, an acreage. Todd had her sign at the top, a great nod to his faith in her ability.