Upon moving to Newport, Rhode Island, Michelle decided in 1986 to become a full-time Realtor®. Her career in real estate, specializing in historic properties as well as waterfront and luxury real estate, took off quickly for several reasons: her energy, affinity with clients, artistic vision, and strong academic background, with a BA and MA from Northwestern University in American Urban History, and an MA and M.Phil. in Historic Preservation from Columbia University.In her pursuit to remain a top-producing agent in today's increasingly complex environment, Michelle has earned the real estate designations for Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI), and Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR). She has also been at the forefront of local and national real estate, which began with volunteering for the Newport County Board of Realtors (NCBR). After stepping up to chair several committees, she was appointed a director and, in 2011, elected president. In recognition of her work, Michelle was designated 2012 Realtor of the Year by the NCBR. She also serves as President of the Women's Council of Realtors (WCR), first for the Newport and Kent Washington Chapter, and currently as the Rhode Island president, as well as on a National Association of Realtors' (NAR) committee to offer ideas, knowledge, experiences, and best practices, and to bring information back to Newport in order to better serve her clients.In recognition of her commitment to historical preservation, Michelle was appointed to the Newport Historic Commission by the Newport City Council and served for almost a decade. She has also served as president of her neighborhood organization, The Hill Association. Not surprisingly-given her background in historic properties and preservation-Michelle lives in the converted 18th-century Shiloh Church/Trinity Schoolhouse with her husband and their rescue greyhound. She enjoys living on Historic Hill in the midst of Newport and the ability to walk to her Bellevue Avenue office. Along with her passion for old houses, antiques, interior design, and golf, she also reads voraciously-often devouring a book a day. Michelle uses her innate energy for her clients to help them realize their vision, inevitably exceeding customer expectations. She feels that constant communication is a high priority, and is available via email, cell, or text.