Meet Our Real Estate Instructors

Christa Wilhelm

“I truly have a heart of a teacher. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education with endorsements in English and German. My Master’s Degree is in Curriculum and Instruction. I was a high school teacher for nearly a decade before staying home to raise my three children. Then I was persuaded by my parents, both real estate brokers, to begin my real estate studies. I learned from them the dedication and commitment it takes to be successful in this industry. I love the match making involved, and the different “hats” I am privileged to wear every day. There’s never a dull moment, nor are any two transactions ever the same. I even enjoy the forms! Besides actively selling and listing, I also run a small independent brokerage in Eastern Washington. I found my own slice of heaven in combining my two passions, teaching and real estate. Rockwell/Colibri offers the very best instruction. It’s my honor to teach you! Let’s get started!”

David North

It is an honor to share my experience for your benefit in building your real estate career and achieving your goals and dreams.  After a career spanning two decades in manufacturing in positions from entry level to executive management, I discovered real estate, made an all-in career change right before the great recession, and never looked back.  Real estate never stops changing, which always keeps it interesting and challenging.  A solid foundation of knowledge, and willingness to continuously adapt, are two cornerstones of rewarding real estate careers.  Mine began with Rockwell Institute’s pre-licensing courses in 2007, and now I have the privilege to teach them.  I have been a managing broker since 2011 and a designated broker and owner of a small brokerage since 2019.  I am a member of the Real Estate Educators Association, and a board member of the Northwest Independent Brokers Association and my local Rotary club.  Training, mentoring, coaching and contributing to others’ success in any way I can are passions of mine that I hope you will tap into.  I also love learning, and will bet that you can teach me a thing or two.  I enjoy gardening, writing, genealogy, jury duty (yes, really!), programming, lots of other geeky activities, and spending quality time with my wife of 30+ years and our son.

Ellen Fix

I teach Live lecture and Livestream classes at Rockwell as your most tenured Instructor with 20 years of experience. I am a graduate of the University of Washington with degrees in Education and English. Go Huskies!

I also taught real estate courses for 10 years at No. Seattle College. I am a Managing Broker in Washington and owned my own property management company in Bellevue for 15 years with 5,000 condominiums and HOAs under management.

I enjoy cycling, pickleball, and am an avid reader. My classes are fast-paced, informative, and entertaining.

Mark Ruff

I have 34 years of professional experience in various aspects of real estate, encompassing financial and market analysis, project and property management, investment, residential real estate brokerage, development, affordable housing, teaching at the university level, consulting, and third-party review. I earned my Bachelor’s degree from USC, followed by an MBA from Woodbury University, a Master of Real Estate Development degree from USC, and a Professional Designation in Construction Management from UCLA.

In addition to my professional background, I served as a Director of Housing Rights Center, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to preventing, litigating, and eradicating cases of housing discrimination. I was also a member of the Development and Audit Committees for The Trevor Project. As an avid cyclist, I am currently training for the 7-day, 545-mile AIDS Life Cycle ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles, supporting the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the L.A. LGBT Center.

Susan M Webster

Hi Everyone!  I am Susan M Webster, Managing Broker and Branch Manager with a well respected local brokerage.  I have been licensed in Washington over 30 years with management/mentoring responsibilities for 25 years.  I enjoy helping those that truly want to learn and grow successful businesses.  I grew up on the east coast, have lived in 6 states and traveled 5 continents for both pleasure and humanitarian endeavors.  I’m looking forward to hearing your story and what inspires you to build a successful real estate business.

Tami Tate

Hello everyone, I’m Tami Tate, a seasoned broker with almost two decades of experience in the real estate industry. I’ve been licensed in Washington since 2005, and throughout my journey, I’ve successfully navigated through various market conditions, from booms to busts. Since 2017, I’ve served as a Managing Broker and recently founded my own firm, TATE Real Estate. Alongside my brokerage work, I’ve always had a passion for education. Teaching, instructing, and coaching have been integral parts of my career since the beginning, and I find immense joy in sharing my knowledge with others. I’m delighted to hear that my enthusiastic teaching style is contagious, and it brings me great satisfaction to know that my students truly enjoy my classes. In addition to my brokerage activities and teaching endeavors, I’m honored to serve on the Board of Directors for two of our state REALTOR boards and to be actively involved with the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS). When I’m not busy in the real estate world, you’ll often find me exploring new destinations, whether by plane, car, or motorcycle. I’ve been fortunate enough to visit five out of the seven continents. And here’s a little secret: my favorite indulgence is chocolate. As we embark on this learning journey together, I hope to have the opportunity to work with you in the future. Let’s draw inspiration from my wealth of expertise, unwavering dedication, and infectious enthusiasm. Welcome to Rockwell Institute, and I look forward to connecting with you soon!

Chris Hill

My name is Chris Hill. I am the Designated Broker of a real estate brokerage in Mill Creek, Washington. I obtained my Washington State real estate license in 1983 and my managing broker’s license in 1995. I hold a Bachelors degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix and a Masters degree in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University. I also hold the Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB) from the National Association of Realtors.

With over 40 years of real estate experience, I have seen many changes take place in the real estate industry, yet the fundamentals remain relevant and applicable to today’s conditions. I have had an interest in adult education as an instructor for some time and the Rockwell Institute is an ideal platform for me to share knowledge from my 40 years of experience in the industry.

I was born and raised in the Seattle area. I graduated from Woodway High School in Edmonds and have lived in Snohomish County for over 40 years. I met my future wife (Diana) while vacationing in Kona, Hawaii in late 1981. We were married 10 months later. As you can imagine, we have a very special connection to Hawaii. We love to travel, play golf, hike, or anything outdoors.

Susan Olson

Licensed in real estate since 2007, I bring a well-rounded perspective to the industry with a background in interior design, web design, and business ownership. Having worked in both Montana and Washington, I’ve gained extensive residential and commercial real estate experience across a diverse range of property types, including luxury, city, waterfront, rural, recreational, vacation, and investment properties.

Since relocating to Washington, I’ve expanded my role to include leadership, management, teaching, mentoring, and compliance. I’m passionate about sharing my knowledge, guiding aspiring professionals, and helping others achieve success in real estate. I look forward to hearing your story and learning what drives your passion for building a thriving real estate business.