Ron Betzen Sales Agent - Land Consultant

Ron specializes in rural land that is used for farming, ranching or recreational purposes.  He is able to use his years of knowledge and experience to help both buyers and sellers with all aspects of their real estate needs.  Ron is licensed in real estate in Kansas and focuses mainly in a 10 county area in South East Kansas.  He consults with land owners to help them make the best use of their most valuable resources.

Ron assists in negotiations and works with lenders, title companies, lawyers, estate planners and others to make real estate transactions flow as smoothly as possible and to reduce stress for both sellers and buyers. Ron is able to use the tools and systems provided by United Country Real Estate and our affiliated partners such as Realtree to provide the broadest exposure possible to client’s properties. 

Ron has been a District Administrator with Kansas Farm Bureau since 1992 where is responsible for the supervision 10 Southeast Kansas County Farm Bureau Associations. He works with approximately 100 people through board positions, committee positions and hired personnel. He has knowledge of the legislative process, agricultural marketing, cropping practices, livestock issues, policy development, agricultural land management.   

From 1987 to 1992 Rom served as a District Claims Representative with Farm Bureau Mutual Ins. Co. in Altamont, Kansas.  He was responsible for multi-county claims, servicing all lines of claims. Ron negotiated bodily injury, wrongful death, workers comp. and property damage settlements up to several hundred thousand dollars, with a wide variety of people, from farmers to attorneys.

During the period of 1984 to 1987 Ron worked with AREA, Inc. in Wichita, Kansas as a Senior Sales Representative/Commercial Real Estate Appraiser. He appraised and valuated a wide variety of agricultural, commercial and industrial properties, from golf courses to resort hotels to farms/ranches from coast to coast.  He was able to expand the appraisal division from 3 to 12 representatives.

Ron is able to draw upon his formal education at Wichita State University and Kansas State University where he completed a B.A., Business Administration - Real Estate & Land Use Economics. 

Ron has many interests and is involved in many organizations, including: Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams (Southeast Kansas) Steering Committee, Tallgrass Legacy Alliance founding member, KSU Extension Board of Directors, Farm History Center founding member, Kansas Environmental Leadership Program, Class I, Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership Program, Class VI.  Oklahoma State University - Master Cattleman graduate. Current state board member of Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education (KACEE) and Project 17, a regional economic development and quality of life effort focusing on 17 counties in southeast Kansas. He is a graduate of Kansas Leadership Center. He has also participated in range management courses, multiple workshops and continuing education courses. 

Ron and his family live at Betzen Farms near Fall River, Kansas in Greenwood County.  He has deep roots in hunting, fishing and outdoor activities.  He and his family enjoy deer, turkey, quail, pheasant and waterfowl hunting. 

Vanita Blundell Owner - Property Specialist

My name is Vanita Blundell. I was born and raised in the Comanche County, Kansas. My dad was a farmer/rancher. We had cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens, and always had horses available to ride. I helped my dad with all the farming and ranching. I spent my high school summers farming with our 930 case, no cab, but had a lovely buggy top. In the spring and fall I rode with him to help neighboring ranches gather and work cattle. I married my high school sweetheart, Jim Blundell and we moved to Abilene, Texas where I was employed by Hasseloff Kennels- Boarding and Grooming and Lance Cracker Company.

We later moved back to Kansas where we helped my dad with the farming and the cattle. We started our family of 2 children. I helped manage a small restaurant and then started to cook for hunters. I worked for Don Lott Outfitter and United States Outfitters as a cook in turkey and elk hunting camps. I wrote a column in our local paper entitled the Country Gal and also had a unique opportunity to be the emcee for a production called “The Wilmore Opry”. It was a place where local people and out of town guests could perform to showcase their talents. There was no charge but the donations that came in assisted local people who were in need of help.

My husband and I have taken over all of my dad’s ground that he owned and leased, along with some other leased pastures. We enjoy our cattle operation, in addition, we also raise Bernese Mountain Dogs. I have had many life experiences that will assist you in finding just the right property.

On 4-1-2020 my husband and I bought the United Country Red Hills Realty & Auction, LLC office and business, that was started in 2007, from Dave Rose.  We will continue to build the business while helping our clients to "Find Their Freedom".  Honesty and integrity are the building blocks of a successful business.  We are honored to be able to work with people from the Red Hills area and to help others to find their place in God's Country!  

Scott Campbell Agent - Land Consultant

Scott specializes in farm, ranch, recreational and equine property sales and service. Scott has handled land sales up to $1.8 Million and is an expert in the use of 1031 Tax Free Exchanges, Life Estates, Structured Sales and other strategies to help sellers minimize tax burden. Scott uses his knowledge and expertise to assist his clients and customers to make the sale or purchase of land an enjoyable experience.

Scott is a graduate of MidAmerica Nazarene University and has lived in the Olathe, Kansas area since 1990. He and his wife, Joy, have 4 grown kids and 8 grandkids. Scott worked in the home construction business right out of college and loved it until the interest rates slowed that business to a crawl. He then began a career as a Claims adjuster and regional claims manager for Farm Bureau Mutual of Kansas. His job duties included all aspects of property underwriting and claims. After nearly 20 years there, Scott bought a franchise auto repair business (Christian Brothers Automotive) in 2002 which he ran successfully until he sold it in 2013. Scott has a passion for real estate that was fueled by his construction and claims/underwriting experience. The Farm Bureau years also produced many long lasting contacts and experience on farm and ranch operations and management. He would love to help you with any real estate needs and will provide great service.  Contact Scott to find the property of your dreams!

Jon Cronin Property Specialist

JON CRONIN PROFILE

Creative and award-winning professional who offers superb design abilities, decision-making skills, judgment demonstrated when working under high pressure.  Utilizes innovative techniques and solid management acumen.  Extremely focused and motivated to achieve in competitive, fast-paced professional settings.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Property Specialist

United Country Red Hills Realty & Auction, Coldwater, KS

2019 to Present

Assists buyers and sellers in all aspects of real estate and auction services.  Jon is able to draw on years of professional business experience and rural family farm background to help people from all walks of life achieve their goals.  He is able to think outside the box to create marketing programs to reach the 95% of buyers that never search beyond the Top 10 websites in world when searching for real estate.  He can create an in-depth Google searchable webpage for each and every listed property.  He also employs cutting edge social media marketing tools to more broadly expose client’s properties that can any of his competitors.  Reach out to Jon and let him help you “Find Your Freedom”. 

Owner / Commercial Interior Designer / Consultant

Cronin Designs, Dodge, City, KS

1967 to Present

Effectively designs and develops new materials for the Commercial Design Industry, closely collaborates with clients to determine their individual design needs by exploring all vtiable and available options.  Conducts extensive and continuous research to locate new products and processes to deliver the best value while ensuring high quality workmanship.  Understands the need in corporate America for exciting, quality workplace environments; proven ability to meet high pressure timelines while saving clients sizeable dollars.

NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• After years of research with expanded polystyrene in design applications, developed an effective beam bracket application system without the need for supplemental carpentry supports, which makes onsite o quick and flexible while reducing contractor costs.
• Successfully served as the main designer for the Ford County Government Center Renovation Project; which included a five story, 68,000 square feet, 1920s era hotel into functional offices.  This resulted in the creation of a showcase for the citizens of the region.  Developed decorating plans for the projects based on original color schemes and assimilated existing furniture and materials along with cutting edge architectural accents in the restoration of this facility on the Federal Registry of Historical Buildings, A facility that will stand for ages at a cost of one third the cost of new construction. 
• Delivered dynamic, professional design work for Development Associates, Inc. over an eight year time period; effectively utilized superb creative design skills for a broad spectrum of commercial project designs, while ensure projects were complete on time and with budge limitations.
• Serve as an Adjunct Professor of Art for the Fort Hays State University, Located in Hays, Kansas; effectively facilitates courses in art and design while delivering a compelling, innovative curriculum.

Mark Galloway Sales Agent - Lake Property Specialist

I entered the real estate business by accident.  In 2004, in a depressed local real estate market, we were desperate to sell our family's Colorado mountain home to be able to relocate to near my wife's family in central Kansas.

Utilizing my diverse experiences in the live auction business, internet marketing, web development and sales, I was one of the first to sell a single-family home on eBay. This successful endeavor created interest from private sellers and real estate professionals alike who hoped to experience similar success selling their own properties.  Ultimately, I worked as a consultant to sellers and real estate brokers about the process of marketing real estate online with successful transactions of ski resort properties, multi-million dollar mansions and recreational land throughout the western United States.

I’m a 1998 graduate of the Western College of Auctioneering in Billings, Montana and in 2005 completed the Auction School of Real Estate program at Continental Auctioneers School in Ames, Iowa to become a Certified Real Estate Auctioneer.  In 2006 I noticed a Salina, Kansas based real estate firm that was also auction marketing real estate online and decided to contact the broker of that firm, Dave Rose. Thus began a professional and personal relationship that continues today.

After joining United Country in Salina, Kansas, marketed diverse properties throughout the state of Kansas, including former school buildings, car dealerships, bed and breakfasts and established businesses. In 2007, I bought my first lake property at Linn Valley Lakes near La Cygne, Kansas and began learning the nuances of waterfront and lake development real estate.  An idea was born to create a waterfront, lake development and recreational real estate brokerage, helping enthusiastic families to buy and sell these unique, niche properties to serious individuals with the realization that many firms fail to recognize the unique traits and details that distinguish these properties from traditional single-family homes.

But as that idea developed, a different opportunity came knocking...

Besides auctions and real estate, I’ve always had a passion for specialty coffee. In 2008 a great opportunity presented itself that I couldn't avoid pursuing and thus, Blacksmith Coffee Roastery in Lindsborg, Kansas was born.  After building and developing one of Kansas favorite coffee roasteries, I sold the company in January 2016, and began preparing the final pieces of my plan to create Kansas' premier waterfront real estate marketing firm.  

When learning that United Country had taken many of the cutting-edge concepts and strategies we envisioned a decade ago to successfully market real estate, through live and online auctions and actually put them to use,

……….while also creating the most powerful lead generation platform for buyers and sellers in the real estate industry,

……….coupled with the robust Specialty Property Group tools available specifically for waterfront property and other niche property types,

……...and an awesome staff of support personnel to ensure that client's needs are always put first, I knew now is the time and United Country Real Estate is the company to make the dream a reality!

I am excited to join UC Red Hills to help enthusiastic buyers experience the joy of owning a Kansas lake home at the best investment price possible while also utilizing my ecommerce and internet marketing and sales skills to assist sellers who desire to realize the maximum price for their beloved home.

When not helping people with their real estate needs I enjoy spending time with my wife, daughters and son and being in the great outdoors, hiking, snowboarding, waterskiing and watching football.

Dave Rose Supervising Broker - Auctioneer - Realtree Land Pro

Dave joined United Country Real Estate in December 2006 with an office in Salina, Kansas. In April 2007 they opened their office in Coldwater, Kansas. In 2009 they added auction services to their operation. In February 2012 Dave had the honor of receiving the national 2011 Holcombe Award for exemplary management performance as an Area Vice President in service to United Country Real Estate. He was recognized in March 2014 with the 2013 Holcombe Award, joining a select few that have won the award twice during their management careers.

In 2019 Dave became one of the first Realtree Land Pros following the Realtree and United Country corporate partnerships.  With a lifetime of hunting, fishing and outdoor experience, as well as 12 years of ranch and hunting operation magagement experience, Dave is able to bring his knowledge and experience to work for buyers and sellers of farm, ranch, hunting and recreational real estate.  In 2020 Dave sold the United Country Red Hills Realty & Auction office to Vanita Blundell and her husband Jim Blundell.  Dave stayed on as a supervising broker and is honored to still be a part of the United Country family.  Dave specializes in land and rural real estate.   

Prior to joining United Country Dave worked for Farm Bureau Financial Services as a Regional Claims Manager for 17 years, retiring in 2003. He managed claims offices in Salina, Osborne, Concordia and Manhattan. Prior to working for Farm Bureau, he enjoyed 8 years of service to our country in the US Navy aboard a nuclear fast attack submarine, the USS Scamp SSN-588 and on recruiting duty in Western Colorado.

He started a family owned and operated real estate business in 2003. In 2006 the small company was recognized as an Emerging Business of the Year and was nominated for the Plains Spirit Award by the Kansas Small Business Development Center. In June 2007 Governor Kathleen Sebelius and the Kansas Department of Commerce recognized the company for the Business Achievement Award for service. The company has been featured in a number of articles in the Salina Journal, Boston Globe, Yahoo News Technology section, on the front page of the Los Angeles Times and many other newspapers.

Chelsi Winborne Marketing Specialist.

Chelsi has joined the staff of the Coldwater United Country Red Hills Realty & Auction Office in July 2017 as a Marketing Specialist.  She brings friendly, efficient, and reliable service in the workplace, while being an encouragement to customers and fellow coworkers. Chelsi is self-motivated, organized, and very detail oriented.

Chelsi graduated from Medicine Lodge High School in Medicine Lodge, KS, and earned an Associate’s Degree at Pratt Community College in Pratt, KS.  Her employment history includes 16 years of office experience with 13 years of that being in the real estate and auction industry.  Her real estate and marketing specialties include: Employing Microsoft Publisher and other software to design multiple page, color sale bills for auctions and other advertising purposes; organizing and maintaining real estate audit files; posting real estate listings onto Bullseye (United Country platform) and other websites; ordering advertising from various publications for real estate and auction events; maintaining social media sites and inputting data into other marketing platforms. Chelsi excels at providing valuable feedback to our agents and clients regarding the added exposure she provides to their properties nationwide.