Meet the Team: Jo Ann Hackett
Welcome to Reggora’s Meet the Team series! Reggora is powered by a team of smart, hard working people dedicated to the mission of appraisal innovation, and we’ve all taken very different paths to get here. In this series, we’ll introduce you to different members of the Reggora family. This week features Jo Ann Hackett, who joined Reggora in November of 2020 to support our AMC partners.
Jo Ann Hackett: Associate Partnership Manager
Q: Tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up? Go to school? What do you enjoy doing? (Bonus points for fun facts)
A: I grew up in East Greenbush, New York, just across the Hudson River from Albany. I received my BA in Communication Arts from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York. My husband and I met in our Freshman year and after we married, we raised our 3 sons a mile from the ocean in Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey. I currently live in South Carolina. I love the outdoors and especially love to hike. Fun Fact - I am a NE 111er - by the time I was 20, I had climbed the 111 mountains in the NorthEast (NY, VT, NH, ME) over 4,000 feet.
Q: Where did you work before Reggora? (Please include any notable career accomplishments)
A: I started off my career in not for profit television in Staten Island, New York and Washington, DC where I learned all aspects of television production. I was fortunate to be a stay at home mother for 12 years which allowed me to volunteer with our town Little League - I joined their board and eventually served as President for two years. I fell into the Real Estate Appraisal industry by chance, but I ended up spending 17+ years in it - first working for a RE Appraisal Company - York Realty Services, pre Frank Dodd and then for a regional East Coast AMC - MaxVantage. I most recently had a short stint as a processor for Cardinal Financial - which provided an insight into the world of lending.
Q: Why did you join the Reggora team?
A: I found that I missed doing what I knew so well - working in the appraisal world. I joined Reggora because I had heard so many positive and exciting things about it from Reggora’s Partnership Manager Heidi Belnay, whom I worked with at MaxVantage AMC. Fun Fact - Heidi and I lived on the same street in the small Shore town in NJ and only met when she was hired by the AMC. It is very energizing to be involved in something as new and innovative as Reggora. I am looking forward to helping to change the appraisal world!
Q: What do you do here at Reggora?
A: I am the Associate Partnership Manager for our AMCs. I help to provide customer service during onboarding and beyond. I also work behind the scenes in an administrative role keeping everything AMC related up to date.
Q: What’s something that’s surprised you since joining the team?
A: I learned that despite being technically challenged at times, I have been able to learn and adapt to new technologies. The training that I initially received was very well done. It is also really reassuring to know that any of my questions are answered with patience and encouragement. I think that has a lot to do with how well Reggora’s culture has been built and defined.
Q: If you built your dream house with unlimited money, where would you build it and what are the best things about it?
A: I am torn between two choices - a house on a crystal clear mountain lake (think Lake George, New York) or a house along the Southeast coast, somewhere between Charleston and Savannah. Either home would be the essence of relaxation and would provide enough space for all 3 of my sons to come and visit. The house would need plenty of windows to allow the natural light to shine in and a view of the calming ebb and flow of the water would be a bonus. Since I still love to hike, my ideal house would have easy access to various trails that I can explore and challenge myself on.
Q: What is your favorite part of your job or best part of being on the Reggora team?
A: When I first moved from New Jersey to South Carolina and worked remotely, I was very detached from the everyday happenings in the office - I felt very alone. I love the fact that this team at Reggora is so tied to one another - everyone is so helpful and encouraging. Even though I am working remotely, I have never felt isolated. Reggora has done an outstanding job of holding virtual events to build the team. I also appreciate working with people from all over - it makes for a well rounded work environment.
Thank you, Jo Ann, for supporting our vital AMC partners, and for taking the time to share with all of us today!
We’re continuing to hire across all departments here at Reggora. To learn about joining the team and see our open roles, visit www.reggora.com/careers.
