Bruce Swinney & Associates, Inc.

Bruce Swinney - Broker/Owner
(406) 431-1508
Bruce@bruceswinney.com

Bruce is a native of Kansas. He grew up as an only child on a small equestrian ranch. He learned to know what hard work was; he learned how to be creative and to entertain himself; and he developed a passion for the outdoors and a love of animals. He received his degree in dental technology from Southern Illinois University and still routes for the Salukis. His new vocation took him to many large cities, such as Denver, Fort Worth, New York and Kansas City, in order to gain experience, learn, and increase his skills as a technician. He learned quickly that his heart was in residing in less population than greater. He married his wife Kathy during his military service in the Air Force in the Viet Nam era. They have a daughter and a son and now, one beautiful granddaughter. It took another 14 years to finally switch vocations to real estate and search for that less populated wonderland. Bruce received his real estate license in 1981 and went to work with Better Homes and Gardens franchise. Through hard work and perseverance he became the number one producing agent for his brokerage. Whenever Bruce could steal a day away, he was an avid bow hunter. Every year, he and his hunting buddies would head to Montana to deer and elk hunt. In 1988, Bruce returned to announce to his family that this was the year to load up the U-Haul and move to Montana. Settling in Helena, Montana, Bruce went to work for a Coldwell Banker franchise. Once again he was selected as a top regional producer for Coldwell Banker by 1995. And while attending the 1995 Coldwell Banker Convention in San Francisco, he met many other top producing agents and renowned speakers and educators. Bruce learned there was yet more to accomplish in his real estate career. He returned home to attain his Broker’s license and to strike out again in 1998 on his own, with his wife, Kathy, and his personal assistant, Debbie. Bruce formed Bruce Swinney & Associates, where Bruce works hard daily to bring the latest in real estate information and in marketing strategies to his Swinney Sells Team! Bruce has learned that it is not the franchise that offers their clients good service; it is the agent who desires to work hard, stay informed, and focus on their needs. Therefore developing a strong independent team, The Swinney Sells Team. Where your real estate needs are customized not franchised! Bruce knows how to work hard and how valuable your time is. If you want “to make things happen” and “to make your time count”, Bruce and his Swinney Sells Team are your real estate professionals!

Kathy Swinney - Office Manager/Owner
(406) 442-3616
Kathy@bruceswinney.com

Kathy was born the middle of three daughters of a saw miller from Kansas. She was always the one with the common sense and the mediation attributes. So this should be your first clue that she is not the dictating force of the family, but instead more the follower. But as life for her has evolved, she has also realized her abilities as the enhancer of the family. She graduated from college with a degree in communication and a Master's degree in theatre from Kansas State University. So why should it be a surprise to Kathy that drama would not be the exception but the norm of her life? She married Bruce in 1968, and the whirl in a whirlwind life began. Bruce and Kathy have two wonderful children, Sara, an attorney residing with her husband Brian and their first granddaughter, Sophie, in Colorado; and their son Ryan, who met his wife Jennifer while in Medical School in Omaha, Nebraska, and now resides in Helena and both are a great asset and are very active Broker/Sales Agents at Bruce Swinney & Associates. Kathy and Bruce have lived in Helena almost 20 years. In 1994, Kathy was diagnosed with breast cancer. That was a major turning point in her life and she realized what was truly important to her was her family and being able to spend time with them. Therefore, she finally gave up her day job as an office manager at a dental practice in 2005, and came over to Bruce Swinney & Associates full time as an office manager. It has offered Kathy an opportunity to re-visit her communication skills and apply them to the family business. Kathy is always the first to tell a potential client that if you are interviewing realtors, now that you found the Swinney Sells Team, you need not go any further! She feels all lives should build to a climax---and she feels hers has yet to come.

Ryan Swinney - Broker
(406) 431-8130
Ryan@bruceswinney.com

Ryan Swinney began his real estate career in 2003. Having grown up in Helena and in a real estate family, Ryan has been able to really jump-start his career. Since his first year in real estate, his number of sales has grown exponentially. In 2006, Ryan received his Broker’s License. This success comes from his professionalism, his passion for the real estate business, and his drive to provide the best client service he can. As a graduate of University of Colorado, Ryan understands the importance of education. He brings this philosophy to real estate by attending many educational classes, such as the Howard Brinton Star Power seminars. Ryan stays on the cutting edge of real estate marketing and gives excellent service to all his clients. Ryan, the Swinney Sells Team’s Top Sales Agent since 2004, brings enthusiasm, knowledge and great marketing and negotiating skills to all his clients.

Jim O'Connor - Realtor
(406) 439-6645
Jim@bruceswinney.com

Jim O’Connor is originally from not just the state of Oklahoma but the Great state of Oklahoma. After high school graduation, Jim spent 15 months in the U.S. Army; then received his business degree from Oklahoma A & M College; and was a Civilian Personnel Officer for the U.S. Air Force for 2 more years. Jim then expanded his business experience to the General Motors Corporation for 13 years as a sales manager. In 1986, Jim decided that due to the depressed economy in the automobile industry in the Lubbock, Texas and Clovis, New Mexico areas to return to Enid, Oklahoma and begin his career in the real estate business. Business is the key word when selecting Jim O’Connor as your real estate agent. He truly conducts each transaction as a professional business transaction. Jim and his lovely bride Alice, now of 54 years, moved to Helena, Montana where they could be closer to their 4 children, (3 sons and a daughter) and 10 grandchildren, who all reside in the Northwest, and he resumed his real estate sales in 1992. Jim joined Bruce in real estate in 2001 where he felt the family business fit his image and values and where “Old fashioned service” still exists.

Debbie Jones - Realtor
(406) 431-6559
Debbie@bruceswinney.com

Debbie Jones was born and raised in Oregon. She was a graduate of Oregon Institute of Technology with a para-legal degree. She got her real estate license in Oregon in 1989 and attached it to the Better Homes and Garden franchise. Debbie and her husband, Stan, moved to Helena, Montana in 1995, where she became Bruce’s personal assistant while he was still part of the Coldwell Banker franchise. Debbie has 3 children and 7 grandchildren. She loves Helena and the surrounding Montana areas especially while hiking. Debbie delights in helping others and particularly new families find their first home. She believes strongly in customer service, which includes listening to what the client wants, assisting them to meet their expectations of their dream home with the least amount of stress to her client. Therefore, Bruce and she have realized that the small, personal touch of Bruce Swinney & Associates was a much better way than franchises in order to meet client’s needs.

Nels Wilkins - Realtor
(406) 431-6509
Nels@bruceswinney.com

Nels Wilkins, born and raised in Montana, has been a licensed REALTOR® since 1997. After 31 years of experience in Highway Design, Nels decided he wanted a new type of challenge. You can place your confidence in his ability, experience, and dependability. Nels is committed in both time and effort to take you from the beginning to the end of your real estate transaction with attention to every detail. Working with him, you can expect honesty with the highest standard of integrity! You’ll be hard pressed to find an agent with more enthusiasm or more positive attitude than Nels. Nels brings a strong, well-rounded background and professionalism to our business.

Sarah Irvin Sampson - Realtor/Marketing
(406) 460-0133
Sarah@bruceswinney.com

Sarah Sampson, a native of Montana, joined the Swinney Sells Team in 2005 as their marketing specialist. A graduate of Carroll College, Sarah has her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with concentrations in Marketing, Management, and Finance. While working for Bruce Swinney and Associates and being directly involved with real estate transactions, Sarah’s interest for selling became prevalent. She received her real estate license in June of 2006. Sarah comes from a long family background of hard working Montanan’s ranging from farming and ranching to the trucking business. Having grown-up in those surroundings, Sarah has the drive to succeed engrained in her. Sarah and her husband, Pat, enjoy Montana’s great outdoors by snow skiing, hiking, golfing and boating.

Bill Rice - Realtor
(406) 439-1875
Bill@bruceswinney.com

Bill Rice joined Bruce Swinney and Associates in September 2006, bringing 11 years of sales and marketing experience with him. Bill and his family moved to Helena in 1996 when he began his sales career as a Navy Recruiter. Through his experience in sales Bill has developed a wonderful ability to listen to his clients’ needs and to find the right property or home for them in a timely manner. He always goes the extra mile when selling a property. When Bill is not working he is serving at his local church or enjoying Montana’s great outdoors hiking, camping, and hunting

Darrell Schroeder - Realtor
(406) 465-1444
Darrell@bruceswinney.com

Darrell Schroeder is a real estate specialist who evolved out of the highly technical automotive industry. Darrell and his real estate partner and wife, Kat Schroeder, work together as a team utilizing a combined 15 years of residential and commercial real estate experience to their clients’ needs. Strong attention to detail combined with a focus on follow-through and organizational skills makes Darrell an excellent REALTOR®. He constantly makes himself aware of the inventory on the market and focuses in on clients’ needs and wants to make them a reality. Darrell keeps abreast of the changing real estate market as it affects buyers and sellers. Darrell’s goal is for his clients to experience a smooth real estate transaction.

Kat Schroeder - Realtor
(406) 465-2015
Kat@bruceswinney.com

Kat Schroeder enjoyed a varied career in the legal field prior to realizing her dream of becoming a REALTOR®. Married 21 years to her real estate partner, Darrell Schroeder, their combined 15 years of real estate experience enables clients to be well served by this hardworking team. Because Kat’s passion is to serve, real estate has been a natural fit. She brings enthusiasm and optimism to everything she does while serving her clients with honesty and respect. Knowing communication is key to meeting clients’ goals and to building that all-important relationship, Kat is dedicated to providing her clients with outstanding customer service. Whether buying or selling, Kat works hard to exceed her clients’ expectations.

Beverly Morgan - Realtor
(406) 431-4413
Bev@bruceswinney.com

Beverly, a native of Kansas, relocated to Montana 6 years ago to be closer to family. After being employed for 31 years as accounting supervisor for the City of Wichita Water/Sewer Department, Beverly decided to become a real estate professional. Her initial training and experience was with Century 21 in Kansas. With her move to Montana, she joined Bruce Swinney & Assoicates Real Estate. With a strong background in accounting, budgeting, financial management, customer service, and love for the real estate profession, Bev is ready to help you go to the closing table.

Jessica Jones - Realtor
(406) 439-6931
Jessica@bruceswinney.com

Jessica Jones, a Helena native, came to Bruce Swinney and Associates in 2006. Being a descendent of hard working Montana miners, Jessica’s strong work ethic and passion for real estate has made her successful in her career. She loves every aspect of real estate from the challenge of finding someone their dream home to helping a first time homebuyer find a nice home they can afford. Jessica and her husband, a successful building contractor in Helena, have 3 children and enjoy spending time out in Montana’s beautiful outdoors.