Justin Holder’s Blog

The United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties announced today that Rachel Holder will serve as the organization’s new president. Holder has held the position of interim director since November 29, 2006. The United Way Search Committee, Chaired by board member Don Alexander, began looking for the organization’s new leader in January.

“I am so proud to announce that the Board of Directors has approved Rachel Holder as our new president/executive director of the United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties.” said Cathi Rowlison, United Way Board chair-elect said. “Rachel’s professionalism, passion and vision will lead our community’s United Way to the next level. As our community grows, so do the basic needs. Rachel’s United Way team will work hard to meet these basic needs of our community and bring opportunities to help the quality of life here.”

Holder began her career at United Way in 2004 as the director of Campaign and Communications. She was responsible for attaining the community campaign goal of $2.4 million in 2005, the first time a campaign goal had been reached in seven years.

As director of Campaign and Communications, she worked closely with more than 250 Rutherford County Companies and major donors to support 47 area-wide agencies.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead United Way as president of the organization. My passion for our local United Way is stronger than ever and I’m eager to be able to lead such a competent staff, and work with our wonderful volunteers, in order to take our organization to the next level. As always, my commitment will be to ensure that United Way remains the best way to help the most people in Rutherford and Cannon Counties,” Holder said.

Holder is also a member of the Leadership Rutherford class of 2006/07 and the Junior League of Murfreesboro where she currently serves as the Research & Development Committee chair.

Holder has a B.S. in mass communications from Middle Tennessee State University. In addition, she is a 2005 graduate of the Dale Carnegie Leadership Program. Rachel lives in Murfreesboro and with her husband, Justin.

The United Way supports health and human service programming throughout Rutherford and Cannon counties. Programs supported by United Way focus on building a better community by supporting youth and education, assisting abused women and children, responding to people in crisis, building stronger and safer neighborhoods, enabling seniors and people with disabilities, and helping working poor families.

To find out more, call the United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties office at (615) 893-7303.

This past week was amazing, as our company hosted “Up with People,” a travelling performing group. Performance is a beter word, since the performing they do is not only on stage. The way that it’s set up is the group is hosted by a particular city and that contact person in the city sets up non-profits for the group to work in during the week. That’s not all…the folks that come in with Up with People are representing 19 countries and range from 18 to 28 years old. Do they stay in the Holiday Inn Express? No. They stay in families homes of that particular area. Its a fun, learning experience for the host families and the performers, as they’re constantly meeting different kinds of folks.

The week ends with a full musical, dance performance highlighting traditions of each country represented. We were able to secure the Acuff Theater, making it a special evening and raising $20,000 for Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital!

I’m excited about a recent listing in the Bear Branch subdivision, here in Murfreesboro.  The listing is for a 3.20 acre lot in the North side development, backing up to Mirabella.  If you’d like to take a look, just take Rutherford Blvd to Pitts Lane, and Bear Branch Cove will be on your left.  Homes in the neighborhood are set to range 2,600-6,000 square feet.  My favorite things about this neighborhood are:

• Great, wooded lots
• Very private
• Only one street
• Unique and uniformed designs of homes
• Strict HOA
• Close to town, but tucked away
• Walking distance to new John PIttard Elementary

Get moving to get started on your dream home!  Enjoy the day…Justin

I suppose I am a lot like my father, in that when I like something…I want everyone else to try it.  Whether it’s Kroger’s baked deli chicken, Turner’s Carpet Cleaning or Nan that cuts our hair, it seems I’m always referring folks. 

Well, these folks don’t cook, clean or cut but they produce a great product.  Most likely, The Post is already a household name, but if not, be sure to pick one up this week.  My favorite part is that it opens like a magazine and is easy to handle. 

Whether it’s Mike Pirtle (editor), writers Erin Edgemon & Lisa Marchesoni, or photographer Laura Leigh Smith (who never misses an event), these folks work tirelessly to produce a stellar product. 

I’m proud of this group for an amazing job in this amazing town.  All the best!

When I first moved to Tullahoma, at the age of 6, one of the first folks that I met was Peggy Ward of Peggy Ward Realty. Peggy wasn’t someone that you knew, but more someone you experienced.   She was five feet of bursting energy. 

Through her career, Peggy was Business Woman of the Year, President of everything and volunteer for everything.  There were few in our town, or Middle Tennessee for that matter, that didn’t love and respect Peggy. 

A perfect example of my Peggy, to me, was when I was 7 years old.   It was the week of Mother’s Day and we had been working on a Mother’s Day surprise.  Now, keep in mind that I was 7 afterall and that our skill level was limited.  The gift that we were making was a bandana, that would be worn around the neck.  Along the edge of the bandana, cuts were made and beads were strung.  When completed, you had a blue bandana with the clang of red, white and blue beads.  It was no runway wear, but it was supposed to be special.  My mother, Konnie, got her start in real estate at Peggy’s office.  I remember taking the bandana to mom’s office, after school, to present the Big Surprise…I walked in and mother loved it.  Then, I remember hearing the tapping of Peggy’s shoes as she scurried down the hall to see what I had made.  Her eyes lit up, she gasped, and acted like this was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.  So, as soon as we left the office, I had mom rush me to Wal-Mart to pick up supplies for a bandana for Peggy.  I shot home, manufactured the bandana, and we too it to Peggy that night.  She was so proud. 

Peggy always cared much more about relationships than anything else.  The next day made that obvious to me.  She had no idea that I would be by the next day, but I will never forget seeing her through the window of her office while she was working with a client.  She was wearing red heels, a blue dress, white blouse…and my bandana proudly.  I couldn’t believe THE Peggy Ward, a celebrity in our town, was wearing MY gift.  You see, Peggy would never feel the need to explain or justify why she was wearing such an odd accessory.  It was from me…and that’s all that mattered to her.

Peggy taught me so much about marriage as well.  You never spoke of just Peggy…it was always “Tom and Peggy.”  The two were amazing business partners, but more importantly they were amazing life partners.  They taught me to always be devoted to Rachel first, before anything else.

Peggy taught me about people.  She would help and befriend so many folks that others would cast off.  I’ll never forget a fellow that used to come by the office.  His name was Buster and he loved Peggy.  Buster would come in Peggy’s meticulous office, fresh from cutting lawns, landscaping, etc tracking dirty footprints behind.  When others would complain to Peggy, she’d always say “when the day comes that Buster is not welcome in our office, that’s the day we need to close the doors.”  When folks would experience a little bump in the road, Peggy could easily dismiss it and love them more. 

Peggy passed away this week, after a menu of health problems.  Still, when you would go and visit her, she’d want to know about… you.  She had no interest in complaining about the tough deck that she had been dealt. 

Yesterday, as I was sitting in the service, there was such a warm feeling in the room.  I could bet you that there wasn’t anyone that felt like they had barely known Peggy.  She was notorious for, after the first time she met you, always giving you a kiss.  She always made everyone in that room feel like the most important folks in her life.  

I appreciated Peggy more than I probably ever showed.  However, appreciation is not what she saught.  In fact she didn’t seek anything from you.  A smile was always enough.

As someone who both loves to travel and loves to save money, I had resigned myself to the fact that travel agents were the least thrifty way to go.  With Expedia.com, travelocity.com and many others, the internet is always the cheapest….right?  Wrong. 

In January, Rachel and I (along with 28 other Chamber Diplomats) took a Carnival Cruise to Mexico.  We had a great time and Rachel and I decided, on the way home, that we wanted to take that trip again with our family in May.  I started scouring the internet for the cheapest rate.  Then, I remembered that I had won top bid on a travel gift certificate at a recent United Way auction.  (To show you what a savvy auction buyer I am…I bid $200 for a $200 gift certificate.  What a steal). 

Anyway, the certificate was to Seven Seas Travel, here in Murfreesboro from my friend Matt Rubin.  I figured I would pay a little more, but might as well cash in my gift certificate…right?  To my surprise, Matt was able to find us a significantly less rate than any website “Special” I could ever find…saving us probably $500.  Not only was the price less, he was overly accomodating in getting us specific rooms and upgrades. 

If you decide to take a trip soon, sail down and see our friend Matt first. 

Best of luck to Matt and Seven Seas Travel of Murfreesboro.   

For many of you, I am sure that I have mentioned the amazing movie The Secret.  For those that I have not, check out the website www.thesecret.tv.  For those of you that have seen the movie, I think you’ll agree that it is definately life changing.  The whole premise of the movie is that we create what happens in our individual world (positive breeds positive/ negative breeds negative). 

It has changed the way that I think.  It has changed my business.  It has changed my marriage. 

Some folks are offended by The Secret, misunderstanding that it is a “religious” movie.  However, for me, it was not as much a religious movie as it was a spiritual movie.  Afterall, regardless of your religious beliefs, making the most of your life is always condoned. 

Anyway, the direction that I was heading was regarding the national press that The Secret has enjoyed in the last few months.  Oprah dedicated her entire show to The Secret last week.  So did Ellen and Larry King.   

Take and hour or so and experience The Secret.  I think you’ll be happy with the results.  Feel free to borrow my copy!

Welcome to Justin Holder’s Blog! This blog will provide you with valuable information, tips, and general insight into the real estate market in Murfreesboro.