Richard Van Valkenburgh entered the real estate business in 1985 with Van Valkenburgh & Wilkinson Properties, Inc. He is currently President and Designated REALTOR® of that firm. Richard has served in all the officer chairs of HAAR and was President of the Huntsville Area Association of REALTORS® in 2004. He has served HAAR as Chairman of the ARPAC Committee. In 2005 he was chosen as REALTOR® of the Year for HAAR and also for the Alabama Association of REALTORS®. In 2010 he received the Robert Jemison Award for distinguished service to the Alabama Association of REALTORS® and his service to the community. In a joint resolution, the Alabama House of Representatives and the Alabama Senate awarded a Resolution (HJR333) commending Richard for his service to the Alabama Association of REALTORS® and to his community.

He has served as a Director of HAAR, as a State Director for AAR and has represented HAAR as its first National Director to the National Association of REALTORS®. For the last three years he has served as member of the NAR Communications Committee and also as a member of the Member Development Committee of the Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers (CRB). In 2009 Richard was elected and sworn in as Secretary of the Alabama Association of REALTORS®. In 2010 he was Treasurer of AAR. He served as President-Elect in 2012 and is currently serving as 2013 President. He holds the following designations: ABR, CRB, CRS, GRI, and is past President of the Alabama Chapter of Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers (CRB).

Richard’s service to the community includes: Member and Past President of Huntsville Kiwanis Club (3rd Generation to serve as President of this club), Member and Past Chairman of Historic Huntsville Foundation, lifelong member of First United Methodist Church and member of the Sanctuary Choir.