John Aaroe Group - Southern California Real Estate

John Aaroe, Founder and Owner
John Aaroe, Founder and Owner, obtained his real estate license and joined the Jon Douglas Company as a full-time sales agent in 1975. In 1983, he formed a division of the company which specialized in luxury sales. This division, which Mr. Aaroe ran for 10 years, became the largest entity in the U.S. selling homes in excess of 1 million. Aaroe & Associates was formed in 1993 and quickly became the most productive real estate company, per agent, in the United States. After the sale of Aaroe and Associates to Prudential in 1998, John ran the LA Division of Pru, titled John Aaroe Division and expanded the company into the Santa Barbara and Palm Springs markets. In January of 2009, John Aaroe Group was formed. Back in the role of company owner, John is excited to have a new venture to grow. He plans to once again have the most productive company, per agent, in the U.S.

Michael Williamson, Founder and Manager
Michael Williamson, Partner and Branch Manager, began selling real estate almost 30 years ago. After rising to the level of ‘Top Producer’ at Jon Douglas, his career evolved into the role of branch manager. As a successful Jon Douglas and then Coldwell Banker manager, Michael was prepared to open a Laurel Canyon branch for Prudential John Aaroe Division in 1999. In 2005 Michael took his career to another level with the challenge of bringing a new brand to the Coachella Valley. He managed the Palm Springs office and served as the Regional Manager for the area, overseeing five branches. In January 2009, Michael became a partner with John Aaroe in John Aaroe Group where he successfully led the first branch in Sherman Oaks as Branch Manager. He is currently serving as Branch Manager for our Sunset Strip office.

Stan Smith, Manager, Beverly Hills
Stan has been active in Beverly Hills real estate since 1978 selling major homes and estates for the Jon Douglas Company until 1994 when he joined John Aaroe & Associates. He managed the Beverly Hills branch of John Aaroe & Associates until 1997 when he opened the Beverly Hills branch of DBL Realtors on Rodeo Drive. He managed DBL on Rodeo Drive and stayed after it was purchased in 2004 by Sotheby’s International Realty until 2006. He is excited to make a re-entry into the market he knows and loves as the manager of the Beverly Hills branch of John Aaroe Group. Stan has an active leadership role in local, regional and statewide Realtor Associations including the Beverly Hills Greater Los Angeles Association of Realtors where he serves as a Presiding Officer of the Professional Standards Committee.

Susan Jacobs, Manager, Sherman Oaks
A licensed Realtor since 1985, Susan began her career at the Jon Douglas Company and in 1994 moved to the John Aaroe & Associates Beverly Hills Office. In 1997 her career evolved as Associate Manager and New Agent Trainer for DBL Beverly Hills which later became Sothebys International Realty, where she continued in the same capacity. In 2008 she became the Branch Manager for Prudential California Realty, Pacific Design Center Office. In 2011, she returned to work for John Aaroe and is currently the Branch Manager for the John Aaroe Group Sherman Oaks office, which is comprised of 80 agents and services the San Fernando Valley, where Susan has lived since 1983.

Gus Ruelas, Branch Manager, Pasadena
Gus Ruelas began his successful real estate career over 15 years ago. He began his career at RE/Max in San Marino. He then joined Prudential John Aaroe and Associates in 2000 when they opened the Pasadena branch. He quickly became one of the company's top producers. Gus specialized in the listing and selling everything from entry level homes to luxury estates. He served as assistant manager and company mentor for a number of years. Gus' dedication to shaping the careers of other successful agents became apparent as he assisted in the training and development of new licensees. He now brings his extensive experience to John Aaroe Group as branch manager of the new Pasadena office. Excited to take on this new challenge in his career, Gus is looking forward to building a long lasting partnership with John Aaroe Group.