(Jenn Limoges ~ 2015 award winner)
As CBN celebrates our 19th year of honoring young business leaders in Central Oregon, we — along with our sponsor, Washington Trust Bank — thought it would be fun to reach out to some of our past award winners and ask…
Where are they now?
What advice would you give to your former self at the time you were featured as an Accomplished Under 40 Award recipient?
Trust your instincts and take risks. Working hard for someone else is one thing but building something of your own is entirely different. The early days may be uncertain and even frustrating but once you’ve built it, it’s yours.
Be the first to invest in a relationship because it’s all about the relationships: staff, clients and partners. Take care of your people, and they’ll take care of the business.
What has changed the most in Central Oregon since then?
Central Oregon’s growth has been staggering. The commercial real estate landscape has shifted from small-town to regional player. With that comes increased sophistication, more competition and bigger opportunities for firms willing to scale responsibly and stay rooted in local values.
How has your career and community involvement changed since you were selected?
Since receiving the award, I moved from broker to business owner. In 2020, I purchased NAI Cascade Commercial Real Estate with partner Walt Ramage and added property management in 2021. We’ve focused on building the business, expanding our market share, recruiting talent and strengthening our operational capacity. My role has evolved from focusing solely on clients and transactions to cultivating company culture and growing a high-performing team. This evolution has deepened my capacity for community involvement and my professional purpose.
What did it mean to you to receive the award?
It was a meaningful checkpoint. Recognition from a community I had returned to, rebuilt my career in and was committed to contributing to — it affirmed the path I was on. It also reminded me how many people there are behind every success story.
What are some of your proudest accomplishments that make you who you are today?
- Returning to Bend and building a career in a new sector
- Becoming NAI Cascade’s first non-partner broker in 2014 and helping build the brand from the ground up
- Purchasing the business in 2020 with Walt and growing it through talent, systems, and culture
- Building a team that genuinely enjoys working together — and having fun along the way
- Staying committed to personal and professional growth
What advice would you give to this year’s — and future — recipients of Accomplished Under 40 Award?
Stay curious. Stay involved. Don’t be afraid to pivot. Success rarely follows a straight line — own your story and keep building on it. Find a mentor, build a support system of people you trust and take risks. Be committed to long-term growth and as you rise, make it a priority to lift others along the way.
What question would you ask yourself for this interview?
What would you have done differently along the way? And my answer would be: If I could go back, I’d trust myself sooner, take the leap earlier and start laying the groundwork for long-term growth without waiting for the “perfect” moment. You learn as you go and what matters most is staying true to your purpose while adapting along the way.
Additional Comments
I’m proud of what we’re building at NAI Cascade. Growth isn’t just about revenue or square footage — it’s about creating something that lasts and leading with integrity.
