Coldwell Banker Bain’s Lake Union office, located at the south end of Lake Union in the AGC building, opened in 1972 as William A. Bain Associates.  From the beginning, the focus of the company was to market Seattle’s finer homes.  When Coldwell Banker decided to enter the Seattle market, they wanted a company that had the same business model as they did across the United States… an emphasis of luxury homes.  They felt it was a good match and Coldwell Banker Bain Associates was born.  Based on the fact that single office on Lake Union has now grown to a company with 22 offices throughout Puget Sound I’d say it was a match made in heaven.   William A. Bain has since retired.  I was privileged enough to work at the office while Mr. Bain (yes, I call him that to this day) was still in the office.  Because I can’t think of a better way to put it I’ll just say he is one class act and has been an incredible inspiration to me.   His office is now a conference room that I still call Mr. Bain’s office where I meet with clients.  I make sure that I sit with my back to the window so my clients can face me yet still enjoy the views of the lake.   Just between you and me there is an interior window that I face so I can watch all of the reflections of the boats and planes but my clients don’t know it.  The company still has a single owner, William (Bill) Riss, who has continued the legacy established over a quarter of a century ago.   Our Managing Broker at the Lake Union office is John Deely who is known as a leader throughout the industry in the Puget Sound area and a great leader/mentor to me.  People often kid me saying the reason I chose this office is because of the views.  However, it’s because of the solid leadership and strong community involvement (Habitat for Humanity, adopting families at Christmas, rehabing unused/unwanted musical instruments and distributing them back out into the schools in need, delivering food to the needy, Toys for Tots and my favorite, Dress for Success that accepts donations of interview appropriate clothing for low-income women trying to get employment.