Welcome to the Eastern Madera County News Blog 

 The sponsor of this blogsite is Montecino & Associates, a real estate firm located in Coarsegold, California. We invite you to use our blog as an information resource for events, happenings, and news worthy information for Madera County California.

We invite you to visit our main website for more information on our firm and our services at http://www.mymaderacountyrealestate.com/

The Bio. of Brandon Fairbanks the Madera County Blog Sponsor

I was born in Westlake California in 1974. My family moved to Oakhurst in 1988 as I was entering high school. I played soccer and football, was heavily involved in FFA, youth groups and every outdoor activity our area has to offer. After graduation, I attended Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo and studied Agricultural Business.

I was fortunate to be hired by Peterson Tractor, a Caterpillar dealership in the Bay area in their Sales department. In the bay area I met my wife Natalie and we had our first son Nathan. After five years in the Bay Area, we came to a point in our lives where we had to make a decision as to whether or not we should stay. We did not want Natalie to have to return to work and my commute along with the cost of housing made the decision clear, we were to move back to the mountains.
This is when I decided to sell real estate. Our good friend, Cheryl Montecino, had just opened her own brokerage and was gracious enough to bring me in under her wing and share with me her secrets to success. I immediately took off in this business and recruited my mother Patty to join me as our business was growing.

A few years later Cheryl gave us notice that she was retiring to Virginia. This gave me the opportunity to purchase the business from her. I am currently the Owner and Broker of Montecino & Associates. We have built our business based on a team concept to better serve our clients. We now have over 10 hand picked professionals and have doubled the size of our office.

We have since had another son Kyle and daughter Lauren! My hobbies include spending time with my family, vacationing to the coast and our cabin, working on our ranch, and of course, building the business. I enjoy training and educating the members on my team to be successful in real estate and life. I also enjoy building homes and renovating homes to sell.

Patty Fairbanks

My name is Patty Fairbanks. Having lived in Southern California all our lives, my husband and I took a great “leap” and relocated our family to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in 1988. After many years of mountain living, we still appreciate every day as the sun rises, reminding us of God’s beautiful creation that we discovered in the pines and snowcapped mountains.

With my son’s real estate practice becoming increasingly busier in the mountain area, I again took another “leap” and pursued a second career in the Real Estate Industry becoming his partner in 2002. Real estate without a doubt is a business that has great rewards from the fulfilling the dreams of “first time” buyers to sharing in the lives of folks during the real estate transaction. I enjoy meeting new people and building new friendships.

In 2004, Brandon and I were proud to have earned the Top Producer Award. My relationship with God, my husband, children, and grandchildren are the “treasures” in my life. I love to be with my family sharing the day to day experiences. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my grandchildren, going to Bass Lake, and riding with my husband on our Harley. God has blessed my family and myself, in many ways. You can contact Patty Fairbanks at pfairbanks@sti.net

Dennis Fairbanks

My name is Dennis Fairbanks. I am a native Californian that grew up in Thousand Oaks, California. I graduated from Thousand Oaks High School in 1968 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration. I have served over 16 years as a member of the California Air National Guard / Air Force Reserve and the United States Coast Guard Reserve.

During my time with the Coast Guard, I worked on a 41’ search and rescue boat out of the Channel Island area. I qualified as a Federal Boarding Officer and spent 6 years as a Special Agent assigned to the Coast Guards Intelligence and Law Enforcement branch. I retired from the California Highway Patrol after over 30 years of service.

I worked in Los Angeles and Ventura prior to coming to the Oakhurst area. My last 14 years was served as the CHP’s supervisor here in Eastern Madera County. During my tenure, I received numerous commendations for my efforts in DUI and drug enforcement. In 1978 I was awarded “Peace Officer of The Year” representing the California Highway Patrol in Ventura County and was recognized as “Outstanding Young Men of America” by the Thousand Oaks Junior Chamber of Commerce. Besides my Professional responsibilities, I have been involved in many local community activities. I have been involved with the Coarsegold 4H Club and Yosemite High School’s FFA program, serving as President of the Booster Club.

I helped start the Eastern Madera County Junior Livestock Committee and served as its President for many years. I was a member of the Coarsegold Round-up Association and Rodeo Committee for many years and served as its President from 1994 to 1997. I also was a member and past President of the Oakhurst Sierra Sunrise Rotary Club. I am a member and current President of Sierra Ambulance Service Board of Directors. I have sat on numerous committees and advisory boards within the community and Yosemite High School. I have served as Oakhurst “Honorary Mayor” in 1999 and was honored as the community “Outstanding Man of the Year” in 2000. You can contact me at si@sti.net.

Mat Jenkins

Having been raised in Coarsegold I know the mountains well. After graduating from Yosemite High School, I enlisted in the United States Coast Guard where I served at The White House in Washington D.C in the Presidential Honor Guard and then conducted search and rescue at Small Boat Station San Francisco.

After serving in the Coast Guard I met my wife, Aleena, and started a family which quickly grew into three children. My family is very active in the Journey Vineyard Church in Oakhurst and posses a passion to serve in the mountain community.

I have spent the last 7 years working with Sierra Tel Business Systems as an account executive. This experience gives me the inside track on the businesses and the various neighborhoods & communities that make up
Eastern Madera County.

I add great value to The Fairbanks Group with a bachelor’s degree in business management, over 10 years customer service & sales experience and a vast knowledge of the people and places that make up our local community. With a fearless attitude and a desire to serve my philosophy is simple, “Treat everyone like family”. 

Teri Lucas, Realtor-Associate and Accredited Staging Professional®

My family and I moved to the mountains from Ventura County in 1992 after a camping trip to Yosemite. Upon leaving the park, the transmission went out in our motor home and was towed to Oakhurst, giving us a chance to better explore the town. After three days, we knew this was where we wanted to raise our children.

I have been married for 30+ years to my husband, Ralph, a Fire Captain. We have a daughter and son who both attend college. My daughter, Hilary, is a graduate of UCLA and my son, Casey, is at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. I attended California State University at Northridge and studied Therapeutic Recreation.

My husband and I have been long time friends of the Fairbanks family, so I was excited when Brandon challenged me to get my real estate license and join his team. What a blessing to be surrounded by people who love God, love life, love to laugh and love meeting people! Coming to work is so much fun!

Through the years, I have had a variety of jobs in retail, education and working as a seamstress but I think real estate has allowed me utilize all of my gifts to the fullest extent.

In February 2006, I received my Accredited Staging Professional® designation allowing me to bring a new aspect of gaining an edge in selling homes to a changing and competitive market.

In my free time I love to sew, quilt, work in my garden, ride on the back of my husband’s Harley, and rearrange furniture! But I’ll be happy to take the time to work with you and find you the place of your dreams!

Sophia Ewert

My name is Sophia Ewert and I have lived here in Coarsegold with my family for since 2002. My husband, Steve, and I have been married for 19 years and we have three children ages 16, 13 and 10. I grew up in the Central San Joaquin Valley on an almond farm and I also have a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. I think this practical background of farming, nursing, and being mom for so many years set me up well for Real Estate. It is all a matter of organization, planning, record keeping, and relationships which include good communication.

Our family is grateful for the fellowship and support we get at the Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church we attend and we are thankful for the excellent schools that our children attend. The kids are involved in sports, AWANA at church, academic competitions, the local ski program, school band and percussion groups, and 4-H. The mountains have been good to us affording us many opportunities!

I am very blessed to be working at Montecino & Associates Real Estate. Our office is a wonderful place to work. We work together as a team, supporting each other, so that our clients get the best possible service. You just can’t beat that! Give us a call today and see what we are all about!

Rick Jackson

My name is Rick Jackson. I was “stuck in Lodi” in the 50’s and 60’s. One of the best things that came out of Lodi was my high school sweetheart, Lana, whom I met in 1967 and upon my last year at Cal State Fullerton we were married. Lana and I have two adult children Dawn, who is also a Realtor in the same office, and Christopher, who is serving people in Tucson, Arizona as a Realtor. Christopher is married to Danae and the two are parents to my grandchildren, Rylee and Jacob. Spending time with my family are the joys of my life!

“The mountains are calling and I must go!” John Muir would say. I have always enjoyed backpacking and wherever I have traveled, I have enjoyed coming home to the mountains. My family and I have lived in Oakhurst since 1978! My other occupation for almost 30+ years, prior to becoming a Realtor, was in route bread sales serving grocery stores and restaurants throughout Fresno and the mountain area, including Yosemite National Park. I am passionate about helping and encouraging people. Being a member of Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church, I have participated in overseas missions that have taken me to countries such as Cambodia, Ecuador, Mexico, Sudan, Philippines, and Australia. My mission in life is to “make an invisible God visible.”

The universal language of a smile, humor, encouragement, honesty and serving and helping others is something I enjoy and has propelled me into traveling overseas and in the business of real estate. With almost 30 years of mountain living, it has given me a working knowledge of the mountain area. If you need to buy or sell a home and a Realtor to come alongside your needs, then I am the person for you.

Dawn Jackson

I was born in Fresno, California in 1975. My family then moved up to Oakhurst in 1977. I grew up going to the mountain area schools and was very involved in all of our local sports programs. After graduating from Yosemite High School, I attended Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo where I received my AA. I then transferred to Fresno State University where I majored in Kinesiology.

While attending Fresno State, I coached at volleyball, basketball, and softball at Yosemite High School. My brother eventually told me I should get my real estate license, knowing that I love to work with people and my knowledge of the area. Having been in different sort of sales positions for the past 10 years, I felt that real estate would be something I would enjoy and be good at. I feel very fortunate to work at Montecino & Associates Real Estate. Our broker is a man of integrity, and has built an amazing team that we are all a part of. I feel that as part of The Fairbanks Group, we offer our clients the best service and its always with a smile.