Meet Our Team

Kathleen Harmon, President and CEO

Kathleen Harmon has more than 25 years of experience in real estate sales, marketing, and consulting. At Great Places, Kathy combines her incredible industry knowledge with her sincere desire to help other adult children of aging parents. Kathy’s own father passed away in a skilled nursing facility several years ago, and her mother now needs additional help. She understands first-hand the challenges that adult children of aging parents face, and is passionate about helping families create long, healthy lives and strong relationships. Before founding Great Places, Kathy worked with William Deters at Apartment Search, where she advanced to become National Vice President of Marketing and Sales. She also spent 20 years as President and CEO of McKenna Management/Marketing Associates Inc., one of Minnesota’s largest property management firms. Kathy has written four marketing textbooks, and has served as an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis for the past eight years.

William Deters, Chairman, Board of Directors

William Deters is a business executive and entrepreneur. He is a director of public and private companies, an executive coach, and an “angel investor” who is active in the Nevada-based investment group, the Sierra Angels. Bill believes strongly in the vision of Great Places as a comprehensive resource for the children of aging parents. Bill is a founder of Apartment Search Inc., a national apartment marketing company, where he served as CEO until the company was sold to Times Mirror in 1996. From 1981 to 1986, Bill served as the founding CEO of North American Technologies, a firm that designs and manufactures industrial heat recovery systems. Bill has developed a number of condominium projects in Minnesota, as well as participating as a general partner in several apartment syndications. Bill was an ROTC Midshipman at the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1960. He went on to serve in the U.S. Navy aboard a destroyer and in an aircraft squadron as a Supply Corps Officer. Following his service, he returned to University of Minnesota in 1963 to pursue his MBA.

Angela Forbush, Vice President of Sales

Angela Forbush is a true “people person” who thrives on developing winning relationships with customers and clients. Angie began her professional career in residential real estate sales with Edina Realty, but found a better fit when she joined Apartment Search as a rental consultant. Angie was quickly promoted to store manager, and went on to acquire two of the company's first franchises. The company continued to grow, and Angie became Regional Sales Manager for Apartment Search in 1997. Seeing the potential for corporate short-term rentals, she went on to start Home At Last Corporate Suites, a relocation and corporate housing company serving the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area. Angie is thrilled to put her experience, skills, and passion to work helping families at Great Places.

Marti Harris – Communications Director

Marti Harris holds a B.A. in Communications from the University of Michigan, and an M.F.A. in Jazz Performance from the University of Southern California. She is a gifted jazz singer, a voice teacher, a certified hypnotherapist, and a counselor—as well as an accomplished communications professional. In 2005, Marti co-founded Coast Music Conservatory, which has quickly become a premier music education facility in Hermosa Beach, California. She has earned a reputation as a powerfully effective and inspiring teacher with a waiting list of students wishing to study with her. As Communications Director of Great Places, Marti serves the families of aging parents with her creativity, compassion, and professionalism.

Sally Owen, Midwest Sales Manager

During her successful career, Sally Owen has worked as a special education teacher, a social services administrator, and most recently as a licensed real estate agent. After spending three years with Apartment Search, Sally moved into condominium sales at several Minneapolis-area developments. In 2006, she ranked in the top 100 condominium sales agents in Minnesota, and was the second-ranked agent in her market. Sally received the coveted Coldwell Banker Burnet President’s Circle Award in 2007. While caring for her own parents and in-laws, Sally has helped her family navigate hospitalizations, transitional care facilities, in-home health care, and issues around dementia and Alzheimer’s. Her unique combination of experiences gives Sally a special insight into the options and resources available for families of aging parents.