The Bower & Associates Inc., Realtors® Team
Carol Shaffer, Managing Broker/Owner of Bower & Associates Inc., Realtors®
Client-First Philosophy
There are many qualities and skills that go into being an excellent real estate professional - integrity, in-depth community and market knowledge, marketing savvy, effective negotiation skills and a high-quality professional network, all of which are hallmarks of how I work.
That said, in my experience as a local real estate professional, I've also found that providing the very best service is essentially about putting my clients first. This means keeping myself accessible, being a good listener as well as a good communicator, and responding quickly to your needs.
This "client first" philosophy has always been my approach and it requires me to continually improve my skills and ways of doing business. In addition, I've found that the latest technologies are enabling me to do everything I've always done, only much more quickly and efficiently. They've also helped me to extend the range of services I provide to my clients.
So when you decide that you'd like to buy or sell a home in the Tri-State area, please contact me.
Courtney Newton, Designated Managing Broker in Mt. Sterling, IL with Bower & Associates Inc., Realtors®
Courtney is your girl for real estate in West-Central Illinois! She enjoys helping first-time homebuyers and growing families continue new chapters of their own stories in homes. Rewarding is an understatement. When asked why Bower and Associates Inc., Realtors®, Courtney says she enjoys being part of a company that has been around for a long time that values the same principles that she does.
Courtney, originally from Rushville, is married with one daughter and a dog. They live in Mt. Sterling but are working on their country home.
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Tracy Schutte, Realtor® with Bower & Associates Inc., Realtors®
Tracy is truly a family-oriented. She's a mother to three and has been a Registered Nurse since 1994. She began her passion in real estate to have more freedom and be a working mom. If Tracy could vacation anywhere, she would choose a warm place, with the sun on her face and her whole family by her side.
Lisa Hapke, Broker, Bower & Associates Inc., Realtors®
Meet Lisa Hapke, broker for Bower & Associates Inc., Realtors®, in Mt. Sterling since 2017. Lisa prides herself on using effective marketing strategies combined with professionalism and confidentiality to guarantee her customer the best service possible. She is committed to helping her clients buy with confidence and sell with success, offering consultations, property closings, and real estate showings.
She started in real estate to provide her community with quality professional services. She's looking forward to growing her business to continue to serve Mt. Sterling and the surrounding areas. She'd like to personally invite you to contact her for buyer consultations, broker services, homes, commercial properties, farmland, and more!

John & Debra Walters, Brokers, Bower & Associates Inc., Realtors®
How are lucky are we to have husband and wife duo, John & Debra Walters. Debra has been in real estate since January 2013 and John since 2015.
Debra loves being there for people when during one of the biggest purchases/decisions of their lives. She enjoys working for Bower & Associates Inc., Realtors® because of the professionalism and real estate savviness.
Her best friend would describe her as intelligent, kindhearted, and persistent. And if she could travel anywhere, she says, “I would have about 10 vacation homes if I could, but if I had to choose one place it would be Chesapeake, Virginia because that is where my son and his wife live.”
Jackie Meyer, Illinois Licensed Broker, Bower & Associates Inc., Realtors®
Jackie is the proud mother of two amazing daughters. She is obsessed with old homes, the outdoors and beautiful views. She’s passionate about people and loves any opportunity to educate and give positive encouragement to be the best you can be.
Jackie first received her real estate Salesperson license in 2004 and her Broker's license in 2014. She absolutely loves people, creating new and lasting relationships and helping them realize their part of the American Dream - and she love houses.
Bower & Associates is the perfect fit for what she desires to see in the Real Estate industry and the vision, ethics and education she strives for.
Her friends would describe her as loyal, supportive and fun. And If Jackie could have a vacation home anywhere in world, she would absolutely love a vacation home in the mountains, overlooking a beautiful lake.
Carol Rischar, Bower & Associates Inc., Realtors®
Carol has been a Realtor® since 1995, a Real Estate broker in Illinois and a Real Estate Salesperson in Missouri. Over her career, she has received numerous sales awards, her most proud being the 2019 Outstanding Career Award, given to a Realtor® for long and noticeable service and dedication to the real estate industry. Carol is also a Professional Real Estate Stager, having completed the Real Estate Stager Training program.
Working with first time homeowners and helping them find their dream home is one of Carol's favorite things about this career. She has helped many seniors downsize when their home just became too big. She's also helped many buyers move up to their forever homes. Veterans have a very special place in her heart, too, and she's helped many find homes. Carol will soon be a Certified VA Estate Professional which will assist her in helping more Veterans find homes.
You can contact Carol Rischar directly at c_risch50@yahoo.com, calling (217)740-3989 or visit carolrischar.com.
Bert McAlonan, Bower & Associates Inc., Realtors®
Karissa Russell, Bower & Associates Inc., Realtors®
Originally from Hamilton, IL Karissa Russell now lives in Quincy, with her husband and two children. She began her real estate career in 2022 and is loving it! In her free time, Karissa enjoys spending time with her husband and kids. Karissa says her best friend would describe her as driven, outgoing, trustworthy and loyal.
Karissa joined Bower & Associates Inc., Realtors® to be part of a strong “girl gang”. “Carol is so knowledgeable, and I know she will push me to be a strong agent.”
If Karissa could have a vacation home anywhere, she would have one in Destin, Florida. Her family vacations there every year, and she just loves the white, sandy beaches, the clear water and that it’s family-oriented.
Chris Baird, Bower & Associates Inc., Realtors®
A hard-working, energetic, adventurous father who loves trying new things is how Christ describes himself. He's a person who strives to become better in everything he does. He loves to learn, create, build and help others. His favorite part about being a realtor is that he enjoys adding value to peoples' homes and lives. To take something as complex as buying and selling a home and make it a pleasant, rewarding experience is my goal.
Chris chose to work with Bower & Associates Inc., Realtors® because he knows we have high standards to honesty, integrity and ethics of putting clients first.