Meet Our Real Estate Instructors

Ellen Fix

I teach Live lecture and Livestream classes at Rockwell as your most tenured Instructor with 20 years of experience. I am a graduate of the University of Washington with degrees in Education and English. Go Huskies!

I also taught real estate courses for 10 years at No. Seattle College. I am a Managing Broker in Washington and owned my own property management company in Bellevue for 15 years with 5,000 condominiums and HOAs under management.

I enjoy cycling, pickleball, and am an avid reader. My classes are fast-paced, informative, and entertaining.

Jim Reppond

Still a practicing Real Estate Managing Broker, I first became a licensed real estate agent in 1979 and have a vast background in all facets of the business. In 1982 I founded and was the Executive Producer of Real Estate Video, the first cable television locally-based real estate program in Seattle. I spent over 10 years in Japan working at high-tech companies, such as Texas Instruments and taught computer graphics at universities and colleges. After returning from Japan in the late 1990s I resumed my real estate career at Coldwell Banker and became the #1 agent in all of Seattle for 2 years in a row. I have headed a very successful team with multiple buyer agents and transaction coordinators. I opened the first eXp office in Seattle as branch manager and have done property management for clients as well as other related services. I currently have a mentorship program and help guide newer agents at my company to successful careers, as well as teach at Rockwell Institute. I have a strong technical background and leverage that knowledge to assist my clients, students, and mentees.

Mark Ruff

I have 34 years of professional experience in various aspects of real estate, encompassing financial and market analysis, project and property management, investment, residential real estate brokerage, development, affordable housing, teaching at the university level, consulting, and third-party review. I earned my Bachelor’s degree from USC, followed by an MBA from Woodbury University, a Master of Real Estate Development degree from USC, and a Professional Designation in Construction Management from UCLA.

In addition to my professional background, I served as a Director of Housing Rights Center, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to preventing, litigating, and eradicating cases of housing discrimination. I was also a member of the Development and Audit Committees for The Trevor Project. As an avid cyclist, I am currently training for the 7-day, 545-mile AIDS Life Cycle ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles, supporting the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the L.A. LGBT Center.

Christa Wilhelm

“I truly have a heart of a teacher. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education with endorsements in English and German. My Master’s Degree is in Curriculum and Instruction. I was a high school teacher for nearly a decade before staying home to raise my three children. Then I was persuaded by my parents, both real estate brokers, to begin my real estate studies. I learned from them the dedication and commitment it takes to be successful in this industry. I love the match making involved, and the different “hats” I am privileged to wear every day. There’s never a dull moment, nor are any two transactions ever the same. I even enjoy the forms! Besides actively selling and listing, I also run a small independent brokerage in Eastern Washington. I found my own slice of heaven in combining my two passions, teaching and real estate. Rockwell/Colibri offers the very best instruction. It’s my honor to teach you! Let’s get started!”