In Jim Leto's plan, retirement arrives at 75 - at the earliest. He simply has too much energy and too many ideas to slow down any sooner.

If the past portends the future, Leto is sure to wring every drop out of his working life. At 64-years-old, Leto has already enjoyed 15 years as a REALTOR, preceded by a number of other unique career choices including that of a hat maker, clothing retailer, landscaping business owner and a five-year stint in the Navy. In addition, Leto demonstrated civic leadership as a two-term mayor, two-term county legislator and school board president while living in upstate New York.

In what others call a sign of his humility, Leto comments only briefly on his rich and varied past: "I've been real fortunate," he says.

In October 2003, Leto added another experience to his growing list: Jefferson County Association of Realtors (JCAR) Chairman of the Board.

As JCAR celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2004, Leto is expected to lead the association with the direct, down-to-earth and friendly but focused style that friends and colleagues say sets him apart.

"Jim is the epitome of REALTOR professionalism," notes Kay Watson, president of the Colorado Association of REALTORS (CAR) who has worked closely with Leto as each prepared for a presidency. "He has the commitment, the knowledge and the passion. In his quiet way, when he speaks you know he's thought everything through. I look at him as being an example to other REALTORS."

It's a sentiment repeated by many in the industry. Becki Lorimer, regional sales manager for Title America, has worked with Leto for 14 years.

"He's a true man of his word," she says. "He's organized and creative. He's definitely got focus and he's just plain ol' fun. He's great to work with."

Chuck Wilson, a REALTOR with Coldwell Banker has known Leto since he moved to the Denver area 10 years ago. He calls his friend "very direct and forward."

"He's friendly but get things done. Jim is a very convincing salesperson," says Wilson, noting Leto's finesse in raising money and enthusiasm for the recent Habitat for Humanity project.

In fact, Leto was instrumental in organizing the Habitat for Humanity/JCAR project in which the real estate industry banded together to raise money and build a house in Arvada for a single mother and her teenage daughter.

"I didn't want to just come up with a slogan. I wanted something lasting," explains Leto. "I've always been a firm believer in giving something back."

"We have a real crisis for affordable housing," Leto has said of JCAR's partnership with Habitat. "This may not have a big impact on a wide population but it will mean a great deal to this family. It's a start to addressing the problem of affordable housing."

The Habitat/JCAR partnership was such a hit that an additional $28,000 was accrued beyond the fundraising goal of $50,000. Leto hopes to get JCAR involved in another Habitat project next year. "I'd love to see it as an ongoing thing," he says.

A residential REALTOR with Re/Max Professionals in the Jefferson County/Bear Valley region, Leto and his wife, Diane, moved to Bear Valley in 1993. After a lifetime of cross-country moves - including stints in California, New York and Aspen - Leto says he plans to stay in Denver. "I'm not going anywhere. People here are real and they are happy. It seems to be a choice that they are here."

Leto enjoys camping, spending time with Diane (they have been married 14 years) and their four grandchildren. He and Diane work as a team at Re/Max Professionals.

"I like helping people, to see people happy when they buy a house," Leto says. As JCAR Chairman, "I hope I can do the same thing I do with my clients, and that is to listen."