Meet The NWIA Staff
Denise Gutierrez, Chief Executive Officer
Denise Gutierrez serves as the Northwest Iowa Regional Board of REALTORS® Chief Executive Officer. Gutierrez joined the organization in January, 2023 and brings 18 years of extensive administrative experience to the organization. She spent 14 years in the credit card industry and has been engaged in auto finance for the past four years. She holds an accounting degree from NECC.
Outside of work, she is involved with the PTA and serves on the Sioux City Community Schools Student Improvement Advisory Committee. She also volunteers her time helping with area youth sports programs. Denise has been married to her husband Greg for eight years, and the couple keeps very busy with two elementary school-aged daughters and their dog, Ruby. When the weather is nice, the family enjoys spending time together outdoors.
Heather Frigge, Assistant Executive Officer
Heather Frigge serves as the board’s Assistant Executive Officer. Heather has been with NWIA since January 2002 and does a tremendous job for the board each and every day. Those who know Heather will attest that her sense of humor is second to none, as is her willingness to go above and beyond for our NWIA members.
Heather has enjoyed serving in our community in many ways over the years. She has been a committee member for Siouxland Mental Health Center and was involved with the Siouxland Sleepout for over ten years. Heather has also been an active member of the Elks Lodge, assisting with the Christmas basket committee.
Originally from California, Heather moved to Iowa in 1996. She has two great kids, and five incredibly wonderful grandchildren. Heather recently purchased a motorcycle, and you’re likely to see her buzzing around town on it when the weather is nice. She also enjoys cooking, both at home and at the office. Yes, she’s been known to bring in an assortment of cooking gadgets to the office just to whip up a little home cooked lunch. Most weekends, you will find her hosting family and friends for a Sunday afternoon feast, which she affectionately refers to as “Linner”.
In 2020, Heather officially became an empty nester, and is now often busy searching for travel deals to take her to Colorado and California to visit her children. She loves finding great deals on short getaway trips to new locations, and is especially fond of making memories and experiencing travel with her family.
Kerri McKim, Communications Director
Kerri McKim has been involved in the REALTOR® association world since 2011, and has served as NWIA’s Communications Director since 2015. In this role, Kerri manages our website, member communications, and social media in a part-time capacity.
She previously held her Professional in Human Resources certification, worked for the Muscatine Chamber of Commerce, and served three years as the Executive Officer for the Iowa Great Lakes Board of REALTORS®.
Kerri enjoys being involved in her community, and served almost six years as member of the Spirit Lake Community School District Board of Directors, stepping down following the graduation of her youngest child in 2023. She also served two years on the Iowa High School Music Association's six member Executive Committee, representing the member districts of the Iowa Association of School Boards, and volunteered extensively supporting music and academic endeavors in the Spirit Lake Community Schools during her children's time as students.
Married to her husband Mike for 25 years, the pair are proud parents of an Iowa State Cyclone and a University of Northern Iowa Panther. Some of her favorite things include Peloton cycling classes, chocolate chip cookies, and a really good (strong) black coffee. You will never catch Kerri eating anything with coconut or running, even if she is being chased by zombies.
When Kerri is not working, you’re most likely to find her in the laundry room, cooking up a new recipe in the kitchen (perfecting her homemade pizza is a favorite pastime) or supporting her kids in their events at Iowa State and UNI.
