Current SRO Chairman David Schooler to Retire Following 47-Year Career at Sterling Realty Organization
Bellevue, Wash. – April 8, 2026 –Sterling Realty Organization (www.SterlingRealty.com) ‘SRO’, a fifth-generation real estate corporation with commercial assets in the Puget Sound and Salt Lake City markets, today announced a major leadership team transition focused on strengthening the company for the years ahead: President Tom Gilchrist will now become Executive Chairman of the Board and current Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Matthew Skager will take over as SRO President, as longtime Chairman David Schooler retires.
Current SRO Chairman and Well-Known Bellevue Business Leader David Schooler Retires
As an essential contributor to SRO’s success and a well-known leader in downtown Bellevue, David Schooler has had a long and meaningful career at SRO. Before being named Executive Chairman in 2015, David served as company President for 21 years where he oversaw the development of significant company growth and began the evolution of SRO’s portfolio.
His vast community contributions include serving as past Board of Directors President for Bellevue Arts Museum, Methow Conservancy, Bellevue Schools Foundation and Harvest Against Hunger. He also served as past chair of the Bellevue Downtown Association. He served as City Planner at the City of Bellevue before joining SRO in 1979.
Thomas A. Gilchrist Named New Sterling Realty Organization Executive Chairman of the Board
New SRO Executive Chairman of the Board Tom Gilchrist has served in numerous positions at SRO including Controller, Treasurer, Vice President and other positions throughout his 40+-year career at the company. SRO has seen a substantial growth in portfolio size and value during his 11-year tenure as President along with a significant expansion into the Salt Lake City market.
Throughout his career, Tom has served on numerous charitable and community boards and advisory committees including the Board of the Directors of the Bellevue Downtown Association (BDA).
New Sterling Realty Organization President: Matthew Skager
As a key contributor at SRO during his 12-year tenure at the organization, new SRO President Matt Skager has worked closely with Gilchrist, progressing from roles including Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Vice President to now taking over as SRO President and joining the Board of Directors.
Matt graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Accounting and a Master of Professional Accounting. He began his career with KPMG and worked in the Seattle office’s audit practice for 10 years. Before joining SRO in 2014, he was the Controller at American Life, Inc.
Matt currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Matthew G. Norton Company; on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee at the Bellevue Downtown Association; and on the Friends of the Grand Connection Steering Committee. He previously served as past President of the Kirkland Boys and Girls Club Advisory Board.
SRO: Continuing Growth Across the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West
Established in 1911, Sterling Realty Organization (SRO), is a fifth-generation, full-service real estate company with a portfolio of more than 2.3 million square feet of premier assets across the Puget Sound and Salt Lake City markets, Sterling Realty Organization is widely recognized for its financial expertise, integrity, and enduring commitment to excellence.
With numerous Class-A office and transit-oriented development sites and shopping centers in its Pacific Northwest and Mountain West portfolio, environmental stewardship is also a high priority, as SRO aspires to be among the leaders of landlords focused on sustainability.
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