Rich Cosgrove for 2026 Ohio REALTORS® Treasurer
Meet Rich Cosgrove—a dedicated real estate professional, passionate community advocate, and proud Ohioan. With deep roots in Stark County, Rich’s journey has been one of service, leadership, and commitment to making a difference in his community and the real estate industry.
Rich’s professional life is marked by leadership roles, including serving as a broker for Keller Williams Legacy Group Realty and as a Government Affairs Director for the Stark Trumbull Area REALTORS®. Beyond his career, Rich has been a champion of REALTOR® advocacy, volunteering his time and resources to improve the industry and the communities it serves. His work has ranged from strategic planning and budgeting to promoting safety tools for REALTORS® and advocating for legislative initiatives like the First-Time Homebuyer Savings Account, which launched statewide in 2024.
Rich’s personal life is as vibrant as his professional one. He is a proud resident of Jackson Township, where he raised his nephew Tyler and built a life with his spouse, Joe. Together, they enjoy traveling, boating, and hosting friends and family.
Whether he’s mentoring fellow REALTORS®, contributing to policy development, or fostering homeownership opportunities, Rich’s dedication to excellence and community is at the heart of everything he does.
Explore this page to learn more about Rich's professional achievements, community involvement, and how he continues to make an impact in the real estate industry and beyond.
Personal Life
Rich was born and raised in Stark County. He attended Avondale Elementary School in Plain Township from kindergarten through fourth grade, after which his family moved to Canal Fulton. He spent the next five years attending Stinson Elementary School and Northwest Intermediate School. During his freshman year of high school, Rich moved to Hartville, Ohio, where he graduated from Lake High School in 2000.
In 2001, Rich purchased his first home and became involved in creating a voluntary neighborhood association in collaboration with the Stark Community Foundation. He also began investing in real estate, purchasing foreclosed properties, improving them, and promoting homeownership within the community.
Rich became a licensed REALTOR® in 2002. The following year, in 2003, he was granted custody of his three-year-old nephew, Tyler.
In 2006, Rich purchased a home in Jackson Township, where he continued to raise Tyler, who later became a proud graduate of Jackson High School.
Rich earned his bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies from Kaplan University, graduating in 2011.
In 2017, Rich met his spouse, Joe, a curriculum instructor at Perry Local Schools. They married at their home in 2020. Together, they enjoy traveling, hosting friends and family, and boating whenever Ohio’s weather allows.
Professional Life
Rich became licensed in 2002 and earned his broker’s license in 2018, subsequently becoming the broker for Keller Williams Legacy Group Realty. While serving as the broker for KWLG, Rich also held the position of general manager for three Keller Williams franchises from April 2022 to May 2024. In this role, he was responsible for driving growth, managing profits, and controlling expenses.
In July 2024, Rich transitioned into a new role as a manager supporting the brokers of three Keller Williams franchises. Additionally, he was hired by the Stark Trumbull Area REALTORS® as the Government Affairs Director.
Rich is deeply passionate about the real estate industry and is an active advocate, dedicating his time to the local, state, and National Associations of REALTORS®. His commitment to advocacy goes beyond volunteering; in 2017, Rich became a major investor and has maintained this commitment every year since. In 2022, he further demonstrated his dedication by becoming a President’s Circle investor, supporting REALTOR® champions at the national level.
Stark Trumbull Area REALTORS® Participation
Rich began serving on the Stark Trumbull Area REALTORS® Executive Committee in 2018, when he was elected Treasurer. He advanced to Vice President in 2019 and was elected President for the 2020 term. Recognizing his leadership and contributions, the newly consolidated board appointed him to serve a second consecutive term as President in 2021.
During his tenure on the Executive Committee, Rich was instrumental in driving significant initiatives. He played a key role in the consolidation of the Stark Trumbull Area REALTORS® (formerly the Stark County Association of REALTORS® and the Warren Board of REALTORS®), focusing on unifying member benefits and organizational efficiency.
Rich negotiated pricing and secured a contract for FOREWARN®, a safety app for REALTORS®, enhancing member safety. He also facilitated strategic planning by bringing in a consultant from the National Association of REALTORS® to create a new three-year strategic plan. Additionally, he managed the organization's budgeting efforts, cutting costs while successfully adding a Government Affairs Director position to strengthen advocacy efforts.
Stark Trumbull Area REALTORS® Committee Service
Legislative Affairs
Educates members on political and legislative matters that directly impact their business. Works to promote issues affecting local communities. Engages with local, state, and federal candidates for political office and, in alignment with the RPAC mission, makes recommendations to Association leadership on campaign donations.
RPAC
Serves as the political fundraising arm of the Association. Held the position of RPAC Chair in 2015 and 2016.
Bylaws, Policy, and Strategic Planning
Reviews and updates the Association’s governing documents as directed by leadership or membership. Develops and reviews the Association’s strategic plan to ensure alignment with organizational goals.
Grievance Committee
Evaluates ethical and arbitration complaints to determine if a hearing is warranted. Requires a minimum of two years as a REALTOR® member prior to serving.
Professional Standards
Conducts hearings for complaints referred by the Grievance Committee in accordance with the NAR Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual.
Norma L. Good Scholarship Committee
Oversees a scholarship program designed to support REALTORS® in obtaining their broker’s license and professional designations. Served as Chair, Vice Chair, and committee member during various years.
Women’s Council of REALTORS®
Active member since 2017.
Ohio REALTORS® Participation
2017 Graduate of the Ohio REALTORS® Leadership Academy – Only 12 REALTORS® per year are chosen to participate in this program. Participants were tasked to write a grant provided by the National Association of REALTORS® that would promote better communities and home ownership. Rich’s group decided that Ohioan’s needed a first-time homebuyers savings account in order to help people save to buy their first home. The program would allow family and friends to donate to an individual’s account and the donation would be tax exempt. At the time only 14 other states offered this program. The 2017 president of Ohio REALTORS® loved the idea so much that Ohio REALTORS® began to work with local legislators to make the first-time homebuyers savings account a reality. It has taken many years and a lot of work, however, the homebuyers saving account became a reality in January 2024 being rolled out across the State.
State Political Coordinator – SPC for Scott Oelslager 2023 - current
Legal Action Committee member - 2024-2026
REALTORS® at the Rotunda – Attended 2022, 2023, 2024
Strategic Planning Committee
REALTOR® Director – 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Candidate Credentialing Committee - 2021
Executive Committee – 2022-2023
District Vice President – 2022-2023
National Association of REALTORS® Participation
State & Local Issues Policy Committee – 2023