Walt Freed

Class of 2008

Born in Edgewood, WA, on August 24, 1952, Walt attended the University of Washington, where he studied fisheries and marine biology.

He married Terry in June 1974, and together they raised Eric, Kristy and Kerry.

Also in June 1974, Walt joined the United States Marine Corps, in which he served five years as a full-time Marine aviator and 17 as a reserve officer, both in the U.S. and Asia. He retired from reserve duty in 1996 as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Walt began working in the industry in sales for the Procter & Gamble Food Co. in 1979, and in 1982 moved to Brown & Haley Co. as a buyer and marketing manager. He became partner and vice-president of sales at Rogers Candy Co. in 1984.

Joining the brokerage firm Carter-Kahler, Inc. in 1986 as an account executive, the two founders, Paul Carter and Dick Kahler, eventually made Walt a partner in the company. He credits Paul and Dick as having the biggest influence on his career, saying they taught him the ins and outs of the business and put faith and trust in him.

Since 2005, he has been president and partner of Kahler-Senders Group, Inc., a company formed in 1997.

Walt says the most important lesson he has learned about business came from his time as a Marine: If you take care of your people, they will take care of you. He says it is the people around him that have made him successful.

Under Walt’s leadership, Kahler-Senders has earned several Broker of the Year awards from companies including Jelly Belly Candy Co., Nestlé USA, Pez Candy, Inc., Cadbury Adams USA LLC and Atkinson Candy Co. among several others.

Out of the office, Walt loves being a grandfather to his six grandkids. He also enjoys camping, fishing, traveling and being an active member in his church.