In the world of real estate, partnerships are often forged in boardrooms or through professional networking events. For Maggie Rottino and Ricky Kuiper, however, the foundation of their business was laid decades ago in Racine, Wisconsin. The brother-sister duo behind the Rottino Kuiper Real Estate Team at Keller Williams-MKE has turned a lifelong familial bond into one of the region’s most formidable real estate forces. 

While they now navigate the complexities of the housing market together, their paths to this point were vastly different. Maggie’s journey took her from the flight deck of the USS Ronald Reagan to the front lines of motherhood before she ever stepped foot into a brokerage. Ricky, on the other hand, transitioned from the competitive greens of Division 1 golf and a desk in corporate accounting to find his calling alongside his sister. 

“He got into the business a year after me and we love being able to grow in this business with family,” Maggie shares. “Recently, we hired a full-time admin, Madison Rozanas, who is a distant cousin. Keeping it in the family is something very special to us.” 

Maggie’s story is one defined by service and high-stakes environments. At 18, she joined the Navy, working on F-18s on a carrier flight deck—an experience that included providing first aid after the 2011 tsunami in Japan and supporting operations in the Persian Gulf. 

“My military experience has made me resilient and helped me persevere through the world of real estate,” Maggie reflects. “The flight deck of an aircraft carrier is an incredibly intense and dangerous environment. You don’t make excuses, you just get the job done. That’s the same mindset I bring into real estate.” 

After her service, Maggie earned a degree in business management and spent years traveling with her husband, a professional baseball player, before settling down to raise their three daughters. It was the shift in the world during 2020 that finally pushed her to get her license. Though she initially viewed it as a part-time endeavor, her transition from stay-at-home mom to "Rookie of the Year" was nearly instantaneous. 

As Maggie’s business surged, Ricky was at a crossroads. A graduate of Butler University, where he played Division 1 golf, Ricky had spent two and a half years working in accounting. The fit wasn’t right. 

“I realized that it wasn’t my style and I wanted to do something else,” Ricky says. “That’s when my sister, Maggie, introduced me to real estate and gave me the idea. I got my real estate license and never looked back. Without her, I never would have done it.” 

Since joining the industry in 2022, Ricky has leaned into his outgoing personality and deep roots in Racine. Whether he’s playing pickleball, softball, or golfing, his approach to the business remains grounded in a simple philosophy: be kind to everyone. 

“Real estate is different every day, that’s why I love it. The people we meet and the impact we get to make in the community make it so rewarding!” 

Together, the siblings have found a rhythm that balances Maggie’s "no-excuses" military precision with Ricky’s relationship-first mentality. Their success was quickly recognized, earning them the "Best of Racine" honors and the title of top small team at their brokerage. 

For the Rottino Kuiper team, the work is about more than just transactions; it’s about the emotional weight of the move. Maggie finds fulfillment in “walking aside clients in real time,” noting that the process can be “very raw.” Ricky finds his passion in the "impossible" deals. 

“Many people think it won’t be possible and are discouraged before even starting their search,” Ricky says. “Educating them and helping them achieve their goals makes this job great.” 

As they look toward 2026, the goals are clear: growth through better systems and continued community impact. Maggie has been actively involved with Habitat for Humanity, teaching Sunday school, and  Meals on Wheels, while Ricky serves through the Racine Rotary Club. 

Despite their accolades, the team remains focused on the human element. It’s a mindset best captured by Maggie’s favorite quote: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” 

In Racine, that feeling is exactly what has kept the Rottino Kuiper team at the top of the leaderboard.