Olympian agent going for the gold in new field
If determination and flexibility are important qualities for a real estate agent, Spring native and five-time Olympic medalist Chad Hedrick may be setting sales records soon.
The selfdescribed “rink rat” grew up roller skating at his parents’ rink in Spring. He started on skates at 17 months old and began competing wearing inline skates at 15. Within two years, he was the youngest world champion in the history of inline skate competition. He held that title for nine consecutive years before moving to Utah in 2002 to pursue his dream of Olympic gold for speed skating — on ice. In less than two years, he set a world record.
By the time he hung up his ice skates in 2009, he competed in two Olympics collecting five medals at five different distances, including a gold for the 5,000-meter event at the 2006 Games in Turin, Italy.
Hedrick became a real estate agent earlier this year, joining the Woodlands office of Heritage Texas Properties while continuing his work as a motivational speaker. He shared both perspectives at a recent Stewart Title sales meeting.
“Although, he’s changed careers, he’s using his same training skills and techniques he used while training for the Olympics. It’s all about the discipline that it takes to be a Realtor and seek out new clients,” said Stewart’s Roseann Rogers. “He talked about how to keep on going even when some days you fall on your face — like he did getting ready for the World Championships in front of the best in the world.”
Hedrick lives with his family in Montgomery, but told the group he has real estate clients all over the Houston area.
Driven by her passion for Houston, Lis Harper of Bernstein Realty applied for and was accepted to Leadership Houston’s XXXVI class.
Leadership Houston aims to enlighten, empower, and engage leaders in the Houston community, connecting community leaders to the city they care about.
Harper said she was thrilled to join her 56 classmates as they “embark on a journey together to learn more about one another, dive deep into this amazing city, and invest their time and energy into Houston.”
••• Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty’s Terri Lemons said she and Paul Kilian, vice president for operations, were the only ones at the table who weren’t doctors when agent Wei Wu sponsored a table at the Doctors for Change Luncheon held at the Junior League.
Advanced education is all in the family. Wei’s husband holds a doctorate in Industrial Engineering.
Their daughter Jane Lue is a Doctor of Pharmacy. In fact, both of their children and their spouses are also doctors,” Lemons said.
At the annual luncheon, Ginni Mithoff presented local Houston health policy leader Vivian Ho with this year’s Healthcare Advocacy Award, for her work advocating for a healthier Houston and recent report on the state of health coverage in Texas.
••• John Daugherty, Realtors agent Emily Davis recently spearheaded a summer-long clothing drive for Dress for Success.
The resident of Briargrove Park enlisted the support of fellow members of the Briargrove Park Mom’s Club to gather gently used professional attire for women. Davis’ home served as a collection point for the drive.
She also canvassed the neighborhood, picking up items from moms busy with summer activities.
Davis was happy to report the group is making
the cause an ongoing effort.
••• Beth Wolff Realtors Real Living held an event at Kendra Scott benefiting the grandson of agent Cindy Cook. Jackson, 3, was diagnosed with leukemia in February and is currently undergoing treatment at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston.
The event brought out friends and family to assist with the youngster’s medical expenses.
Judi Griggs is a writer who lives in Houston in the winter and Buffalo in the summer — because the reverse would be ridiculous. Contact her at realnewshouston@gmail.com or through judigriggs.com.