State Realtors recognize leaders
The Oklahoma Association of Realtors recently hosted the REignite Conference where Realtors from across Oklahoma joined together to enhance their careers through educational classes with topics ranging from the latest technology and marketing skills to new rules about mortgage disclosures.
In addition to our professional development opportunities, we also celebrated annual award winners, including the 2017 winners of Realtor of the Year, Community Rock Star Awards, the Life Member Award, Legislators of the Year Award and the Harriett Wagnon Association Executive Achievement Award.
These individuals are recognized for their dedication, hard work and volunteer efforts. We congratulate them and appreciate the good work they’re doing to make Oklahoma a great place to for all Realtors.
Debbie Lynn Benton, of Marlow Real Estate, is this year’s Realtor of the Year. She has been a Realtor for nearly 20 years and a broker-owner for more than seven. She currently serves on the OAR board of directors, the Government Affairs Committee and the Professional Standards Committee, and recently won the Joe Wood “Be Good” award.
The Community Rock Star award honors three Oklahoma Realtors who go above and beyond to fulfill the needs of their communities. Among other criteria, our nominees are judged on their level of personal contribution, the impact of that contribution, the broadness of impact and the project’s suitability as a role model for other Realtors. This year’s winners were
Mary Huckeby, from the Ada Board of Realtors, for her work with Abba’s Tables Inc.; Melissa Jan Jones, of the Greater Tulsa Association of Realtors (GTAR), for her work with Hope House; and Joyce
Weaver, from GTAR, for her work with McGraw Women Build.
The OAR Life Member Award honors members involved in the organization for 30 years and has remained consistently dedicated to the organization during that period. The winners this year are Margaret
Barton, from the Ada Board of Realtors; Hollis Lloyd, from the Mid-Del-Moore Association of Realtors; and Walter
Givens, from the Mid-DelMoore Association of Realtors.
Mike Cotrill, CEO of GTAR and MLS Technology Inc., is this year’s recipient of the Harriett Wagnon Association Executive Achievement Award. With more than 12 years’ service to his board, Cotrill is a key member of the Backpack for Kids Committee at GTAR, where 500 backpacks were donated to Tulsa-area children in need for the first day of school. He has devotion to the community, his commitment to the industry and his ability to find talent to grow OAR.
This year, there were two
Legislators of the Year: Rep. Josh Cockroft and Sen. Stephanie Bice, recognized for their efforts to support and protect the real estate industry.
Last but certainly not least, we congratulate Realtors
Kathy Fowler as president, Lisa Weaver as president-elect,
Bryan Sheppard as treasurer and Amy Bladow as secretary on their elections to the 2018 OAR leadership team. In their roles, they will oversee the organization’s membership and help guide the statewide organization throughout 2018. These leaders bring a vast knowledge and depth of experience in real estate that will prove invaluable to our organization in 2018.
Pete Galbraith is OAR president and president of Coldwell Banker Select in Tulsa and Oklahoma City.