February 15, 2016 — Austin
Celebrating a year of accomplishments, the Texas REALTORS® recognized its outstanding members and local Realtor associations on February 8 during its annual Texas REALTORS® Winter Meeting at the Hyatt Regency in Austin.
“Following another strong year in Texas real estate, Texas REALTORS® had a lot to celebrate at this year’s Winter Meeting awards ceremony,” said Leslie Rouda Smith, chairman of the Texas REALTORS®. “Each of these awards is a testament to the determination and focus REALTORS® and their local associations have for Texas real estate and Texas real estate consumers.”
The award for 2015 Texas REALTOR®of the Year, the Texas REALTORS®’ most prestigious award, was presented to Brooke Hunt of Keller Williams Realty in Flower Mound. This title is bestowed annually to a member who has made outstanding contributions to the industry through involvement in his or her national, state, and local REALTOR®organizations during their career.
Angela Shields of the San Antonio Board of REALTORS® received one of the most esteemed leadership recognitions: the Tom D. Morton Award for top REALTOR® Association Executive in Texas. An 18-year veteran of the REALTOR® organization, Shields has demonstrated incredible leadership in her association at the state and national level and is actively involved in the local community.
Jef Conn of Coldwell Banker Commercial Rick Canup, REALTORS® in Lubbock received the 2015 William C. Jennings Award for the outstanding commercial real estate transaction of the year. Conn was honored for a large-scale, complex deal involving multiple transactions and parties that took more than a year to complete and will ultimately bring jobs and other significant economic benefits to the town of Littlefield.
In addition, Texas REALTORS® gave special recognition to continuing education instructors and programs. Reba Saxon of Austin was named Educator of the Year. Saxon is a Graduate, REALTOR® Institute (GRI) instructor who teaches legal update and broker responsibility courses as well as many more for Texas REALTORS®.
The San Antonio Board of REALTORS®, Williamson County Association of REALTORS®, Greater Fort Worth Association of REALTORS®, and Austin Board of REALTORS® were honored with Education Program of the Year awards for courses that keep Texas REALTORS® up to date with the latest trends and increase professionalism in the real estate industry.
The Texas REALTOR® Hero Award, which recognizes a REALTOR® who has demonstrated outstanding community service related to promoting and advancing homeownership, was awarded to Patricia Matthews of Century 21 Realty Partners in Houston. Matthews is a strong advocate for workforce housing to meet the housing needs of policemen, firemen, teachers, and EMS personnel and is deeply committed to the Home for Heroes initiative.
Finally, Omega Tau Rho, the honorable fraternity for the National Association of REALTORS®, inducted 17 members in 2015. Omega Tau Rho recognizes REALTORS® and others associated with the REALTOR® organization who have made outstanding contributions to the U.S. real estate industry throughout their career.