Columbus REALTORS® is pleased to announce that it has selected 12 outstanding REALTOR® members to participate in its Leadership Academy class of 2018-2019.
The Academy, established eight years ago, has become one of the Association’s premier programs. REALTORS® participating in this program will complete an in-depth nine-month curriculum designed to develop their expertise in business, public speaking, leadership, government, outreach and, of course, the real estate industry.
The selection process includes completing a comprehensive application and interviews with the Leadership Academy Advisory Board. Below are brief introductions of members selected for our incoming class of 2018-2019.
Diane Cheatham, Coldwell Banker King Thompson
With a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics Education from The Ohio State University, Diane has been a licensed agent since 2010 and has also earned the MRP (Military Relocation Professional) designation. Prior to her real estate career, Diane was a teacher in Whitehall and Southwest Licking Schools. She currently serves as a community volunteer with the Harmony Project and with Habitat for Humanity MidOhio. Diane is a member of the Midtown Association of REALTORS®, OHIO REALTORS®, and Columbus Tourism Ambassador. When she’s not showing homes, Diane enjoys anything athletic and outside, photography and singing.
Sue French, RE/MAX Impact
Licensed since 2014, Susan has earned the ABR (Accredited Buyer's Representative) designation and in her short time in real estate joined the Columbus REALTORS® One Million Dollar Sales Award Club. She is also a Certified Tourism Ambassador and Certified Professional Property Stager REA Consultant. Susan is an active member of the Builder/REALTOR® Alliance Committee and Westerville Area Realty Association. She is also actively involved with Phi Beta Psi, a sorority that raises money for cancer research. Outside of real estate, Susan likes interior decorating, gardening, shopping and spending time with family and friends.
Justin Gwinn, e-Merge Real Estate
A graduate of The Ohio State University with a degree in Real Estate & Urban Analysis, Justin has been a licensed agent since 1997. He has earned the GRI (Graduate Real Estate Institute) and SRS (Seller Representative Specialist) designations and was also a 2018 honoree of the Columbus REALTORS® Young Professionals Network 10 Under 40 award. Justin has been a partner agent with e-Merge Real Estate since 2012 and currently participates on the Builder REALTOR® Alliance and Recognition and Sales Award Committees at Columbus REALTORS®. In the community, he serves as President and Head Coach of the Columbus Bucks Youth Football Organization as well as head coach for CYAA Saints Youth Football Organization, Vice President of the Gwinn/Glenn Foundation, board member of Voices for Ohio’s Children and a member of the John Maxwell Leadership Mastermind.
Joe Herban, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PlusReal
Licensed since 2005, Joseph has earned the CISS and CNS (Certified Neighborhood Specialist) designations while also specializing in home inspections, relocation and luxury and investment properties. He is a graduate of Kenyon College with a degree in English. Joseph currently serves as the Communications Director and board member for the Woods at Josephinum, is a board member of Scott Seller’s Memorial Fund and is a member of Worthington Episcopal Church. In his free time, he enjoys renovating houses, fishing, exercising and socializing with friends.
Denisa Hiles, RE/MAX Connection, REALTORS®
Denisa originally hails from the Czech Republic and has been licensed since 2014. She specializes in residential real estate but has recently become interested in commercial development. She is an active member with the Southeast Area and Gahanna Area Realty Associations, as well as the Young Professionals Network. When she’s not selling homes, Denisa enjoys acting, tennis, traveling, skydiving and food and wine.
Ann Otte Hunger, Keller Williams Greater Columbus
Licensed since 1988, Ann has earned the Certified Real Estate Mentor (CREM) designation and specializes in residential home sales. Ann currently serves as co-chair of the Foundation Fundraising Committee, and is actively involved with CORPAC, as well as Northwest Midtown and Westerville Area Real Estate Associations. She also is a longtime volunteer with Nationwide Children’s Hospital through the Memorial Tournament, Kinder Key, TWIG and Women’s Auxiliary Council. In Ann’s free time, she enjoys swimming and reading.
Stephanie Jenkins, HER, Realtors®
Stephanie attended Capital University, holds a nursing degree and has been a licensed agent since 2008. She specializes in home staging, new builds, custom log and luxury homes in addition to holding ABR (Accredited Buyer’s Representative), Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource (SFR®), ASP (Accredited Staging Professional) designations. Stephanie is an active member of Grace Fellowship Church, Destination Canal Winchester, the Canal Winchester Chamber of Commerce and is in the process of becoming a member of the Southeast Area Rotary Club. When Stephanie isn’t selling homes, she enjoys attending church, traveling, adventure sports, home decorating, reading, cooking and her pets.
Tony Macaluso, Coldwell Banker King Thompson
A business school graduate of Ohio University, Tony has been licensed since 2004 and has earned the Certified Neighborhood Specialist Designation (CNS). He is actively involved with Powell, Hilliard, Greater Dublin Realty Associations and has also served as President of the Northwest Area Realtor Association. Tony is currently a director with the Upper Arlington Civic Association, has served as a board member for the Arlington Areas Chamber of Commerce, coached Upper Arlington Little League and Youth Football and served as a Rotarian with Tri-Village Rotary. In his free time, Tony enjoys spending time with his family and golfing.
Meghan Martin, Keller Williams Capital Partners
Licensed in 2012, Meghan is also a graduate of The Ohio State University with a degree in Education. She specializes in residential real estate and has earned the Certified Real Estate Mentor (CREM) designation. She is a 2017 10 Under 40 honoree, and volunteers with the Girl Scouts of America, the Smoky Row Children's Center, and Saint Edward's Catholic School and Preschool. When she’s not selling homes, she enjoys gardening, boating and RVing.
Jeff Osborn, HER, Realtors®
Licensed since 2006, Jeffrey specializes in selling residential real estate and is a team leader. Jeffrey actively participates as a senior patrol leader with the Boys Scouts of America and is a soccer coach with the Worthington Youth Boosters. In his free time, Jeffrey enjoys golfing, boating, wakeboarding and snowboarding.
Travis Shaw, HER, Realtors®
With a degree in Criminal Justice from Indiana University-Purdue University, Travis has been licensed in real estate since 2002 and has earned the Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR®) designation, and has been active with his Sales Advisory. He also has a background as a Certified Financial Advisor. Travis is an active member of CORPAC, coaches Columbus Youth Hockey and soccer, and participates in adult hockey. When he’s not working with buyers and sellers, Travis enjoys participating in triathlons and boating with his family.
Karen Smith, Keller Williams Capital Partners
A residential agent since 2015, Karen has earned the SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) and CNE (Certified Negotiation Expert) designation. She is an active member on the REALTOR® Care Day Committee, the Agent Leadership Council for Keller Williams Capital Partners, a volunteer classroom assistant at Scioto Ridge Elementary, and a coach of her children’s basketball and tee ball teams. In Karen’s free time, she enjoys reading, running, and playing sports outdoors with her kids.
Columbus REALTORS® is central Ohio’s largest professional association, representing more than 8,000 real estate professionals engaged in residential sales and leasing, commercial sales and leasing, property management, appraisal, consultation, real estate syndication, land development, and more.
