COLUMBUS, Ohio (Dec. 19, 2024)—On Saturday, Dec. 14 at the Columbus REALTORS® Awards Gala held at the Hyatt Regency Ballroom, Norwood “Buzz” Thomas was the recipient of the Michael L. Jones Bridge Builder Award.
A REALTOR® for over 40 years and a pillar of the industry in central Ohio, Thomas is the second recipient of this award. Last year, the award's inaugural year went to its namesake, Michael L. Jones.
Thomas is a former member of the Columbus REALTORS® Board of Directors, a past co-chair of the Affordable Housing Committee, and has served as a member of the Grievance, Governmental Affairs, and Member Services committees. He has also served as a member of the CORPAC Governing Board and of the Builder/REALTOR® Alliance Committee (BRAC) and is a graduate of the Columbus REALTORS® Leadership Academy class of 2013-14.
In 2019, he was named the Joseph L. Mackinnon Instructor of the Year, and in 2022, he received the Ann Otte Hunger REALTOR® Volunteer Award presented by the Columbus REALTORS® Foundation.
“He’s a connector of people and resources. He’s also a mentor to so many people, including myself,” said Newton Burris, Principal Broker Coldwell Banker.
“I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to call you a friend, mentor, and colleague,” said 2021 Columbus REALTORS® President Michael Jones.
Thomas has also served as the Columbus REALTORS® continuing education instructor for its Olde Town East Bus Tour and COPE training program. He has also served as an Ohio REALTORS® Director, co-chaired its Equal Opportunity in Housing Committee, and is a past Midtown Area Real Estate Association president.
In the community, he served on the Board of Directors of Southeast Community Health and of the United Services for Effective Parenting. He is a Livingston United Methodist Church lay leader and a member of the City of Columbus’ Homebuyer Education Advisory Committee. Buzz has also coached Little League Baseball and St. Mary’s Middle School Basketball.
