Salesperson of the Year

Award Recipients

The “Salesperson of the Year” is awarded to a Salesperson who has provided exemplary experience and knowledge in the industry and their community. By leading through their passion, the “Salesperson of the Year” is involved in Associations (local, state, and national), continuing education, donating to CORPAC, The Foundation and giving back to their community while maintaining sales performance. For more information, or to nominate yourself or someone else, please click here.

Following are the award recipients for the Columbus REALTORS®.

2025 REALTOR® Salesperson of the Year - Rodelyn Frijas

Rodelyn Frijas is a REALTOR® with Oreste Realty. She has been a REALTOR® for 10 years, joining the industry a er buying her first home in Columbus. She was drawn to real estate with a strong belief that it is not merely an industry focused on selling homes, but a business centered on building relationships. Approximately six years ago, Rodelyn became heavily involved in Columbus REALTORS® and the central Ohio community.

Rodelyn stated, “Our success depends on what level we decide to take this profession. Being intentional on how you learn, grow, and get involved in the community is key. I have leveled up in so many ways because of my community involvement, and the authentic, genuine relationships I have built with colleagues in the industry.”

Rodelyn has been on Columbus REALTORS® Board of Directors since 2023, when she took the position as Director-at-Large. She is a founding member of the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) Columbus, a two-time President for the local association, and a Delegate Board Member for AREAA National. Rodelyn is involved in multiple area associations in central Ohio, including being a two-time President of Powell Area Realty Association, and a member of the Ohio Commercial Real Estate Exchange (OCREE), Greater Dublin Realty Association, Hilliard Area Realty Association (HARA), and Women’s Council of REALTORS (WCR).

On top of that, Rodelyn has been an adamant participant in Columbus REALTORS® Committees, including the Government Affairs Issues Advocacy Committee, CORPAC Fundraising Committee, Sustainability Forum, Young Professionals Network (YPN) Committee, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, Builder-REALTOR Alliance Committee (BRAC), and the Foundation Committee. She is also a member of Ohio REALTORS® Global Alliance Committee. Rodelyn is a 2023 graduate of Columbus REALTORS® Leadership Academy and is currently enrolled in Ohio REALTORS® Leadership Academy, slated to graduate in October of 2025.   

"As a REALTOR®, being involved in the community is essential because real estate isn’t just about buying and selling properties—it’s about people, neighborhoods, and the lives built with them. When I’m active in the community, I gain a deeper understanding of local needs, values, and concerns, which helps me better serve my clients with relevant insights and connections. It also builds trust. Clients want to work with someone who’s invested—not just financially, but emotionally and socially—in the place they call home. Supporting local events, businesses, schools, and charities allows me to give back and show that I’m here for the long term, not just for the transaction.”

2024  REALTOR® Salesperson of the Year -  Jesse Shkolnik

Jesse Shkolnik, a Commercial REALTOR® Advisor with Equity, has been named the 2024 Columbus REALTORS® Salesperson of the Year.

A 15-year veteran of the business, Shkolnik began working in real estate as an unlicensed assistant and commercial marketing intern while in college. After graduating from the College of Business at Ohio University in 2009, he started full-time as a commercial agent with Plaza Properties/LGR Realty before joining Equity in 2014.

Shkolnik considers himself a commercial generalist who serves both landlord and tenant-represented clientele. While working with local, regional, and national clients, he has completed lease and sale transactions for retail, office, industrial, investment, land, development, and even a few residential properties. His completed transaction list includes deals with McDonald’s, Cricket Wireless, Connected Pathways Childcare, Hancock Fabrics, Sola Salons, Hypertension Nephrology Consultants, GoodVets, and the US Veteran’s Administration Medical Center.

Throughout his career, Shkolnik has been actively involved at the Association, where he is currently serving a second three-year term on the Columbus REALTORS® Foundation Board of Trustees, which he served as Treasurer in 2021 and chaired in 2022; a second one-year term as chair of the Commercial Education Committee; and is a vice chair of the Association’s annual REALTOR® CareDay. Additionally, Jesse currently serves as a member of the Commercial Recognition, Scholarship, and YPN Committees and on the Commercial Information Exchange (CIE), Commercial Member Value Add, Governance, and Strategic Long-Range Planning task forces. He has previously served on the Association’s Board of Directors and held three-year appointments to the Columbus REALTORS® Foundation Benevolence Committee, which he also chaired in 2023, and to the Commercial Advisory Board Nomination Committee. He is a past chair of the Commercial Advisory Board, Commercial Recognition, CORPAC Fundraising, REALTOR® Care Day, Scholarship, and Young Professionals Network committees.

Shkolnik has also previously served as a member of the CORPAC Governing Board, Commercial Member Services, and Commercial Standard Forms committees.

On the state level, Shkolnik has served multiple terms on the Ohio REALTORS® Board of Directors. He was also a member of its Strategic Planning and Commercial/Industrial committees and the C/I Work Group. He is a National Association of REALTORS® certified instructor and teaches the “Intro to Commercial Real Estate” and “Commercial New Member Orientation” classes. Shkolnik is the Immediate Past President of the Columbus Commercial, Industrial & Investment Realtors (CCIIR) and a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).

2023 REALTOR® Salesperson of the Year - Michael Jones

Michael Jones, a highly respected Sales Associate with Coldwell Banker Realty, has had a distinguished career in the real estate industry. With 28 years of experience under his belt, he has established himself as a leader and a mentor to many of his colleagues. In 2021, Jones served as President of the Columbus REALTORS® Association, after serving four years in officer chairs and a three-year term on the Board of Directors. But Jones' contributions extend far beyond the realm of real estate. He is deeply committed to serving his community and making a positive impact on the lives of those around him.

One of the many ways Jones has given back to his community is through his involvement in the Board of Zoning Adjustment for the City of Columbus. Jones considers this experience to be invaluable, as it has given him a broader understanding of zoning laws, which he believes are "at the heart of what we do in real estate." By serving on this board, Jones has gained a new perspective on the inner workings of local government and has become an advocate for fair and responsible development practices.

He is also actively involved in several nonprofit organizations, including the Childhood League Center and Big Brothers/Big Sisters, where he has served as a mentor to young people in need. He is a founding member of the Hispanic Professionals Network and the Columbus Chapter of AREAA (Asian Real Estate Association of America) National and has served on the Board of Directors of the Franklin County Childhood Development Council.

For Jones, the most rewarding part of his job is helping people find the perfect home for themselves and their families. "Being able to help people buy their personal residence, a place where they lay their head at night and raise their families ultimately gives me great joy and a sense of pride, knowing that I can have that much of an impact on somebody's life. And I take that role very seriously."

2022 REALTOR® Salesperson of the Year - Kurt McCurdy

Kurt McCurdy is a sales associate with HER, REALTORS® Howard Hanna and has been a real estate professional for 47 years. He holds the Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) and the Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI) industry designations.

He has served on Columbus REALTORS® Board of Directors and in leadership roles as chair and member of numerous committees, including the Builder/REALTOR® Alliance (BRAC), CORPAC Fundraising, Foundation Fundraising, Government Affairs, Professional Standards, and Sales Advisory.

McCurdy has received the Columbus REALTORS® Twenty-Five Million Dollar Sales Award and the Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

He is a National Association of REALTORS® REALTOR® Emeritus, has served as director at numerous NAR conventions and is a past chair of NAR’s Let’s Green America Committee. In addition, he has served as an accredited continuing education instructor for Ohio REALTORS®.

McCurdy holds a Lifetime Membership in the Eagle Scout Association, is a Sustaining Member of the Simon Kanton Council Boy Scouts of America, a founding and board member of Uptown, Inc. (Westerville), an active participant in Westerville’s 4th Friday events, and a fundraiser for the Leukemia Society.

After nearly five decades in real estate, McCurdy says, “I am just as passionate as ever about helping families achieve the American Dream and humbly accept this Salesperson of the Year Award as an acknowledgement of my long career.”

2021 REALTOR® Salesperson of the Year -  Lari Madosky Shaw 

Lari Madosky Shaw is a sales associate with Coldwell Banker Realty. She was licensed in 1996 and has 25 years of residential real estate sales experience. She is a recipient of Columbus REALTORS® Lifetime Achievement Award, a member of the 25 Million Dollars Sales Award Club and a Volunteer Service Award recipient. She is listed among the top one percent of Coldwell Banker Realty associates worldwide, and over her career has served over 1,500 families with sales totaling over $300,000,000.

Lari currently serves on the Columbus REALTORS® Board of Directors and as chair of the Builder/Realtor® Alliance Committee. She has also served on the Foundation Fund Advisory Board and as a member of the Columbus REALTORS® CEO Evaluation Task Force.

Her civil involvement includes serving as a Sunday school teacher at Liberty Barn Presbyterian Church, a classroom volunteer and PTO member at Liberty Tree Elementary School, and as a past member of the Columbus Public Schools’ I Know I Can Scholarship Board of Directors and of the Columbus Public Schools College Financial Aid Committee.

Lari holds a BA in Education from The Ohio State University, and the Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), e-Pro and the Performance Management Network (PMN) professional designations

2020 REALTOR® Salesperson of the Year -  Mic Gordon 

Mic Gordon is Operating Principal (Managing Partner) for Keller Williams Greater Columbus Realty. He was licensed in 1987 and holds Columbus REALTORS® Certified Real Estate Mentor (CREM) designation and the National Association of Home Builders Certified New Home Salesperson (CSP) and the Certified New Home Marketing (CMP) designations.

In 2019, his company closed over 1,800 transactions and, over the past five years, Mic has sold 113 homes with an average closed volume of 6.4 million dollars per year.

 In 2017, Mic served as president of Columbus REALTORS® and has served as vice chair of the Columbus and Central Ohio Regional Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Board of Directors, chaired Columbus REALTORS® CEO Transition Committee and is a member of the CORPAC Governing Board Committee and the Governance Task Force.

Mic has served as an Ohio REALTORS® Director, chaired its Professional Development Committee, Local Government Forum and the License Background Check Task Force, which was passed into law in July 2018. In 2019, he served as vice chair of the Legislative Steering and of the Enlarged Legislative committees.

He has also served as a Political Coordinator for the Ohio State 3rd District and on the National Association of REALTORS® Federal Taxation Committee. Mic is a CORPAC Major Investor at the Golden R level.

In the community, Mic has been an active member of the #SaveTheCrew organization, vice president of the Hampstead Village Homeowners Association and is an active supporter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and of the New Albany Food Bank (formerly the Village Coalition Against Hunger). He has also been a starter and announcer for the Plain Township Swimming Gators. Video.

2019 REALTOR® Salesperson of the Year - Jan Jedlinsky

Jan Jedlinsky is a sales associate with Metro II Realty and has been a real estate professional for 19 years. She holds the Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), At Home with Diversity (AHWD), GREEN and Performance Management Network (PMN) industry designations.

She has served on Columbus REALTORS® Board of Directors and as a member or chair of numerous committees, including CORPAC Governing Board, Foundation Fund Advisory Board, Governmental Affairs Steering, MLS, Professional Standards, REALTOR® Care Day and Tech Users.
Jedlinsky has also chaired the Ohio Association of REALTORS® Convention committee and will chair the RPAC Fund Raising and My REALTOR® Party committees and served as a member of its Local Government, MLS, Professional Standards, and RPAC Fundraising committees.

On the National level, she has served on the Consumer Communications and Land Use, Property Rights and Environmental committees.
An active member of the Women’s Council of REALTORS® (WCR), Jedlinsky has served as president of the Ohio WCR as well as the Columbus Chapter, where during her term, the Chapter was awarded The National Large Chapter of the Year Award. She currently serves as the Region 2 Vice President – serving Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Illinois.

She is a member of Columbus REALTORS® Twenty-Five Million Dollar Sales Award Club, a Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and recipient of Columbus REALTORS® Volunteer Service and “One Hundred Acts of Kindness” awards.

In the community, Jedlinsky has served on the Beaux Art Board for the Columbus Museum of Art, Alumni Advisor for Delta Gamma Sorority at The Ohio State University, is a Graduate of the Powell Police Academy, and is a Sunday school teacher at Liberty Presbyterian Church.

Jedlinsky holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Bowling Green State University and is a graduate of the Ohio REALTORS® Leadership Academy.

2018 REALTOR® Salesperson of the Year - Sue Van Woerkom

Sue Van Woerkom is a sales associate with Keller Williams Capital Partners and has been practicing real estate for 21 years this July! She appreciates the trust and friendship that comes along with helping folks make life changing decisions that are an inherent part of home selling and buying.

She currently serves as a member of the Columbus REALTORS® Budget, Finance & Investment Committee; is a member of the Association’s Board of Directors and of the Foundation Board of Trustees; serves as co-chair of the Foundation Fundraising Committee; and is a member of the Government Affairs Steering Committee. She also currently serves on the Raise the Bar Task Force.

In the past, she has served multiple years as a member of the CEO Evaluation and Foundation Fundraising committees, and on the CORPAC Fundraising, Governmental Affairs Forum, Residential Education and the Strategic Long-Range Planning committees.

Sue received a nursing degree from Cedar Crest Colleges, is a 2014 graduate of the Columbus REALTORS® Leadership Academy, and she holds the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR), Relocation Specialist and E-Agent professional designations. She is also a 2016 recipient of the Columbus REALTORS® Lifetime Achievement Award, an Amnesty Award honoree, and a member of the Columbus REALTORS® Twenty-Five Million Dollar Sales Award Club.

Sue continues to maintain her RN license and has served many years as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. She is also a member of the First United Methodist Church, where she serves on its Board of Trustees and regularly volunteers her nursing services at her former church (Scioto Ridge United Methodist Church) home’s health screenings and at Pelotonia. In addition, she participates as a HEAL Coach with the Church for All People associated with the Southside Renaissance, and she donates ten percent of her earnings from each closing to the charity of her client’s choice.

Sue and her husband currently live in a log cabin on their “Wannabee Farm” just outside of Columbus, with their chickens, goats, assortment of cats and their dogs, Honey Bee and Herky (short for Hercules).

2017 REALTOR® Salesperson of the Year - Kathy Shiflet

Kathy Shiflet is a sales associate with Coldwell Banker King Thompson and has been a member of Columbus REALTORS® for 21 years. She holds the Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) and the Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) designations, and she is a past president of Columbus REALTORS® and a former member of its Board of Directors.

Kathy serves as a trustee of the Columbus REALTORS® Foundation and is a Charter Member of the Leadership Academy class of 2012. She has co-chaired the Foundation Fundraising and Communication committees, served on the Foundation Advisory Board and as a member of the Benevolence, CORPAC Fundraising, Governmental Affairs, and KeyBox committees.

She is a Columbus REALTORS® Twenty-Five Million Sales Award Club member and a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Kathy is also a past president of the Hilliard Area Realty Association, and a Life Member of the Hilliard Darby Athletic Boosters, member of the Hilliard School District Levy Committee, an American Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity donor, a volunteer with Columbus Marathon and a supporter of the American Cancer Society and the Coldwell Banker Foundation Fund.

2016 REALTOR® Salesperson of the Year - Gloria Alonso Cannon

Gloria is a sales associate with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Professional Realty and has been a member of Columbus REALTORS® for 20 years. She has earned the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR), the Certified Residential Specialists (CRS), the Graduate, REALTORS® Institute (GRI), and e-Pro industry designations, and is a member of Columbus REALTORS® Ten Million Dollar Sales Award Club.

Gloria is one of only two Ohio REALTORS® to have completed the National Association of REALTORS® Leadership Academy.

Currently, Gloria serves as co-chair of Columbus REALTORS® Foundation Fundraising Committee and as a member of the Benevolence Committee. She has chaired its Awards Night, CORPAC Fundraising, Governmental Affairs, Grievance, REALTOR® Care Day, Residential Standard Forms and Sales Advisory committees, and the Columbus REALTORS® Leadership Academy Advisory Board.

In addition, she has served a three-year term on Columbus REALTORS® Board of Directors, is a past member of the CEO Evaluation, Communication and Technology Users committees, as well as a past member of the Communication Audit, Lifetime Achievement, MLS Data Sharing, and the Web Site Redesign task forces.

Gloria donates toys to Children’s Hospital for the holidays, adopts families in need, works on several fundraisers throughout the year for various civic groups and works with several dog and animal rescue groups. In the past, she has also been a volunteer for Fairy Goodmothers/Cinderella’s Closet, Adopt a Soldier Group and the Ohio Wildlife Center.

She is a former member of the Worthington Chamber of Commerce, the Old Worthington Business Association, Civitan International, Hilliard Darby Athletic Boosters, and a former student mentor at Hilliard Darby High School.

2015 REALTOR® Salesperson of the Year - Jill Rudler

Jill is a sales associate with Keller Williams Excel Realty and has been a member of Columbus REALTORS® for 28 years. She holds the Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialists (CLHMS), the Graduate, REALTORS® Institute (GRI) and the Residential Relocation Specialists (RRS) designations.

She is a past chair of the Columbus REALTORS® CORPAC Governing Board and the Foundation Fund Scholarship Committee, and a current member of the Benevolence, Budget, Finance and Investment, CORPAC Fundraising, and the Governmental Affairs committees. She is a Columbus REALTORS® Twenty-Five Million Sales Award Club member, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, and a graduate of Leadership Academy Charter Member Class of 2012.

Jill serves as a member of the Westerville Chamber of Commerce, the Mid-Ohio Food Bank, and the Woman’s Fund Central Ohio. She has also been a volunteer with both Keller Williams Giving Back to the Community Red Day and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure for multiple years, as well as a supporter of Habitat for Humanity, Canine Companions for Independence, and the Circle of Friends Leukemia Society.

She is a past president and current member of the Women’s Council of REALTORS® (WCR) Columbus Chapter, where she was selected 2014 Member of the Year and named Entrepreneur of the Year Columbus Chapter in 2009. She’s also a member of the Dublin, Gahanna, New Albany, Northeast/Westerville, and Southern Delaware County area realty associations.

2014 REALTOR® Salesperson of the Year - Shari D. Carroll

Shari is a sales associate with Keller Williams Capital Partners and has been a member of Columbus REALTORS® for 27 years. She holds the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) and the Graduate, REALTORS® Institute (GRI) designations.

She currently serves on the Columbus REALTORS® Foundation Advisory Board, and has co-chaired the REALTOR® Care Day Committee, and served as a member of the Affordable Housing, Communication, Education, Equal Opportunity, Governmental Affairs, Membership, Sales Advisory, and Standard Forms committees.

Shari is a member of the Columbus REALTORS® Twenty-Five Million Sales Award Club, a CORPAC Life Member and a recipient of the Columbus REALTORS® Lifetime Achievement and Volunteer Service awards. She has served two times
as president of the North Area Real Estate Association and was president of the local Women’s Council of REALTORS® (WCR), where she has also served three years on its Governing Board.

Shari currently serves as the Drive Chair/1st Vice President of Charity Newsies and, on June 1, 2015, will become only the second woman in Charity Newsies’ 107–year history to serve as president and chair of its Board. She has coached 4th grade volleyball and has served as a volunteer for Girl Scouts, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and the Interfaith Hospitality Network at her church.

She has also served four years on the Board of the Clintonville Chamber of Commerce and as its president in 2005/2006. In addition, she has been on the Honor role for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure as one of the top 100 Pledge Raisers.

2013 REALTOR® Salesperson of the Year - Rick Benjamin

Benjamin is an associate with RE/MAX Premier Choice and has been in residential real estate for 40 years. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in marketing from The Ohio State University and a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) industry designation from the National Association of REALTORS®.

Benjamin served as president of the Columbus Board of REALTORS® (CBR) in 2011, and is a CBR Lifetime Achievement honoree and a member of the Board’s Twenty-Five Million Dollar Sales Award Club. He has also served two (three year) terms on the CBR Board of Directors and has chaired the Board’s CORPAC Fundraising and Governmental Affairs committees. He is a member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame and a past RE/MAX Agent of the Year award winner.

In the community, Benjamin has served as president of the Greater Dublin and Hilliard Area realty associations and has chaired numerous association golf outings. He also financially helped to build St. Peters and St. Brigid of Kildare Catholic Church and school, was involved with Dublin youth athletics, where he was vice president of fundraising and where he coached the baseball, soccer and basketball teams. Benjamin was also a financial booster and president of the high school’s lacrosse and wrestling programs.

Hrabcak has been involved in the sale and leasing of commercial, industrial, investment and office real estate, and business brokerage sales throughout central Ohio for over 26 years.  His dedication to this industry is evident in his years of service. And, through his leadership, many would agree that he has improved the business and lives of his fellow REALTORS®.

For the Columbus Board of REALTORS® (CBR), he is a past president, has served a three-year term on the Board of Directors, and has chaired numerous committees, including Budget and Finance, Commercial/Investment Steering, Commercial/Investment Education, Grievance, Governmental Affairs, Professional Standards and Strategic Long Range Planning. In addition, he chaired CBR’s 100th Anniversary Ad Hoc Committee and the Central Ohio REALTORS® Political Action Committee (CORPAC) Governing Board. 

2012 REALTOR® Salesperson of the Year - Greg Hrabcak

Hrabcak is also active at the state level, where he currently serves as the Ohio Association of REALTORS® (OAR) District 6 Vice President. In the past, he served as a director for 10 years and has chaired the Commercial Industrial Committee and the Legal Issues and Professional Standards forums.
 He has also taught real estate classes for the CBR, OAR and Columbus State Community College. He is certified by the National Association of REALTORS® to teach its Commercial Green designation course. 

In his tenure in real estate, Hrabcak has served as president of the Ohio Commercial Real Estate Association, Columbus Real Estate Exchangors, Columbus Commercial Industrial and Investment REALTORS® and the Ohio Business Brokers Association.  He is also the recipient of several awards, including CBR’s Volunteer Service Award, the Ohio Commercial Real Estate Associations’ Creager Award for the Exchange of the Year; and CBR’s Most Unique Commercial Transaction award.  

Greg’s civic activities include contributions to the Ronald McDonald Foundation, Kidney Services and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He has also been a member of Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Ohio, University Lodge No. 0631, Worthington, Ohio; a York Golf Club member; and a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose, Legion Member, Worthington, Ohio, Lodge 1427. Since childhood, he has attended St. Paul's Catholic Church in Westerville, Ohio.

2011 REALTOR® Salesperson of the Year – Sara Walsh

Sara Walsh of Prudential Metrix, REALTORS®, joined the Columbus Board of REALTORS® (CBR) as a licensed agent in 1988. An Otterbein University graduate, Walsh is active in several real estate associations and is currently the vice chair for the CBR Governmental Affairs Committee. She has also served as president of both the Columbus and Ohio State Chapter of the Women’s Council of REALTORS®.

In 2006, Walsh was the youngest recipient to receive the CBR Lifetime Achievement Award. She was the 1993 RE/MAX Salesperson of the Year and was inducted in to the Who’s Who Worldwide of Business Leaders in 1994.

Walsh resides in Genoa Township with her husband, Curt, daughter Alexandria and Step-Son Matt.

2010 REALTOR® Salesperson of the Year - Brad Bennett

Brad Bennett of Real Living HER has been licensed since 1972. With over $100 million in residential and commercial real estate transactions, Bennett is active in several CBR, OAR and National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) committees. He is on the Boards of Directors of OAR and NAR as well as serving as Chairman of OAR REALTOR® Political Action Committee (RPAC) Trustees and CBR CORPAC Governing Board.

He also supports the Ohio Early Care and Education Campaign, the Columbus Housing Partnership and the Homeless Families Foundation, among others.

Bennett’s father, John Bennett, was honored with CBR’s Salesperson of the Year Award in 1968. Bennett and his wife Linda have four sons and live in Upper Arlington.

2009 REALTOR® Salesperson of the Year - Nancy Byrd, CRS

When Nancy Bryd chaired the Awards Night Committee back in 1993, she never dreamed she would one day be on the other side of things, receiving the 2009 REALTOR® Salesperson of the Year Award.

Byrd, in her 30th year in real estate, has been active at the CBR, serving on and chairing multiple committees as well as serving as a CBR Director and president of the Tri-County Realty Association. Byrd also formed the Independent Brokers Association and served as president of that organization for two years.

Working on behalf of the board is its own reward, Byrd said. "You'll get far more in return that you'll ever give," she said. A member of the CBR 10 Million Dollar Club, Byrd is working on the 25 Million Dollar Club and hopes to achieve that this year.

Byrd is also dedicated to her family; over the last several years she has helped care for her elderly father and aunt. She received the award on her father's 94th birthday, which made it even more special, Byrd said.

2008 REALTOR® Salesperson of the Year - Brian Kemp

Brian Kemp is an owner/partner of Keller Williams Capital Partners Realty. Since getting his license in 1989, he has been committed to his clients, the real estate profession and the community.

Actively involved in CBR, Brian has served as a member of the Board of Directors, was appointed to a three-year term on the Grievance Committee and was elected to serve four years on the MLS Committee. He currently serves as Vice Chair of the Foundation Fund, Co vice Chair of the CORPAC Committee, is a member of the Foundation Fund Advisory Board and is serving his fifth year as a Mentor for CBR's Equal Opportunity Committee New Member Mentoring Program.

He holds the Graduate REALTOR®, Institute (GRI) designation, is a CORPAC Sterling "R" contributor and is the recipient of numerous awards, including the CBR Volunteer Service Award, CBR Lifetime Achievement Award, OAR's President's Club, Prudential Chairman's Circle, and Keller Williams Triple and Quadruple Gold. He's a member of CBR's 25 Million Dollars Sales Award Club and was a 2007 nominee for NAR's Good Neighbor Award. Brian is also a member of several professional associations, including area Chambers of Commerce and area real estate associations. He has served as a member of Central Ohio Luxury Home Network, Experience Columbus, Greater Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau and the German Village Society.

Brian is passionate about his work as a Wish Volunteer for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, where he also serves on their Board, the Wish Committee, and donates a portion of the proceeds from each Kemp & Co. transaction in his clients name to this organization. He is also an active member of the First Community Church, is an annual sponsor of the DBSL Softball Team and was on the Executive Committee of the DIFFA (Dining by Design) event to benefit Columbus Aids Task Force.

"It is an honor to be recognized by my peers while serving in a role that I love. With gratitude we give, because we can and because it is our duty...to the Real Estate community, to the profession and to those who need help."

2007 REALTOR® Salesperson of the Year - Louise Potter

Louise Potter is a sales associate with Keller Williams Greater Columbus. She began her career with HER in 1989 and took to this business like a duck to water. She has enjoyed the challenges and changes of the industry as well as the many personalities.

After a successful sales career, in 1992, she became King Thompson's training director and later managed their Pickerington, Powell and Westerville offices. In 2002, she rejoined HER, where she became manager their Metro and German Village offices.

For the Columbus Board of REALTORS®, Louise is currently serving her second term on the Board of Directors, has twice chaired the Standard Forms Committee, co-chaired CORPAC and is current chair of the CORPAC Governing Board, vice chair of the Foundation Fundraising Committee and a member of the Foundation Fund Governing Board. She also serves as an Ohio Association of REALTORS® (OAR) Director and on the 2005 and current 2007 OAR Convention committees. In the past, she has chaired OAR's Professional Development Committee.

Louise is approved to teach OAR's GRI 100 and 300 classes, the Ohio Division of Real Estate's Ethics, ECR Market Analysis, and Computer Basics courses and the 10-hour post licensing classes for Hondros College of Business. She has chaired the Homeless Families Foundation Reverse raffle for the Bexley-Eastmoor-Berwick Realty Association and has co-chaired the Women's Council of REALTORS® (WCR) Ways and Means Committee. Prior to becoming a REALTOR®, Louise professionally rode horses, teaching, training and selling, and owned a tack shop, In addition she was a Paralegal. She is also an avid tennis player and golfer, an ACE Certified Personal Trainer, Certified SpinningTM instructor and a former coach for the Worthington Special Olympics Power LiftingTeam.

Louise holds a B.A. in History with a minor in Journalism from Muskingum College; a two-year Certified Legal Assistance Program certificate from Capital University Law School and is a Bexley High School graduate. She also holds the Graduate, REALTOR® Institute (GRI) designation. She resides in Bexley and has a daughter, Abby, who is close by in Grandview. She has also lived in Charleston, South Carolina and spent part of her childhood in Sea Island and St. Simons Island, Georgia.

Louise says, "I'm both honored and humbled to receive this award. This recognition by my peers is so special. My real estate colleagues have become like a second family to me and this validates what I have done over the years. Anything is possible!"

2006 REALTOR® Salesperson of the Year - Sue Lusk-Gleich

Sue Lusk-Gleich, Keller Williams Capital Partners Realty, has been selected as CBR's 2006 Salesperson of the Year. She has been in real estate for 32 years and holds the Accredited Buyer Representation (ABR), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) and the Certified New Home Specialist (CSP) designations.

In her involvement with CBR, she has served on the Board of Directors, chaired the Awards Night, Grievance, Membership, Professional Standards and Sales Advisory committees and has served a three-year term on the Real Estate Weekly Publishing Board. She currently serves as a mentor in the CBR New Member Mentoring program, has had her work in the community honored through the CBR Spotlight on Community Service recognition and is an CORPAC Life Member.

Sue's community involvement includes serving as a volleyball and swim coach for the Columbus Public Schools Special Olympics. For the past 11 years, she has served as a Special Olympics Unified Golf Partner. Sue is a Supporter & Business Buddy for Children's Hospital Foundation, has been a Children's Hospital swim teacher and a supporter of Children's Miracle Network. She has been an active volunteer at the Immaculate Conception School, where she chaired the Drug & Alcohol Workshop and served as a member of the athletic association.

She is a member of both the Columbus and Clintonville chambers of commerce, the Women's Council of REALTORS®, Star Power® International, Top Ten Nationwide Referrals, and of the Hilliard, North, Westerville and Worthington area realty associations, serving three one-year terms as president of the North Area Real Estate Association. Sue is a Charter Member of the CBR Lifetime Achievement Award and a recipient of the CBR Twenty-Five Million Dollar Award Club and the Volunteer Service Award. She is a multiple recipient of OAR's Professional of the Year Award, Award of Distinction, and Award of Excellence.

In addition, she is a member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame, Platinum Club, 100% Club, and the recipient of the RE/MAX Greg Ruble Memorial Award and of the International Lifetime Achievement Award. For the past two years, she has been the recipient of the Keller Williams Platinum Award.

2005 REALTOR® Salesperson of the Year - Bill Clifford

Bill Clifford, ABR, CRS, GRI, is a broker associate with RE/MAX Premier Choice and the first to receive both CBR's Salesperson of the Year and Instructor of the Year awards in the same year. What an achievement!

Bill received his real estate license in 1977 and earned his broker's license in 1980. He has chaired the CBR Civic Planning, Columbus and Central Ohio Multiple Listing (MLS), Professional Standards and the Sales Advisory committees. For the past two years, he has chaired the Standard Forms Committee, where he oversaw major revisions to the Residential Purchase contract.

His industry accomplishments include membership in CBR's $25 Million Dollar Sales Award Club, and in the Ohio Association of REALTORS® (OAR) President's Sales Club. Bill is also a member of the RE/MAX 100% and Platinum clubs and a recipient of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame Award. He has been involved with the March of Dimes, Worthington Jaycees, Easter Seals Telethon, Vietnam Veterans Association and Junior Achievement's "Project Business."

On receiving the Salesperson of the Year award, Bill thanks Bonnie Nyikes for nominating him and the Columbus Board of REALTORS® for this great honor and for an award that he will always treasure. He also thanks his wife, Susan, who has always stood by him, provided her support and confidence and is a great lady, partner and REALTOR®.

2004 REALTOR® Salesperson of the Year - Sandy Campbell

Sandy Campbell, ABR, CRP, CRS, GRI, is a sales associate with RE/MAX Premier Choice, Realtors®, serves on the CBR Board of Directors and is this year’s Salesperson of the Year.

Sandy has been selling real estate for 27 years and, in 1979, had one of her most memorable real estate experiences. Friends who had moved to Michigan called and asked her to help them find a home in Worthington. They were being transferred to Columbus and needed a home quickly. As there were very few homes on the market, they spent the entire day looking at everything available. I took them back to their car for their trip back to Michigan at 5:30 p.m. — they left very depressed – thinking that they were going to have to move into a short-term rental.

When I got home, I noticed a “For Sale By Owner” sign in my neighbors yard. The house was in the area they preferred and I knew that they would have bought it if they had seen it. Their response to my phone call was , “What do we have to do to buy it?” I wrote the offer and suggested that they make the offer contingent upon their inspection within 48 hours. They said no to the contingency because they did not have time to come back. Thirty days later we closed. My friends had not see the house until after they were handed the keys at closing. And, they turned out to be great neighbors!

2003 REALTOR® Salesperson of the Year - Mar' Hartley

Mar’ Hartley, GRI, RRS, E-agent, RIS, has been selected 2003 Salesperson of the Year for her exceptional contributions to her industry and her community. She is a sales associate with HER, Inc., REALTORS®, has chaired or served on several CBR committees and is a member of the CBR Ten Million Dollar Club.

Mar’ is a founding member of Touchstone Café – a training facility and hands-on restaurant for mentally challenged individuals. She is also involved in numerous charities and currently serves as President of the Local Business & Professional Woman’s Club.

Mar’ got into real estate after her girlfriend, Janet Hughes, who did not want to take the real estate classes alone, asked Mar’ to take the classes with her. Initially, she said no, but finally gave in and the rest is real estate history.

Upon accepting her award, Mar’ said, “It’s all about giving back to your community and your industry. To do more, you need to know more. I truly believe that mentoring in this industry is as important as a spring breeze. I would urge newly licensed agents to have a mentor for guidance, advice and inspiration. Look around there are mentors everywhere. There are so many things you can learn from them. I won’t name names, but I would like to thank all my mentors who are here this evening. You didn’t know you were my mentor but many of your were. And, I thank you.”

Mar’ resides in Fredericktown with husband Phil, has raised 5 children and has 12 grand kids.

2002 REALTOR® Salesperson of the Year - Bob Kidwell

Robert “Captain Bob” Kidwell was named 2002 Salesperson of the Year for his outstanding commitment to participating and promoting industry activities. “I believe in teamwork,” said Bob. “And as Woody Hayes said ‘You win with people.' I've tried to live by that by staying involved and getting others involved.”

An associate with Coldwell Banker King Thompson, Bob currently serves as chair of CBR's Real Estate Weekly Publishing Board, and is a past co-chair of CORPAC, chair of the CORPAC Governing Board, Communications and the “Through the Years” committees, and has served as a member of numerous other CBR committees. He is currently an OAR Trustee and a member of the NAR Board of Directors.

His civic commitment has included serving on the Board of Directors of the Columbus Jaycees and as a United Way volunteer. He also has served on the VIP panels of the Easter Seals and the Miracle Network Telethon, and has been active with the Young Business Men's Club, I Know I Can, Food Bank, and the Hilliard Chamber of Commerce. He is a Life Member of the Upper Arlington Civic Association and has served on its Board of Directors. He also is a past Upper Arlington High School PTO president, and member of the Booster Club Board of Directors.

The Capt. holds a Broker's license, is an Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR) and a Graduate, Realtors® Institute (GRI) designee, a CBR Million Dollar Club Member and a Life Member of the OAR Million Dollar Club. Bob attended The Ohio State University, where he majored in radio and television. He also attended Franklin University, and from 1956 to 1964, served in the United States Naval Air Reserve.

He is married to Barbara and has 5 children and 6 grandchildren.

2001 REALTOR® Salesperson of the Year - Lyn Charobee

Lyn Charobee was selected Salesperson of the Year for her outstanding commitment to participating and promoting industry activities.  A sales associate with King Thompson, REALTORS®, she is currently serving as a CBR Trustee as well as on the Awards Night and Builder/REALTORS® Alliance (BRAC) committees and on the CBR Trustee Internet Study Group.

In the past, she co-chaired the CORPAC Committee, chaired the Sales Advisory Committee and served as a member of numerous other Board committees. Lyn is a member of CBR’s Ten Million Dollar Sales Award Club, a CORPAC/RPAC Life Member and a four-time recipient of the Volunteer Service Award.

On the state level, she currently serves as an OAR Trustee and member of the OAR RPAC Fund Raising Committee. Lyn holds the Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR) industry designation and is a past president of the Greater Dublin Realty Association.