Florida Realtors® Honors 2024 Award Winners
Sep 11, 2024
When asked his thoughts after receiving the Realtor of the Year award, McGraw said, “It’s truly all about serving the member, helping our Realtor members succeed – and helping buyers and sellers achieve their dreams of homeownership.”
Florida Realtors has presented Realtor of the Year and Associate Realtor of the Year awards for 72 years. Winners are honored as the greatest individual lifetime contributors to their local Realtor board, community, state association, and the National Association of Realtors® (NAR).
Almost immediately after getting his real estate license more than 20 years ago, McGraw became involved at all three levels of the Realtor organization: his local association, the Orlando Regional Realtor® Association, Florida Realtors and NAR.
His accomplishments over his career include leadership positions and awards recognizing his service. McGraw’s list of committees, groups, forums and task forces he has served on at the local level spans five pages on his nomination form dating back to 2001. Among that long list, he was ORRA’s president in 2011 and was the 2018 president of Stellar MLS.
McGraw’s involvement with Florida Realtors is just as extensive – spanning five-and-a-half pages –and dates back to 2005. Under his leadership as Florida Realtors president, the state association focused on its role as “Your Business Partner” for Realtors and local associations.
His goals in 2023 included boosting advocacy efforts; increasing professionalism; protecting Florida’s environment; raising awareness of Florida Realtors’ charities; and showcasing all that Realtors do in their communities.
Knowing the importance of advocacy, McGraw has long supported RPAC (Realtor Political Action Committee). As president, he worked to raise awareness and funds for RPAC through his “Coffee with Cars” series where members could invest in their profession while networking.
In 2023, McGraw played a key role in redesigning a specialty license plate to include Florida Realtors and the Realtor “R” logo. The new specialty license plate is now available at county tax collector’s offices or online at https://homeownershipforall.org.
He also serves on numerous NAR committees including its Board of Directors and Insurance Committee for 2024. In addition to professional commitments, he volunteers with Apopka Little League baseball among other community activities.
“What stunned me was when they said the list (of his involvement) goes on for five-and-a-half pages,” McGraw said after receiving his award. “I don’t love titles or do it for accolades. I just always want to get to work.”
Missi Howell from Northeast Florida Association of Realtors (NEFAR) was honored as Associate Realtor of the Year for her nearly four-decade-long support for real estate industry initiatives since becoming a realtor in 2007.
Howell believes in education having earned twelve designations including Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI), Accredited Buyers’ Representative (ABR), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), among others. She served NEFAR in various capacities including being its president in 2021.
At state level she has been part of Florida Realtors Board since seven years holding positions such as chairing Global Networking Forum besides being an instructor last year.
Nationally she served NAR's Board along with being selected into Mentor Program last year too demonstrating commitment towards both profession & community through several voluntary engagements over decades.
Jim Mulvey from Venice Board received 'Realtor Achievement Award' acknowledging contributions made past three years within company managing roles involving active participation across multiple levels be it committee memberships or mediation cases successfully handled locally besides supporting Autism Advocacy Girls Clubs Children Miracle Network Hospice Ronald McDonald House Toys Tots United Way amongst others
At State Level currently holds District Vice President role alongside serving Strategic Planning Legislative Think Tank Breakout Group etc
Karen Johnson recognized via 'Commercial Achievement Award' bridging gap between commercial residential realms balancing multi-million dollar sales annually
Local roles spanned presidency RCA besides graduating Leadership Academy whilst State involvement saw her leading Strategic Thinking Committee District Vice Presidency etc
Nicole Porro named 'Newcomer Award' winner investing time within NABOR Magazine Global Business Young Professionals Network Committees earning CIPS designation aiming GRI next completing Leadership Academy project aiding Project HELP non-profit
Chrissy Hartley awarded 'Humanitarian Year' championing Building Homes Heroes raising $125000 aiding injured veterans securing mortgage-free homes chairing task force managing multiple facets ensuring smooth operations reflecting Thomas Watson Sr.'s philosophy regarding heart-business integration
Diana Galavis received 'Spirit Advocacy Award' leveraging political science background fostering relationships attending council meetings screening candidates guiding record-breaking RPAC auction contributing significantly towards legislative endeavors both locally nationally representing private property rights advocating strongly throughout career
Susan Markowitz-Lewis acknowledged via 'Education Volunteer Year' dedicating decades towards advancing professional standards ethics within real estate industry engaging Community Outreach Unsafe Structures Advisory Golden Isles Safe Neighborhood District Healthy Mothers Babies Broward County Wings Society boards passionately sharing knowledge
Christel Silver honored 'Educator Year' motivated educating colleagues offering free classes developing courses specializing international realm via brokerage firm Silver International Realty Delray Beach Destin holding multiple certifications teaching GRI REBAC approved NAR certified instructor roles consistently promoting lifelong learning ethos
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