DMAR's 43rd Annual Excellence Awards Honors 2020 Top Agents

Colorado’s largest REALTOR® awards event went virtual this year to commemorate industry leader achievements.

DENVER – April 8, 2021 - Denver Metro Association of REALTORS® (DMAR) – an organization comprised of over 7,000 real estate professionals and The Voice of Real Estate® in the Denver metro area  – hosted its 43rd Denver Metro Association of REALTORS® Excellence Awards event on April 8, 2021. The annual event, held virtually this year, is the summit of real estate achievement in metro Denver recognizing the highest-performing and most inspiring REALTORS® from 2020.

With winners across six different categories, and over 25 awards given out, highlights of the event included the special awards given in the following categories: Broker Manager of the Year, REALTOR® of the Year, Top Producers, Rookie of the Year, Support Person of the Year, Top Project Awards, Top Office Awards, as well as those dedicated to Community Service efforts. 

“The Excellence Awards ceremony is an event that the Denver area’s residential real estate industry has come to depend on over the years,” said Mike Papantonakis, Chairman of the Board of the Denver Metro Association of REALTORS®. “2020 was a difficult year, and the awards matter more than ever as the event acknowledges the professional excellence and success for individuals and teams who serve above and beyond as some of the best REALTORS® in one of the nation’s most competitive real estate markets.”

Tom Ferry, the #1 ranked real estate coach by Swanepoel Power 200 and best-selling author of Life! By Design and Mindset, Model and Marketing!, led as keynote speaker of the event while Scott Peterson, General Counsel for the Colorado Association of REALTORS® and Damian Cox, Attorney and Owner of Cox Law Firm,  emceed over Zoom.

“Last year was a particularly challenging year that now serves to further elevate what these award-winning REALTORS® and teams have successfully navigated,” stated Nobu Hata, CEO of the Denver Metro Association of REALTORS®. “On behalf of the Association, my team and I applaud our REALTOR® members on their success in 2020. We remain grateful to each and every member’s resolve to provide world-class client service no matter the complexities of our current times, one of the most significant aspects for homeowners deciding to work with REALTORS®.”

AWARD WINNERS

Broker Manager of the Year: Ryan Carter, a top producing REALTOR® and President of 8z Denver Real Estate has been an asset to 8z since he joined the brokerage in 2010. He embodies the 8z core values and mission, not only as an agent but also in every leadership role he has held at the brokerage. 

Ryan Carter is this year’s Broker Manager of the Year award winner. Under his leadership, 8z Real Estate created 8z4Life and 8zKeys4Life in April 2020, an immediate response to the financial hardships brought on by the pandemic. Ryan recognized that it was time for 8z to step in meaningfully to help 8z clients and employees apply for housing-related relief, as well as receive expert guidance for other housing-related assistance that may be available to them during the crisis. On top of his role as 8z President, Ryan proactively serves as a talented business coach, mentor and trainer. 

REALTOR® of the Year: Steve Thayer is a REALTOR® at The Thayer Group - Keller Williams Action Realty. A licensed REALTOR® since 2008, Steve has been awarded REALTOR® of the Year because of his dedication and advocacy for REALTORS® across the area. Steve not only spends time volunteering in the REALTOR® community but has the utmost respect for the REALTOR® code of ethics and standards of practice, and always goes above and beyond for his clients. 

Additionally, he has held several notable leadership positions in the real estate industry, including DMAR Chairman of the Board, National Association of REALTORS® Director, member of DMAR and Douglas Elbert REALTOR® Association (DERA) Board of Directors & President-Elect of DERA. 

Industry Partner of the Year: Stephany Overmyer serves as the Industry Partner liaison in the DMAR West District of Waterford Bank, N.A., and is the current Industry Partner Chair Elect. 

Stefany has earned the Industry Partner of the Year as a result of her very hard work these past few years to help Industry Partners see the benefit of membership. Prior to the pandemic, she could be found hosting free events to invite REALTORS® and Industry Partners around the Metro Denver area to participate in and network. Throughout the pandemic, Stephany served as an advocate for other small business owners and often goes above and beyond in her role as Industry Partner liaison while looking for unique ways to connect with and promote the REALTOR® and Industry Partner community. Stephanie often features other business owners on her Facebook page, and was instrumental in spearheading DMAR’s new "Meet Your Industry Partners" networking meetings. 

Rookie of the Year: Becky Clay, a REALTOR® at eXp Realty, is a sales enthusiast-turned-entrepreneur passionate about all things real estate. Her team describes her as an energetic, versatile professional with over 10 years of successful sales and marketing experience. As an Associate Real Estate Broker, she enthusiastically ensures clients' questions and inquiries are resolved within a timely manner. She is persistent in making sure clients' voices are heard and their needs are met. 

Becky was awarded Rookie of the Year because she is an outstanding mentor to all eXp agents by being organized and her willingness to share with her peers. Her team reports that she is always available to answer questions by any agent while continuing to help buyers and sellers. She goes above and beyond and does the right thing and is a huge advocate for her clients and listens to their wants and needs. 

Support Person of the Year: Although a licensed REALTOR®, Heather Matthews serves as a Transaction Coordinator for Kentwood Real Estate DTC in a non-agent capacity. She has earned Support Person of the Year due to her tireless efforts to keep Kentwood Real Estate DTC firing on all cylinders. She regularly produces Commission Disbursement Authorization forms for all offices to ensure smooth and timely payment to all of the Kentwood Real Estate DTC agents. Further, Heather plays a leadership role with human resource-related issues including, but not limited to, interview and hiring of new employees for Kentwood.

Heather has been affiliated with Kentwood Real Estate for over a decade. Her efforts and ethics are emblematic of the best qualities in REALTORS® as she has worked hard to ensure the workflow and communication between agents and staff remains transparent. Before every closing, Heather makes sure all contracts are entered correctly so she can issue payment to the brokers. She is also Kentwood Real Estate DTC’s HR supervisor and handles everything from posting job openings to handling performance issues, making her an essential asset to the company’s team. 

Community Service Award: Milford Adams is DMAR’s 2020-2021 Chair-Elect and a Managing Broker at Lyons Realty Group, LLC, as well as a co-founder of a community-based credit union, a mortgage lending company, and a dynamic speaker and author on diversity and inclusion issues.

With more than 19 years of experience in residential and commercial real estate and finance, Milford was awarded the Community Service award because of his tireless efforts to help the underserved in housing, his relentless support of diversity and inclusion education and his assistance in local, state and federal government issues, including the DREAM Act at a federal level. 

Milford constantly serves the Denver community whether it’s founding HEAL (Helping Everyone Achieve Life) to help homeless get off the streets and stop drug abuse or serving as a regular at the Denver Rescue Mission to serve the homeless and teach them how to survive on their own. He has served on the board of directors for Area Chamber of Commerce and Small Business Development Council and served as Chair of Finance for United Methodist Church. Milford is a dynamic national speaker and provides consulting on various topics including leadership, small business development and personal growth. In addition to his ongoing support to DMAR and DMAR’s hefty diversity and inclusion initiatives, he also currently manages and helps lead the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force (now Committee) at the Colorado Association of REALTORS® level to help the entire state.

TOP INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

Individual | $ Sales Production

  1. Anne Dresser Kocur, LIV Sotheby's International Realty, DTC Office
  2. Janet Kritzer, LIV Sotheby's International Realty, DTC Office
  3. Carmelo Paglialunga, milehimodern
  4. Deviree Vallejo, LIV Sotheby's International Realty, Cherry Creek Office
  5. Jeffrey Plous, Hatch Realty

Individual | Number of Transactions

  1. Anne Dresser Kocur, LIV Sotheby's International Realty, DTC Office
  2. Lina Krylov, Madison & Company Properties, Greenwood Village
  3. Timothy Wade, Keller Williams Advantage Realty, LLC
  4. Deviree Vallejo, LIV Sotheby's International Realty, Cherry Creek Office
  5. Jill Samuels, Compass

TOP PARTNERSHIP AWARDS

Partnership | $ Sales Production

  1. Kevin Garrett & Matthew McNeill, Kentwood City Properties
  2. Maggie Armstrong & Trish Bragg, LIV Sotheby's International Realty, Cherry Creek Office
  3. Delroy Gill & Stuart Crowell, LIV Sotheby's International Realty, DTC Office
  4. Karen Nichols & Corrie Lee, milehimodern
  5. Anne Singleton & Jake Singleton, PorchLight Real Estate Group, Golden Triangle 

Partnership | Number of Transactions

  1. Kevin Garrett & Matthew McNeill, Kentwood City Properties
  2. Delroy Gill & Stuart Crowell, LIV Sotheby's International Realty, DTC Office
  3. Jocelyn Cockrum & Jeremy Cockrum, Keller Williams Realty Urban Elite
  4. Anne Singleton & Jake Singleton, PorchLight Real Estate Group, Golden Triangle 
  5. Zachary Nelson & Kathleen Nelson, Compass

TOP PROJECT AWARDS

Project | $ Sales Production & Number of Transactions

  1. Edward Lance Chayet, Hanover Realty

TOP TEAM AWARDS

Team | $ Sales Production

  1. The Behr Team: Josh Behr, Linda Behr, Jake Mackensen & Nicole Scholle of LIV Sotheby's International Realty, DTC Office
  2. The Griffith Home Team: Dustin Griffith & Chad Griffith of RE/MAX Professionals
  3. Team Hetterich: Steve Hetterich, Callan Hetterich & Lynn Hetterich of RE/MAX Cherry Creek
  4. Be1 Team: Alexander Chapman, Kristopher Caldwell & David DiPetro of Compass
  5. The Wolfe-Bouc Group: Ian Wolfe, Chris Bouc & Nancy Wolfe of LIV Sotheby's International Realty, Cherry Creek Office 

Team | Number of Transactions

  1. The Griffith Home Team: Dustin Griffith & Chad Griffith of RE/MAX Professionals
  2. Be1 Team: Alexander Chapman, Kristopher Caldwell & David DiPetro of Compass
  3. Team Front Range: Kris Ceretto, Kristen White & Jaclyn Hart of Keller Williams Realty Denver Southeast
  4. The C.O.R.E. Group: Courtney Olson, Vernette Bergstrom, Britin McGuire, Lindsay Jeffries, Adam Smith, Jay Grimes, TK Knight, Rhonda Milligan & Zai Moini of Keller Williams Advantage Realty
  5. The Behr Team: Josh Behr, Linda Behr, Jake Mackensen & Nicole Scholle of LIV Sotheby's International Realty, DTC Office

TOP OFFICE AWARDS

1-5 Agents | $ Sales Production

  1. Hatch Realty
  2. ONE Realty, LLC
  3. Christie's International Real Estate Denver, LLC
  4. Blue Picket Realty
  5. Simply Denver Homes

1-5 Agents | Number of Transactions

  1. Hatch Realty
  2. ONE Realty, LLC
  3. Blue Picket Realty
  4. Simply Denver Homes
  5. Denmon Realty

6-10 Agents | $ Sales Production

  1. Metro Brokers Team Lassen
  2. Corcoran Perry & Co., Cherry Creek North Office
  3. Savvy Realty Co
  4. Grant Real Estate Company
  5. LIV Sotheby's International Realty, Spire Office

6-10 Agents | Number of Transactions

  1. Metro Brokers Team Lassen
  2. Savvy Realty Co
  3. Corcoran Perry & Co., Cherry Creek North Office
  4. Grant Real Estate Company
  5. LIV Sotheby's International Realty, Spire Office

11-30 Agents | $ Sales Production

  1. 8z Real Estate, Denver RiNo Office
  2. PorchLight Real Estate Group, Highlands Office
  3. RE/MAX Alliance Arvada - Olde Town Office 
  4. PorchLight Real Estate Group, DTC Office 
  5. PorchLight Real Estate Group, DTC Office

11-30 Agents | Number of Transactions

  1. 8z Real Estate, Denver RiNo Office
  2. PorchLight Real Estate Group, Highlands Office
  3. RE/MAX Alliance Arvada, - Olde Town Office 
  4. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Innovative Real Estate, Brighton Office 
  5. PorchLight Real Estate Group, DTC Office 

31-50 Agents | $ Sales Production

  1. Kentwood City Properties
  2. PorchLight Real Estate Group, Cherry Creek Office
  3. RE/MAX Alliance, Arvada Office
  4. RE/MAX Professionals, Larkridge Office
  5. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Innovative Real Estate, South Office

31-50 Agents | Number of Transactions

  1. Kentwood City Properties
  2. PorchLight Real Estate Group, Cherry Creek Office
  3. RE/MAX Alliance, Arvada Office
  4. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Innovative Real Estate, South Office
  5. Madison & Company Properties, Washington Park

51-75 Agents | $ Sales Production 

  1. LIV Sotheby's International Realty, DTC Office
  2. Kentwood Real Estate Cherry Creek
  3. RE/MAX Alliance, Westminster Office
  4. Live Urban Real Estate, West Highland Office
  5. RE/MAX Alliance, Denver Office

51-75 Agents | Number of Transactions

  1. LIV Sotheby's International Realty, DTC Office
  2. RE/MAX Alliance, Westminster Office
  3. Kentwood Real Estate Cherry Creek
  4. Live Urban Real Estate, West Highland Office
  5. Madison & Company Properties, Greenwood Village

76-100 Agents | $ Sales Production & Number of Transactions 

  1. Kentwood Real Estate DTC
  2. milehimodern
  3. RE/MAX of Cherry Creek

101-200 Agents | $ Sales Production & Number of Transactions

  1. LIV Sotheby's International Realty, Cherry Creek Office
  2. Keller Williams Advantage Realty, LLC

201+ Agents | $ Sales Production & Number of Transactions

  1. Compass
  2. HomeSmart Realty Group
  3. Keller Williams Preferred Realty

To see event highlights, use the hashtag #EA21. For more information, please visit dmarealtors.com and to stay up-to-date with the latest happenings at the Denver Metro Association of REALTORS®  follow on Twitter (@DMARealtors), Facebook and Instagram (@DMARealtors).

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