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Texas REALTORS® Celebrates 2024 Award Winners

On February 10, 2024, Texas REALTORS® honored exceptional members and local associations during their annual winter meeting held in Austin, Texas. This prestigious event highlights the dedication and excellence of individuals and organizations within the real estate profession. Christy Gessler, the president of Texas REALTORS®, expressed her pride in celebrating the professionals who actively contribute to their communities and the economy of Texas.

Acknowledging Excellence in Real Estate

The coveted title of Texas REALTOR® of the Year for 2024 was awarded to Cindi Bulla from the Amarillo Association of REALTORS®. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Bulla has significantly impacted both her profession and the Amarillo community. Her commitment to excellence is evident through her leadership roles, including serving as president of Texas REALTORS® and involvement in various national, state, and local committees.

Robert Wright from Austin received the Distinguished Service Award for his remarkable 45-year commitment to the REALTOR® organization and his local community. Wright has been an active volunteer within his association since 1992 and was a founding member of the board of directors for the Austin chapter of the National Association of Realtors.

Kent Redding was honored with the Texas REALTORS® Good Neighbor Award for his outstanding volunteering work with Mobile Loaves and Fishes, connecting chronically homeless individuals with essential resources. His dedication to improving lives extends to other organizations, including Community First! Village and Hungry Souls.

Shelyna Tinglin, who was named Educator of the Year, has demonstrated exceptional service in shaping the future of real estate education. Her leadership role on the Texas Real Estate Commission's Advisory Committee on Educational Standards and as president of the Collin County Association of REALTORS® (CCAR) shows her commitment to professional development in the industry.

Additionally, the inaugural Richard Miranda Global Achievement Award went to Adrian Arriaga for over 40 years as a global real estate leader. Arriaga's expertise in assisting high-net-worth Spanish-speaking investors and helping American businesses establish manufacturing centers in Mexico highlights his exceptional contributions to the industry.

Recognizing Local Associations

Three local associations received accolades for their exemplary educational programs:

• - The San Antonio REALTORS® Board for Innovation
• - The Houston Association of REALTORS® for Marketing
• - The Austin REALTORS® Board for Legal

Danielle Tucker Shepard from the Fort Hood area REALTORS® was commended for her short educational program, while Gilbert Gonzalez from the REALTORS® Board received the Tomo D. Morton Award for his dedicated leadership and innovative community initiatives.

The Collin County REALTORS® earned the Mark Lehman Governmental Affairs Achievement Award for their outstanding fundraising and community efforts in government affairs.

Jeff Varnell from the Metro Tex Association was honored as the Community Advocate of the Year for engaging with elected officials to influence real estate-related policies and encourage political participation.

Honoring Diversity and Young Leaders

Local associations promoting diversity and inclusion in real estate were recognized, including:

• - The Austin REALTORS® Board
• - Greater Fort Worth REALTORS® Association
• - Greater McAllen REALTORS® Association
• - Metro Tex Association
• - San Antonio REALTORS® Board

The Young Professionals Network honored six under-40 members with the REALTORS® to Watch Award due to their exceptional leadership and community involvement:

• - Naquay Dunbar (Houston)
• - Kayla Sorrell (Houston)
• - Preston Davis (Sherman)
• - Miriam Valencia (Houston)
• - Randi Houston (Katy)
• - Rick Ramirez (Metro Tex)

Furthermore, several individuals received scholarships to attain accredited commercial specialist status in Texas, showcasing the organization's commitment to professional development within the industry.

Conclusion

With over 150,000 members, Texas REALTORS® serves as a professional membership organization dedicated to promoting all aspects of real estate in Texas. The annual awards celebrate the critical contributions of REALTORS® to their communities and the broader Texas economy, ensuring that excellence in real estate continues to flourish in the Lone Star State.