JANUARY 24, 2024
[MINNEAPOLIS, MN] – Minneapolis Area Realtors® (MAR) announced the winners of 15 industry excellence and real estate production awards at their inaugural event, The MAR Awards: Unlocking Excellence at Quincy hall in Northeast Minneapolis on January 23, 2025. These prestigious awards highlight the outstanding accomplishments of MAR members in the past year, recognizing those who have exhibited excellence, innovation, and leadership in their work. In order to be eligible, one must be an active Minneapolis Area Realtor® member and champion Realtor® values around Fair Housing and Ethics.
Minneapolis Area Realtors® 2025 Award Winners & Nominees are as follows:
Scholarships:
These scholarship winners will receive a fully funded trip to the 2025 National Association of Realtors®’ mid-year conference in Washington, D.C., giving them the opportunity to engage with policymakers and see the association’s advocacy work in action. For more information on these scholarships and criteria, click here.
Ann Brockhouse Future Leader Scholarship:
Carissa Kemnitz | Coldwell Banker Realty
Jean Leake Emerging Markets Scholarship:
Tiana Danforth | Bridge Realty
Kyle Synowczynski | Realty Group
Industry Excellence Awards:
Realtor® of the Year:
Missy Roterdam | Century 21 Atwood
Recognizes a member who has displayed sincere commitment and devotion to the residential real estate industry and the community. This person encapsulates the Realtor® spirit and the high principles of integrity, adherence to the code of ethics, principles of good real estate practice, civic activity, and participation in local, state and national efforts.
Broker of the Year:
Geoffrey Bray | Engel & Völkers
Recognizes a Broker member who demonstrates strong leadership and provides exemplary experience and knowledge to their brokerage, community and serves as a strong association champion. This person’s leadership has made a lasting impact on both their brokerage and the broader real estate community.
Rising Star:
John Njoes | Lakes Sotheby’s
Recognizes up-and-coming leaders who are successful in their real estate career and have demonstrated enthusiasm, innovation and commitment to raising the bar in real estate. The award will aide in increasing professionalism in the industry and further develop future MAR leaders
Affiliate of the Year:
Darcy McDonald | Wings Financial
Recognizes an Affiliate member who has shown great enthusiasm and leadership for the Association. The award recipient is someone who has gone above and beyond the normal role as an Affiliate member to support and promote the real estate industry and the Realtor® members. The Affiliate Member of the Year is someone that shows dedication and involvement in both the organization as well as with the local community and clients.
Production Awards:
Rookie of the Year:
Maia Poling | The Plourde Team, Keller Williams Integrity Lakes
With fewer than 2 years of experience as a licensee, this Realtor®® has built a strong business closing the most transactions amongst their rookie peers this year. Their unique hustle and heart are key to their impressive start in the industry.
Nominees:
Leah Bailey | The Advisory Realty Group, eXp
Mollie Ketroser Greenberg | Edina Realty
Luxury Lister Award:
Luke Hanson | Luke Hanson Homes Team, Edina Realty
Honoring the agent who has dominated the luxury real estate market with the highest number of $1 million+ home sales this year. This award celebrates exceptional skill, market insight, and focus on relationships, solidifying this agent as a true leader in the high-end real estate market.
Nominees:
Gregg Larsen | Gregg Larsen Real Estate Team, Coldwell Banker Realty
Ryan Platzke | Platzke Real Estate Group, Coldwell Banker Realty
Sales Momentum Awards
Celebrating exceptional growth and unstoppable drive, this award honors the Realtor®® who achieved the largest year-over-year increase in number of closed deals. A true testament to dedication and market mastery, this agent has set a new standard of excellence and is on the fast track to even greater success!
Sales Momentum – Solo Agent:
Janice Smith | Edina Realty
Nominees:
Tony Johannes | RE/MAX Results
Michael Opheim | Edina RealtySales Momentum – Individual on a Small Team (2-9 licensees):
Caitlin McGuire-Flatt | The Voreis Team, Keller Williams Integrity LakesNominees:
Paul McGuire | RE/MAX Results
Steven Schneeberger | The Schneeberger Group, Keller Williams Integrity RealtySales Momentum – Individual on a Large Team (10+ licensees)
Mitchel Herian | Kris Lindahl Real EstateNominees:
James Adams | eXp
Jessica Satre | The Advisory Group, eXp
Premier Producer Award
Recognizing the agent with the most transactions completed this year, this award celebrates unparalleled drive and commitment to clients on both the buy and sell side. With every deal, this premier Realtor®® has set the bar high leveraging industry knowledge, negotiation, and creativity to get results for their many clients.
Premier Producer – Solo Agent:
Mark Abdel | RE/MAX Advantage PlusNominees
Danielle Martinez | Homestead Road
Aksana Sokurec | Homestead RoadPremier Producer – Individual on a Small Team (2-9 licensees)
Kelly Brown | BROWN & CO Residential, eXpNominees:
Jacqueline Day | Jacqueline Day & Partners, Edina Realty
Amber Trapp | Opendoor BrokeragePremier Producer – Individual on a Large Team (10+ licensees)
Kerby Skurat | Kerby & Cristina Real Estate Experts, RE/MAX ResultsNominees:
Daniel Desrochers | Desrochers Realty Group, eXp
John Schuster | John Schuster Group, Coldwell Banker Realty
Distinguished Brokerage Award
This prestigious honor goes to the real estate brokerage office that has achieved the highest average transactions closed per agent this year. A true reflection of teamwork, expertise, and a commitment to their clients, this brokerage has fostered a high-performing culture, consistently delivering top-tier results.
Distinguished Brokerage – Small Brokerage (2-9 licensees)
Savvy Avenue, LLC, Maple GroveNominees:
Realty Executives Associates, Edina
USA Dream Home Realty Inc., Columbia HeightsDistinguished Brokerage – Medium Brokerage (10-99 licensees)
Hometown Realty Inc., HutchinsonNominees:
Keller Williams Realty Integrity Northwest, Hutchinson
Opendoor Brokerage, LLC, Brooklyn CenterDistinguished Brokerage – Large Brokerage (100+ licensees)
Coldwell Banker Realty, Eden PrairieNominees:
Coldwell Banker Realty, Excelsior
Keller Williams Integrity Lakes, Minneapolis
For questions about the event or awards, please contact Liz Erstad-Hicks at li**@*********or.com
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