Gallo Realty associates make strong showing at national awards ceremony

Sales associates from Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Gallo Realty were among over 3,500 real estate professionals attending the annual Sales Convention March 16-18 in Nashville, Tenn. The agents gained insight from motivational speakers, heard market observations, and attended workshops and panel discussions, all designed to help them capitalize on the transitioning market.

This year’s theme - Stand Out! Live. Life. Loud. - recognized a strengthening market in the U.S. economy and residential real estate, and how brokers and agents acting now can grow their businesses well into the future. The featured motivational speaker at the convention was Kathrine Switzer, who was the first female to wear a number and run the Boston Marathon and, in so doing, changed the face of sports history forever. The conference concluded with a performance by Reba McEntire, which helped support the Sunshine Kids Foundation.

“Attending the sales convention is one of the best investments an agent can make toward growing his or her business,” said Andrew Ratner, vice president of Gallo Realty. “Not only were we able to hear from some of today’s most innovative entrepreneurs and learn critical sales and marketing techniques from industry leaders, but we also were able to connect with other professionals from across the network.”

One of the highlights of the annual convention is the awards ceremony, in which 15 Gallo Realty agents and teams earned awards. The highlight this year was when the Lee Ann Wilkinson Group of Gallo Realty’s Lewes office won the Pinnacle Award for the No. 7 sales team in the entire network of over 45,000 agents.

“It is really quite astonishing that an agent from such a small geographic area can be in the top 10 of over 45,000 agents across the country, many of whom operate in large, metropolitan markets. It is a true testimony to the work ethic of Lee Ann and her entire team,” said Ratner. “I am so proud of all of our award winners. They are a shining example of how a real estate professional should operate, with hard work, attention to detail, and truly outstanding customer service.”

In addition to the Pinnacle Award, the Lee Ann Wilkinson Group also won the Top of the Rock Award for being the No. 1 agent team in the Southern Region of 17 states, and the Chairman’s Circle Diamond Award for generating over $120 million in sales volume. The Barbara Morales Associates and the Andy Staton Group, each operating out of Gallo Realty’s Rehoboth Beach office, won the Chairman’s Circle Gold Award for generating over $14 million in sales volume.

Other award-winners announced at the convention were Laurie Bronstein, Lewes, and Cindy Baker, Lewes, receiving the President’s Circle Award for sales volume over $8 million. The Leading Edge Award winners (sales volume over $5 million) were Beth Evans, Bethany; Melinda Ingram, Rehoboth; David and Nancy Lurty, Lewes; Lana Warfield, Rehoboth; and Joanne Young, Bethany. The winners of the Honor Society Award (sales volume over $3 million) were George Cole, Bethany; Kathy Ford, Lewes; Denise Moore, Rehoboth; Ruby and Mark Schaeffer, Rehoboth; and George Thomasson, Rehoboth.

In addition to individual awards, the Gallo Realty Lewes office won the Round Table Award for being in the top three offices of its size (21-40 agents) in the Southern Region of 17 states. Sandy Wright, broker and sales manager of the Lewes office, accepted the award at the convention.

“We are proud to have been recognized as one of the top-producing offices within our region. The credit for our success belongs to our office’s great team of people, agents and staff included, who have dedicated themselves to delivering exceptional service to home buyers and sellers,” said Wright.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Gallo Realty is an award-winning, full-service real estate firm that has been serving the resort region since 1979. The firm has three main offices in Lewes, Rehoboth Beach and Bethany Beach, with two satellite locations in the Lewes area. The company is independently owned and operated. Visit www.GoToGallo.com for details.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, based in Irvine, Calif., is a brand-new real estate brokerage network built for a new era in residential real estate. Go to www.berkshirehathawayhs.com for details.