Coldwell Banker Real Estate Announces 2020 Leadership Award Winners
The awards recognize Coldwell Banker-affiliated professionals who exemplify the core values of the organization
MADISON, N.J. (September 17, 2020) – Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, a Realogy (NYSE: RLGY) brand, announced the 2020 winners of the Chandler Barton Spirit Award, the Preserving the Trust Award and Hero of the Year Award at this year’s annual Generation Blue Experience®, being held virtually. More than 150 entries were submitted for these prestigious awards by the network that showcases extraordinary achievements on a daily basis.
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“The awards presented at our Gen Blue® conference are a prestigious honor to Coldwell Banker recipients because they honor the professionals who exceed our expectations and perfectly embody the legacy and value the brand has lived by for the past 114 years,” said Ryan Gorman, president and chief executive officer of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. “I am proud to be part of an organization that exemplifies true leadership, commitment and community. Our network continues to inspire us with their amazing work, and these award winners are prime examples of what it means to be a true Gen Blue professional.”
Listed below are the winners for each award.
Coldwell Banker Chandler Barton Spirit Award
Mike Hull, vice president and general counsel, Realogy Brokerage Group
Named after Chandler Barton, former president and chief executive officer of Coldwell Banker Real Estate from 1989 to 1996, this accolade honors a professional who most exemplifies the legendary “can do” attitude of Chandler Barton. Barton passed away in 2017, but his ongoing legacy leaves a lasting impression on the Coldwell Banker network, inspiring them to overcome obstacles and achieve goals.
Since joining Coldwell Banker in 1989, Hull has led the Southern California and Arizona real estate brokerage legal teams for most of his 31‐year career. Over the years, he led the company through many landmark legal victories, never giving up the fight for his company and agents. This year he rose to the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic by staying on top of the changing government regulations, California Association of Realtors guidelines and differing rules across counties. Hull’s legal and business skills, commitment to his clients and professionalism inspire everyone around him. His constant positive attitude is legendary, and his smile is contagious. He will be missed by his colleagues when he retires this year, as evidenced by the many testimonials that have come pouring in.
Having worked directly with Chandler Barton for many years, Hull embodies the honesty, integrity and fun, inclusive culture that Barton valued so greatly.
Coldwell Banker Preserving the Trust Award
The late Garey Teeters, broker-owner of Coldwell Banker Kivett-Teeters Associates
The Preserving the Trust Award honors a member of the Coldwell Banker network who has consistently and successfully exemplified the heritage of high standards, trust, loyalty and customer service throughout his or her affiliation with the Coldwell Banker brand.
Sadly, Garey Teeters passed away in July, however the Coldwell Banker leadership is proud to honor his legacy with this posthumous award. Teeters began his career with Coldwell Banker in 1982 as the third-ever Coldwell Banker franchise to join the network. With Kivett Realtors, Teeters quickly became the top sales agent in the office and was eventually asked by the owner, Don Kivett, to purchase the business. As broker-owner, Teeters welcomed agents, regardless of their experience, age, sex or race, with open arms. He was so in tune with the economy that he foresaw the 2007 housing crash and worked with his agents to make sure they would not lose their homes and could pay off any debts. He lived with the motto his mother taught him: “What’s fair is fair, and what’s right is right.” Teeters’s commitment to delivering the integrity of that motto could not be measured, and he will forever be admired by the employees and communities that he touched.
Coldwell Banker Hero of the Year Award
Maria Kopicki, real estate agent, Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel
The Coldwell Banker brand is known worldwide for its charitable efforts. The brand and network support the efforts of a seemingly limitless number of diverse organizations ranging from Adopt-a-Pet.com, Habitat for Humanity, Toys for Tots and hundreds of localized programs. The 2020 Coldwell Banker Hero of the Year award honors one individual, office, or company who takes great pride in giving back and ensuring that those in need have a trusted advocate for a brighter future.
After a 30-year career as an educator, Kopicki joined Coldwell Banker in 2019. In addition to Kopicki’s real estate career, she is the founder, president and CEO of EVOLVEK12, a commission donation program, providing financial support to K-12 schools nationwide in an effort to eradicate the loss of programs and excellent teachers as well as close the achievement gap by closing the funding gap. Kolicki also runs a coalition for youth preventing drug and alcohol abuse. When COVID-19 struck, Kopicki immediately got to work securing PPE for healthcare workers and first responders, and provided them with supplies, meals and care packages. To call Kopicki selfless would be an understatement, and her ongoing acts of kindness make her the perfect recipient for this year’s award.
About Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC
Powered by its network of over 94,000 affiliated sales professionals in 2,800 offices across 38 countries and territories, the Coldwell Banker® organization is a leading provider of full-service residential and commercial real estate brokerage services. The Coldwell Banker brand prides itself on its history of expertise, honesty and an empowering culture of excellence since its beginnings in 1906. Coldwell Banker Real Estate is committed to providing its network of sales professionals with the tools and insights needed to excel in today’s marketplace and is known for its bold leadership and dedication to driving the industry forward with big data and smart home expertise. Coldwell Banker Real Estate was the first real estate brand to harness the power of big data; the CBx Technology Suite uses predictive analytics and machine learning to analyze markets, target buyers and sellers and provide agents with a simple platform to create unique and effective marketing plans for each listing. The brand was named among the 2020 Women’s Choice Award® Most Recommended brands for customer experience and overall quality. Blue is bold and the integrity and values of Coldwell Banker give the Gen Blue network an unbeatable edge. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each office is independently owned and operated. To join Coldwell Banker Real Estate and unlock the possibilities of Gen Blue®, please visit www.coldwellbanker.com/join.
Athena Snow
Senior Manager, Public Relations & Giving for Coldwell Banker. Grew up in Sarasota and attended college at Western Carolina University. Athena wanted to wake up in that city that doesn’t sleep so headed to Madison Avenue to start her marketing career. She has been with this awesome brand for more than 15 years and can be found generating buzz about CB in every way possible. Athena helps to grow the brand’s position as the most storied real estate company within the industry and has led many high-profile endeavors; she was at the forefront of the brand’s pioneering smart home campaign, raised $6 million in two years to build 130 Habitat for Humanity homes, and led the Homes for Dogs program in partnership with Adopt-a-Pet.com that resulted in tens-of-thousands of dogs finding their furever home. She currently leads the CB Supports St. Jude program, which encourages the Coldwell Banker network’s 96,000+ real estate agents to make donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital for every real estate transaction they represent. In her spare time, you can find her either digging up a new area in her yard for another flower bed or planning her next travel adventure. She's the proud mom of three cats Jolene, Ziggy and Lucy.
