Austin Board of REALTORS® announces 2020 Industry Awards winners
AUSTIN, TX – The Austin Board of REALTORS® (ABoR) held its annual Industry Awards celebration virtually earlier today. The event celebrates the tireless work of the outstanding REALTOR® members who made an impact in their community and navigated their clients through a thriving and complex Central Texas real estate market despite a global pandemic.
“Central Texas REALTORS® are not just local housing market experts, they're deeply invested and involved in the communities they serve,” Susan Horton, 2020 ABoR president, said. “Central Texas REALTORS® adapted in 2020 to ensure that the real estate industry, a cornerstone of our economy, could continue to thrive amidst COVID-19. These eight 2020 Industry Awards winners, through their bold action and ingenuity, encapsulate everything it means to be a REALTOR®.”
The finalists were selected anonymously by a committee of their peers and previous winners. Awards are given for achievement in production, adaptability to the pandemic, and community involvement.
The 2020 ABoR Industry Award Winners are:
Iconic Changemaker Award - Jennifer Korba, Realty Austin
A new category, the Iconic Changemaker Award recognizes an individual who has been a member of ABoR for 20 years or more, is well-known in their industry and community, and has achieved distinct levels of success during their career.
After studying architecture and engineering at Texas A&M University, Jennifer Korba earned her real estate license in 1994. She quickly shot to the top of the charts and began hiring agents fresh out of real estate school. Koorba began working at Realty Austin in 2012 allowing her to work with some of the best agents in Austin. As an agent success manager, she feels honored that she gets to help guide and direct the REALTORS® who work under her and help them develop their real estate careers to their fullest. Korba and the Realty Austin team welcome the opportunity to help you with whatever your needs may be – whether that is buying, selling, or leasing real estate in Austin or elsewhere, or furthering your own real estate career.
REALTOR® of the Year Award - Ashley Jackson, Realty Austin
The REALTOR® of the Year Award recognizes the outstanding personal production achievements of a seasoned REALTOR® and is based on an evaluation of a member’s contribution to the real estate industry on a local, state, and national level. This year the award goes to Ashley Jackson with Realty Austin.
Jackson’s passion for real estate is fueled by her love of exploring the city’s homes and neighborhoods as well as her commitment to working with people to help them fulfill their dreams. Jackson has lived in Austin since she was seven years old, achieving BA and master’s degrees from St. Edwards University. From managing contracts and timelines, keeping her clients informed, and dealing with the inevitable curve balls that can arise with the sale or purchase of any property, she is committed to making each transaction a positive experience.
Evolve Award - Laura Gottesman, Gottesman Residential Real Estate
The Evolve Award recognizes a real estate broker who has exemplified extraordinary and innovative change in their overall business model and processes. In addition to their business achievements, the 2020 winner, Laura Gottesman, offered support to her community and encouraged her agents to become more involved in both the industry and the community.
Gottesman is a veteran in Austin real estate market boasting over 20 years in the industry. She manages the Austin Luxury Network and currently serves on the Advisory Board of Elite 25, the Greater Austin Economic Development Board and the Executive Advisory Board for Go Red for Women. Additionally, she previously served as a board member on the Real Estate Council of Austin. As managing broker of Gottesman Residential Real Estate, which consistently ranks among the Top 10 Women-Owned Businesses in the Austin Business Journal, Gottesman has personally sold over $1.2 billion in real estate. As one of Austin’s most successful and trusted agents, she credits her success to a foundation of kindness, trust, and creativity, along with a “win-win” mentality.
Rookie of the Year Award - Keith Milkiewicz, Keller Williams Realty
The Rookie of the Year Award recognizes a member who has been a REALTOR® for 24 months or less. In addition to outstanding personal production in their first two years as a REALTOR®, the award is based on an evaluation of a member’s contribution to the real estate industry on a local, state, and national level.
After 23 years in the healthcare industry, Keith Milkiewicz decided to pursue his dream in real estate and he wasted no time, quickly becoming one of Austin’s most promising agents. His clients rave about his incredible service and commitment to them and their needs. Milkiewicz, while new to the industry, treats his customers with the highest level of care, often going above and beyond to provide the best service possible. This level of care and commitment has placed Milkiewicz among Austin’s finest in the industry.
Cultural Transformation Award - Zane Collins, KW – Austin Portfolio Real Estate
The Cultural Transformation Award recognizes a team lead who went above and beyond in 2020 to bring cultural awareness and inclusion to their team and their community. Zane Collins, the winner of this award for 2020, found unique ways to interact with their team members and boost team morale throughout the year.
Zane Collins graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a concentration in real estate and business. He is an active member of the Real Estate Council of Austin and stays up to date with the developments of downtown Austin and the surrounding areas. Collins spends his free time at new breweries, undiscovered restaurants, hiking around Central Texas, and listening to live music. He also cherishes time spent with his family in Hickory Creek.
Accelerate Award - Ross Speed, Compass RE
The Accelerate Award recognizes a member who successfully adapted and changed their processes to push their business forward during the pandemic. This year’s winner, Ross Speed, implemented new technologies into their business and unlocked new and innovative ways to connect with their clients. Their efforts yielded at least a 25% increase over 2019, in either sales volume or number of transactions.
Speed has spent the last 12 years immersed in the Austin real estate industry. After graduating from Baylor University with concentrations in real estate and finance, he has gone on to win a variety of awards for his work. The Austin Business Journal has recognized him as number 15 on their list of top real estate agents in the area. He credits his success to teamwork and personal development and shares those experiences with others through being a mentor and manager.
Advocate Award - Albert Allen, Realty Austin
The Advocate Award recognizes a member who advocated for the real estate industry on behalf of their clients and the community in 2020. This year’s winner, Albert Allen, made strides to improve the lack of affordable housing in Austin, advocated for property rights, and fought to ensure that real estate was deemed an essential business during the pandemic.
As a third generation Austinite and a US Army veteran, Allen is passionate about serving in his community. He serves as the Rebuilding Together Austin Vice President of the Board, Board Chair for the ABoR Foundation and a volunteer and supporter for countless other organizations. Allen also holds the Graduate, REALTOR® Institute Designation, the Senior Real Estate Specialist designation, and the Real Estate Negotiation Expert certification. He uses his expertise in the industry to give his clients the best possible deals saying, “No matter the size of the real estate transaction, I provide every client with 5-Star service!”
Affiliate of the Year Award - Patricia Perez, UFCU Mortgage Services
The Affiliate of Year Award recognizes an ABoR affiliate member who successfully adapted and changed their business processes to push their business forward during the pandemic. In 2020, Patricia Perez’s involvement with ABoR and in their community played an integral role in her success.
After joining University Federal Credit Union in 2019, Perez has been a crucial and influential partner to all of Austin’s REALTORS®. Perez is an incredibly active member of her community. She is involved in the Austin Women's Council of REALTORS®, Austin Mortgage Bankers Association, National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals and the National Association of Professional Mortgage Women. Additionally, she is a team captain for the American Cancer Society’s event coordinating team. Perez speaks highly of the ABoR saying, “Getting involved with the ABoR Foundation has allowed me the opportunity to work with amazing REALTORS® who love to give back to the community.”
ABoR Industry Awards applications are reviewed anonymously, and finalists and winners chosen by a peer-driven committee comprised of fellow members. To learn more about the ABoR Industry Awards program, or to see the 2020 finalists, visit ABoR.com/Awards.
The Austin Board of REALTORS® (ABoR) is a nonprofit organization that has been serving the needs of Central Texas REALTORS® and homebuyers, sellers, and renters for nearly a century. Through professional development, grassroots advocacy, and community, we give our 14,000+ members the power they need to ensure people have homes. Our multiple listing services (MLS) connects both agents and consumers with the most accurate and robust real estate marketplace in the region. For more information, contact the ABoR public relations team at abor@echristianpr.com . For the latest local housing market listings, visit AustinHomeSearch.com.