Texas REALTORS® Announces 2024 Texas Real Estate Award Winners

REALTORS^® and local associations honored at 2025 Winter Meeting

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas REALTORS^® celebrated members and local REALTOR^® associations at this year's annual Texas REALTORS^® Winter Meeting February 10 in Austin. The Texas REALTORS^® Awards spotlight individuals and organizations that have demonstrated remarkable dedication and excellence in the real estate profession. 

"Every year, we're honored to showcase some of the state's hardest working professionals and associations in real estate through the Texas REALTORS^® Awards," said Christy Gessler, 2025 Chairman of Texas REALTORS^®. "The esteemed 2024 group of winners exemplifies the commitment to excellence that makes the real estate profession such a force for local communities and the Texas economy."

The 2024 Texas REALTOR^® of the Year was awarded to Cindi Bulla of the Amarillo Association of REALTORS^®. Bulla has more than 25 years of experience in real estate and has made invaluable contributions to the profession and to the greater Amarillo community. She has been a driving force in real estate, serving on various advisory groups and committees at the national, state, and local level, including serving as the Chairman for Texas REALTORS^® and Chairman of the Amarillo Association of REALTORS^®.

The Distinguished Service Award was presented to Robert Wright of Austin, recognizing 45 years of commitment to the REALTOR^® organization and his community. Wright, who has volunteered in some capacity within the REALTOR^® association every single year since 1992, was also a founding board member of the Austin chapter of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers.

Kent Redding, recipient of the 2024 Texas REALTORS^® Good Neighbor Award, was honored for his volunteer work with the Mobile Loaves and Fishes organization, connecting the chronically homeless with life-changing resources. His contributions to the Austin community include volunteering for organizations like Community First! Village and Hungry Souls.

Shelyna Tinglin, recipient of the 2024 Educator of the Year Award, was lauded for her exceptional work, including her service on the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) Education Standards Advisory Committee and the Collin County Area REALTORS^® (CCAR) Board of Directors. Tinglin's role as the 2024 Chair of the CCAR Professional Development Committee has showcased her leadership and influence in shaping the future of real estate education.

Adrian Arriaga, recipient of the inaugural Richard Miranda Global Achievement Award, was recognized for being a leader in global real estate for more than 40 years, representing high net worth Spanish-speaking investors and helping U.S. companies establish manufacturing facilities in Mexico.

Three local associations were recognized for their exemplary educational programs:

• San Antonio Board of REALTORS^® in the innovation category
• Houston Association of REALTORS^® in the marketing category
• Austin Board of REALTORS^® in the legal category

Additionally, Danielle Tucker Shepard of the Fort Hood Area Association of REALTORS^® was recognized for the Series or Short Program of the Year for an educational program.

Gilbert Gonzalez of the San Antonio Board of REALTORS^® was honored with the 2024 Tom D. Morton Award for his outstanding leadership and dedication as an association executive. Gonzalez has led his association to achieve remarkable success through innovative initiatives by spearheading impactful community projects, prioritizing professional development, and championing diversity and inclusion workshops.

Collin County Area REALTORS^® was honored with the Mark Lehman Governmental Affairs Achievement Award for its outstanding performance in fundraising, grassroots efforts, and other governmental affairs initiatives.

Jeff Varnell, a member of MetroTex Association of REALTORS^®, was recognized as Grassroots Advocate of the Year, highlighting his dedication to engaging with elected officials on policies affecting real estate and promoting political involvement. Additional individuals receiving recognition for grassroots efforts include: 

• Diana Barnett, Fort Hood Association of REALTORS^®
• Sandra Breedlove, Collin County Area REALTORS^®
• Amy Hanson, Collin County Area REALTORS^®
• Chad Hovde, Bryan-College Station Regional Association of REALTORS^®
• Brenda Job, Jasper Area Board of REALTORS^®
• Ken Kiel, Four Rivers Association of REALTORS^®
• Olivia Kiritsy, Lufkin Association of REALTORS^®
• Carie McNeil, Permian Basin Board of REALTORS^®
• Kelly Rudiger, Collin County Area REALTORS^®
• Taylor Walcik, MetroTex Association of REALTORS^®
• Sharon Williamson, Longview Area Association of REALTORS^®

Local associations that received the Diversity Recognition Program Award promoting diversity and inclusivity in the real estate profession were:

• Austin Board of REALTORS^®
• Greater Fort Worth Association of REALTORS^®
• Greater McAllen Association of REALTORS^®
• MetroTex Association of REALTORS^®
• San Antonio Board of REALTORS^®

The Young Professionals Network (YPN) honored six members under 40 with the REALTORS^® to Watch Award for stand-out leadership, community involvement, and professional success:

• Naquay Dunbar, Houston
• Kayla Sorrell, Houston
• Preston Davis, Sherman
• Miriam Valencia, Houston
• Randi Houston, Katy
• Rick Ramirez, MetroTex
• Jose Nieto, Houston
• Katherine Nebel, Spring

Recipients of the Texas Accredited Commercial Specialist Scholarship were:

• Porsha Burns, Plano
• Lorena Decanini, Frisco
• Audrey Munoz, San Antonio
• Hanayya Shah, McKinney
• Aaron Sowemimo, Houston
• Shonda Strives, Irving
• Narcippa Teague, Rockwall

About Texas REALTORS®
With more than 150,000 members, Texas REALTORS® is a professional membership organization that represents all aspects of real estate in Texas. We are the advocate for REALTORS® and private property rights in Texas.

CONTACT: David Gibbs, Hahn Agency, [email protected]

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SOURCE Texas Realtors