This is exciting — we are reaching the climax of a 14 month journey – the journey to shine the spotlight on the most inspiring REALTOR family members that have advocated, innovated, pioneered and been visionaries through technology.
I didn’t know who to tell first, the loyal CRT readers, or the finalists themselves – although, I’m sure some of the judges have leaked some names out 
Finally, I decided to let you the loyal CRT fans know the finalists at least 15 minutes prior to them finding out from CRT. Maybe someone will get an awesome out-of-the-blue surprise congratulations!
Anyway — without any further a-do, the finalists:
The Advocates:
Adel Reyes – Coldwell Banker de Wetter Hovious, Inc.
Autumn Calhoun – Mississippi Assn of REALTORS
Brad Nix – MaxSell Real Estate, LLC
Brian Copeland – Village Real Estate Services
Darren Kittleson – Keller Williams
Jeff Lobb – EXIT Realty Corp. Intl.
Joe Perez – ERA – The Polo Group
Tina Merrit – Long and Foster
Trecia Cook – Exit Realty Group
The Innovators:
Brad Nelson – New Broad Street Realty
Carol VanGorp – Columbia Board Of Realtors
Ed DeRosa – Florida Realtors
Mark Flavin – Bay East Association of REALTORS®
The Pioneers:
Bill Burruss III – Realtors Land Institute
Brandon Rodriguez – Brandon Michael & Associates
Heather Elias – Century 21 Redwood Realty
Jacob Clayton – MAR
Keith Byrd – Century 21 Hometown Realty
Lori Bee – Bee Realty
Mike Orr – Cromford Report
Richard Mopper – Mopper-Stapen, Realtors
Robert Bolar – Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
Rogers Healy – Rogers Healy and Associates
Timothy White – Carrol White Associates
The Visionaries:
Aaron Wheeler – Oakville Properties
Darrin Friedman – Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
Garron Seliken – M Realty
Jay Hebb – IRealty
Taqi Rizvi – Houston Association of REALTORS(R)
Please take a moment with me – and congratulate these exceptional individuals!
What an impressive list of REALTORS(R)and it has been my pleasure to work with Keith Byrd at CENTURY 21 Hometown Realty. He is an inspiration to us all.
Congrats to all – great names on that list for sure
We couldn’t be more proud of Jeff Lobb, EXIT Realty’s Technology Specialist. His fluency in the three languages of English, Tech and Real Estate make him a perfect choice for the Advocate category.
That’s quite an impressive list, congrats to all! I pity the poor judges who have to pick the winners. Bribes would probably make their jobs easier. *cough*
Whoohooo to Trecia Cook from her colleagues at EXIT Realty – her willingness to share her expertise is very much appreciated.
Congratulations to all of the finalists!
I am extremely honored to have been nominated and ultimately selected as a finalist. Chris thanks you so much for sharing the list.
Brad, Carol and Ed I don’t believe we have met in person but I am fans of your work and feel lucky to be sharing this space with ya’ll.
I know a good handful of people on this list and some very well. It’s an honor to be among you all. Thanks to each of you for working to make our industry for everyone. I look forward to learning more about each of you and hopefully meeting face to face someday soon.
Wow! This is an incredible honor and I cannot thank the CRT enough for the recognition.
Congratulations to my fellow finalists, I am truly humbled to be part of such an impressive group.
what an amazing group!!! they all bring such honor and innovation to the Realtor family-gives us all hope for what this industry can become!
I am completely overwhelmed by being nominated. I am in such great company! I wish all the finalist “Good Luck” and whatever you do…DON’T STOP WHAT YOUR DOING! See you in DC!
Impressive list to be sure! Best wishes to all!
WTG Lori! You rock!
Congratulations to Brad, we are indebted to your leadership and vision for 21st century REALTORS.
We at Century 21 Hometown Realty Congratulate Keith Byrd on his nomination! He is not only an inspiration but a new innovation of the real estate referral model, and has SIX years (and a massive nationwide following)of blogging and information under his belt! We are so proud to have him as a key member of our Team in all of our Offices!
Congratulations Keith! You are a true technology pioneer and I’m honored to be a member of your team.
Trecia Cooke….you rock! Thank you so much for being there for all the associates that needed your help. There is not a single award to express our appreciaition, except a “warm” we love you for what you are. Well done and what an honor. Your dedication to WCR, NEXTGEN, HAR committees and EXIT Realty Group is unmateched. We are very proud of you. It is one thing when nominated because of national exposure, and another from you peers.
It is no wonder that HAR-NRG is a rising star! Houston Realtors : Sit up and pay attention to the best board in the country.
Isa
Congratulations to my mentor, colleague, and friend Tina Merritt. I know the office @Long and Foster Ocean Front joins me in saying that Tina has taught us all to embrace technology, she has truly been an inspiration as our Director of Training and we are so proud of her.
Congratulations to Jacob Clayton!! It’s so nice to see all your hard work and vision for “real honest, real simple, real estate” receiving the recognition is so deserves!!
Congratulations to everyone on the list–especially Brian Copeland and Heather Elias! Awesome job to everyone!
Being in real estate since 1976 and punching cards on a computer the size of a room in 1971 it is impressive to see how far we have come. NAR should be pleased with this talent of contestants. Best luck to all.
So honored to be on this list of Real Estate Rock Stars! Stunned is more the word I am looking for. Our industry has come a long way, but we still have a lot to do, and help others to learn too. We’re all in this together! Again, many congrats to everyone and keep it up!
Thank you very much for my nomination. I truly am honored to be among such company. If we all, by example, can help someone else save just a tiny bit of time or improve their skills just a tiny little bit, think of that times a million-plus members! See you in San Diego!
Thank you for including me in such an impressive list of people.
I look forward to meeting you all soon.
Congrats Keith Byrd!!!
A great guy who’s dialed in to using technology to help enhance the real estate market!
Best of luck!
Congratulations to Carol Van Gorp. We are so proud that our local AE is featured as a finalist. She is truly an innovator at developing and using cost effective technology to further our boards objectives and get help our members with their business needs. She is always looking for better ways to do things and is very deserving of this honor.
Congratulations to the REALTORS Land Institute’s own Bill Burruss for being recognized as a finalist in the competition. His blog is a great example for all land specialists and Accredited Land Consultants (ALCs).
Congratulations to Ed DeRosa as a finalist in the Innovators category.
It has been a pleasure and an honor working with Ed over the past several years.
In a time of increased requests, and decreased resources, Ed continues to provide new and innovative ideas to better Florida Realtors®.
Congrats!
What a clever and convenient marketing tool irealty has proven to be. Congratulations, Jay!
Thanks so much!! I’m surprised and honored to have made this list! Congrats to all the finalists; while I recognize many of the names, there are quite a few I haven’t been acquainted with yet~~ I will be spending some time today to learn from those folks too! Thank you again and best wishes to all!
Congrats Jay, I am not surprised by your nomination. You are always on the cutting edge. I have found Irealty to be invaluable tool in my own practice. It has done me a world of good to be able to hand someone the MLS right into their Iphone. As Realtors we must remain the known “central” for all info pertaining to Real Estate, or we loose or position. I am gratefull for this tool. Way to go Jay!! Tom Kahn owner and employing Broker Walnut Realty Inc
iReatly is an innovative way for you to stay connected to your clients at all times. Thanks Jay, I love the service!
It’s not surprising that Jay has helped develop this resource. I’ve always viewed him as a cutting edge kind of guy. He has always shared a helpful suggestion when asked and is one of the most knowledgeable members of our Realtor community.
Congratulations to Jay Hebb! iRealty is an amazing tool for both clients and agents alike! You really hit this one out of the park! I look forward to seeing your continued success as this product takes hold across the country and beyond! Best wishes!
Congratulations to everyone that was nominated. It is an honor to be included with such a great group of Technology Leaders. Thank you to CRT for the recognition.
Brian Copeland is a legend in the making in the real estate business. Not only with his brilliant eye and mind for how technology can be used to enhance the industry for us and our customers, but also his ability to produce great numbers and create life-long friendships with his clients. I’m proud to call him my associate, my friend, and my mentor. I congratulate him from the bottom of my heart. Good luck buddy!
Go Brian Copeland!!! you rock!
Congratulations to Bill Burruss! He has always been pushing us forward at RLI and continues to lead the way in technology within his business. Way to go Bill, good luck. Bob
It is truly an honor to be listed with this group of professionals. Thank you to CRT for helping Realtors all over the world embrace technology.
Bill Burruss III is the gift that keeps on giving. For years, I have watched him tirelessly researching and applying his skill for the benefit of our Realtor Organization…If there is something new I bet Bill will be the first to apply it brilliantly.
There are a lot of superlative candidates and I vote for Bill.
Lou Jewell
Accredited Land Consultant
Darren Kittleson you are a tremendous asset not only to those agents in your office, but the entire Keller Williams North Central Regional as well. Thank you so much for sharing your vast technical and real estate knowledge and for everything you do!!
What a wonderful honor to work and be mentored by Darren Kittleson. Not only is he an inspiration to the entire Keller Williams Team, but he is a shining star in Real Estate industry!
Congratulations to my broker and friend Darren Kittleson, for this well-deserved nomination. He is tireless in presenting new technology to our office, through continuous training and leading by example. He sees the lead-generating opportunity in every internet application/website, and shares it. Thanks Darren!
Congratulations Darren and KW! Darren is very professional. As I am sure his clients will agree, he takes pride in being a professional. Its this level of professionalism that will take the industry to a higher level.
I owned my own brokerage for two years….I merged my firm back in February of this year with Keller Williams because of all the awesome technology Darren Kittleson & team provide their associates. There is no way I could of matched what they do on my own. Thanks Darren for all you do!!!!
Darren Kittleson has single-handedly transformed an entire culture of hundreds of agents by leveraging technology. Darren uses a journaling software platform to personally coach his agents. As a result, his agents are more open, aware, and collaborative than ever before. It’s a culture that now organically attracts like-minded sales people and staff. The journaling software combined with on line coaching from Darren is an inspiring, powerful tool that has revolutioned his company.
Our industry is lucky to have Darren Kittleson. Thanks for being proactive, cutting-edge and a true leader in your community, within Keller Williams Realty and our industry as a whole. We need more Darrens in this world!!! Congratulations. Well deserved! Jana Caudill
Great to see Darren Kittleson get recognized as a finalist. Our local Association is proud to have him as an active member. There isn’t anyone else around who has been a bigger advocate of the “new business”, and he has been an example for all of our Brokers and agents to follow.
John Deininger, EVP
REALTORS Assoc. of South Central Wisconsin
Congratulations, Darren. You are deserving of this honor, not only because of how much you’ve helped me individually but because you have given so freely of your time to help all the Keller Williams offices and agents in this region. Good luck, my friend.
Congratulations Darren! Thanks for always being so willing to share all of your insights and technology tips–it’s certainly enhanced my coaching practice, and I can’t tell you how lucky we are to have you at Keller Williams, specifically, and our industry in general. Thanks a million!!!
Congratulations to Darren..I’m not surprised that he’s on the list. Darren uses technology in his real estate business, shares information in a professional and consistent manner through many social media sites, and is always willing to share or teach others how to better their business through the use of technology.
My husband and I have both benefited from Darren Kittleson’s expertise in technology and his willingness to share it with others. He has taught classes and hosted sessions at regional and state gatherings of Realtors. We wouldn’t hesitate to call Darren with our questions as he always seems to be on the cutting edge.
Congratulations to all the nominees, and especially to Darren Kittleson who selflessly gives much of his time to keeping us at Keller Williams informed on all the latest business practices and technology. I would not be able to keep up with all the new technical changes if it weren’t for Darren’s time, sharing his knowledge, and great way of teaching. Congratulations on your nomination Darren, it is well deserved.
Congrats Darren!!!
You are so amazing in the world of Real Estate, technoloty and with relationships, we are all lucky to have you. You are always so willing to help and share your knowledge and experience. I always look forward to your next presentation or your next new venture. I hope to always be included. Good luck!
Kathy Zastrow
Restaino & Associates
Congratulations on the nomination Darren! The time you spend with us, showing us the latest and greatest technologies helps us be at the top of our game. It’s overwhelming trying to learn everything on your own. Your classes and willingness to share your tips so we can spend our time more efficiently, helps us all be better agents! Thank you for all you do!!!
Congratulations Darren. You always do a great job and keeping us abreast of the latest and greatest tools and techniques available for improving our marketing and exposure – keep up the good work and keep bringing us your new tricks.
Darren has always been a tremendous supporter of agents, both at Keller Williams and with other companies, with technology ideas & tips in order to make our businesses the best they can be! Congratulations on the nomination Darren!
Darren Kittleson is cutting edge when it comes to technology. He is constantly doing trainings on new ways for his agents to use technology. He also recently spoke at the Realtor convention on how to effectively use facebook to grow your business. He not only helps his agents but he wants to help all agents become more effective with technological tools.
what a great line up. I am sure it is a tough decision to pick a winner.
Darren has been a trailblazer for technology and inspiration not just in our company but with-in the market, locally and nationally.
Brian is also awesome.
I have never seen anyone as devoted to finding and utilizing technology to further their business and better serve their clients as Darren. His love for implementing useful applications, sites and gadgets and his willingness to share them with his team of agents makes him a stand out on this list!
As an advocate for growth and success for his agents in the industry, Darren has been unmatched in the leadership role. I am always impressed by his commitment and value to Keller Williams. Thanks Darren!
Darren embraces the tehnology available to us and his instruction makes it easy for me to apply it to my daily activities. I’m looking forward to growing my business with Darren’s help. Keep up the good work Darren!
What a list of great pioneers and visionaries on the list of finalists! The one that I am taking time to reply about is Darren Kittleson. Congrats on the well deserved nomination! You take the time and effort to research and implement new items. Once you’ve uncovered something valuable and mastered it, you bring the technology to our office, company and even to our competitors to better serve the masses. Thanks for embracing technology Darren and good luck!
It goes without saying Darren Kittleson is the driving force in this community. Not only in giving his own agents the best of the best, but in challenging others in the business to grow with us. No one gives more of his time and talents to others than Darren. Congratulations, Darren, your successes have always been earned and well deserved. We are so fortunate to have you on our team. I wish you well!
In the years I have spent in Real Estate Darren Kittleson of Keller Williams Realt has done an amazing jjob of utilyzing technology and teaching/training others in the industry to become more proficient
I am fairly new to the business of Real Estate, and technology is not my strong suite. I am super impressed with Darren Kittlesons’ knowledge of technology and his abililty to teach it with ease and professionalism. We are all very proud of Darren!!
Congratulations Darren! You always do such a great job of inspiring us to keep on learning about what tools/techniques in technology are out there to better our businesses. Thank you for your patience while teaching and being willing to share your knowledge.
Congratulations to all of the nominees. Realtors have so many tech options that it is a challenge to keep up with it and remain on the cutting edge. its necessary to have leaders who are able to teach. Darren Kittleson enthuiastcally embraces the challenge and is able to break the information down into laymen terms for all to understand.
Darren is great with everything technology. I have learned so much I didn’t even know about! Darren Kittleson is up to date with all the cutting edge technology and is always eager to share it with us. I really appreciate all that he has done to keep us informed as well as understanding the new technology to help grow our business larger!
DK seems to keep his KW branch hi-tech, smooth and efficient.
Congratulations to all the nominees, but especially to Darren Kittleson, who manages to sift and winnow through the myriad of technology trends to bring us the best of the best – and the best for our businesses. Darren’s classes are must attends, not only for what is new, effective, and cost-effective, but also for the his easy-to-learn-from style. Again – Congrats!
Darren Kittleson is always on top of what’s new in technology that will keep our careers running more efficiently. Also, he informs us the best new ways to get the word out to our prospects in an ever changing world! There is no way I could stay on top of what’s new and do everything else I have to. Thanks and good luck Darren!
Yay Darren!! You’re a leader and mentor, but above all a teacher. You have a way of breaking-down and clearly explaining even the most complicated matters, and you never run out of new ideas to help our businesses grow. You really deserve this! Congrats!
You are so wonderful, Darren! Thanks for always being so willing to share all of your technology tips–it’s certainly enhanced my real estate practise, and I can’t tell you how lucky we are to have you at Keller Williams, and how much I appreciate your endless help, doesn’t matter the big question or tiny question. Thank you, Thank You Darren!
Congrats to Darren Kittleson on his nomination! Darren’s tireless dedication to raising the level of our game is grealy appreciated. Many thanks and best of luck to Darren!!
Congrats Darren on the Nomination. I have learned alot working under Darren. He is a positive role model for his Agents and always an Example of Win Win or No Deal!!!
Thank you all for recognizing the efforts and the vision that Darren has brought to an ever growing number of people who he has been the single factor to propel them into the world which is more than technology based, it is a technology evolution. An evolution, as he states, that is in its infancy – and he is helping people take advantage of every tool. Congratulations Darren on being recognized for what you just do, and why you are a recognized and respected leader in the industry.
Darren Kittleson is a strategy genius. He understands and teaches the power that technology has as a marketing tool. In today’s housing climate, marketing through technology is the “difference maker”. We are blessed to have Darren as our difference making techno-geek. Congratulations Darren for your nomination; you deserve the victory!
Darren Kittleson is a wonderful leader for the management teams of his Keller Williams francises, as well as the entire national Keller Williams real estate community.
He is committed to sharing and giving his real estate and leadership knowledge freely to everyone around him, and offers free local training to his local board and Wisconsin real estate community.
It is an honor and a priviledge to know Darren and continually learn from him.
Darren – Thank you for all your tireless efforts to bring the most effective real estate technology tools to our office. These technology tools allow us to be the best agents we can be and consequently pass along expert service to our clients. Congratulation on your nomination!
Congratulations to Darren Kittleson. Not only is he passionate about learning, understanding, and implementing the latest technology, but he is committed to sharing that knowledge. He is a teacher, mentor, and a driver in the industry to help everyone leverage the power of technology.
Congrats to Darren Kittleson, one of the greatest instructors, coaches, and generous mentors that I have ever met. Darren has “patiently” worked with me to understand the importance of technology in my business. With his support and teaching, I have grown my business significantly. Thanks Darren for helping me become the best that I can be.
Darren Kittleson. Congratulations on this nomination. I’m sure many deserving and competent candidates, Kittleson has time and time again reached out to our 1600 agents with the latest tools and technicques to improve their business now.
He has been tireless and innovative, along with being right on the edge of technology. All wrapped with the consumate professional.
Congratulations to Darren Kittleson for his nomination. I haven’t been with the Company very long, but because of his teachings and technology, I have the tools to go forward and be confident with my business.
Darren has provided me with the knowledge whereby I believe even that “an ole dog” can be successful in the digital age”. Of even greater is his example of professionalism embodying ethics and continuing education required to be a true REALTOR. Darren deserves to be in the Spot Light. Thanks Darren
Congratulations to Darren Kittleson! As an advocate for entrepreneurial growth and success, his approachable style and hands-on, down to earth attitude demonstrates an understanding of what leadership represents. I’m impressed by his commitment to embracing evolving technologies and creating value for Keller Williams. Way to go Darren!
Nice list! I’m happy to see Lori Bee made this list and it’s pretty cool to see I recognize some other names on here from the social media/techie world as well. Congratulations to all!
Congratulations Darren Kittleson. With all your amazing talents and contributions to the industry I am not surprised to see you made the list.