NEFAR congratulates the 42 REALTORS® who received their Gold Key – Excellence in Professionalism certifications on Sept. 9. The group represents the fourth class to earn the prestigious certification, which is one of the requirements for entrance into EDGE, NEFAR’s new professional society.
With the addition of the Sept. 9 class, a total of 179 NEFAR members have earned their Gold Key pins. NEFAR is offering one more opportunity for members to gain the certification this year. The final 2021 class will be held Wednesday, Dec. 15. It will be taught virtually by renowned real estate educator Cynthia DeLuca, a Florida Realtors® instructor and a member of the Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association.
The purpose of the eight-hour virtual Gold Key course is to instruct participants on the “keys” to being successful in the real estate industry by providing a broad general knowledge of how to build a successful business. The course is advantageous for both new and seasoned REALTORS, said DeLuca, who notes that less experienced real estate professionals attain a greater level of expertise while more accomplished REALTORS® find the class to be the perfect refresher course.
By earning the Gold Key certification, the 42 recent graduates are on their way to earning a place in the EDGE professional society. Membership in EDGE signals a REALTOR® is a professional who adheres to high ethical standards and understands how to do business in a progressive, multicultural environment. An acronym that stands for Ethics, Diversity, Goals, and Excellence, EDGE is designed to allow REALTOR® members to reach the pinnacle of professionalism. The society is open to all REALTORS® who complete six specific certifications – Gold Key; C2EX; At Home with Diversity; Implicit Bias Training; Fair Haven, a fair housing simulation; and Code of Ethics training or Business Ethics that is also required for Florida real estate license renewal. Several of the certifications are sponsored by the National Association of REALTORS®.
EDGE candidates must also obtain a minimum of 30 points by completing several approved courses during each three-year renewal period. Also, EDGE members must not be found to be in violation of the Code of Ethics during the previous five years.
“Continual work to maintain and improve professionalism within our membership is vital to our industry, but it is also an investment of time and money on the involved member’s behalf,” said 2021 NEFAR President Missi Howell. “We believe it is important for those members to be recognized for their efforts and provide them the opportunity to distinguish themselves as achieving this professionalism award and status to their customers and to the public.”
Earning their Gold Key – Excellence in Professionalism certifications in September were:
Amy Anderson, Anderson Realty
Berna Aydin, Century 21 Lighthouse Realty
Andrew Bell, NextHome Assurance Realty
Julie Bentley, Watson Realty Corp.
Taylor Berkowitz, Slate Real Estate
Lynn Braddy, Weichert Realtors the Coffey
Neil Bridgers, Watson Realty Corp.
John Brocato, Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Florida Network Realty
Sandra Brown, C. Carter Realty Group, Inc.
Lisa Chlapowski, House & Haven
Roberta Christopher, Century 21 John T. Ferreira
Tracy Collins, Watson Realty Corp.
Mercy De Jesus, eXp Realty, LLC
Melanie Diehm, Slate Real Estate
Nathan Ellison, Keller Williams First Coast
Bonny Fershtman, Slate Real Estate
Stuart Fore, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty
Robert Glore, Watermarke Realty Group
Tami Glover, Watermarke Realty Group
Christine Hall, Slate Real Estate
Roslie Herren, Re/Max Leading Edge
Bryanetta Humphrey, Kent & Rogers, Inc.
Wanda Jones, EXIT Real Estate Gallery
Leah Maieski, Slate Real Estate
Alveria Matthews, Xcellence Realty, Inc.
Jamie McLaughlin, Slate Real Estate
Annmarie Nelson, JP & Associates Realtors City
Scott Nyman, eXp Realty LLC
Nelson Ortega, Navy to Navy Homes
Marishiel Paterno, Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty
Irvia Roque, Watson Realty Corp.
Delilah Salameh, The Legends of Real Estate
Nidza Sepulveda, EXIT Real Estate Gallery
Adna Silva-Muniz, Century 21 First Coast
Therese Simpson, MV Realty
Laura Slate, Slate Real Estate
Michele Stewart, The Legends of Real Estate
Heather Swarts, Florida Homes Realty & Mortgage LLC
Canard Thomas, Residential Movement Real Estate Group
Sondra Tracy, Edgewater Realty LLC
Lynita Walter, Atlantic Coast Realty Group LLC
Kimberly Waterhouse, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty
