This past year, each individual honored as one of RISMedia's 2019 Real Estate Newsmakers made headlines in his or her own way. Whether it was through charitable work or notable growth, each honoree made a positive impact in the real estate industry.
Here, we highlight a few who were chosen as RISMedia Newsmakers in the Inspirations category:
Kiesha Curtis
Senior Buyer/Seller Specialist, Realty Kings Properties
Kiesha Curtis is not only a multi-million-dollar producer with Realty Kings Properties in Houston, Texas, she is also dedicated to serving her community. She volunteers with WorkFaith Connection, teaching home-buying classes with Avenue Community Development Corporation.
Earlier this year, Curtis was recognized with the Community Leader Award at the 2018 Leaders in Real Estate Summit in Atlanta, Ga.
Lisa Handley
REALTOR®, RE/MAX Advantage Plus
Lisa Handley is an award-winning agent, as well as a major supporter of Hope Fieldhouse, a non-profit that plans to build a facility where people with disabilities can participate in adaptive sports and their families can receive support.
"The more people you help, the more money you can make, which means the more money you will have to give away," Handley says.
Timothy Murfree
REALTOR®, Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners
Timothy Murfree has extensive experience assisting military service members in attaining their homeownership dream. In June, Murfree introduced a Purple Heart family to the Military Warriors Support Foundation, which works with banks to provide mortgage-free homes to combat-wounded veterans and unmarried Gold Star spouses. He was successful in getting them their home and even forewent his commission.
Christian Ross
Senior Vice President and Managing Broker, Village Realty
For over 13 years, Christian Ross sold alone. However, since Ross began working for Village Realty in 2014, the brokerage has grown from two agents to more than 130 in two offices. She also serves her community by working with Habitat for Humanity and "The Senior Guard," which she founded to help Atlanta seniors fight displacement.
"To be included amongst the previous recipients and our current class is such an honor," Ross says.
Bret Weinstein
President and CEO, BSW Real Estate
In the past year, Bret Weinstein and his BSW Real Estate team have raised over $40,000 for several charities throughout the Denver Metro Area, and his agents have also volunteered their time to support a variety of causes. Additionally, they were featured by Extreme Community Makeover as a community partner.
"Real estate is a 'How can I help you?' concierge service, not a 'How can I help me?' sales job," Weinstein says.