February 15, 2017 — Austin

The Texas REALTORS® honored the best and brightest of the Texas real estate industry during the association’s Texas REALTORS® 2017 Winter Meeting in Austin, Texas.

“Today’s Texas REALTOR® leaders go beyond what’s required to elevate our industry, improve our communities, and have a lasting impact in the lives of the clients we serve,” remarked Vicki Fullerton, 2017 chairman of the Texas REALTORS®, during the luncheon. “I am grateful to work alongside each of you.”

The award for 2016 Texas REALTOR® of the Year, the Texas REALTORS®’ most prestigious award, was presented to Dave Dalzell of Dalzell REALTORS® in Abilene. This title is bestowed annually to a member who has made outstanding contributions to the industry through involvement in his or her national, state and local REALTOR® organizations during their career.

The Texas REALTOR® Hero Award, which recognizes a REALTOR® who has demonstrated outstanding community service related to promoting and advancing homeownership, was awarded to Steve Crorey of Sierra Homes in Austin. A longtime advocate of expanding homeownership affordability for all Central Texans, Crorey dedicates much of his time to supporting community initiatives through the Austin Board of REALTORS® Foundation.Crorey of Sierra Homes in Austin. A longtime advocate of expanding homeownership affordability for all Central Texans, Crorey dedicates much of his time to supporting community initiatives through the Austin Board of REALTOR® Foundation.

The Tom D. Morton Association Executive of the Year award was presented to Mary Leidy, chief executive officer of the Collin County Association of REALTORS®. Awarded only to REALTOR® association leaders with a long track record of service to their local association and a high level respect among industry peers, the Tom D. Morton award was bestowed to Leidy for her extensive REALTOR® association leadership at the local, state and national levels.

Scott Caballero of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty in San Antonio was named the 2016 Educator of the Year. An instructor for the Graduate REALTOR® Institute, Caballero regularly leads education courses for the Council of Residential Specialists, Certified Real Estate Brokerage Managers, National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, and Young Professionals Network.

Coy Garrett of Coy E. Garrett & Associates in Arlington received the 2016 William C. Jennings Award for the outstanding commercial real estate transaction of the year. Garrett recently spearheaded the largest and most expensive redevelopment of industrial and commercial property in Arlington’s history, anticipated to bring more than 2,000 new jobs to the area.

The 2016 Texas Real Estate Awards also honored local REALTOR® associations that have launched innovative programs and educational courses over the last year that keep Texas REALTORS® up to date with the latest legal, business marketing and industry trends. The Austin Board of REALTORS®, Collin County Association of REALTORS®, Houston Association of REALTORS®, MetroTex Association of REALTORS® and San Antonio Board of REALTORS® were each recognized as part of the Texas REALTORS®’ 2016 Education Awards category.

Finally, Omega Tau Rho, the honorable fraternity for the National Association of REALTORS®, inducted 26 members in 2016. Omega Tau Rho recognizes REALTORS® and others associated with the REALTOR® organization who have made outstanding contributions to the U.S. real estate industry throughout their career.