Hearty congratulations go out to the 34 real estate professionals who earned their Gold Key – Excellence in Professionalism certifications on March 3. Taking the class in-person at the NEFAR Resource Center, the group represents the sixth NEFAR class to earn the prestigious certification since the program began a year ago.
The class was taught by Cynthia DeLuca, a popular and well-known instructor from Orlando. The purpose of the eight-hour 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.
Included among the Gold Key graduates in March was NEFAR President Mark Rosener. So far since NEFAR began offering the program last year, 248 NEFAR members have earned their Gold Key pins, which is a requirement to qualify for admission into EDGE™, NEFAR’s new professional society. Membership in EDGE™ signals that a REALTOR® is a professional who adheres to the highest ethical standards and understands how to do business in a progressive, multicultural environment.
The name, EDGE™, is an acronym standing for Ethics, Diversity, Goals, and Excellence. The new program 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, which 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 and not be found to be in violation of the Code of Ethics during the previous five years.
NEFAR’s newest class of Gold Key recipients is as follows:
- Carole Bayer, Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty
- Nakiya Binder, ERA Davis & Linn
- Emilona Bushi, Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners Southside
- Charisma Bythwood, Watson Realty Corp.
- Jan Collins, owner, Exit 1 Stop Realty
- Kimberly Connahey, House of Glass Real Estate & Property Management
- Christopher Courtney, Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty
- Kristi Courtney, Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty
- Myesha Davis, Bird Dog Real Estate Group LLC
- Sherri Evans, Exit 1 Stop Realty
- Shari Girouard, Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners
- Paul Gruenther, The Legends of Real Estate
- Wendy Guzik, OpenDoor Brokerage LLC
- Kimberly Hanna, RE/MAX Specialists
- Ronald Harris, Harris Realty Partners LLC
- Jessica Harrison, Exit 1 Stop Realty
- Mary Henton, Navy to Navy Homes, LLC
- Catherine Joyner, Florida Homes Realty & Mortgage LLC
- Heather McConville, Palm Realty Group Inc.
- Heather Monroe, Crest Realty LLC
- Amber Redding, McCabe Realty, Inc.
- Lori Reinhardt, Exit 1 Stop Realty
- Colleen Rodriguez, Slate Real Estate
- Mark Rosener, Watson Realty Corp.
- Diane Rukub, The Legends of Real Estate
- Lisa Schueneman, Shoe Realty, Inc.
- Debra Strickland, Heth Realty, Inc.
- Anthony Stroud, Navy to Navy Homes LLC
- Daisy Vernoy, Florida Homes Realty & Mortgage, LLC
- Anna Villoch, Coldwell Banker Premier Properties
- Jade White, Exit 1 Stop Realty
- Lynn Whitley, Davidson Realty, Inc.
- Christine Williams, Florida Homes Realty & Mortgage LLC
