News & Media
ORLANDO, Fla. – The “best of the best” – that’s what 15 Realtors® in communities across Florida now can claim, having earned their endorsement as a Florida Realtors® Board Certified Professional.
“A Florida Realtors Board Certified Professional is a Realtor that has earned the distinction of high competence and professionalism through ongoing work in sales, volunteerism, advocacy and ethical treatment of the public, consumers and other Realtors,” says 2024 Florida Realtors President Gia Arvin, broker-owner with Matchmaker Realty in Gainesville and a Board Certified Professional.
The members of the Florida Realtors’ class of 2024 Board Certified Professionals are:
Cathy Alley, Emerald Coast Association Of Realtors
Michele Bailey, Emerald Coast Association Of Realtors
Hollie Billero Buldo, Realtors Association of Indian River County
Cindy Birge, Central Panhandle Association of Realtors
Eddie Blanco, Miami Association of Realtors
Sandra Fernandez, Miami Association of Realtors
Benjamin Gilbert, Orlando Regional Realtors Association
Erin Halstead, Englewood Area Board of Realtors
Patti E. Ketcham, Tallahassee Board of Realtors
Gonzalo Mejia, Northeast Florida Association of Realtors
Catherine “Cookie” Miller, West Pasco Board of Realtors
Charles Sowers, Central Panhandle Association of Realtors
Tula Tucker, Emerald Coast Association Of Realtors
Sue Vasquez, Osceola County Association of Realtors
Mary Anne Windes, Emerald Coast Association Of Realtors
An advisory group on industry professionalism led to the development of the Board Certified Professional program. With so many new licensees entering the profession each year, certification was deemed necessary, not only to honor those working at the peak of their profession, but also to create a benchmark for new Realtors to work toward.
“Taking the time and effort to increase professionalism is not only the right thing to do, it strengthens the value of being a Realtor and a member of our local, state and national organizations,” Arvin says. “As one of the largest professions in our state, we need to promote Realtor members that work at the highest levels of professionalism – and we accomplish this with the Florida Realtors Board Certified Professional program.”
Realtor members had to demonstrate a high level of proficiency in four key areas: an in-depth knowledge of the contractual details of a real estate transaction, education, community service and supporting homeownership through advocacy efforts.
To see a complete overview of the program, including qualifications, costs and the application, go to Florida Realtors’ member website at https://www.floridarealtors.org/membership/specialties/board-certified. The next application period will open in January.
© 2024 Florida Realtors®
