LAKE NORMAN, NC - On January 22, 2014, Lake Norman Realty associates and executives gathered at River Run Country Club for the company’s annual Awards Breakfast and Annual Report delivered by company president, Abigail Jennings.
Jane Getsinger, co-owner of Lake Norman Realty opened the meeting by stating, “2013 was Lake Norman Realty's 35th anniversary, but it also marked a different milestone. In 1978, James Jennings started Lake Norman Realty and led us for 20 years. In 1998 he appointed Abigail to lead. At the end of 1998 we could fit our company associates onto the Lazy 5 hayride wagon. We couldn’t do that today! It really is hard to believe Abigail has now been at the helm herself for 15 years and with Lake Norman Realty for 23 years. Most recently, she steered the ship through the worst real estate market in our lifetimes.” Getsinger added that the company’s success has been driven through Abigail’s leadership, defining and developing the firm’s core beliefs of community-involvement, devotion to excellence, environmental and social responsibility, and delivering the ultimate client experience.
Lake Norman Realty’s 2013 Award Winners pictured left to right: General Manager Shantae Brown, Business Development Guru Tracey Boy-Bethune, Rose Cramer, Sheila Masssey, Eric Taylor, Crystal Fry, Terri Manning, Bob Campbell, Julie Jones, Tracy Frazier, Nancy Hucks, Debbie Monroe, Ann Scott, Suzie McCann, Mary Lou Haraburd, Company Mom Jane Getsinger, Eric McCauley, Rich Tomasini, Denver Broker-In-Charge Gail Huss, Davidson Broker-In-Charge Summer Robinson, Teresa Rodriguez, Michelle Nantz, Relocation Director Denise Richards, President Abigail Jennings, and Jen Schafer.
Jennings’ continued the presentation with her annual report celebrating the firm’s thirty-fifth anniversary year, along with associate achievements and overall growth statistics within the real estate market. She reported growth for the company as a whole in 2013, citing a dramatic increase in closed sales volume. In the past year, Lake Norman Realty also saw increased relocation activity within their Relocation Department thanks to several corporate moves, expansion in their Commercial Division, and a successful restructuring of their Property Management Division.
Jennings also announced the promotions of Shantae Brown as General Manager and Sherri Hodge as CFO, the addition of Tracey Boy-Bethune to the leadership team as Business Development Guru, and the addition of Office Geniuses to each branch office to assist with technology and service needs. She went on to highlight some of the new initiatives implemented at the firm in 2013 to provide higher service to associates and clients such as cutting-edge technology, a new Professional Development Training Program, and the establishment of an internal Advisory Council. “One of my goals for 2013 was to increase synergy within the firm, while taking steps to improve our systems. Looking back, I believe we were able to make great strides towards attaining our objectives,” Jennings commented.
Lake Norman Realty’s family of staff and associates also grew in 2013. Jennings recognized twenty-seven new additions; Lance Armstrong, Sandee Balise, Stacey Barnett, Katie Brown, Amanda Carpenter, Donald Crump, Nathalie Fabbricatore, Shannon Hilton, Gail Huss, Justin Kennelly, Ryan Kotis, Pam Larimer, Kyle Lindstrom, Eric McCauley, Jackie Munday, Toleah Poplin, Summer Robinson, Jennifer Rolles, Maribeth Rutkowski, Jaime Sanchez, Linda Schafer, Diane Schnabel, Lynn Shapiro, Irene Stollery, Christoria Turner, Dawn Wight, and Desi Willoughby.
Lake Norman Realty’s trademark support for the local community did not waver in 2013. The company leant its financial support to over twenty-five local organizations and charities, and sponsored and participated in community events including Toys for Tots, 3rd Annual Denver Community Day, Community Arts Project, Davidson Lands Conservancy, Davidson Farmers Market, Big Day at the Lake, and many more.
The company’s efforts as a whole did not go unnoticed in the past year. Lake Norman Realty was honored by Charlotte Business Journal with three awards; “Largest Real Estate Companies”, “Largest Woman-Owned Companies”, and “Best Places to Work” top-finalist for the seventh consecutive year.
Following her annual report, Jennings presented awards to individual Lake Norman Realty associates for outstanding achievements in 2013. Jennings began by recognizing associates celebrating milestone anniversaries with the company: Terri Manning, Donna Brinager, Valerie Smithers, and Mary Anne Michaels for five years and Madeleine Hess for fifteen years.
Lake Norman Realty co-owners, President Abigail Jennings and Company Mom Jane Getsinger at Lake Norman Realty's Annual Awards Breakfast at River Run in Davidson.
The company’s highest honors went to Service Provider of the Year, Bob Campbell, for his record of excellence from surveyed 2013 seller and buyer clients. Carol Laney was honored with The James A. Jennings Community Spirit Award for her community involvement. Eric McCauley received the Success Award. The coveted President’s Award went to Ann Scott for her excellence in customer service, exceptional sales production, loyalty, commitment, dedication, and professionalism.
Top listing awards went to Debbie Monroe for the Cornelius Office, Michelle Nantz for the Denver Office, Ann Scott for the Mooresville Office, Tom Gregory for the Statesville Office, and for the overall Top Listing Associate for the Company, as well as the Davidson Office, Nancy Hucks. Top sales associates honored were Michelle Nantz for the Denver Office, Ann Scott for the Mooresville Office, Tom Gregory for the Statesville Office, Nancy Hucks for the Davidson Office, and for the overall Top Sales Associate for the Company, as well as the Cornelius Office, Debbie Monroe.
After a review of 2013, Jennings shared her forecast and initiatives for 2014. “I see an exciting year for the Lake Norman real estate market,” she said. “I truly believe we have turned the corner and the upswing of positive growth in the real estate market will continue. Although home inventory is tighter than ever, new home construction is providing additional options for 2014 buyers, and interest rates continue to be very favorable. In addition, exciting internal initiatives like going “greener” and an increased company focus on true life balance, will keep Lake Norman Realty on track for success in 2014.”
About Lake Norman Realty
In 2014, Lake Norman Realty marks its 36th year of excellence serving the Lake Norman community as a one-stop shop for real estate transactions. With offices in Cornelius, Mooresville, Davidson, Denver, and Statesville, the firm focuses on the Lake Norman region from Statesville to Charlotte. In addition to its full-service real estate services, Lake Norman Realty also offers in-house mortgages, insurance, a full spectrum of property leasing and management, and complete commercial and relocation services. For more details visit www.LakeNormanRealty.com.