Watson Realty Corp.’s vice president and managing broker for the Longwood, FL office Sarita Cabrera and three of her associates had the opportunity learn from the best at the Smith and Associates Real Estate company-sponsored workshop with national keynote speaker and philosopher, Matthew Ferrara.

The workshop took place at the University of South Florida last week and covered topics ranging from honing your focus to visual storytelling. Cabrera and her associates, Janet Baso, Jodi Canahuate, and Ann-Marie Ferraro, gained a wealth of knowledge from the experience.

“It was a great training and networking opportunity,” said Cabrera. “We also had the opportunity to meet the owner of the company, the leadership team, the relocation team, and the LeadingRE director for Florida.”

Matthew Ferrara is a philosopher, writer, speaker and photographer. He works with leading sales, marketing, brokerage, and tech firms around the globe to develop service experiences and professional development programs that both delight customers and drive performance.

Smith & Associates Real Estate is Tampa Bay’s largest and most successful independent and locally-owned real estate brokerage and a LeadingRE partner and affiliate.

Watson Realty Corp. was awarded Leading Real Estate Companies of the World’s® (LeadingRE) highest honor, the Diamond Award, at the network’s annual conference at the Wynn Las Vegas on February 20-22.

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The event was part of LeadingRE’s Conference Week, a series of educational and networking events focused on leadership, innovation, and delivering superior consumer experiences in real estate. 

This is the sixth year Watson Realty Corp. has won the Diamond in the award’s 16-year history. The Diamond Award recognizes outstanding performance in all of LeadingRE's business programs and is given to only one affiliate of this global organization.

“It is an honor to win the Diamond Award for the sixth time,” said William A. Watson Jr., founder and chairman of Watson Realty Corp. “This accomplishment illustrates the hard work and dedication by the entire Watson family and its affiliates. It is a true example of how we handle every transaction, and our customers can rest assured they always receive the same legendary quality of service.”

Watson was awarded with additional marketing awards, including: interactive media (3^rd), internal promotions (2^nd), referral promotions (2^nd), brand builder (2^nd), business cards (2^nd), and honorable mention for video.

“Honoring our Achievement Award winners was a highlight of our conference, as we celebrated the companies that earned distinction among the best firms in the business. Our award winners set the standard of excellence not only for our network, but also for the industry as a whole,” said Paul Boomsma, LeadingRE President/CEO.

Watson Realty Corp. is one of the North & Central Florida and Southern Georgia representatives of LeadingRE (www.LeadingRE.com). A global real estate community spanning six continents, LeadingRE connects more than 565 firms and 130,000 sales associates who produce over 1.1 million real estate transactions annually. As a member of LeadingRE, Watson provides a quality real estate experience, global marketing reach, and access to top real estate professionals in virtually any market worldwide.

Originally from Minnesota, Hagel enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 18, serving in the Office of Naval Research in Washington, D.C. and, later, the Strike Fighter Squadron 131 in Jacksonville, FL. Hagel holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Phoenix (2006). He obtained his Florida Real Estate License shortly after graduating and began working with some of the Jacksonville area's top new home builders for the next 15 years, in which he was highly recognized for his achievements. Hagel then joined one of the most successful real estate teams on Amelia Island in 2011 to make the jump into residential sales from new construction. He obtained his broker's license and became a general partner in the brokerage. Hagel is pleased to be transitioning into working with the Watson team to be closer to his longtime customers focusing exclusively on sales. In his free time, Hagel loves to run and serves as President of Amelia Island Runners and Co-Director for Jeff Galloway Productions, Fernandina Beach Chapter, coaching running groups for men and women aspiring to run a full marathon.

Watson Realty Corp. has hired a new VP/Managing Broker, George Anthony Brown, to serve in their Clermont office. A native Floridian, Brown brings with him more than 20 years of property management experience and a passion for working with people. Working in the fast-paced apartment industry as a regional property supervisor, Brown managed a team of property managers and maintenance technicians for luxury apartments. Brown is a former service member of the U.S. Military and holds a bachelor’s degree from DeVry University in project technical management. As he looks forward to his new position with Watson, Brown has goals in place immediately to lead his team in exceeding their goals for the future. 

Geannina has had an extensive real estate career spanning 21 years. She was previously a Managing Broker for Coldwell Banker Real Estate, supervising several South Florida offices, Director of Marketing and Sales for Luxcom Builders, and was affiliated with ONE Sotheby’s International Realty serving Miami’s most iconic neighborhoods such as Brickell, Pinecrest, Coral Gables, and Coconut Grove. She’s lived in several countries and is bi-lingual in English/Spanish. Geannina was named South Florida Coach of the Year for three consecutive years. Her strongest proficiency is as a listing agent in FIRPTA law working with international customers. Geannina has a bachelor’s degree in business and hotel administration from Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra and Cornell University, and she is a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) – a distinction only a small percentage of REALTORS® hold. She enjoys giving back to the community by volunteering for Feed My Starving Children.

Jeffrey M. Fagan, regional vice president for Watson Realty Corp., was installed as 2019 president of the Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association. ORRA represents more than 15,500 real estate professionals and is the eighth largest REALTOR® organization in the United States.

 

“It is humbling to be entrusted with the leadership of ORRA, its members, and the homebuyers and sellers that rely on its REALTOR® members to guide them through their real estate transaction,” said Fagan. “REALTORS® are in the position of changing lives and communities for the better, and it’s a responsibility that should be taken very seriously.”

 

Fagan intends to focus his presidency on providing education and programs that enhance REALTOR® professionalism, and on efforts that address the lack of affordable housing in Orlando and throughout the state. First up, according to Fagan, is to insist on full funding of the Sadowski Affordable Trust Fund.

 

“For far too many years, legislators in Tallahassee have stripped money ($3 billion since 1992) out of the Sadowski Fund and used it to support other projects or to even balance the budget,” explained Fagan. “The creation of the fund through doc stamp fees was supported in good faith by REALTORS® and by citizens because the money is to go toward affordable housing programs. It’s time to honor the wishes of the people and to use the Sadowski funds as they are intended.”

 

Jeff transitioned into real estate after 20 years in the poultry agribusiness. He has maintained a Florida real estate license since 2001 and holds the Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB) designation and Gold Key Certification (GKC). He earned ORRA’s 2015 REALTOR® of the Year award for his work spearheading ORRA’s Excellence in Professionalism – Gold Key Certification program while serving as chairman of the ORRA Professional Development Committee.

 

Fagan and the 2019 ORRA Board of Directors were installed during the ORRA Annual Inaugural and Awards gala on January 12, 2019 at the Hilton Orlando.

 

Watson’s very own Dane Leslie, Lorri Reynolds, and Gonzalo Mejia were honored last week at Northeast Florida Association of REALTORS® (NEFAR) 2019 Install and Awards Gala at the Jacksonville Marriott.

 

The installation is held yearly for new leadership to be inducted into their elected roles and for members to be honored with their real estate achievements.

 

Dane Leslie, Watson VP/Managing Broker for the Mandarin South office, won the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions and service to the industry.

 

Lorri Reynolds, Watson VP/Managing Broker for the Avondale-Ortega office, was elected as Educator of the Year. Lorri has been committed to training and education of her associates in her office, at Watson’s School of Success, and throughout the community.

 

The Circle of Honor Award was presented to Watson’s Gonzalo Mejia, Team Leader for the Dream Home Team. Mejia was also previously named as NEFAR's Educator of the Year in 2014 and named NEFAR’s Realtor of the Year for 2016.

 

 

Congratulations to our brokers and associates for these prestigious awards!

Watson Realty Corp. is pleased to announce Kevin Porter as their new Information Technology Director.

 

In his new position, Porter will be applying his expertise in information technology services and systems management.

 

Porter has 25 years of experience in IT designing, implementing, and supporting enterprise solutions, managing technical projects, and overseeing IT departments. He has a deep background in IT solutions for the healthcare industry, including working as Director of IT for Baptist and Ingenios Health, providing leadership and securing efficiency and compliance of internal platforms, data systems, and infrastructures.

 

Porter holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Florida and was a Systems Administrator/Aviation Electronics Technician for the U.S. Navy for four years. He was a former board member and Communications Director of the Northeast Florida Chapter of the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA) from 2010-14 and President of the Jacksonville SharePoint Users Group (JaxSPUG) from 2010 to 2012.

Watson Realty Corp. is pleased to announce the promotion of Tammy Vlah to Executive Vice President, Watson Relocation Services.

 

In her new role, Vlah will have oversight of global relocation services and asset management services for the company’s entire footprint.

 

Vlah joined Watson Realty Corp. in June of 2005. She has been an integral part of the growth of the Relocation Services division and very active in the relocation industry. Vlah is in her second year as president of SHRM Jacksonville, a former member of both the RELO Direct Advisory Council & Economic Development Council with the Jacksonville Chamber, as well as a recipient of the “40 Under 40” award presented by the Jacksonville Business Journal. Prior to joining Watson, Vlah lived in the Orlando area for almost a decade where she worked in the real estate industry.

 

"I’m fortunate to have seen the evolution of our relocation division, which resulted in tremendous success, and I’m looking forward to the collaboration between Judy Bissell, VP, Director of Relocation, and Sharon Juhasz, VP, Manager, Real Estate Services," said Vlah. "Together, with our team of talented professionals, we will execute a strategy taking us to the next level carrying on that legacy."

 

Vlah will continue to report to Carlotta Landschoot, Chief Operating Officer.

 

Watson Realty Corp. is pleased to announce the appointment of Carlotta W. Landschoot as Chief Operating Officer, a newly created position.

 

Landschoot, a 25-year veteran of the company, will oversee core operations including marketing, relocation, information technology, training, and ebusiness. Landschoot, the eldest daughter of Watson Founder and Chairman of the Board, William A. Watson, Jr., has earned a reputation of excellence in the real estate and relocation community and is poised to help lead the organization to the next level.

 

After earning her Bachelor’s degree from Clemson University and her Master’s from Florida State University, Landschoot charted her own course by obtaining her CPA license and accepting a position with Price Waterhouse. After seven years of auditing large corporations and having the opportunity to see their inner workings, her father persuaded her to join the company as Chief Financial Officer. Soon following, she was promoted to VP/Director of Relocation. Over the decades, she was appointed to the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® (LeadingRE) Advisory Council where she ultimately became Chairman.

 

She has been active over the years in industry groups and has received numerous awards and recognition. Her most notable achievement was orchestrating the activities of the company to be the recipient of the coveted Diamond Award from LeadingRE on five different occasions.

 

 "I look forward to continuing to work with our ‘best in class’ leaders to propel the company to new heights," said Landschoot.