Real estate agents and local associations were honored at the 2026 winter meeting
AUSTIN, March 20, 2026 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Texas Realtors celebrated its members and local Realtor associations during the annual Texas Realtors Winter Meeting, held on February 6 in Austin. The Texas Realtors Awards highlight individuals and organizations that have demonstrated extraordinary dedication and excellence in the real estate profession.
“The annual Texas Realtors Awards provide us with an opportunity to recognize extraordinary local professionals and organizations that make the real estate industry a powerful statewide force,” explained Jennifer Wauhob, the 2026 President of Texas Realtors. “It is an honor to announce this year’s winners and celebrate their accomplishments, who have contributed so much to their local communities and continue to make Texas a great place to call home.”
Below is the complete list of Texas Realtors Awards winners for 2025:
The award for Texas Realtors 2025 Realtor of the Year was awarded to Sarah Norman of Bryan-College Station, in recognition of a career defined by integrity, service and strong leadership. With more than four decades of real estate experience, Norman has made lasting contributions to the profession and her community, earning a reputation as a trusted mentor and advocate for real estate agents throughout Texas. His extensive service includes leading and serving on local, state and national committees, serving on National Association of Realtors (NAR) committees, inducting into the Real Estate Political Action Committee (RPAC) Hall of Fame, and serving on the Texas Realtors Board of Directors, reflecting a continued commitment to strengthening the real estate industry and the people it serves.
He Distinguished Service Award was awarded to Winn Sikes of Lubbock, recognizing nearly five decades of dedicated service to the real estate industry. Sikes has served voluntarily continuously since 1977, having held positions at all levels of local association leadership, including the presidency, and helping to introduce the association’s first lockbox system, a highly advanced innovation for the profession. A continued passionate advocate for political investing, she is a member of the RPAC Hall of Fame and continues to serve on the Texas Association of Realtors (TREPAC) Government Affairs Committee/Political Action Committee, demonstrating her continued commitment to service and leadership.
He Premio William C. Jennings was presented to Paula McDonald of Granbury for a redesign project that epitomizes excellence in commercial real estate. Working at the intersection of historic preservation and economic development, McDonald has transformed a long-vacant historic Granbury Plaza building into a vibrant multi-use destination, including a boutique hotel that expanded lodging offerings in a tourism-based market. The transaction concluded with the exceptional, record-breaking sale of Granbury Plaza with lasting community impact, where McDonald served as central advisor and owner while navigating complex regulatory, structural and legal challenges to execute a successful 1031 exchange in compliance with the Internal Revenue Code.
He Texas Realtors 2025 Good Neighbor of the Year Award was awarded to Cord Shiflet, recognizing his deep commitment to service and relationships both within the real estate profession and throughout the Austin community. His contributions include serving on the Boards of Directors of March of Dimes and the Austin Ballet, former leadership positions with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Austin, and conduct multi-thousand-dollar fundraising efforts for organizations such as Dell Children’s Hospital and Riverbend Child Development Center.
He Educator of the Year Award 2025 was presented to Cassandra Davis, who was recognized for a career spanning three decades, built on a strong commitment to education, homeownership and community impact. As a longtime senior instructor for Texas Realtors, she has dedicated more than 15 years to training future real estate professionals through education based on real-world experiences and global perspectives. Her life’s work as a student, educator and advocate reflects her belief that the best-educated real estate agents strengthen outcomes for clients and communities, elevating the profession through knowledge, service and leadership.
He Richard Miranda Award for Global Achievement was received by Hanne Sagalowsky, who was recognized for more than three decades of leadership in global real estate and her commitment to international collaboration and service. She has built strong cross-border relationships throughout Western Europe and Israel, representing international clients with knowledge and cultural integrity. Her service includes leadership positions within the National Association of Realtors, Texas Realtors and several global committees, where she has helped shape international participation and elevate professionalism throughout the real estate industry.
Three local associations were recognized for their exemplary educational programs:
- The Board of Directors of San Antonio Realtors in the innovation category
- The Houston Association of Realtors in the marketing category
- The Lubbock Association of Realtors for Series or Short Programs of the Year
He Tom D. Morton Award for 2025 was awarded to Cade Fowler of the Lubbock Association of Realtors for his exceptional leadership and dedication as an executive of the association. Under Fowler’s leadership, the association has increased its community engagement, elevated the educational training and professional development of its offerings, and promoted diversity and inclusion efforts to broaden its members’ perspectives. A major investor in TREPAC, Fowler has also strengthened advocacy efforts, introducing highly creative and effective fundraising strategies to the Political Action Committee (PAC), consistently surpassing goals while reinforcing the importance of protecting private property rights in Texas.
He Lehman Award to the Local Board of Directors for Achievement in Government Affairs He was presented to the Abilene Association of Realtors for his outstanding performance in fundraising, community efforts and other government affairs initiatives.
The award for Community Advocate of the Year was awarded to Chad Hovde of the Bryan-College Station Regional Association of Realtors, highlighting his dedication to community activities and programs. Additionally, others received recognition for their community efforts, including:
- Katie DeHaven, Bryan-College Station Regional Association of Realtors
- Dixon Holman, Arlington Realtors Board of Directors
- Bruno Zavaleta, Board of Directors of Brownsville-South Padre Island Realtors
- Leigh York, Greater Fort Worth Association of Realtors
- Brandy Wuensch, Austin Realtors Board of Directors
Los Diversity and Fair Housing Awards were awarded to the following local organizations for promoting diversity and inclusivity in the real estate profession:
- MetroTex Association of Realtors for innovation
- San Antonio Realtors Board of Directors by Impact
The Youth Network Professionals (YPN) recognized six members under 40 years of age with the New Real Estate Talent Award for his outstanding leadership, community involvement and professional success:
- Jennifer Burnley
- Ashley Hambright
- Tyler Circle
- Karla Miller
- Anastasia Pena
- Joseph Towns
Additionally, the following real estate agents were accredited with the Texas Specialized Business Training Scholarship:
- Ebby Adesegun
- Sarah Atterberry
- Jesse Cano
- Sangeeta Kattuwal
- Alisha Melvin
- Hazel Munos
- Andrea Robinson
- Ashley Rimmer-Ratzel
- Tajana Surlan
- Debbie Tran
About Texas REALTORS®
With more than 145,000 members, Texas REALTORS® is a professional organization representing all aspects of Texas real estate. We are the defenders of REALTORS® and private property rights in Texas.
CONTACT
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