We asked readers from across the country to give us their choices of influential industry people for our 25th Anniversary edition. I know most of the people whose names were submitted and I agree with the composition of that list but there are so many more.
Maureen O’Neill. The first person I ever knew to promote real estate as a profession – not simply as a company recruiter but a paladin for those who made their living as professionals marketing property. She single-handedly raised the bar of dignity for real estate sales representatives to a higher level than was ever imagined before. There is no medal for this service to the community but there should be.
Barry Lebow. A great gentleman of the trade who has spent years in our community, always bringing new ideas to the table and not just with talk. Barry committed sweat, tears and money. Barry is a natural-born teacher and is currently pioneering the critical need for professional real estate services to seniors.
Bob and Margaret Campbell are responsible for putting a face to the name of thousands of real estate agents across Canada and the United States by introducing quality picture business cards at reasonable prices more than 20 years ago. Back then, many said it could not be done. Since that time Bob and Margaret have rolled out many innovative products and services to the industry. They have been a mainstay at conferences and Bob has often been referred to as the mayor of the trade show floor.
Terry Martel left the Canadian real estate industry a number of years ago but his candour, his integrity and his great style are still remembered to this day. We often hear a term used in the movies that describes someone who speaks for principal as a “stand up guy”. Terry is just such a fellow. I wish he would come back to the business. I miss him.
Jerry England, a great English gentleman. Jerry represents our industry overseas at FIABCI (the international trade association for real estate) with aplomb and confidence. Jerry can arrive in any place and in any situation with tremendous class and still make everyone at ease with a gentle humour often directed at himself that puts all around him at ease.
Richard Silver. Open your real estate dictionary and look up class. You will see Richard’s picture, the man who should be the yardstick for professionalism in real estate.
Art Jones from Edmonton. Probably the greatest ambassador the Canadian real estate industry has every had.
There are many people that I believe have been influential in our national business community but I can’t name them all because REM editor Jim Adair, who should be on the list as well, isn’t able to give me the space to write everyone’s name. There just aren’t enough pages to work with. It isn’t fair. And that brings me to my point.
Every time someone tells you that the people in this business are special, don’t roll your eyes or feign disinterest as if you have heard that line hundreds of times. The real estate business is filled with extraordinary people like no other.
It must be the nature of how things work in the industry. People work in environments where their own emotions are at times shredded and then in the same instance applauded. Real estate professionals are dealing with the potentially outrageous side of people almost every day. These clients are in transition with the most important thing they will ever own, their home.
A millionaire agent arrives in a Rolls Royce for a meeting with a poor agent who arrives by bus. Yet they speak as equals to facilitate a property transaction with the highest integrity. It is this kind of excitement and passion that makes the industry attract the most exceptional people in our society.
I have seen the real estate community bring success to other industries and businesses such as Blackberry, yet they receive no acknowledgement at all.
These are the kind of people who come forward naturally to better themselves, better their environment and along the way make things better for those around them. This business is like a magnet to those who have natural abilities to lead and who set examples of excellence for others.
I am privileged to know so many but I only get to name a few. Who is on your list?
Heino Molls is publisher of REM. Email [email protected].
