REALTOR OF THE YEAR 2007

Tom Maeser

At this special time each year, we like to take a moment to recognize one member of our Association who has demonstrated outstanding support for our organization as well as for their local community. The individual who receives this acknowledgment “enhances the image of our profession by going beyond the call of duty and unselfishly giving of their time to the community, their Association, and their profession.” We are gathered here today to honor a fellow REALTOR who has gone beyond the call of duty time and again. This is the highest award that can be presented to any REALTOR.

Tom Maeser grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota and played hockey for Southwest High School – his hockey coach was Dave Peterson – twice Olympic head hockey coach 1988 and 1992. He also played hockey for a short time at the University of Minnesota before he made a decision to totally focus on a degree in education.

He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1966 where he met his wife, Mary. They got married after only two and a half months knowing each other and went to George Air Force Base in Victorville, California. In 1970, he left the service to complete his degree at the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science Degree with honors.

Tom left education in 1976 when, as President of the Golden Valley Chamber of Commerce, he was talked into going into real estate. He quickly got involved with the corporate relocation business and became President of Corporate Relocation Consultants.

In 1980 he relocated to Des Moines, Iowa as Vice President of Marketing and Member Services at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Service, a Fortune 500 company. He helped build that network from 45 members to over 475 member firms and 1200 offices nationwide. From there he became a partner/owner in Ken Reyhon’s REALTORS/Better Homes and Gardens in Colorado Springs where the company went from two offices and 35 agents in 1984 to five offices and 150 agents in 1989.

In 1989 he sold his interest in the real estate company to move to Raleigh, NC and became the Senior Vice President for the New Homes and Neighborhoods Division of Howard, Perry & Walston/Better Homes & Garden representing over 75 communities and over 200 builders. His wife, Mary, became the Marketing Director.

In 1992 our honoree took the job as General Manager of the Residential Division for Leonard, Call. This office grew from eleven agents in 1992 to over 50 in 1997 when the company became Leonard-Roberts/Coldwell Banker after merging with Gary Roberts/Coldwell Banker .

In 1997, he became Senior Vice President for C21 Boling and Associates and helped the company recruit and train agents.

In 1999 he was President of the Coastal Carolinas Association of REALTORS® and helped establish the electronic lock box system, the technology committee, and became a great supporter in the establishment of the present Leadership Program. He has been the assigned mediator and has chaired the Professional Standards panel for several years. He is also the President of the College foundation for HGTC (Horry Georgetown Technical College) and received the highest award they bestow. In 1999, he was offered a job with Fortune Real Estate School by Harold Swanner because of his love for education. He is now President of Fortune Academy, Broker in Charge of Fortune Realty, and oversees the daily operations of its 14 locations and 80 plus instructors throughout the state of South Carolina. Fortune has programs in real estate, appraisal, home inspection, insurance, professional development and mortgage banking. He also writes most of the approved courses for the real estate division of Fortune as well as trains instructors.

Please congratulate this exceptional REALTOR®, Tom Maeser, for his outstanding dedication and service as we present him with 2007’s REALTOR® OF THE YEAR AWARD.