A high point at the Northeast Tennessee Association of Realtors® (NETAR) spring membership meeting was the announcement and presentation of the association’s top awards. It was a recognition of the association’s best and brightest.  

Some of this year’s awards were among those who crowd into NETAR’s headquarters in Gray for a wide variety of dedicated classes and specialized training. In a market as varied as the Tri-Cities, where affordability, relocation, and lifestyle migration drive demand, the need for professionals who are on the cutting edge of their rapidly changing profession is critical. That comes with constant refreshing of skills and training to meet new challenges. 

It’s why the parking lot at the NETAR/MLS headquarters behind the TVA building is often overflowing on education days is more than a curiosity. It’s a sign that Tri-Cities Realtors® are taking their role seriously. Between listings and showings, they’re carving out hours to stay current on contracts, technology, market trends, and consumer protection. 

But there’s more than education in the criteria for some of the awards. The total package of the Realtor® experience is involved, and that experience embraces things like voluntarism, community involvement, philanthropy, and civic participation.  

Many of those things are most often expressed at a corporate level. But since Realtors® are independent contractors and entrepreneurs, their efforts, and accomplishments often fly under the public attention radar. NETAR’s awards ceremonies fill that void. 

The top award – Realtor® of the Year – went to Cindy Bennett this year. 

 Lynne Jones received The Mark Keesecker Good Neighbor Award and Matthew Amos and Vanessa Benvie are the 2025 Outstanding Rookies.  

Realtor® of Distinction recipients are: 

• Jacob Ball 
• Katy Bennett 
• Richard Brunner 
• Michelle Davis 
• Kip Hagy 
• Colby Hurd 
• Lynne Jones 
• Kathy Oakes 
• Cody Rife 
• Rachel Smith  

This recognition is for NETAR members who have shown their participation in multiple areas of members that include Education, Designations, and Realtor® Activities, Community, and RPAC investors. 

The education awards go to members who have completed a set amount of class hours. Recipients are: 

• Mitzi Henley 
• Grace McConnell 
• Melissa Parton 

Seven Realtors® earned a Realtor® of Distinction Award and an Education Award. The group included: 

• Cindy Bennett 
• Candace Heath 
• Pam Hurd 
• Amy Mitchell 
• Kim Smith 
• Allyson Spencer 
• Janis Stapleton 

Here’s another tip of the hat and thank you to this year’s award recipients. The awards and recognition are well-deserved.