Congratulations to our 2025 award winners!

We gathered to celebrate another year of excellence in real estate across the Mid-South.

 Honors & Awards

Published Monday, January 12, 2026 9:00 am

 

The most meaningful and inspiring part of Installation & Awards is the recognition of individuals whose leadership, service and impact truly elevate our association, our profession and our community. These honors begin with you – our members – who take the time each year to submit peers who are making a real difference. Those nominations are thoughtfully reviewed by our Awards Committee, who carry the important responsibility of selecting this year’s recipients. 

Together, this process reflects the very best of MAAR – members recognizing members, celebrating excellence and lifting up those who embody the values and spirit of our Association. 

We are proud to present the 2025 MAAR Award recipients. 

 

Good Neighbor of the Year Award

The Good Neighbor Award honors REALTORS® who go beyond their professional responsibilities to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. This award recognizes members whose commitment to service strengthens not only our industry but the communities we are proud to call home.


 

Chuck Dalton
Chuck demonstrates an extraordinary commitment to giving back through both time and action. Whether through community involvement, volunteer leadership or hands-on service, he consistently shows up to support those in need and uplift the community around him. 
He has been a member of our Association for 14 years and works with Pinnacle Roofing and Restorations. Earlier in his career, he served as a REALTOR® Associate from 1984 to 1990 and chaired several Association committees. 
Beyond his profession, he serves as Chairman of the Walnut Grove HOA Covenants and Restrictions Committee and is a member of the First Evangelical Church Emergency Response Team. 
He has generously provided free roof inspections and repairs and contributed over $50,000 to the MAAR Benevolent Fund since 2017. 
His generosity, leadership and unwavering commitment to serving others truly embody the spirit of this award.


 

Kristi Ryan
Kristi reflects the true spirit of generosity and service – someone who leads with quiet compassion, purpose and a genuine desire to make a difference. Through her steady involvement and thoughtful outreach, she has touched countless lives and continues to represent the very best of our profession. She is widely known as a calming presence – someone who notices what is needed and simply steps in to help. 
For the past six years, she has lovingly cared for historic cradles at Elmwood Cemetery, tending to their surroundings through ongoing planting, cleanup and maintenance so that these spaces remain peaceful and beautiful for families and visitors. 
She is also the founder of a neighborhood tree initiative that brings the community together each year to plant new life across our city, with more than 60 trees planted to date. 
Through her active involvement with the Midtown Rotary Club, she participates in and leads service projects including neighborhood cleanups, tree plantings, meal deliveries and the assembly of hygiene and school supply kits for local nonprofits serving those in need. 
She never seeks recognition for this work – she simply shows up with kindness, consistency, and care.  

Outstanding Service Award

The Outstanding Service Award recognizes a member whose dedication, leadership and commitment to MAAR and the community have made a measurable and lasting impact. This award celebrates those who go above and beyond, serving with integrity, passion and a true desire to make a difference.


 

Audrey Davis
Audrey's contributions are remarkable, both within our association and beyond. Her leadership, generosity and willingness to serve others exemplify the very best of what it means to be a REALTOR®. 
Her leadership extends to the state and national levels through Tennessee REALTORS®, where she has served as Chair of Broker Involvement and on the Forms and Diversity Initiatives Committees. She is a graduate of Tennessee Leadership and is actively involved with Women’s Council of REALTORS®, NAREB and a dedicated supporter of RPAC. 
Beyond the Association, her commitment to service is extraordinary. She is the current President of the Shelby County Chapter of The Links, a past president of Jack and Jill of America – Memphis Chapter, a youth leader at Parkway Gardens Presbyterian Church, a board member of the Hooks Institute and a volunteer with the Downtown Homeless Feeding Ministry. 
She is also deeply devoted to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where she has served as Past Chair of the Family Advisory Council and continues to serve on multiple advisory and patient safety committees, even traveling with her daughter to advocate for children and families across the country. 
All of this is a reflection of her belief in serving at every level and helping make our profession and our communities stronger. 

Presidential Award


 

Kathryn Garland
"It is my honor to present the Presidential Award – a recognition I have the privilege of personally giving this year to a member whose leadership, dedication, and service have made a meaningful difference in our association. 
During my year as President, this colleague and friend went far beyond what was ever expected. She answered my calls – sometimes at inconvenient times – offered steady guidance when decisions felt heavy, and shared her wisdom with honesty and care. Whether I needed reassurance, perspective or a sounding board, she was always there. 
Her willingness to give her time, her experience, and her encouragement made a meaningful difference in my presidency and in my growth as a leader. This award is a small token of appreciation for the countless ways she showed up, often behind the scenes, simply because she cares about this association and the people who serve it. 
It is my privilege to present the Presidential Award to Kathryn Garland."

- Greg Renfrow

Affiliate of the Year Award

The MAAR Affiliate of the Year Award is given to an affiliate member who has shown extraordinary dedication and support to our association. As REALTORS® and REALTOR® Associates, we rely on our affiliate partners every day. Whether it’s helping our clients secure financing or obtain insurance, arranging home warranties or making it to the closing table, our affiliates play a vital role in the real estate profession.


 

Cindy Norman
Cindy truly embodies that spirit of partnership, service, and professionalism. She has served MAAR through Leadership MAAR, the Leadership MAAR Alumni group, the Affiliate Council – where she held leadership roles including President – as well as the Scholarship Committee, Benevolent Fundraising and the MAAR Cup Leadership Team. 
She is widely respected for her commitment to ethical conduct, transparency and continued learning, and for the positive example she sets within our industry.  
Her leadership extends beyond MAAR into the broader community, where she volunteers her time with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Youth Villages, Hospitality Hub, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, the Josephine Circle and community outreach efforts. 

REALTOR® Associate of the Year Award

The REALTOR® Associate of the Year Award is the highest honor given to a REALTOR® Associate. It is awarded to those who have demonstrated outstanding abilities, leadership and dedication to our association. 


 

Paige Holmes
Paige is a dedicated REALTOR® whose commitment to professionalism and service shines throughout her work with MAAR. She currently serves as MLS Chair, providing strong leadership and vision while guiding vital initiatives to ensure accuracy, innovation and excellence within the MLS system. She is a past member of the MAAR Board of Directors and is actively involved in many MAAR events, consistently supporting the growth and success of her fellow REALTORS® and the Memphis real estate community. 
Her involvement extends to Tennessee REALTORS® through participation in statewide events and educational conferences, including Day on the Hill, where she advocates for policies that protect homeowners, promote private property rights and strengthen the real estate industry across Tennessee.
Known for her professionalism, integrity and adherence to the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, she has earned the respect of her peers, clients and community. Her business achievements reflect a reputation built on trust, exceptional service and proven results. 
Her dedication to her profession, her clients and her community embodies the very best qualities of a REALTOR®.  

REALTOR® of the Year Award

The MAAR REALTOR® of the Year is bestowed upon a REALTOR® Member in recognition of their civic, business, and industry contributions and achievements over the past five years, with a special focus on the most immediate past 12 months. This is our association’s highest recognition, honoring a member whose commitment to excellence, leadership and service has made a lasting impact – not only within MAAR, but across our profession and our community.


 

Deborah Williams
This year’s recipient has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to both her profession and her community for more than 20 years. She is a Leadership MAAR graduate and has served on various MAAR and Tennessee REALTORS® committees and leadership initiatives. 
Her business accomplishments include numerous professional designations, lifetime member of both the MAAR Multi-Million Dollar and NAREB, and awards such as WCR Entrepreneur of the Year, Tri-State Defender’s 50 Women of Excellence and Unsung Hero. She is also a dedicated RPAC supporter. 
Beyond real estate, she mentors aspiring business owners, educates on financial literacy and volunteers extensively through her church, NAREB, MMDC and community programs. She is deeply committed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and many other initiatives that enrich and empower others. 
Her leadership, generosity and unwavering dedication have helped shape MAAR and inspire countless REALTORS® and community members alike. 

Lifetime Achievement Award

This award represents more than professional success. It recognizes a lifetime of leadership, service, integrity, and commitment – not only to the real estate profession, but to MAAR, our members and our community. It honors someone whose influence has extended far beyond transactions or titles, shaping people, programs and the future of our association in lasting ways.  


 

Steve Brown
Steve has devoted nearly five decades to the real estate profession, beginning in 1974, and has built a career defined by leadership, mentorship and excellence. He has served MAAR in numerous leadership roles, including as a MAAR Director, Chair of Professional Standards, and has contributed to the Grievance, Budget & Finance and Benevolent Fund Committees, among others. 
At the national level, he served as a NAR Director from 2010–2016, on the Executive Committee and Leadership Team, and as the first Chair of the NAR Residential Services Committee, shaping programs that benefit REALTORS® nationwide. He has also served on NAR Risk Management, MLS and Professional Standards Committees. 
His professional accomplishments are extraordinary. Formerly the President of Crye-Leike Residential Sales, Steve oversaw more than 2,800 agents across five states and consistently closing over $6 billion annually, including $2 billion in Memphis alone. He has been recognized on the Swan-a-pole Power 200 list as one of the most influential executives in residential real estate and served as Chairman of The Realty Alliance, representing the largest firms in North America. His presently the Chief Broker Support of Crye-Leike Realtors. 
Equally impressive is his lifelong commitment to community service. For over 30 years, he has led Crye-Leike’s Youth Villages efforts as a top corporate sponsor, helping transform the lives of troubled youth. He has volunteered with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House, providing Thanksgiving meals and support for families, and has fundraised for muscular dystrophy. Through these efforts, he has touched countless lives and helped make our community stronger. 
His leadership, vision, and generosity have inspired colleagues, mentored generations of REALTORS®, and set a standard for service that will be remembered for years to come.