An excited eXp Realty family dressed in their finest attire and came together to celebrate each other at the EXPCON 2022 Agent Awards Dinner Gala, networking and mingling against a backdrop of violins on Wednesday night in Las Vegas.
eXp Realty agents Jessica Nieto and Jeff Wilhems welcomed the crowd and thanked them for all they’ve done and for being part of eXp Realty.
Among the highlights of the evening, Chief Growth Officer Michael Valdes auctioned off several items, with a portion of the proceeds going to eXtend-a-Hand.
Jeffrey Buettner Award Presented to Lexy Sanchez
In one of the most emotional moments of the evening, eXp Realty CEO Jason Gesing announced the introduction of the first Jeffrey Buettner Philanthropist of the Year award, given in honor of Jeffrey Buettner, who served eXp as an agent and as part of the corporate staff before his untimely passing this year.
“In his 32 years he did more for more people and lived more than people do throughout the course of decades,” Gesing said.
The first Jeffrey Buettner Philanthropist of the Year award was then given to Lexy Sanchez, who works tirelessly with eXtend-a-Hand to help those in need.
“Every time since we launched eXtend-a-Hand, every natural disaster, every pandemic, there has been one person who has consistently stood up since the program’s inception up until now, there is no one who better exhibits Jeffrey’s spirit, his giving and his love,” Jason Gesing said of Lexy as he presented her with the award.
The Agent Awards Dinner Gala, a black-tie affair that celebrates the achievements of its valued agent community over the past year for production and contributions to the real estate community. It was an elegant evening of tuxes, sequins and entertainment.
eXp Agent Patrick Lynch and eXp Board Member Monica Weakley then took the stage to award the ONE eXp Group of the Year to the Black eXp Network (B.E.N.). The ONE eXp Individual Contributor of the Year went to Jessica Nieto, who along with her wife, Roberta, personally raised and donated more than $22,000 to New Story, helping drive to the conclusion of the fundraising goal of $600,000 to help build homes for the community of Morelos, Mexico.
Achievements in eXp Realty’s robust new Relocation, REO and Affinity Division were:
- Affinity: Agent of the Year – Gregory Towne, Bothell, Washington
- REO Agent of the Year – Robert Weichelt, San Diego
- Relo Agent of the Year – Jennifer Medkief, Fort Worth, Texas
The Compliance (Ethics in Action) Award went to eXp Realty agent Joseph Limo of Rialto, California.
Best of Video Awards for Listings, Humor and Community
The evening’s video award segment is always a favorite and this year did not disappoint. Presenting to the winners were eXp Realty agents Jennifer Jones and Shawn Romano. And the winners were:
- Best of Videos: Listing / Tours – Ben Strock, Aptos, California
- Best of Videos: Humor – Mark Raumaker, Orlando, Florida
- Best of Videos: Community – Ben Strock
Humanitarian Award Presented to Micah Mruwat
The Humanitarian award was presented to Micah Mruwat, who was the founder of “I Heart eXp’s Community Day,” celebrated each October 6, which is the day eXp Realty was founded. It is a day set aside in which eXp agents and staff give back to the community through volunteer work and fundraising.
Growth Awards
The Growth Awards were as follows:
- Rookie of the Year (Global) – Gretshen Quintana, Puerto Rico
- Rookie of the Year (North America) – Zeke Goodman, Knoxville, Tennessee
- Rookie of the Year (Commercial) – Angelica Dutton, Tucson, Arizona
- eXplosive Growth Award, eXp Realty – John Scalia, South Florida
- Culture Keeper Award: Alpha/Beta – Jesse Zagorsky, San Diego
Other Individual Awards Announced, Based on Units and GCI:
INDIVIDUAL
- (Unit) & (GCI): John Scalia
DOMESTIC
- (Unit) Clarence Graham, The Graham Group
- (GCI) Ryan Punches, Ryan & Tamber Punches
TEAMS (SELF ORGANIZED & STANDARD):
- (Unit) Jeffrey Whitespeare, CitySide Properties Group
- (GCI) Jennifer Jones, THE JENNIFER JONES TEAM
STANDARD & SOT TEAMS OF 10-14
- (Unit) Nathaniel R Evans, The Nate Evans Group
- (GCI) Daniel Zia, Zia Group
STANDARD & SOT TEAMS OF 15-20
- (Unit) Jeffrey Whitespeare, CitySide Properties Group
- (GCI) Jon Foster, J & L Real Estate Group – at zillow but coming from
STANDARD & SOT TEAMS OF 21+
- (Unit) Monica Foster, Monica Foster Team
- (GCI) Jennifer Jones, THE JENNIFER JONES TEAM
MEGA ICON TEAM (TEAM OF 10-20)
- (Unit) Amy L Wengerd, Amy Wengerd Group – husband will be at expcon
- (GCI) Edward Kaminsky, Kaminsky Real Estate Group
MEGA ICON TEAM (TEAM OF 21+)
- (Unit) Veronica Figueroa, Figueroa Team
- (GCI) Avery Carl, The Short Term Shop
Global Awards
Presidential Production Awards
- (Unit) Mark Buchanan – UK
- (GCI) Leigh Martinuzzi – AU
Global President’s Award
- Vane Monroe (MX)
Global Team of the Year
- NRG Powered by eXp (James Conyer in SA)
Rookie of the Year
- Gretshen Quintana (PR)
eXplosive Growth
- Amit Kumar (IN) -91 recruited
Commercial Awards
Presidential Production Awards
- (Unit) Lisa Earnhardt + Holly Carver (Tied)
- (GCI) David Spencer
Broker Ops Awards
The Mentor of the Year and ICON of the Year Awards winners were:
- Mentor of the Year – Richard Pearrell, Washington DC/Fort Lauderdale
- ICON of the Year – Paula Snow, Pensacola, Florida
