On January 7, Dayton REALTORS® announced the recipients of the 2024 , Affiliate, Rookie, Owner/Manager, and REALTOR® of the Year Awards during the Dayton REALTORS® Installation. They also honored one member with the Distinguished Career Award and announced recipients of the YPN Top 5 Under 40. Their contributions to the real estate industry, the community, and the REALTOR® organization are greatly appreciated.
Distinguished Career Award – Mark Kottman, has been a member of Dayton REALTORS® for 48 years, having received a real estate sales license in 1976 and a broker license in 1984. His involvement with Dayton REALTORS® began in 1993 as a member of the Professional Development Committee and has had continued involvement in the association throughout the past 31 years, including serving as a director and as president of Dayton REALTORS® in 2014. This outstanding commitment resulted in receiving the Dayton REALTORS®’ REALTOR® of the Year award in 2016. Mark’s leadership involvement with Ohio REALTORS® leadership consisted of serving as a director from 2012 to 2024. Ohio REALTORS®’ committee involvement included Forms, Communications, Professional Standards and Appraisal committees. Be it the Holiday Reception, Awards Banquet, installation dinner or Membership Luncheon, our recipient has been a supportive presence or participant throughout the years.
REALTOR® of the Year – Heather Haase, has been a member of the REALTOR® organization since 2016 and was a graduate of the Dayton REALTORS® Leadership Academy. She holds the C2EX, AHWD, ABR and SRES designations and certifications. Heather served as a Dayton REALTORS® director from 2022-2024. She chaired or participated on many board committees including DARPAC, Professional Development, Community Service, and Special Events, and hass been highly active as an instructor and productivity coach around the country by conducting over 200 classes. For Ohio REALTORS®, she served as a director from 2019 through 2024. Heather also served on Ohio REALTORS®’ committees for Convention Advisory, Professional Development, RPAC Fundraising, and Young Professional Council. At the National Association of REALTORS® Heather served as a member of the Meetings and Conference, Professional Standards and Young Professionals Network committees. As an active participant in our community, Heather is involved with The Beauty Boost, Girl Scouts and Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build Program.
Owner / Manager of the Year – Maura Schmitt, has been licensed and a member of Dayton REALTORS® since 2014. She holds the C2EX certification and is a graduate of the Ohio REALTORS® Leadership Academy. Maura has chaired or served on many board committees including MLS, Finance, Membership Services, DEI, Recognition and Professional Standards. She was elected to serve on the Dayton REALTORS® Board of Directors from 2022-2024. For Ohio REALTORS® our honoree has served as a director from 2021 through 2023 in addition to serving on their Professional Development, Communications, Global Business Alliances Committees and Local Government Forum. Outside of real estate, Maura still has time for community involvement with the PTO board of Oakwood Junior/Senior High School and Hospice of Dayton.
Affiliate of the Year – Max Snyder, has been an Affiliate member of Dayton REALTORS for several years. He is a member of the Professional Development and Membership Services Committee and served on the Board of Directors in 2023. Max is involved in other industry related activities including RealConnect, OneMoreCoaching Program and teaching classes on such topics as referral strategies, niche marketing and buyer’s agent comp strategies. He is a Xinnix Certified Originator and a recipient of the Chairman’s Circle Award-Team.
Rookie of the Year – Ruthie Garrett joined Dayton REALTORS® in November 2022. As a New REALTOR®, Ruthie completed transactions totaling over $2.1 million in sales between November 2023 and August 2024.
Also during the ceremonies, the Young Professional Network’s “Top 5 Under 40” Awards were also presented. The “Top Five Under 40” recognized future leaders of the organization based on community involvement, sales volume, and participation in Dayton REALTORS® activities. The recipients were Britney Frietch with BF Realty, Amber Dunn with Coldwell Banker Heritage, Dr. Donte Scott with Home Experts Realty, Ashley Nicole Smith with Keller Williams Community Partners, and Brandon Weiss with ERA Petkus Weiss.
