Being a real estate professional in today’s world requires a constant ability to adapt and, at times, dedicate one’s entire life to the trade. From late-night and weekend home showings to the fielding of texts and phone calls 24/7 to the unprecedented nature of a pandemic, the best REALTORS are ‘round the clock warriors, always serving the best interests of their clients. All of the following men and women exemplify each of these traits, and then some. Each has been nominated to be the Arkansas REALTOR of the Year by his or her local board or association for outstanding achievements and honorable service to the communities served.

 

Lackey Moody Jr.
Batesville Board of REALTORS®

Lackey Moody Jr. has been a REALTOR since 1993 and has served in every capacity of the Batesville Board of REALTORS, including twice as the board president and twice as REALTOR of the Year. He’s an assistant scoutmaster and chairman for Boy Scout Troop 220, and also serves as chairman of the Batesville Elite Swim Team. 

 

 

 

Pamela Huffty
Cleburne County Board of REALTORS®

Pamela Huffty has been the owner and principal broker of Heber Springs Realty for 19 years. She also serves on the Cleburne County Equalization Board and is a Breaking Bread Cooking Leader. 

 

 

 

 

Brandy Chapman
Conway and Perry Counties Board of REALTORS®

Brandy Chapman places a high value on the REALTOR Code of Ethics in all of her interactions with customers and clients. She currently serves on the Convention Committee and the Public Relations Committee and is a member of the Morrilton Area Chamber of Commerce.

 

 

 

Chaney Brewer
Crawford County Board of REALTORS®

Chaney Brewer has emphasized the importance of building a deeper relationship with fewer clients and building a network around his clients’ communities. He’s an active fundraiser in his community, as well as his church. 

 

 

 

Gail F. Poff
Eastern Arkansas REALTORS® Association

Gail F. Poff authored the first draft of the Eastern Arkansas Realtors Association Policy and Procedures Manual. She is a member of the West Memphis Chamber of Commerce and is the president of the Delta Delta Delta Eastern Arkansas Alumni Association. 

 

 

 

Elizabeth “Beth” Callaway
El Dorado Board of REALTORS®

As a member of the El Dorado Board of REALTORS, Elizabeth “Beth” Callaway has not been afraid to jump in, holding positions such as secretary, treasurer, president-elect and president. She has also been active in her local community, making masks during the pandemic, promoting the census and fundraising for cancer research and treatment. 

 

 

 

 

Christy Whiteley
Eureka Springs Carroll County Board of REALTORS®

Christy Whiteley has held several positions for her local board, including secretary and president. She is currently organizing a golf tournament for Special Olympics and sits on the Board of Directors of the Learning Center of Northwest Arkansas. 

 

 

 

Brittney Burks  
Faulkner County Board of REALTORS®

Brittney Burks has been an Arkansas REALTOR for seven years and was a 2019 Award for Excellence recipient. She is also a Faulkner County Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children in the Department of Human Services.

 

 

 

Debbie Dolan  
Fort Smith Board of REALTORS®

Debbie Dolan is the president of the  Fort Smith Board of REALTORS, and has put great emphasis on smoothly transitioning and helping with the orientation of new members. She is also the treasurer on the board for the Pocola Alumni Foundation.

 

 

 

Phillip Jones
Greers Ferry Lake Area Board of REALTORS®

Phillip Jones puts emphasis on educating the public about the difference between REALTORS and licensees by getting involved with informative events in the community. He is the president of his local REALTOR board and is also the president of the Clinton 4-H Foundation and a member of Harding University’s President’s Council.

 

 

 

Kendra Bruce
Harrison District Board of REALTORS®

Kendra Bruce is currently working on obtaining her broker’s license while juggling the many tasks that accompany being a REALTOR. She is also a certified archery instructor and spends time volunteering with the elderly community and participating in back to school backpack drives. 

 

 

 

Melissa Lax
Hot Springs Board of REALTORS®

Melissa Lax takes great effort to make new REALTORS feel at home and to answer any questions that her colleagues may have. She has been a REALTOR since 2006 and measures her success not by volume but by the number of friendships that she makes along the way. She also works in her community to help set up fundraisers for the Special Olympics.

 

 

 

Tamara Works
Jefferson County Board of REALTORS®

Tamara Works serves in the role of president for her local board and works immensely hard to ensure that her clients are safe and comfortable, not only during the pandemic but during times of normalcy as well. She emphasizes the importance of honesty in her work and in her community. 

 

 

 

Allison Pickell
Little Rock REALTORS® Association

Allison Pickell embraces the ideology of treating others the way that you would like to be treated and highlights the importance of teamwork, especially in her career. She is currently the president of the Little Rock REALTORS Association. In her spare time, she’s an active member of the Arkansas Arts Center.

 

 

Hershel Bell
Mena Area Board of REALTORS®

Hershel Bell is the president-elect for the Mena Area Board of REALTORS. He has served as a board director for two years and is also the chair of his area’s backpack committee. Bell encourages his fellow REALTORS to do their part to support students and schools in the area. He also helps fundraise for the Special Olympics. 

 

 

 

Marcia Taylor
North Central Board of REALTORS®

Marcia Taylor has been a REALTOR in Arkansas for nine years after relocating from Memphis. In 2019, she achieved the Diamond Team level with the Arkansas REALTORS Association. She has also been a member of the Baxter County Master Gardeners for the last 10 years and is a member of the Mountain Home Rotary Club.

 

 

 

Daniel Gray
North Pulaski Board of REALTORS® 

Daniel Gray is a third-generation REALTOR and Principal Broker of RE/MAX Homefinders Realty and Bart Gray Realty Management. He is also the treasurer of the Little Rock Air Force Base Community Council and is president of the Jacksonville/North Pulaski School Board.

 

 

Tara Gatewood
Northeast Arkansas Board of REALTORS®

Tara Gatewood stepped up to help things run smoothly after the board’s former association executive left. Through her guidance, Gatewood made sure that everything in the office ran efficiently. After Jonesboro was hit by a powerful tornado, she worked with fellow REALTORS to let clients know that she was there for them and to provide support in the community that was damaged.

 

Jennifer Welch
Northwest Arkansas Board of REALTORS® 

Jennifer Welch is all about helping the client and her fellow REALTORS, even if they aren’t at the same company as her. She strives to uphold the REALTOR Code of Ethics and to help her colleagues across the state grow. In her spare time, she is very involved with Gentry High School and bringing groceries to the elderly in her community.

 

Sheila Hinson
Paragould Board of REALTORS®

Sheila Hinson is an association executive and is on the committee to update her association’s board bylaws and policy and procedure manual. She strives for honesty and respect in every interaction. In the community, she participates in events supporting the Special Olympics. 

 

Chris Hodge
Russellville Board of REALTORS®

Chris Hodge is a community-oriented REALTOR who loves to include others in REALTOR activities. He also currently serves on the Board of Directors. Hodge is involved in his community as a member of the Russellville Chamber of Commerce. Every year, he and his office host a free hot chocolate stand for Russellville’s annual Christmas Parade. 

 

Denise Hipskind
South Central Arkansas REALTORS® Association

Denise Hipskind is the principal broker of 26 agents and achieved the rank of Double Diamond production in 2019. She became her local board’s president in 2020. Hipskind is involved in supporting Benton and Bryant schools and is a supporter of the Saline County Boys and Girls Club. 

 

Annette Cowen
Southeast Arkansas Board of REALTORS®

Annette Cowen is the president of the Southeast Arkansas Board of REALTORS. She is also the Secretary for the Dumas Chamber of Commerce. In her spare time, Cowen is the program director for her local board’s Christmas party and auction and is the president of the Arkansas Affordable Housing Association. 

 

Virginia Ann Prazak
Texarkana Board of REALTORS®

Virginia Ann Prazak does not just dabble in real estate — she eats, sleeps and breathes it. She is a third-generation REALTOR and an attorney. She is also a member of Women of the Arts and made masks for her area in March during the initial mask shortage. 

 

 

 

 

The REALTORS of the Year featured in this section are not listed in any specific order.

 

READ MORE: 2020 Arkansas Board of REALTORS Awards for Excellence