Florida Realtors Honors 2025 Award Winners

ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida Realtors® recognized Gia Arvin, its 2024 president, as the 2025 Realtor® of the Year. The award – one of several celebrating outstanding leadership, professionalism, community service and advocacy– was presented Tuesday during the state association’s annual Convention & Trade Expo at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando.

Realtor of the Year

The Realtor audience rose in applause as Arvin, a member of the Gainesville-Alachua County Association of Realtors® (GACAR), accepted the award from 2025 Florida Realtors President Tim Weisheyer.

Upon receiving the honor, a visibly moved Arvin quietly said, “Wow. I’m in shock … so, thank you. I’m truly humbled by this. As a Realtor, you bring everyone home – and that’s what you do every day – you bring people home. It’s been my privilege to serve you and to be in this profession. I’m truly honored and touched by this recognition. And I’ve loved serving you (Realtor members) every step of the way.”

This year marks the 70th year that Florida Realtors has presented its Realtor of the Year and Associate Realtor of the Year awards. Winners are honored as the greatest individual lifetime contributors to their local Realtor board, community, state association and the National Association of Realtors® (NAR).

A respected leader within GACAR, Arvin served as its president in 2011 and has remained an active force in local leadership and advocacy.

In 2024 – a year marked by sweeping industry changes following NAR’s proposed settlement relating to the Burnett/Sitzer case – she provided steady, informed leadership to help members prepare for and implement new business practices before the Aug. 17 compliance deadline. As president of Florida Realtors, Arvin guided the association through one of the most consequential and complex years in its history. She worked side-by-side with the state association’s legal, education, and communications teams to roll out a comprehensive settlement response plan for more than 238,000 members, giving them the tools, and professional support to adapt successfully.

Working closely with local boards across the state, she ensured Realtors had access to timely legal guidance, updated forms, broker toolkits, and real-world implementation strategies through webinars, regional outreach, and broker forums. Her focus on collaboration and grassroots engagement strengthened the connection between local boards and the state association, fostering unity during a period of change.

Arvin’s leadership extended to championing the new Florida Realtors Certified Professional program, which she helped launch and promote as part of its inaugural 2023 class. She also continued her long-term commitment to advocacy, housing opportunity, and professionalism – priorities that have shaped her service at every level of the Realtor organization.

Her dedication to the community is equally strong. In the Gainesville region, Arvin has partnered with civic leaders, housing coalitions, and nonprofit organizations to advance affordable housing, smart growth, and sustainable development. She believes Realtors are essential voices in shaping the future of their communities.

At the national level, Arvin has served on multiple NAR committees focused on housing policy, professional standards, and leadership development, ensuring Florida Realtors’ perspectives are represented in national policy discussions.

Associate Realtor of the Year

Jarrod Lowe of the Broward, Palm Beaches & St. Lucie Realtors® is Florida Realtors 2025 Associate Realtor of the Year. A dedicated leader and advocate, Lowe has spent more than a decade shaping the future of his local association, the state association, and the national real estate community.

At the local level, Lowe has served in nearly every leadership position over the past 10 years including treasurer, first vice president, president-elect, president (2020) and immediate past president. In addition, he has chaired numerous committees, including the Nominating Committee and the Strategic Advisory Group. He played a pivotal role in modernizing board operations and governance practices and guided his association through the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic with steady, strategic leadership.

Mentoring has been a hallmark of Lowe’s career, and he has helped countless emerging leaders develop the skills and confidence to serve during his time as chair and vice chair of his local Leadership Academy.

At the state level, Lowe has served as a Florida Realtors director for seven consecutive years (2018–2025), bringing a trusted and consistent voice to discussions on legislative priorities, RPAC (Realtors® Political Action Committee) funding and member services. His service on the state RPAC Trustees and RPAC Fundraising committees reflects his belief in advocacy and political engagement as essential to protecting property rights and supporting homeownership. Known for fostering collaboration across associations, he regularly shares ideas and best practices from state meetings to strengthen local leadership.

On the national stage, Lowe has served as a director for NAR for seven terms (2018–2025), representing his region during pivotal industry moments, from policy shifts to lawsuit settlements.

Lowe’s leadership also extends deep into his community. He has repeatedly served on the Palm Beach County Government Affairs Committee, advocating for smart growth policies, affordable housing, and post-storm recovery. He mentors young professionals, promotes civic education, supports housing initiatives, and lends his time to local nonprofit events.

Commercial Realtor Achievement Award

Florida Realtors has recognized Jack Rodriguez, a member of the Suncoast Tampa Association of Realtors®, as the 2025 winner of its Commercial Realtor Achievement Award. The award honors a Realtor’s lifetime contributions to commercial real estate through leadership, service, and dedication at the local, state and national levels.

A second-generation Realtor with 55 years in the profession, Rodriguez has also been a developer, real estate appraiser, and state-certified building contractor. He continues to manage, lease, and oversee maintenance for numerous commercial properties.

Rodriguez has served in nearly every leadership role with his local association and chaired or participated in more than a dozen committees. A past president of the local Realtors Care Foundation, he has received several local honors including Realtor of the Year and Outstanding Community Service Award.

At the state level, he has served on the Florida Realtors Board of Directors for over two decades and chaired numerous committees, including Building and Public Policy. He received the Florida Realtors Achievement Award in 2020 and is a Double Hall of Fame RPAC investor.

Rodriguez’s national service includes multiple roles with NAR, including 12 years as a Federal Political Coordinator. He was appointed by two Florida governors to the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC), where he served as chair, as well as to state judicial nominating commissions and local planning boards.

A University of Tampa alumnus, Rodriguez has also been honored as Alumnus of the Year and has held leadership roles with the Red Cross, United Way, and other civic organizations in his community.

Realtor Achievement Award

Christopher M. Krzemien, a member of Broward, Palm Beaches & St. Lucie Realtors, is the winner of Florida Realtors’ 2025 Realtor Achievement Award.

The award honors a Realtor who serves as a broker of record, manager or officer in their firm. It recognizes outstanding service to the local board, state and national associations, and the community over the past three years.

Krzemien’s record of leadership spans more than a decade, with involvement at every level of the Realtor organization. At his local association, he has served in nearly every capacity – including as 2023 president and 2024 immediate past president. He currently chairs the Beaches MLS Board of Directors (2024–2025).

A member of Florida Realtors Board of Directors since 2018, Krzemien is a member of the state association’s 2024–2025 Executive Committee and a graduate of the Mentor/Mentee Program. He was the 2024 District 11 vice president for Florida Realtors and has served or chaired numerous committees for the state association.

At the national level, Krzemien has represented Florida as a director to the NAR since 2019. He is a Golden R major investor, RPAC Hall of Fame member, and part of the President’s Circle – underscoring his strong support for advocacy and political engagement.

His leadership extends beyond the real estate industry. Krzemien currently chairs the Broward Housing Council, an appointment confirmed by the Broward County Commission, and is in his second term as a board member for the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest, a major South Florida cultural and philanthropic event.

Humanitarian of the Year

The Humanitarian of the Year Award recognizes extraordinary commitment to community service and charitable causes. This year’s winner, Elizabeth “Spencer” Rigsby, is a member of the Naples Area Board of Realtors® (NABOR).

Rigsby devotes her time and leadership to causes that strengthen communities and improve lives. A cornerstone of her volunteerism is the Guadalupe Center, which works to break the cycle of poverty through education for the children of Immokalee. She has helped coordinate toy drives, supported the center’s holiday “store” and rallied donations for its education programs.

Her outreach also includes serving as vice president of Beverly’s Angels, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to “empower individuals by providing assistance that fosters self-reliance” and helps to improve lives, ranging from providing holiday gifts for more than 700 children each year and supporting newly housed families with household essentials. Rigsby has volunteered more than 500 hours with Collier County Public Schools; assisted victims through Project HELP; and helped launch the NABOR Charitable Foundation in 2024 to fund housing, disaster relief, and scholarships.

Spirit of Advocacy Award

The Spirit of Advocacy Award honors a Realtor who has demonstrated excellence in advocacy at the local, state, national, and community levels over their lifetime.

Florida Realtors honored Connie Johnson, a member of the Suncoast Tampa Association of Realtors (STAR), formerly known as Greater Tampa Realtors (GTR), as the 2025 winner of its Spirit of Advocacy Award. A Realtor since 1988, Johnson has spent more than three decades championing private property rights, Realtor engagement, and advocating for issues that shape the profession.

A past president of GTR, she has chaired and served on numerous committees, including Governmental Affairs and Affordable Housing, and is widely known for her RPAC leadership. Over seven terms as RPAC chair, she’s boosted fundraising through creative events – from chili cook-offs to fashion shows featuring elected officials as models – and helped make GTR the first mega board in Florida to add an above-the-line RPAC contribution on dues billing.

At the state level, Johnson has been a Florida Realtors state key contact since 1994, attended every Great American Realtor Day (GARD) in Tallahassee for decades, and served on or chaired nearly every Florida Realtors political committee or forum, with more than 162 committee appointments. In 2022, after successfully battling breast cancer, she launched a plan to provide free early detection screenings for members at Florida Realtors meetings – a service that has already saved lives.

Nationally, she has been a Federal Political Coordinator for NAR since 2006, is a Platinum R and double RPAC Hall of Fame member and was named a NAR 2012 Hero of the Year for her work improving homeownership opportunities and community quality of life.

Beyond the profession, Johnson’s community service includes leading large-scale volunteer projects as president of Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay, expanding the Humane Society of Tampa Bay’s wellness clinic from 900 square feet to 11,000 square feet, founding Florida Big Dog Rescue, and serving on the Florida State Veterinary Medical Board since 2012.

Newcomer Award

Winning the Newcomer Award for 2025 is Candace FitzGordon, a member of Broward, Palm Beaches & St. Lucie Realtors. The Newcomer Award honors a Realtor who has entered the profession within the past three years and, in that short time, has made significant contributions to the local and state associations, upheld the highest principles of ethics and cooperation, given back to the community, and invested in professional growth.

Since earning her Florida real estate license in March 2023, FitzGordon has been an active and engaged force in her association and community. She serves on multiple association committees, including the Professional Development Committee (2024–2025) and the RPAC Fundraising Committee (2025), and is a participant in her association’s Leadership Academy this year. She is also deeply committed to civic involvement, holding leadership roles as treasurer for her church in 2024 and 2025, and serving as both a member and committee chair of the West Wabasso Progressive Civic Club.

Her volunteer work extends across numerous organizations, including CareBag (2023–present) and Care Net of Indian River (2015–present), as well as the Treasure Coast Community Outreach & Events Committee. She regularly attends county commission meetings, MLS board events, Women’s Council of Realtors programs, RPAC events, and statewide Florida Realtors meetings.

FitzGordon is known among her peers for her collaborative spirit, generosity in sharing knowledge, and commitment to elevating the profession. She invests in her own development through frequent participation in courses, seminars, and programs aimed at advancing her skills and professionalism.

Educator of the Year

Florida Realtors named Amanda Feagle, a member of the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors® (NEFAR), as its 2025 Educator of the Year.

Feagle has played a pivotal role in NEFAR’s New Member Orientation program, volunteering her time and expertise to teach the Code of Ethics and Fair Housing sections with clarity, energy and professionalism. Known for her upbeat style – she was once named NEFAR’s “Enthusiast of the Year” – she brings that same passion to every session, making complex topics engaging and relatable for new Realtors. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced education to move online, Feagle stepped up to help transition the local board’s orientation to a virtual format, ensuring new members still received a strong, values-driven introduction to the profession.

Feagle is a tireless advocate for Realtor education. She has monitored numerous continuing education (CE) and non-CE courses, as well as NAR designation and certification classes. As a vocal supporter of NEFAR’s educational programming, she promotes upcoming courses on her personal and professional social media channels, invites colleagues to join NEFAR’s Education Facebook group, and even shares Zoom class links with other brokerages to help spread the word. In her own office, she maintains a bulletin board dedicated to highlighting upcoming NEFAR classes and actively encourages her agents to participate.

For the past three years, Feagle has served as a local Education Ambassador, acting as a liaison between NEFAR and its members to promote professional development opportunities. In that role, she has helped communicate the value of ongoing education and supported NEFAR’s mission to elevate professionalism through learning.

Education Volunteer of the Year

The Education Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes members who generously give their time and expertise to advance professional development for Realtors. This year’s Education Volunteer of the Year is John Slivon, a dedicated leader with Broward, Palm Beaches & St. Lucie Realtors.

Slivon’s contributions to Realtor education are both long-standing and forward-thinking. For more than 15 years, he has been the driving force behind Marketing Madness – a weekly, in-person mastermind and educational forum in St. Lucie County. As moderator and facilitator, he brings energy, consistency, and purpose to one of the region’s longest running and well-attended Realtor networking event. With guest speakers, live market updates, and a collaborative environment, Marketing Madness has become an essential learning hub, especially for newer agents.

In 2024, Slivon led a full redesign of his local association’s Leadership Academy, creating a dynamic new curriculum to meet the evolving needs of today’s Realtor. Working alongside staff, alumni, and subject matter experts, he helped shape a program that emphasizes professionalism, advocacy, and community engagement. The revamped Rworld Leadership Academy blends classroom instruction, hands-on experiences, and mentorship – and is already being embraced as the model for future leadership development.

A champion for Realtor education and leadership, Slivon also brings his insight statewide, serving as vice chair of the Florida Realtors Leadership Academy.

Florida Realtor® magazine Editorial Excellence Awards

Best Article: Greg Gorman, Naples Area Board of Realtors, for “High End, High Touch,” Florida Realtor magazine, June 2024

Honorable Mention: Jimmy Burgess, Emerald Coast Association of Realtors, for “Your ChatGTP Listing Presentation Plan,” Florida Realtor magazine, July 2024

© 2025 Florida Realtors®