Florida Realtors honors 2026 award winners

Florida Realtors® recognized Tim Weisheyer, its 2025 president, as the 2026 Realtor of the Year. The award – one of several celebrating outstanding leadership, professionalism, community service and advocacy – was presented Thursday 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 Weisheyer, a member of the Osceola County Association of Realtors® (OSCAR), accepted the award from 2026 Florida Realtors President Chuck Bonfiglio Jr.

“Thank you for the honor of serving you — and thank you for all that you do as Realtors,” said Weisheyer. “You’re not just about closing transactions; you’re helping to change lives. Never lose sight of that. Countless Floridians rely on you — to advocate for them, to protect private property rights and to uphold the value of homeownership.”

This year marks the 71st 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 broker, investor, developer and business leader with nearly three decades of real estate experience, Weisheyer has built a record of service across the local, state and national Realtor organizations as well as his Central Florida community. Not only has he served as president for Florida Realtors, but he is also a past president of OSCAR, his local Realtor association. He has a long history of leadership, advocacy and public service.

Throughout his years in Realtor leadership, he has been a strong advocate for private property rights, the profession and the communities Realtors serve.

During his year as president of Florida Realtors, he focused on helping members navigate change and strengthening the association’s reach and impact. Weisheyer was instrumental in spearheading Florida Realtors’ efforts to strengthen and amplify its role and reputation as The Voice For Real Estate® in Florida, helping launch a broader initiative to position the association and its experts as trusted statewide sources on real estate, housing and the issues that matter to Floridians.

Under his leadership, Florida Realtors also continued expanding technology resources including Sabal Sign and Form Simplicity, access to research and market insights, and opportunities for members doing business globally.

Weisheyer helped lead Florida Realtors’ advocacy on major issues affecting real estate and homeownership, including property rights, insurance, housing affordability and Florida’s condominium market. Throughout the year, he emphasized the important role Realtors play in helping people achieve homeownership, strengthening communities and creating economic opportunity.

His public service has been equally significant. Weisheyer has served as chairman of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority and as an elected member and chairman of the Osceola County School Board, helping oversee major public operations, budgets and initiatives affecting the Central Florida region.

Known for a collaborative approach to leadership, Weisheyer also has mentored and encouraged other real estate professionals while building and leading multiple successful real estate companies.

Associate Realtor of the Year

Florida Realtors named Jonathan Dolphus and Michael “Mike” Bruno co-recipients of its 2026 Associate Realtor of the Year Award.

Jonathan Dolphus

Dolphus, a member of Miami Realtors® + RWorld, has served his local Realtor organization at every level and played a particularly important leadership role during a transformational period for organized real estate in South Florida.

As 2026 president of the former Broward, Palm Beaches and St. Lucie Realtors® (also known as RWorld), Dolphus helped guide the association through its historic merger with Miami Realtors®. As part of that transition, he stepped away from the presidency in support of the newly unified organization and now serves as 2026 chairman of the board-elect for Miami Realtors + RWorld.

Dolphus has served for more than a decade as both a Florida Realtors director and National Association of Realtors®(NAR) director. He chaired the 2023 NAR RPAC, (Realtor Political Action Committee) Participation Council and has held numerous advocacy and leadership roles at the state and national levels.

Dolphus also is committed to helping others develop their talents. Whether mentoring emerging leaders, advocating for housing opportunities, coaching youth athletics or helping members navigate change, his service reflects a strong focus on people and community.

Michael “Mike” Bruno

Bruno has also built an extensive record of Realtor leadership and volunteer service at the local, state and national levels.

A past president of the Realtor® Association of Sarasota and Manatee, Bruno continues to be deeply engaged in his local association, contributing to community service initiatives, advocacy, professional standards and professional development. One of his notable local contributions has been helping develop and lead his association’s leadership academy, where he has mentored and encouraged future Realtor leaders.

At the state level, Bruno has served as a Florida Realtors director for nearly two decades. His committee involvement has included RPAC education, professional standards and conference and convention support, and he has been an enthusiastic advocate for RPAC awareness and fundraising through training, events and Great American Realtor Days activities.

Nationally, he has served as an NAR director for 10 years and has been a member of NAR’s Meetings and Conference Committee since 2018. He currently serves as vice chair and is slated to chair the committee in 2027.

Bruno’s commitment to service extends to the community through Habitat for Humanity projects, charitable fundraisers and other volunteer efforts.

Commercial Realtor Achievement Award

Josep “Joe” Pelayo of Miami Realtors + RWorld is the recipient of Florida Realtors’ 2026 Commercial Realtor Achievement Award.

For more than 35 years, Pelayo has built a career in commercial real estate marked by professional expertise, leadership, education and service. The company he founded specializes in industrial, office, investment, development and international commercial transactions.

Pelayo holds the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) and Society of Industrial and Office Realtors®(SIOR) designations. He and his firm have earned repeated recognition as CoStar Power Brokers for sales, leasing and firm production, and he also has received the RCA “Deal of the Year” award.

His volunteer leadership includes service with the Realtors Commercial Alliance at the local level and as a Florida Realtors director, along with service on the state association’s Commercial Alliance and Global Business committees.

An instructor and mentor as well as a practitioner, Pelayo has spent decades sharing his commercial real estate knowledge and experience with other professionals through courses and professional development programs.

Realtor Achievement Award

Jeff Jones of the Naples Area Board of Realtors® (NABOR) is Florida Realtors’ 2026 Realtor Achievement Award recipient.

Jones has held numerous leadership positions at NABOR, including treasurer, vice president/secretary, president-elect and president, and has served across nearly every major area of the association.

Most recently, from 2024 through 2026, his committee service has included Budget & Finance, Legal Resources, Media Relations, MLS and Professional Standards. He served as vice chair of Professional Standards in 2025 and chair in 2026 and became a NABOR mediator after completing NAR mediation training.

At the state level, Jones has contributed through committees and forums focused on association leadership, MLS practices, risk management, insurance and technology. His service has earned repeated recognition in both the Florida Realtors and NABOR honor societies as well as local awards recognizing education, humanitarian service and community involvement.

Humanitarian of the Year

Florida Realtors honored Adam Gurske of the Gainesville-Alachua County Association of Realtors® (GACAR) as its 2026 Humanitarian of the Year.

Gurske has played a central role in transforming the GACAR Giving Circle from an idea into a philanthropic organization providing direct help to people in the Gainesville-area community. He has worked diligently to not only make the Giving Circle a reality, but to ensure its success.

In just three years, the Giving Circle has distributed about $230,000 to local causes, with much of that support focused on people facing housing challenges. Among the organizations benefiting from those efforts is Rebuilding Together, which has used funding to help transform unsafe housing into safe, healthy homes for families in need.

Gurske’s community involvement also includes work with city and county housing initiatives, nonprofit organizations and the local chamber of commerce. He is a past president of GACAR, a Florida Realtors Major Investor and a longtime association volunteer.

Spirit of Advocacy Award

Helen Moore of the Venice Area Board of Realtors® is the 2026 recipient of Florida Realtors’ Spirit of Advocacy Award.

Now in her 35th year with the Venice board, Moore has built a long record of advocacy and leadership at the local, state and national levels.

A past president of her local association, she has chaired both its RPAC and Political Affairs/Legislative committees and previously served as a Key Contact and Federal District Coordinator, helping to advance discussions and engagement about vital public policy issues. She also served two terms as a Florida Realtors RPAC trustee and has been inducted into the NAR RPAC Hall of Fame.

Moore’s commitment to public service extends beyond organized real estate. She served two terms on the Venice City Council and is widely known in her community for her civic and political involvement.

Newcomer Award

Lorry Santana of Miami Realtors + RWorld is Florida Realtors’ 2026 Newcomer Award winner.

Since beginning her real estate career in 2023, Santana has quickly emerged as an active leader at the local, state, national and international levels.

She currently serves as president-elect for JTHS-MIAMI — a division of Miami Realtors + RWorld (JTHS stands for Jupiter, Tequesta and Hobe Sound). Santana holds the Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation and is a graduate of her local association’s Commercial Certificate program. During her first year in the real estate profession, she earned her place in Florida Realtors’ Honor Society.

In 2025, she served as JTHS-MIAMI Young Professionals Network chair, leading fundraising efforts supporting Annie’s Choice for teen suicide prevention. She also served as YPN Global chair and represented her local association as an international speaker at the International Property Showcase in Dubai.

Santana participates in Florida Realtors conventions, REBarCamp events and more, and has represented both YPN and JTHS-MIAMI at the NAR NXT conferences.

Her community service includes environmental and health-focused initiatives, and she co-hosts the monthly podcast “Juice It Up,” sharing practical business insights with her colleagues.

Educator of the Year

Florida Realtors named Erin Michelle Miller, Esq., of Miami Realtors + RWorld its 2026 Educator of the Year.

A real estate attorney and Florida Realtors faculty member, Miller has a knack for turning complex legal and regulatory subjects into practical information that Realtors can use in their businesses. She teaches courses covering Comprehensive Riders, the Florida Realtors/Bar Contract and Buyer Broker Agreements, helping members navigate increasingly complex real estate transactions with confidence.

At the local level, Miller serves on RWorld’s Professional Development Committee and regularly presents legal updates during new member orientation. She also serves with the Attorney’s Real Estate Council of Palm Beach County.

A believer in lifelong learning, Miller promotes continuing education through her professional platforms, social media and e-newsletters and has served with organizations including the Florida Realtors/Florida Bar Joint Committee and the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar.

Education Volunteer of the Year

Tammy Saltzman, Esq., of Miami Realtors + RWorld is Florida Realtors’ 2026 Education Volunteer of the Year.

An attorney, mediator, Florida Realtors faculty member and volunteer educator, Saltzman is known for giving her time and expertise to help Realtors better understand legal issues and apply that knowledge in their businesses. She has become a trusted resource for members navigating contracts, transactions and a changing real estate environment.

One of her most visible contributions is “RWorld Legal Hour – Your Weekly Legal Q&A,” an interactive webinar hosted by the association’s Professional Development Committee. Each week, Saltzman volunteers her time to answer Realtors’ legal questions and provide practical guidance designed to help members remain compliant and better protect their clients and businesses.

She also has worked with the Palm Beach County Regional Board, Government Affairs Committee, Professional Development Committee and Awards Committee, as well as served as a Florida Realtors director.

Florida Realtor® magazine Editorial Excellence Awards

Best Article: Linda Hoyt, Miami Realtors + RWorld, for “Forewarned Is Forearmed,” Florida Realtor magazine

© 2026 Florida Realtors®