Florida Realtors announces recipients of annual awards recognizing leadership and community service

Arvin, a member of the Gainesville-Alachua County Association of Realtors (GACAR), was honored with Florida Realtors' 2025 Realtor of the Year award. Upon receiving the recognition, Arvin 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.”

The Realtor of the Year and Associate Realtor of the Year awards have been presented by Florida Realtors for 70 years, recognizing significant contributions at local, state, and national levels.

Arvin has held leadership roles within GACAR, including serving as president in 2011. In 2024, she provided guidance during changes following the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) proposed settlement related to the Burnett/Sitzer case. As president of Florida Realtors during this period, Arvin worked with legal, education, and communications teams to implement a settlement response plan for over 238,000 members.

She collaborated with local boards to provide timely legal updates and practical resources through webinars and outreach efforts. Arvin also played a role in launching the Florida Realtors Certified Professional program as part of its first class in 2023.

In addition to her professional work, Arvin has partnered with civic leaders on affordable housing initiatives in Gainesville and participated on several NAR committees addressing housing policy and professional standards.

Florida Realtors named Jarrod Lowe from Broward, Palm Beaches & St. Lucie Realtors as its 2025 Associate Realtor of the Year. Lowe has held various leadership positions locally over more than ten years and served as association president in 2020. He has mentored new leaders through his involvement with his local Leadership Academy.

At the state level, Lowe has been a director for seven consecutive years (2018–2025), focusing on legislative priorities and RPAC funding efforts. Nationally, he represented his region as an NAR director for seven terms.

Lowe’s community service includes advocating for smart growth policies through Palm Beach County Government Affairs Committee participation and mentoring young professionals.

Jack Rodriguez from Suncoast Tampa Association of Realtors received the Commercial Realtor Achievement Award for lifetime contributions to commercial real estate leadership at all organizational levels. With 55 years in real estate, Rodriguez is recognized for his work as a developer and appraiser as well as service on numerous committees locally and statewide.

Rodriguez previously chaired public policy committees at Florida Realtors and was appointed by two governors to serve on state commissions related to real estate regulation.

Christopher M. Krzemien from Broward, Palm Beaches & St. Lucie Realtors won the Realtor Achievement Award for outstanding service over three years at local board level up through national association involvement since 2019.

Krzemien currently chairs both Beaches MLS Board of Directors (2024–2025) and Broward Housing Council while participating in cultural events such as Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest.

Elizabeth “Spencer” Rigsby from Naples Area Board of Realtors was awarded Humanitarian of the Year for her commitment to charitable causes like Guadalupe Center’s educational programs in Immokalee and her volunteer work supporting families through Beverly’s Angels nonprofit organization.

Connie Johnson from Suncoast Tampa Association was given the Spirit of Advocacy Award after decades championing property rights issues locally—serving multiple terms as RPAC chair—and leading volunteer projects such as Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay or expanding animal welfare facilities.

Candace FitzGordon from Broward, Palm Beaches & St. Lucie Realtors earned Newcomer Award honors after joining real estate in March 2023; she has contributed through committee work while volunteering with organizations like CareBag since entering the field.

Amanda Feagle from Northeast Florida Association received Educator of the Year recognition for her role teaching Code of Ethics at NEFAR orientations—especially during pandemic transitions—and promoting continuing education among peers via social media channels or office bulletins.

John Slivon from Broward, Palm Beaches & St. Lucie Realtors was named Education Volunteer of the Year after moderating Marketing Madness forums for more than fifteen years; he redesigned his association’s Leadership Academy curriculum last year while serving statewide on Florida Realtors’ Leadership Academy committee.

Greg Gorman won Best Article honors for “High End, High Touch” published June 2024 in Florida Realtor magazine; Jimmy Burgess received honorable mention for “Your ChatGTP Listing Presentation Plan” published July 2024.