Before Women’s Council of Realtors Chattanooga President Susan Stout revealed the name of the organization’s 2019 Realtor of the Year during its annual meeting at The Walden Club on Dec. 18, she said the chosen agent “has enough strength to leave a roomful of hard-nosed men – as well as kidney disease and breast cancer – quaking in their proverbial boots.”
Stout’s disclosure of the recipient’s consecutive battles against kidney disease and breast cancer left no room for speculation, but she followed protocol and announced the name to women who were already looking in Paula Palmer’s direction.
“I can think of no one who deserves this honor more than Paula,” Stout said.
The award recognizes Palmer’s contributions to the WCR, her terms on the boards of Greater Chattanooga Realtors and Homebuilders Association of Greater Chattanooga, and her success as a residential agent with Real Estate Partners.
It also honors Palmer’s involvement in the Chattanooga community. In addition to serving on the board of the Kidney Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, Palmer has formed relationships with numerous people who are living with kidney disease or have had kidney transplants, Stout added.
“Paula has inspired people to receive dialysis when they were thinking about refusing treatment,” she noted. “And she has served as an adviser to those on the kidney transplant list and those who were lucky enough to receive a kidney.”
Palmer also counsels women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, Stout said.
“Her broker Darlene Brown says, ‘She is a waking inspiration to those who are fortunate to cross her path, both in the way she’s built, grown and managed her business and the way she conducts her life,’” Stout added.
A stunned Palmer offered only a few words of gratitude, saying, “I hope every conversation I have with someone makes a difference because that’s what we’re here to do.”
The WCR also presented checks to two local nonprofits during the meeting.
Affiliate member Melanie Reeves of First Title gave a check for $2,700 to representatives from the local chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a national nonprofit that builds beds for kids who are sleeping on floors. The WCR raised the money during its Southern Shindig event at Scotties on the River Oct. 18.
A group of several local companies then announced it had raised close to $8,800 for Snack Pack Ministry, which feeds food-insecure students in Hamilton County’s schools.
Representatives from Homebuilders Association of Greater Chattanooga, Chattanooga Mortgage Bankers Association, Justine Tate Homes, Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union, Team Title Services and Platinum Financial Funding of Chattanooga joined Bill Panebianco of Pratt Home Builders as he presented a check for $2,200 to Snack Pack Ministry founder Janice Robertson. (The rest will come as pledges are delivered.)
Realtor Joyce Smith then installed the WCR’s 2020 board. Members who are now serving as officers include:
• Connie Powell-Brewer, president
• Leatha Eaves, president-elect
• Teresa Clegg, event director
• Paige Batten, secretary
• Jamie Curtis, treasurer
Also serving in 2020 are:
• Jordan Lindley membership director
• Angie Stumbo, recruitment and retention chair
• Beth Eubanks, events chair
• Jennifer Grayson, parliamentarian
• Powell-Brewer concluded the meeting with an expression of appreciation for Stout.
Under Stout’s leadership in 2019, the WCR increased Realtor membership, added more strategic partners, hosted continuing education, fostered community awareness through guest speakers, awarded scholarships that allowed Realtor members to attend conferences, hosted several networking events and supported local nonprofits.
“You showed us grace and professionalism and encouraged us to grow,” Powell-Brewer said to Stout. “You made an impact in 2019.”
“I hope you’ll consider serving this network in a leadership role,” Stout said to all those in attendance. “It’s a special honor and you’ll build great friendships.”