Gallo Realty celebrates successful year at annual meeting

Management, agents, and staff of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Gallo Realty held their annual meeting Jan. 8 at the Baywood Greens Clubhouse Restaurant. As usual, the company closed all offices so everyone could celebrate the numerous accomplishments the firm attained in 2014.

Company Vice President Andrew Ratner led the meeting, which summarized the company's very successful 2014 year and set goals for 2015. The firm also celebrated its first anniversary with the Berkshire Hathaway franchise. “To accomplish what we did in 2014, with a new name and branding, is truly a remarkable feat. All of our agents and staff should be congratulated,” said Ratner.

Ratner emphasized the importance of a vision and mission statement, not only for the company but for each agent. "A vision and mission statement that you think about at the start of every day guides you through each telephone call, conversation, and transaction in which you engage," he said. "It's critical to your long-term success."

Gallo Realty's vision is "To be the most successful and highly respected real estate brokerage in our market." Its mission statement is “To provide the service and support that exceeds our clients’ expectations, and which will significantly increase the growth and profitability of our agents.”

"In order to accomplish our mission," Ratner said, "we empower our associates with the training, administrative support, and the latest technology and marketing tools to enable them to become well-rounded and successful professionals. We also maintain the highest standards of professional and ethical business practices in our interaction with the public, our clients, and with our fellow realtors."

All three Gallo Realty offices grew in strength. The company welcomed 13 new sales and rental agents in 2014: Chet Carbaugh, Jill Cicierski, Deb Goguen-Ellis, Mark Grabowski, Rob Hicken, Adrienne Klase, Edie Page, Curt Perago, Taylor Rutkoske, Ted Searle, Richard Stutz, Linda Thompson, and Donna Whiteside.

Ratner summarized the company's performance figures for the past year. The Commercial Division's total sales over the last two years have placed Gallo Realty as No. 2 in the market, with 24 closings. "Our experienced staff is really hitting its stride," Ratner said. "Their sales are increasing as their reputation grows."

The Rental Division reported more than 3,700 bookings for 2014. "We have three teams of top-notch agents who go the extra mile for our guests," he said. "They work tirelessly to ensure that our guests have the best experience possible."

The Sales Division experienced an excellent year in 2014, with 809 closed sales. "Gallo Realty is in second place in market share of new listings and third place in market share of closed listings," he said. "We are solid in every category, and in several places we are poised to move up. We are No. 1 in units sold per agent, which shows strength across the board in all offices. I am proud of all of our agents."

Ratner, along with Bette Gallo, company owner, presented awards after the luncheon.

Company Appreciation Awards:

· Five-Year Anniversary: Judy Eger, Barbara Morales, Andy Staton, Carolyn Turner

· Ten-Year Anniversary: Patsy Carpenter, Angela Yerton

· Fifteen-Year Anniversary: Connie Subelka

· Twenty-Year Anniversary: Don Hearn, Andrew Ratner, Tricia Ratner

· Twenty-Five Year Anniversary: Norm Price.

Sales and Rental Awards:

Gold Club Rental Award - Rentals over $120,000 in Gross Commission Income: Rachel Cooper, Carolyn Turner, Maureen Kyritsis, Alyssa Bishop, Kim Rebman and Angela Yerton.

Platinum Club Rental Award - Rentals over $185,000 in Gross Commission Income: Melanie Anderson.

Honor Society Award - Sales Volume over $3 million: Ruby and Mark Schaeffer, Patsy Carpenter, Cindy Baker, Chris Beagle, Beth Evans, Joe Choma, Denise Moore, George Thomasson, Linda Huerta.

Leading Edge Award - Sales Volume over $5 million: Lana Warfield, Kathy Ford, David and Nancy Lurty, Joanne Young.

President's Circle Award - Sales Volume over $10 million: Laurie Bronstein.

Chairman's Circle Award Gold - Sales Volume over $15 million: The Andy Staton Group, The Barbara Morales Associates.

Chairman's Circle Award Diamond - Sales Volume over $100 million: The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group.

At the end of the event, the company presented its first Community Service Award to Marketing Coordinator Kay Carnahan. “Our company motto is ‘Community-Minded, Customer-Focused,’ and Kay Carnahan exemplifies this ideal through her tireless contributions to the City of Lewes,” Ratner said.

Visit www.GoToGallo.com for details.