2025 REALTOR® Celebration Program
- FVCC Room 139 -
5:00pm
WELCOME: Emcees- Doryce Hawkins and Larry Wakefield
- Bar provided by Brannigans
Pledge of Allegiance
- Jesse Plevel, 2025 NMAR President
Diamond Sponsor: Whitefish Credit Union
5:45pm
Dinner Time
- Provided by 406 BBQ
6:15 PM
Platinum Sponsor: Fidelity National Title
- ROTY & Rookie Committee Recognition
- Board Recognition
- Staff Recognition – Jeri Moon
- Staff Awards
Platinum Sponsor: Flathead Premier Title
MAR
- Robin Wallace, 2025 MAR President
- Kaaren Winkler, MAR CEO
IN MEMORIAM
Bob Gauthier
Conrad Rowe
Robin Patrick
Ruth McCafferty
GOOD NEIGHBOR AWARD
- Presented by Tim Peacher & Tim Norton
Rookie of the Year
Qualifications for 2026 Rookie of the Year
– Received their real estate license since May 1, 2024 and has been a REALTOR® at NMAR for at least 12 months
Cannot have been an active real estate licensee anywhere for more than 23 months prior to application (licensed since May 1, 2024).
– NMAR Committee work and participation (It’s not too late to join a committee).
Criteria for Rookie of the Year:
30% REALTOR® Spirit and involvement
– Faithfulness to furthering principles, practices, laws and the REALTOR® Code of Ethics; and Association involvement.
30% Community Involvement & Civic Activities
– Participation in civic and service clubs, charitable activities, political commissions, or fraternal or religious groups.
40% Production
– Sales statistics (pulled by NMAR Staff) will be from the same unit of time for each applicant – the first 12 months of REALTOR® membership. Sales numbers will be 20% production and 20% # of units sold (co-lists will be reduced by half).
***The Criteria is subject to change.
INDUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS
Platinum Sponsor: Daily Inter Lake
JEAN CARTER SPIRIT AWARD
In 2014, NMAR created the Jean Carter Spirit Award, named in honor of an individual who went above and beyond every measure for her Realtor community. This award goes to a Realtor who truly portrays the Realtor spirit who has given back to our members, industry, and communities as well as demonstrates the meaning of the golden rule. This award may not be given out every year and is a big honor to receive
Jean started her real estate career in Whitefish in the late 1980s at Coldwell Banker Waccholz & Co. She started as a REALTOR® and quickly became a top producer and then Broker.
REALTOR® OF THE YEAR
- Brenda Miller, 2024 ROTY
REALTOR of the Year Criteria
5% REALTOR® Spirit
– High principles of integrity, adherence to the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, and furtherance of the principles of good real estate practice among brokers, agents, and the public.
20% Civic Activities
– Participation in civic and service clubs, charitable activities, political commissions, or fraternal or religious groups.
20% Local Activities
- Local offices held and committee work, special assignments, seminar activity and educational work, membership, and office held in local chapters of Institutes, Societies, and Councils.
20% Business Accomplishments
Public recognition of conduct, service, imaginative and creative advertising, land utilization, etc.
20% Activity in State Association and 5% Activity in the National Association
– State and/or National offices held and committee work, attendance, and participation in meetings, education, conventions, Institutes, and Societies.
Lysi DeWaard
AHWD,C2EX, CLHMS, PSA, GRI, RENE
RPAC 99'er
Keller Williams Realty Northwest Montana
Northwest Montana Assoc of REALTOR® since 2015
Lynsi DeWaard, Supervising Broker with Keller Williams Northwest Montana, demonstrates that true leadership comes through education and mentorship. With six professional designations and a unique background as a former zookeeper and federal falconry license holder, Lynsi brings unparalleled attention to detail and work ethic to everything she does.
As an NMAR-approved CE Instructor, Lynsi created an innovative curriculum addressing real-world challenges agents face daily. Her course "Leveraging Systems: Transaction Coordination" helps agents master document management, while her brokerage classes cover everything from MLS optimization to achieving work-life balance.
Lynsi's impact as an IGNITE Instructor cannot be overstated. Over a decade with Keller Williams, she's taught foundational courses that launch agents into immediate productivity, directly influencing countless careers. She organizes book clubs and accountability partnerships that assist agents with their professional goals.
Her commitment to industry standards shines through her volunteer work at the Association—serving as a Proctor through NMAR's Professional Development Committee and continuing to do so after her term limits, contributing nearly 20 hours in 2024 alone.
Beyond real estate, Lynsi coaches youth sports, serves on school committees, and earned Parent Volunteer of the Month recognition. She organizes community service projects and donates to the Humane Society with every transaction since 2023.
Lynsi proves that excellence isn't just about personal achievement—it's about lifting others up, sharing knowledge generously, and maintaining the highest ethical standards while balancing the demands of career and family with grace and determination.
Jesse Plevel
C2EX, 2023 MARLA Graduate
RPAC 99'er
Re/Max Mountain View
Northwest Montana Assoc of REALTOR® since 2015
Jesse Plevel with RE/MAX Mountain View has built her career on the foundation of the REALTOR® Pledge, treating every transaction as an opportunity to expand generational wealth through homeownership. Her thoughtful approach treats each real estate journey like a collaborative hike—anticipating challenges and guiding clients to confident decisions.
Jesse's leadership within NMAR is remarkable. Currently serving as NMAR’s President, she's been a board member since 2019, progressing through every officer position. She's chaired the PR Committee and been involved since 2016. She has been a Trustee for the NMAR Charitable Foundation since 2018, while serving on multiple other Association Committees and the MLS Board.
At the state level, she's served on MAR's Board since 2019 and is a MARLA graduate, bringing communication and leadership expertise to association restructuring efforts. Nationally, she attends NAR meetings bi-annually, participating in congressional visits and bringing valuable insights back to local leadership.
Beyond real estate, Jesse serves as President-Elect of the Boys and Girls Club of Glacier Country and regularly speaks at city council meetings on housing issues. She contributes to community planning and regularly participates in civic activities.
Through consistent RPAC contributions and charitable giving, Jesse proves that being a REALTOR® means more than facilitating transactions—it means being a community leader who advocates for homeownership, supports local causes, and maintains the highest ethical standards while building generational wealth for families throughout Montana.
Ryan Ross
ABR, AHWD, BRO, C2EX
RPAC Major Investor
Keller Williams Realty Northwest Montana
Northwest Montana Assoc of REALTOR® since 2018
Ryan Ross with Keller Williams Northwest Montana is revolutionizing real estate for Native American communities. As co-founder of KW Tribal, a nationwide initiative, Ryan addresses unique homeownership challenges on reservations while ensuring Indigenous voices are heard in our industry.
Ryan co-created "Pathways," an online course helping tribal members become mortgage-ready and navigate specialized loan programs. As a certified instructor, he's breaking down generational barriers to homeownership and creating economic empowerment through education.
He's also developing a tribally-focused listing platform to bring visibility to reservation properties—addressing long-standing infrastructure gaps that have limited Native communities' access to the broader real estate market.
Ryan's advocacy extends to Washington D.C., where he engages lawmakers on housing rights for tribal communities. He chaired NMAR's Government Affairs Committee and serves on NMAR’s Board as well as a State Director for MAR, applying his expertise in tribal trust properties to benefit the entire industry.
Beyond his professional achievements, Ryan volunteers with Search and Rescue, Habitat for Humanity, and multiple community organizations. He helps elderly residents with home maintenance and assists low-income families in securing repair grants.
Ryan exemplifies how one REALTOR can create systemic change—transforming barriers into bridges and ensuring that homeownership opportunities reach every community. His work proves that our industry’s highest calling isn't just facilitating transactions but expanding access to the American Dream for all people.
Robin Wallace
ABR, AHWD, C2EX, E-PRO, GRI, PSA, NARLA Finalist – Top 40
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServkices Montana Properties
Northwest Montana Assoc of REALTOR® since 2007
Robin Wallace, Managing Broker at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Montana Properties, embodies exceptional leadership at every level of our profession. With six professional designations, Robin believes the REALTOR® Pledge shapes not just her business practices, but her core values—driving her passion for helping others and making meaningful contributions to people's lives.
As NMAR's Past President and current MAR President, she served continuously on the Association boards since 2019, progressing through every officer position. She's chaired critical committees at the local and state levels, served seven years on the Grievance Committee, and was a Charitable Foundation Trustee for five years.
At the national level, Robin serves as a NAR Director and on the Region 12 Executive Committee. She was a 2023 NARLA Finalist, placing in the top 40 nationally—a testament to her leadership capabilities and industry knowledge.
Robin's commitment to advocacy is extraordinary. Progressing from Fair Share to Major Investor to Presidents Circle status, her RPAC dedication earned her induction into both the Montana and NAR RPAC Halls of Fame. She understands that protecting property rights requires collective advocacy across the political spectrum.
As a REBAC Certified Instructor and MARLA graduate, she mentors agents while building her business primarily through referrals—reflecting the lasting relationships she cultivates. Robin demonstrates that being a REALTOR® means earning trust, nurturing relationships, and making meaningful contributions to every life you touch—truly embodying the spirit of our profession.
PAST AWARD WINNERS
2024 Brenda Miller
2023 Doryce Hawkins
2022 Jeanie Deetz
2021 Robin Wallace
2020 Kayla Warburton
2019 Bill Leninger
2018 Jackie Smart
2017 Wendy Brown
2016 Rob Keller
2015 Brian Nicodemus
2014 Katie Brown
2013 Bill Leininger
2012 Brian Nicodemus
2011 Doug Zignego
2010 Tom Marino
2009 John Osweiler
2008 Cal Scott
2007 Ted Dykstra Jr
2006 Rick Doran
2005 Cindy Willis
2004 Joyce Mitchell
2003 Gregg School
2002 Susan Smith
2001 Bruce Young
2000 Karen Harr
1999 Ted Schlegel
1998 Sharon Wilson
1997 PC Musgrove
1996 Ted Schlegel
1995 PC Musgrove
1994 Randy Saunier
1993 Cindy Lanier
1992 PC Musgrove
1991 Sharon Wilson
1990 Jane Powell
1989 Sharon Wilson
1988 Phyllis Sprunger
1987 Chuck Olson
1986 Lyle Bartlett
1985 Phyllis Sprunger
1984 Sharon Read
1983 Sandy Baden
1982 Phyllis Sprunger
1981 Chuck Olson
1980 Robert Walter
1979 Larry O’Lee
THANK YOU TO OUR DIAMOND SPONSOR
THANK YOU TO OUR PLATINUM SPONSORS
THANK YOU TO OUR GOLD SPONSORS
Glacier Bank
The Title Team
Three Rivers Bank of Montana
THANK YOU TO OUR SILVER SPONSORS