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A Celebration of Excellence: Highlights from our 2025 Awards Event Main Photo

A Celebration of Excellence: Highlights from our 2025 Awards Event

Posted: April 09, 2026 by Ashley Pelfrey

The sun shone brightly over the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club in Durham, NC, as the Coldwell Banker Advantage (CBA) family gathered for a special daytime luncheon to honor the stars of our 2025 season. At CBA, we believe that while leadership provides the framework, it is the relentless resilience and individual brilliance of our agents and teams that make us the #1 affiliate in North America.

This year’s event was a true testament to our "Freedom to Grow" philosophy, celebrating those who reached the pinnacle of global production and those who embody the very heart of our company culture.

Inspired to Grow: Dr. Bertice Berry

A highlight of the luncheon was our keynote speaker, Dr. Bertice Berry, who received a well-deserved standing ovation. Berry spoke powerfully about resilience and the profound importance of remaining true to oneself with love and kindness. She reminded us all that having the freedom to grow in our lives is everything. This message resonated deeply with our mission to support our agents in every facet of their professional and personal journeys.

 

The Pinnacle of Professionalism: Mike Gupton & The Society of Excellence

While every award winner represents the top tier of the industry, we must shine a special spotlight on the Society of Excellence. This is the highest honor a Coldwell Banker agent can achieve globally.

Out of approximately 95,000 competing residential agents worldwide, only 140 individuals qualified for this designation. Among those elite few is our very own Mike Gupton from Lake Gaston. Mike’s achievement isn't just a win for Lake Gaston; it’s a masterclass in what happens when local expertise meets a global standard of excellence.

 

National Production: The Top Percentile of the Industry

Our agents consistently prove that they are among the best in the nation. Whether working as solo powerhouses or high-octane teams, our winners represent the top tier of agents worldwide. 

Colossal Team Success

At CBA, our teams are built on collaboration and shared vision, and their 2025 results were nothing short of amazing. We celebrated team winners in the following elite categories:

Elite Individual Achievements

Our individual agents also dominated the national rankings:

 

The CBA Platinum Club

We also took time to recognize the CBA Platinum Club, representing the essential momentum that drives our firm forward. While our International designations recognize those at the very top percentages of the global network, these awards honor the agents and teams who have established a powerhouse presence in our local markets.

The Platinum Club isn't just a destination; it’s the evidence that you belong in the big leagues. We are incredibly proud of the foundation they’ve built, and we are ready to help them turn this winning season into a global legacy.

 

To see all production awards, click here.



Celebrating the Heart of CBA: Our Culture Awards

Production numbers tell one part of the story, but our Culture Awards tell the rest. These honors recognize the values that make our firm a "Community Pillar": integrity, collaboration, and a sincere interest in the well-being of others.

CBA Rising Star Award

Celebrating our newest stars: rookies who have shown exceptional momentum and professional promise within their first two years in the industry.

 

CBA Freedom to Grow Staff Award

Honoring the dedicated support staff who provide the framework that allows our agents to shine. Their commitment to agent excellence is what makes our firm's growth possible.

 

CBA Freedom to Grow Agent Award

Recognizing the agents who distinguished themselves in 2025 through relentless resilience and an unwavering commitment to personal and professional growth.

 

The CBA Way Award

The highest cultural honor, recognizing those who embody our core values through consistent integrity, collaboration, and professional excellence in every transaction.

Honoring Our Culture and Partners

The luncheon also served as a stage to recognize those who embody the values of "The CBA Way"—integrity, collaboration, and professional excellence.

CBA Culture Awards

  • CBA Rising Stars: We celebrated rookies like Stephanie Santiago (Wake Forest), Ashley Roberts (Wake Forest), Hollie Lunnen (High Point), Tracie Panko (Lake Gaston), and Barbara Schmitt (Cary) for their exceptional momentum in their first two years .

  • Freedom to Grow Staff Award: Brenda Kozik (Wake Forest) was honored for her dedicated support of agent excellence .

  • Freedom to Grow Agent Award: Dave Harney (Wake Forest) and Jennifer Coleman (Cary) were recognized for their relentless resilience and commitment to growth .

  • The CBA Way Award: This high honor was given to several agents who went above and beyond in demonstrating our core values, including Mark Cardillo (High Point), Stacy Parent (Greensboro), and Nicole Newman (Winston Salem), among others .

  • CBA Relocation: Special honors were given to Rhonda Turbyfill (Global Connector), April Auman (Relo Agent of the Year), and Dave Harney (Corporate Specialist of the Year) .

Partner Excellence Awards

Our success is bolstered by our incredible partners, who recognized the following masters of their craft:

Advantage Lending

Ruth Brymer was named Market Pioneer, while agents and teams like PJ Sayah and the Dubbelman Realty Group were recognized as Principal Partners for their mastery of our mortgage offerings.

Key Title

We are proud to recognize our Top Referring agents who have partnered with Key Title to provide a seamless experience for their clients:

  • Triangle Region: Congratulations to Ruth Brymer (Cary) and Dan Hamel (Raleigh) for their outstanding referral efforts.

  • Triad Region: We honor Christopher Robinson (Winston Salem) and Stacy Parent (Greensboro) for leading the way in referrals.

Looking Forward

As we look ahead to a new season of excellence, we want to extend one final, heartfelt congratulations to all of our 2025 award winners, from our local Platinum Club standouts to Mike Gupton and his historic achievement in the International Society of Excellence. Each of our winners has proven that with the right foundation and a relentless commitment to growth, there is no limit to what can be accomplished. 

Our President, Rick Gregory, shared: "Our awards luncheon was about more than just numbers; it was about the people who make this company a family. The dedication our agents show to their clients and each other is what makes us the best in the market. I am immensely proud to provide the foundation for their success. CBA agents truly have the freedom to grow." 

Congratulations to all our 2025 winners. You are the reason we lead the industry, and you are the reason we remain deeply rooted in the communities we serve.

Freedom to grow. That’s CBA!

 

 

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