In an age when many professionals change jobs as often and easily as they change social media profile pics, it’s refreshing to hear of someone staying in one place for five years. Better still, 10 years. But 25 years? TWENTY-FIVE YEARS? That’s unheard of. Who would do such a thing? And more importantly … why?!
Turns out at least 43 people with the same North Texas brokerage recently did – simply because they have come to realize with every passing year how good they have it at the Ebby Halliday Companies. And those 43 – independent contractor agents and office staff from the Ebby Halliday Realtors, Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate and Williams Trew brands – were celebrated Wednesday with a special luncheon at Sixty Vines in Uptown Dallas. Because of a COVID delay, some had already progressed from 25 to 26 and 27 years.
CEO Chris Kelly, who addressed the honorees and presented each with a diamond pin, said this about the afternoon.
“It was my absolute pleasure to celebrate these team members who have been part of the Ebby Halliday Companies for 25 years or more. We fully appreciate that this kind of loyalty is not the norm in the real estate industry – especially in today’s climate of plentiful options. We think that makes a loud statement about the culture Ebby built here and that we’ve been working hard to maintain.”
EHC is big on acknowledging such milestones – internally and externally – along with those around production, personal bests, landmark closings, incentive contests and more. It’s not uncommon to get a video email from Kelly himself, congratulating an agent for a key sale or overcoming a challenge. Vice Presidents Carolyn Rosson and Malinda Howell as well as the company’s 28 Sales Leaders also champion their people any chance they get. The brand is known for being as supportive and encouraging as Ebby Halliday herself was.
Could that be the key to why so many stick around? Here’s what some of those celebrating that day said.
“I began my career with Ebby Halliday and have greatly enjoyed working for a company that was ‘out in front’ on extending opportunities to women. They also make it a priority to provide agents and employees with many incredible mentors and role models to guide us. There is a feeling of belonging to a family when you work here, and I am still so very proud to call this place home after all these years.”
Carolyn McCann
Williams Trew / Office Administrator
“I had been living in Frisco since 1977 and had the opportunity to go to the groundbreaking for the Ebby office there 25 years ago. I had my license with another company at the time. I was standing behind Miss Ebby herself and I told her I would love to talk to her about becoming an Ebby agent because I had heard so many good things about the company. She yelled out to the future manager and said, ‘Here’s our first Ebby Frisco agent. Let’s all go to lunch tomorrow!’ And the rest is history. I did become the first agent. And I can’t thank this company enough for what it’s done for me and my family.”
Janice Berg
Ebby Halliday Realtors / Associate
“Prior to 1984, I had been buying and selling my own real estate. I grew up in Dallas and heard the Ebby name and knew all about the Little White House. I decided to go with them. In fact, during my training is where I met my wife Leslie Rouda Smith (current NAR President). It’s been a really good experience for our family (daughter Kristin and son Austin are also with DPMRE). The reasons I chose them? The excellence, the reputation, the professionalism and the name. The training classes and the continuing education – you just can’t beat them. They keep us very well informed and up on any changes in real estate matters. It’s been a very good career.”
Brian Smith
Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate / Farm & Ranch
Congratulations to these 43 on such a fantastic accomplishment! To learn more about the Ebby Halliday Companies, visit ebbyhallidaycompanies.com/joinus.
