In December of 2000 and January 2001, the REAL Trends editorial staff asked its readers to determine the persons they most admired for their leadership qualities and contributions, both professionally and personally, that are shaping the residential real estate industry as it ventures into the 21^st century. We sent requests for input into these choices through our monthly newsletter and through the REAL Trends E-mail Update Report. Several thousand responses were received.

The variety of responses we received was impressive. Several dozen people were mentioned by at least one respondent. There was however, a significant break between the mention of the top five individuals and the remainder of those who received mention. It is these individuals who have been highlighted by the REAL Trends readership as the "Most Admired Persons" in the residential real estate industry for the year 2000. We can't fault any of our readers' choices.

The five individuals chosen, or the companies they represent, were recognized throughout 2000 in the REAL Trends monthly newsletter for their innovative new business models, technological advances, and company growth. Each person noted encompasses between 22 to 40 years of individual professional experience in the residential real estate industry. Additionally, the companies representing these individuals have consistently been represented in the REAL Trends 500 report (and its predecessor Big Broker Report) since its inception in 1988.

So, without further ado, the top five Most Admired Persons, recognized by the REAL Trends readers, as affecting and influencing the residential real estate industry in the year 2000 are:

• Lawrence F. Flick IV, President and CEO, Prudential Fox & Roach Realtors, Philadelphia, PA
• P. Wesley Foster, Jr., President, Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., Washington D.C.
• Gary Keller, Chairman of the Board, Keller Williams Realty International, Austin, TX
• William M. Raveis, Chairman & CEO, Home-Link Services, Inc., Stratford, CT
• J. Lennox Scott, President and CEO, John L. Scott Real Estate, Seattle, WA

Following is a brief background on each of our most admired persons, along with a chosen professional highlight for the year 2000, recognition of noted events throughout the year highlighted in the REAL Trends newsletter, as well as some personal thoughts from their associates and friends.

GARY KELLER, Chairman of the Board KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY INTERNATIONAL

YEARS IN BUSINESS: 18

EDUCATION: Baylor University, B.B.A. in Marketing and Real Estate

BACKGROUND: Gary Keller is chairman of the board of Keller Williams ® Realty International. Keller is responsible for providing strategic direction for all Keller Williams divisions and affiliate companies, including Keller Williams University, kw.com, homesbyAuction.com, and the agent-led Eagentc.com.

The company began franchising in 1987 and expanded to Canada in 1998. From 1995 to present, Keller Williams has become one of the fastest growing real estate companies in the United States with sales and commissions growth topping 700% during that period.

Keller began his real estate career as an agent and later manager in the JB Goodwin Company from 1979 to 1983 before establishing Keller Williams with partner Joe Williams.

Keller is a member of the Austin Board of Realtors, the Texas Association of Realtors, and the Austin Multiple Listing Service. Keller was nominated and later appointed to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® Board of Directors in 2000. He has served on the Board of the Austin Jaycees, the Board of Directors of the Austin Center for Battered Women, and been listed in Oxford's Who's Who of Young Professionals.

An accomplished teacher in all aspects of residential real estate, Keller is a strong proponent of professional education. Keller Williams University is the arm of the company that implements most of the company's training. The University embodies a set of business concepts and systems, a set of learning and teaching principles and an entrepreneurial-based delivery system. The curriculum includes Sales Productivity, Business Leadership, Life Achievement and Agent M.A.P.S. (Mega Achievement Productivity Systems: the disciplines and systems of mega-agent productivity).

Beyond his role overseeing the vision and implementation of Keller Williams University, Keller actively pursues mentoring and consulting relationships within and without the company.

Keller is married to Mary Pfluger; they have one child, John Christian. He is a musician -- guitar and piano -- and enjoys reading, hiking, traveling, antiques, movies, football, basketball, and spending as much time as possible with his family.

2000 PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: In March of 2000 Keller Williams, under the vision and guidance of Keller, created an in-house agent-focused program called Eagentc - The Electronic Agent Consortium, that is hosted on www.eagentc.com, and is comprised of team of technology experts. The mission of the program is to provide the customer research, Internet technology research and Internet tool development for Keller Williams associates and their brokers as well as protect and develop the real estate agent's e-realty fiduciary position and provide research equality through collective participation.

2000 REAL Trends HIGHLIGHTS: April 2000: Editorial titled "Who and what is Keller Williams" where Mo Anderson, president of Keller Williams was interviewed to explain in more detail the Keller Williams' business model and corporate philosophy.

December 2000: The lead commentary by Steve Murray highlights Keller Williams among several other main global operators. The article summarizes how Keller Williams, along with the other major players, are shaping the residential real estate market for the future.

PERSONAL THOUGHTS:

Mo Anderson, President &CEO, Keller Williams Realty

"Gary Keller is a visionary genius and has one of the most exciting minds I have ever been around. He has wisdom beyond his years and is an invigorating and exciting leader who places an incredible value on people. He is never stationary and continues to re-invent and move his vision to the next level."

Mark Willis, Vice President and Regional Director, Keller Williams Realty

"I've worked with Gary for 10 years and have always found him to be a man of integrity. He is completely in harmony with what he says and with all disciplines of life. Gary is one of the most visionary individuals I know. He is able to see trends before they occur and is an absolute genius in creating diagrams to help others see his vision."

Kim Brightwell, Partner, Vinson & Elkins (Life long friend)

"Gary is a lifelong friend since grade school, and there are not enough good words to say about his many positive qualities. He is highly competitive enjoys a challenge, and inspires those around him to rise and meet every challenge with him. Gary is one of the most moral and ethical people I have ever known and is a good example of a person who is able to keep in perspective what really is important in life. He is a wonderful person and his friendship means the world to me".

Printed with the permission of REAL Trends Inc.