REALTOR® Natalie O’Dea Appointed Regional VP of Fort Bend County for Expanding WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Wayne Murray Properties

HOUSTON, August 5, 2015—REALTOR® Natalie O’Dea has been named Regional Vice President of Fort Bend County for WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Wayne Murray Properties. The announcement, made by President Wayne Murray, comes just one year after O’Dea was promoted to the position of Sales Leader/Manager of the agency’s Sugar Land office. In her new post, O’Dea will be overseeing the growth of the company’s Sugar Land and Katy offices while facilitating additional growth throughout Fort Bend County. “Our continuing expansion program includes positioning the best talent in leadership,” Murray said. “Natalie has proved her solid leadership skills in a very short time and is ideally suited to carry the company’s mission forward in the region.”

O’Dea’s vice president title is only the second such company-wide. In 2012, Steve Conway was identified as Vice President/Relocation Management and Business Development, responsible for managing and growing the company’s relocation business.

Murray describes O’Dea’s position as “a focus on the agents’ development and productivity at our current Fort Bend offices, leading into company growth there.” Her responsibilities are to recruit, train and retain agents, and to develop leadership in each office, toward adding offices and repeating the process.

O’Dea has recruited many new “professional” Realtors since taking the reins a year ago. There are currently some 70 sales team members at the two Fort Bend locations. However, she hires only a small percentage of applicants, she said, “only those who fit into the unique company culture.” The company culture built by Wayne and Realtor/Co-Owner Jackie Murray, is the key, according to O’Dea, who said that they create a true “team” environment. “‘Teamwork’” is the driving force here, more than a word on a poster and in speeches.” A strong mentoring program and solid infrastructure underscore the business.

O’Dea explains that they try to cap offices at 50 agents to ensure that agents are getting the attention needed to be trained the right away, to get help with new deals, to have their questions answered quickly and to meet company sales goals for them. Additional offices will be added to match the agent population growth.

Outside of the office, O’Dea takes advantage of every opportunity to talk about the company—to such people as waiters, and others she meets in her everyday. If she spots someone with what she thinks is the right personality, who might welcome a career change, she opens the subject. She is convinced that word-of-mouth is the primary source of interest in what Wayne and Weichert have to offer.

“It has been a blessing to work with Wayne and Jackie—they are solid, real people,” O’Dea said. “Wayne is a very generous broker, always thinking about how the agents are doing, and asking what can we do to make things better for them; he is also very accessible.” He is “on call” for agents and staff, no matter where or when. “And everyone looks forward to seeing him, a rare boasting right for a ‘boss,’” she added. “While we are customer centric, the agents are the first family.”

O’Dea “cannot think of doing this without Wayne.” She comes from a background as a mediator in the areas of family, employer/employee and elder care before entering real estate, joining the Weichert® agency in April 2014. With a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and a mediation certification from Lakewood College, her experience also includes a six-year regional sales manager position with responsibilities that parallel those of the new Fort Bend assignment.

O’Dea holds membership in the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), Texas Association of REALTORS® (TAR), Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR) and the Women’s Council of REALTORS® in Fort Bend. A resident of Katy, she is an active member in her church, with community events and as a volunteer at her children’s school.

WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Wayne Murray Properties has offices in Houston, Sugar Land, Katy and The Woodlands. The agency, now home to more than 120 professional Realtors, has served the greater Houston area for 28 years— first, as an independent company, and later (2004), as the first-ever Weichert® affiliate in the state of Texas. Web address is www.waynemurray.net.

Weichert’s new Regional Vice President of Fort Bend County Natalie O’Dea can be reached at 877-603-4500, natalieo@waynemurray.net. Wayne Murray can be reached for comment at Houston headquarters, tel: 713-728-2300. 

Three Generations of Little Leaguers Share Championship Moment: ‘PeeWee 7 Spinners’ and Sponsors WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Wayne Murray Properties Celebrate 2015 Season Triumph

HOUSTON, July 8, 2015—The PeeWee Spinners, wearing uniforms sporting “WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Wayne Murray Properties” on their shirt-backs, have won the West University South Division Little League championship, much to the delight of three generations of Little League playing Murrays. 

A.J. Murray, a PeeWee 7 team member, along with his dad and team coach Adam Murray and grand-dad Wayne Murray, president/owner of the sponsoring Weichert® agency, shared in the excitement. (Photo attached). They were joined at each and every game by “Grandma” Jackie Murray, who is Realtor/Co-owner of the firm, and great grandparents Solly and Betty Hemus.

“This was a very big day for us,” Wayne Murray said. “Watching our grandson and his team-mates on the baseball field is clearly a joy and one of the big highlights of all the activities Jackie and I are involved with throughout the year.” The Murrays are more than familiar with the diamond sidelines, as they cheered throughout all of son Adam’s games when he played in the Braes Bayou Little League in Houston. Murray, who played Little League baseball in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as a kid, is a longtime fan of the organization “and what it brings to the community and the kids,” he said, adding that “these kids are outstanding little citizens; we love all of them.”

In addition to the happy moment when the team claimed victory, the Weichert company received a plaque with the team photo above an inscription reading: Weichert Realtors, Wayne Murray Properties, Thank You For Your Sponsorship, as well as a trophy bearing the words Regular Season Champion, PeeWee 7 South Division, 2015 West U Little League.

The PeeWee 7 Spinners, 2015 West University South Division Little League champions, are pictured at the end of the season with the team’s sponsor Wayne Murray, president/owner of WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Wayne Murray Properties. Murray is seen here (3rd from left, back row) holding onto his grandson A.J. Murray, a team member. Wayne’s son Adam Murray, who is A.J.’s father and a PeeWee 7 Spinners coach (4th from left, back row), completes the three generations of Little Leaguers from the Murray family.

WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Wayne Murray Properties Takes a Bow as WCR ‘Spotlight Realtor’

HOUSTON, June 24, 2015--WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Wayne Murray Properties took a bow as the June “Spotlight REALTOR of the Month” at the Fort Bend Chapter Women’s Council of REALTORS® meeting held at the Sweetwater Country Club. Vice President Business Development and Relocation Steve Conway, Sales Leaders Christi Haidar and Natalie O’Dea, and several members of the professional Realtor team from the Houston, Sugar Land, Katy and The Woodlands offices were in attendance. (See photo attached.)

The Weichert firm’s President Wayne Murray and Realtor/Co-Owner Jackie Murray “regrettably” were unable to be present in person due to an out-of-town conflict but sent their “appreciation to the WCR for the opportunity to serve.” Suzanne Slavin of Chicago Title Company in Sugar Land, who is co-chair of WCR membership, spoke on behalf of the four-office agency.

Against a background of the familiar yellow Weichert balloons decorating the tables, Slavin pointed out that in addition to the more than 28 years of service to the community, the Weichert people have long been committed to supporting local charities and neighborhood activities. Among them are Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Family Alliance, the Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides Fun Run and Champion the Cure, Toys for Tots and the kids at MD Anderson Cancer Hospital, where the Murrays are Santa and Mrs. Claus each year.

The Murrays joined the Weichert® franchise organization in 2004 as the first office in the state of Texas—with 14 agents on board. The agency is currently home to more than 120 agents in its four locations, and a fifth office opening is planned soon. For more information, company website is www.waynemurray.net.

WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Wayne Murray Properties ‘Milestone-Steppers’ Announced: Last Year’s Top Agents Meet Mid-Year on Track for New Honors

HOUSTON, June 11, 2015—Five members of the sales teams from Houston-headquartered WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Wayne Murray Properties have been congratulated by President Wayne Murray as the company’s “2015 Milestone-Steppers.” The title means that “the professional Realtors who were identified as Weichert’s ‘tops in Texas’ for 2014 are on track to repeat or surpass production achievements for 2015,” Murray explained.  “They did not take their awards lightly but have worked even harder to live up to the reputation and the confidence that the statewide honors represent,” he said.

At the mid-year review, Milestone-Steppers Kendyl Maurer (named 2014 Top Overall Associate), Lindsey Carroll-Kimble (2014 Top Selling Associate in GCI), Raquel Williams (2014 Top Selling Associate in Units), Sherry Glazener (2014 Top Listing Associate in GCI and Top Listing Associate in Units), and Maria Garcia Puente (2014 Rookie of the Year) are all repeat performance candidates “and then some,” Murray said.

The “then some” refers to the national franchise organization’s annual awards program that recognizes agents across country for outstanding achievements. The President’s, Ambassador and Executive Club awards are the three top categories of awards to agents presented annually, followed by the Weichert Real Estate Affiliates 2014 Sales Achievement Award. “Each of the Milestone-Steppers from our company will no doubt be honored with one of these awards for 2015,” Murray said. In fact, all five also earned “club” membership in 2014, along with receiving the prestigious Texas nod.

“But wait, there’s more!” Murray said with a chuckle. “Seriously,” Realtors from all four offices--Houston, Sugar Land, Katy and The Woodlands—“are well on their way to taking a bow at next year’s awards celebration.” At the 2014 event, 24 of the company’s agents earned various national awards. “We take our hats off to all of them and look forward to an impressive second half of 2015,” Murray said.

Lindsey Carroll Kimble

Maria Puente

Kendyl Maurer

Raquel Williams

Sherry Glazener

WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Wayne Murray Properties Receives WREA President’s Nod for Contributions to Franchise Success

HOUSTON, May 22, 2015-- Wayne Murray, president of WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Wayne Murray Properties, and the company’s co-owner/Realtor® Jackie Murray were honored guests at the first ever “Premier Client Group” meeting hosted by Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. (WREA). The gathering of select invited Weichert® affiliate owners was held at franchise headquarters in Morris Plains, New Jersey, where WREA President Martin J. Rueter presented the Murrays with a plaque “for being such a valuable part of our business,” he said.

“Partners like you establish the benchmarks for dedication, motivation and leadership within our network, as well as the industry,” Rueter said. He pointed to the Murray-led four-office franchise as “an integral part of our success,” thanking them for choosing Weichert as their franchise partner.

WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Wayne Murray Properties has been serving the greater Houston area for over 28 years. The firm is currently home to more than 120 sales professionals and a support staff of 18, working from offices located in Houston, Sugar Land, Katy, and The Woodlands. The company has maintained the no. 4 franchisee spot since joining the Weichert network in 2004 as the first affiliate in the state of Texas.

For more information, WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Wayne Murray Properties can be reached at Houston headquarters, Tel: 713-728-2300.  Company website is www.waynemurray.net.

Pictured at 2015 “Premier Client Group” meeting hosted by Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. (WREA), the franchise division of Weichert, Realtors®, are (left-to-right) Weichert, Realtors Co-President James Weichert, Jackie Murray & Wayne Murray, owners of WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Wayne Murray Properties and recipients of the franchise network’s special service salute, WREA President Martin J. (Marty) Rueter. See press release for details.

WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Wayne Murray Properties at the Finish Line for First Annual IRONKIDS Event

HOUSTON, May 14, 2015—Agents and staff members from WEICHERT, REALTORS®  Wayne Murray Properties were on hand with other local spectators at the finish line when some 500 kids completed the First Children’s Memorial Hermann IRONKIDS Fun Run on May 9 at Town Green Park in The Woodlands. In fact, the Weichert® agency’s local office was the finish line sponsor, thanks to President Wayne Murray, whose company is well known for supporting local charities and events. Academy Sports and Outdoors sponsored the starting line, joining Weichert and the main sponsor and host, Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital.

As the kids, ages 3 to 15, completed the non-competitive “race” for good health, The Woodlands Weichert agents handed out bottles of water and cheered “for our own win,” said Sales Leader/Manager of The Woodlands Weichert office, Christi Haidar who spearheaded the company’s involvement. Haidar said she “asked the boss” to fund the sponsorship. “Wayne was as typically enthusiastic as he always is about an event to benefit children.”

Throughout the day’s activities at the park, the agents also gave away countless balloons, and the festivities included handshakes and hugs for kids from The Rockets mascot Clutch and the Hospital mascot Topper.

The goal of the IRONKIDS Fun Run was to reinforce the importance of introducing a fun and active lifestyle to children at an early age. The kids involved in the inaugural event got the message, along with giant medals. “Everyone benefitted,” Murray said, pointing to the fact that all the net proceeds went to the Hospital to further its good work for children.

Murray is no stranger to kids and hospitals. Among the several charities that the Houston based Weichert® company is affiliated with is MD Anderson Cancer Hospital, where every year since 2009 Murray has donned his now familiar Santa Claus suit and, along with company co-owner/Realtor Jackie Murray as Mrs. Santa, has brought gifts and holiday cheer to the young patients. In addition, the company has long been a major fund-raiser for the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Family Alliance, both the Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides Fun Run and Champion the Cure, among others. “Now THERE’s a finish line or two I’d like to see crossed in my lifetime,” Murray said.

Weichert Woodlands agents at the ready for IRONKIDS --Cutline: Members of the sales team at The Woodlands office of WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Wayne Murray Properties, stop for a photo before meeting some 500 kids at the finish line of the First Children’s Memorial Hermann IRONKIDS Fun Run. Pictured left-to-right are Christi Haidar, Yulia Vekshina, Joanna Chellew, Erica Chellew (Joanna Chellew's daughter), Cindy Olivier, Tyler Slovak (Haidar's son), Jeiven Randhawa, Megan O'Neil (neighbor) and Patty Rangasajo. 

2014’s Top Sales Honorees Named at WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Wayne Murray Properties

Lindsey Carroll-Kimble

March 4, 2015--Wayne Murray, president of WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Wayne Murray Properties, has announced the names of the firm’s professional REALTOR® team who met or exceeded sales requirements in 2014 to receive awards from the national franchise organization, Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. (WREA). These top honorees from the company’s four offices will step forward at the annual awards ceremony set for the end of March in Austin, to take a bow before their peers from Weichert® offices throughout Texas. “We couldn’t be prouder,” said Murray, speaking for himself, co-owner Realtor Jackie Murray and the leadership team at locations in Houston, Katy, Sugar Land and The Woodlands. “2014 was a record setting year for us.”

Lindsey Carroll-Kimble stands out for having earned one of the top spots in the 2014 President’s Club. Last year (2013), she was named “Rookie of the Year” and also earned Executive Club honors in what was her first year with the agency. Carroll-Kimble joins other 2014 President’s Club inductees Karen Archer, Susan Bolz, Sherry Glazener, Crystal Lucas, Kendyl Maurer and Cynthia Olivier.

Lucas, Maurer, Glazener, Archer and Bolz are repeat performers at the President’s Club level. Second from the top, 2014 Ambassador Club inductees include Kathy Albright, Vicki Haislup, Ann Magoon, Kelley Talasek and Raquel Williams. Joining the Executive Club are Maria Garcia Puente, Carla Hamm and Kim Newby.

The President’s, Ambassador and Executive Club awards are the three top categories of awards to agents presented annually, followed by the WREA 2014 Sales Achievement Award. Earning certificates for outstanding sales achievement from the Murray sales team are Abigail Davis, Steven Emery, Lenora Goff, Krystle Gonzalez, Yeni Gonzalez, Debny Greenlee, Kerry Harvey, Diane Morales, Elizabeth Thornton.

According to WREA standards, all awards are based on minimum requirement per award category in GCI (gross commission income) earned or units sold during 2014. “The awards reflect more than sales figures,” Murray said. “Each award is a true ‘honor,’ further defined as ‘respect’ and ‘reputation,” earned for intense dedication to providing the best real estate service possible, always with the clients’ interests in mind and with unwavering integrity.” The sales team members “have always given their best no matter what the market,” he said.

In addition to announcing the top WREA sales associate awards upcoming, Murray reported that WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Wayne Murray Properties as a company has earned its 11th WREA Ambassador Cup “award of excellence” for the year, one of only 31 such presentations made system-wide for 2014. The company has held fast to the no. 4 franchisee spot since joining the Weichert network in 2004. WREA currently has more than 250 affiliated offices in 37 states.

About WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Wayne Murray Properties

WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Wayne Murray Properties has experienced steady growth since opening its doors in 1987. With 28 years of helping families make the greater Houston and surrounding areas their new home and watching the city and surrounding areas grow, the full service real estate company is dedicated to meeting the needs of an ever growing client base. The firm is currently home to more than 110 sales professionals and a support staff of 18, serving the area from offices located in Houston, Sugar Land, Katy, and The Woodlands. Professional Realtors who make up the sales team are highly educated and equipped to provide the needed services in home search counseling, marketing, the closing process and other assistance necessary to assist home buyers and sellers.

Noteworthy is the fact that the agency has been an award winning member of The Leading Real Estate Companies of the World™ for 25 years. Leading Real Estate Companies is the largest, most productive real estate relocation service in the world. Murray’s veteran team of experienced agents is responsible for the move management—incoming and outgoing-- of over 100 companies in the Houston area. The list includes Anadarko, Anheuser Busch, BP, Cameron, Dell, DuPont, HJ Heinz, Home Depot, Intel, Linn Energy and Southwestern Energy.

The company as a whole, including all 110+ professional Realtors in four offices, has a reputation beyond exquisite service to home buyers and sellers. They are also committed to their communities. The Weichert® agency is known throughout the greater Houston area for its long-standing active participation in numerous charities, including the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Family Alliance, both the Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides Fun Run and Champion the Cure, and the kids at MD Anderson Cancer Hospital. At MD Anderson, Wayne Murray IS Santa Claus, a role he has played every year since 2009.

Wayne Murray et al can be reached in Houston at Tel: 713-728-2300.  Company website is www.waynemurray.net.