Create professional development programs that help REALTORS® strengthen their businesses.
Protect private property rights and promote the value of REALTORS®.
Advance ethics enforcement programs that increase REALTOR® professionalism.
Protect REALTORS® by providing legal guidance and education.
Stay current on industry issues with daily news from Illinois REALTORS®, network with other professionals, attend a seminar, and keep up with industry trends through events throughout the year.
Illinois REALTORS® 2023 President Michael Gobber awarded Presidential Medallions to REALTORS® and Ed Neaves and Michael D. Oldenettel, Governmental Affairs Director Kristie Engerman and the Illinois REALTORS® staff at the association’s Fall Business Meetings in Oak Brook.
Outgoing presidents annually award the medallions to people who make significant contributions to the association and the real estate industry.
Bloomington REALTOR® Ed Neaves of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Central Illinois REALTORS® received a medallion for his role as 2023 Region 7 Regional Vice President.
Springfield REALTOR® Michael D. Oldenettel of The Real Estate Group was honored for his role 2023 National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Member Engagement Liaison.
Illinois REALTORS® Governmental Affairs Director Kristie Engerman was honored for her work helping the Peoria Area Association of REALTORS® conduct a housing feasibility study.
The fourth medallion was given to the staff of Illinois REALTORS ® for its role in making Gobber’s 2022 Inaugural Gala a success even during a power outage.
More about this year’s Presidential Medallion winners:
Ed Neaves
In 2023, Neaves has served as the National Association of REALTORS® Region 7 Regional Vice President (RVP) representing Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. Neaves is one of 13 RVPs around the country who have been appointed to oversee the work of NAR in their region and act as representative of the president.
Neaves has a long history of service at all levels of the REALTOR® organization. He served as the 2020 Illinois REALTORS® President and was named the state’s REALTOR® of the Year in 2022. At the local level, he is a member of the Mid-Illinois REALTORS® and has served as president and been named the local REALTOR® of the Year twice.
Michael D. Oldenettel
Oldenettel has served as the 2023 Member Engagement Liaison for NAR. In his role, he helps committees and committee leaders understand issues and focus on priorities of the NAR Leadership Team.
Oldenettel has served on the Illinois REALTORS® Board of Directors and in 2021, was NAR’s Region 7 RVP. He led Illinois REALTORS ® as state president in 2013 Illinois REALTORS® president and was named the Illinois REALTOR® of the Year in 2018. He has been just as involved with his local association, Capitol Area REALTORS ®, serving as president twice.
Kristie Engerman
Engerman has been a local Governmental Affairs Director for Illinois REALTORS® for more than 18 years. In her role as an industry advocate at the community level, she works with several local associations including the Peoria Area Association of REALTORS ®.
Engerman helped the Peoria association coordinate an in-depth economic development study aimed at revitalizing the sites of two dilapidated schools in the city of Peoria. The project brought together national real estate and economic development experts and community shareholders to create a roadmap to make the properties vital again.
Illinois REALTORS® Staff
The Illinois REALTORS ® staff serves the association’s more than 50,000 members statewide. Gobber awarded the state association a Presidential Medallion after a storm knocked out power during his Inaugural Gala last fall and staff worked to keep the show running. Operating sound and stage equipment off backup generators and ordering 100 pizzas to feed the 300-person crowd, Illinois REALTORS ® were able to continue the gala.
