Miguel Ángel Fernández, Tammy Heard, Erin Karlosky and Karen Luther will be among 21 local Illinois association REALTORS® of the Year (ROTY) honored April 9 at the 2024 REALTOR® of the Year Banquet in Springfield. Register to attend now.

The ROTY award recognizes members who have done exceptional work to advance their association and the real estate industry.

Fernández is the REALTOR® Association of the Fox Valley ROTY and is a broker for HomeSmart Connect LLC in Arlington Heights. He is a former Fox Valley president, a member of Fox Valley’s RPAC and Government Affairs committee and has served on affordable housing panels in Kane County. He’s active member for the local chapter of the Women’s Council of REALTORS, serves on the Illinois REALTORS Board of Directors, is the State Legislative Contact for Rep. Barbara Hernandez and is a graduate of the Illinois REALTORS® Leadership Development Class.

Heard is the Mid-Illinois REALTORS® Association ROTY and is its immediate past president. She is a broker for Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Central Illinois in Bloomington. An RPAC Major Investor for years, Heard served a previous stint in leadership of Mid-Illinois, taking on the duties of treasurer and president-elect in 2007 and 2008, respectively. She’s served on multiple committees including finance, MLS and board of directors.

Karlosky is the Illini Valley Association of REALTORS® ROTY and is the association president, too. A broker for Janko Realty & Development in Peru, Karlosky was a recipient of the 2024 Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce 40 Under 40 Award. She is a member of the Illinois REALTORS® 2024 Leadership Development Class and the Professional Standards and the YPN Advisory Group committees.

Luther is the Central Illinois Board of REALTORS® ROTY and is a broker for Brinkoetter & Associates REALTORS® of Decatur. She is described as honest, with an impeccable work ethic, and always willing to help others. Also, she is active in her community through church, PEO, Good Samaritan’s Purse and Farm Progress.

Fernández, Heard, Karlosky and Luther will join 2024 Illinois REALTOR® of the Year Ayn Bartok, designated managing broker/owner of All in One Real Estate in Harrisburg, and other local ROTYs at the President Abraham Lincoln DoubleTree Hotel for the banquet. The reception begins at 6 p.m., followed by the dinner and program at 6:30 p.m.

The ROTY banquet is sponsored by the Illinois REALTORS® to support the Illinois Real Estate Educational Foundation (REEF).

(This is the second in a series of articles featuring 21 local REALTORS® of the Year in 2024.)