Palestine Association of Realtors names 2023 Realtor of the Year

Jan. 5—The Palestine Association of Realtors named Lisa Priest as the 2023 Realtor of the Year.

"The Realtor of the Year Award is one of the highest honors to have bestowed to a realtor, as each nominee is nominated by their peers from the local association," said Kristy Wages, owner of Palestine Realty and the association's 2015 Realtor of the Year.

To be eligible, Wages said you must have served the local association and had an impact in our community, typically through volunteer service. You must be nominated and then the committee selects the recipient. The final winner is carefully chosen by a committee that includes prior award recipients.

"Lisa Priest is a model agent, one who sets the standard for others to strive to be like," Wages said. "Lisa's integrity, market knowledge and client focused approach make her the perfect example of our Realtor of the Year. Lisa keeps the National Association of Realtors Code of Ethics first and foremost in her career — the core concepts are honesty, integrity, fairness and moral conduct in business relations."

Lisa and her husband John, own Picket Fence Realty, a local boutique agency with full-service needs for buyers, sellers and property management.

Lisa said this was her first time to receive this honor and was presented with a plaque at the associations' year-end party.

"It is such an honor and I appreciate my fellow realtors having nominated me," Lisa said.

Lisa's real estate career began in 2012, but her passion for the industry was always close to her heart. She is a third generation realtor. Lisa's grandmother as well as her mom, Sloan Shuffler, were both licensed Texas realtors.

"Lisa's community volunteerism speaks for itself," Wages said. "With a servant's heart for giving back to the community that gives right back in return to her. Lisa serves on many local boards, her dedication to the community has always been one to be admired."

Lisa's community services and accolades include:

—Board Member of the Palestine Association of Realtors

—Downtown Rotary Club, Incoming President for 2025 -2026 term.

—Palestine Library Memorial Board

—Downtown Palestine Rotary Board Member; Club Secretary

—Former Palestine Education Foundation Board Member

—Former Ambassador of the Palestine Chamber of Commerce

—Former Palestine City Council Real Estate Advisory Committee Chair

—Former Real Estate Columnist for the Palestine Herald-Press

—Nominated for the Palestine Herald Press Readers' Choice multiple times, and

—Named as "Top 40 under 40 Making a Difference in Palestine" by the Palestine Herald-Press in 2018.

Lisa and John are also dedicated parents to Trip, a fourth grader who can be found walking in his parents' footsteps.

The Palestine Area Realtors Association, founded in 1980, is part of the National Association of Realtors and the Texas Association of Realtors.