Share
National Association of REALTORS® President Charlie Oppler Monday announced two recipients of NAR's President's Award: Wendell Bullard, GRI, (left) and Martin Edwards Jr., CCIM (right). Bullard is broker-owner of Bullard Properties LLC, Durham, N.C., Edwards is president of Edwards Investments, REALTORS®, Memphis Tenn.
Bullard has been actively involved in NAR for nearly 25 years, including serving on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee and as REALTOR® Party Liaison for Community Engagement. He is a past president of the Durham Regional Association of REALTORS® and the North Carolina Association of REALTORS® and is a past REALTOR® of the Year in both organizations. He currently chairs the North Carolina Real Estate Commission.
"Wendell is truly one of the most involved REALTORS® in his community," says Oppler. "His personal commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to mentoring younger agents is an inspiration-and he is one of the most genuine, sincere people I've ever met."
Bullard is a graduate of North Carolina Central University and a veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force.
Edwards' involvement in NAR started more than 35 years ago. He served as NAR president in 2002 and treasurer in 1996-97. He helped establish the REALTORS® Relief Foundation following the tragedy of 9/11, served as long-time president of the foundation's board of trustee, and currently serves as immediate past president. He has also been a champion of NAR's Good Neighbor Awards program since its inception in 2000.
A past president of both the Memphis Area Association of REALTORS® and the Tennessee REALTORS®, Edwards has been recognized as REALTOR® of the Year by both organizations. Among his community activities, Edwards has chaired the Memphis Health, Education, and Housing Facility Board and served as a trustee for the University of Memphis Foundation.
"Martin has been a pillar in the community and a mentor to so many in the Memphis REALTOR® family," says Oppler. "In addition to sharing Martin's passion for college basketball, I share in his passion for the RRF. His commitment to the foundation is unmatched and is one of the motivators for me to do more." On Sunday, the RRF's Hope Rising campaign initiated by Oppler reached its ambitious 2021 fundraising goal-$8.5 million.
Presidents may select up to two recipients for the NAR President's Award, created to recognize members or "industry beacons" for driving change or provided extraordinary support to the REALTOR® community on a national level.
The announcement of this year's President's Award winners came during the NAR Board of Directors meeting, capping the 2021 REALTORS® Conference & Expo .