Hundreds of REALTORS® and Industry Partners from around the Kansas City region gathered this week at the Loews Kansas City Hotel to witness the announcement of the 2025 KCRAR award winners as well as the installation of the 2026 KCRAR President, David Nichols.
The 2025 Good Neighbor Community Service Award was awarded to Micheala Miller, Compass Realty Group, for her work founding and running Strawberry Week Society, a nonprofit organization addressing period poverty in Kansas and Missouri. The organization has distributed over 1 million period products to the community since its foundation.
The 2025 Industry Partner of the Year Award was presented to Matthew Emerick, Home Warranty, Inc. Emerick demonstrates support for the real estate industry through volunteer service on the YPN Committee, sponsorship, community service, and education initiatives, including co-presenting a Latte & Learn session on homeowner warranty for KCRAR members.
The 2025 Newcomer of the Year Award was presented to Arabie Conner, Weichert, Realtors, Welch & Co. This award is given to a KCRAR member who has been licensed for 18 months or less based on ethics, cooperation, and professional development, among other criteria. In her short time as an agent, Conner has demonstrated enthusiasm and a dedication to growth and service.
The 2025 Salesperson of the Year Award was presented to Daniel Hartman, Show-Me Real Estate. Hartman is a Director on the KCRAR Board as well as a volunteer on multiple KCRAR committees, including the REALTOR® Party Advisory Group, the Advocacy Committee and more. He is also a REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) Major Investor.
The 2025 REALTOR® of the Year Award was presented to Michele DuPont, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Kansas City Homes. In 2025, DuPont served as both Chair of the KCRAR Forms Committee and Vice Chair of the KCRAR YPN Committee. She is a Director on the KCRAR Board and a managing broker of her office.
“I can’t think of anyone who exemplifies faithfulness to the highest ethical and moral conduct of a REALTOR® more than Michele DuPont,” said Christian Barnes, President & CEO of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Kansas City Homes. “Michele distinguishes herself through the manner in which she leads: with heart and a passion to elevate others.”
Also at the event, the 2026 KCRAR President, David Nichols, was installed by 2001 KCRAR President, T. David Rogers. From the podium, Nichols shared his vision for the year ahead, committing to transparency, communication and accountability.
“Organized real estate matters. Private property rights matter. Small business ownership matters,” Nichols said from the stage. “A strong, ethical, professional real estate industry is the foundation of healthy communities — the same communities where we work, and where we live.”
The 2025 and incoming 2026 Boards of Directors for both KCRAR and Heartland MLS were acknowledged from the stage for their service to members and subscribers.
The Holiday Party was made possible through the support of sponsors including:
- Truity Credit Union
- A.B. May
- Continental Title Company
- Coffelt Land Title
- Platinum Title
