2008 REALTOR® Broker of the Year - Ted Oatts

Ted Oatts is the owner/broker of Worthington Realty, specializing in both residential and commercial real estate. Ted's real estate experience covers a variety of areas, including new builds, existing homes, relocation, referrals, consulting, site selection, investment and 1031 tax deferred exchanges. He was instrumental in helping to develop northern Franklin County and in developing two golf courses in Southern Delaware -- Wedgewood Golf & Country Club and Shamrock Golf Club.

For CBR, Ted is a past member of the CBR Board of Directors, has chaired the Education, and Technology Users & Forum committees, as well as, the Legislative Reception subcommittee.  He currently serves as chair of the Governmental Affairs Committee and has served as member of the Equal Opportunity, Foundation Fund Advisory Board and Foundation Fundraising committees. He holds the Graduate REALTOR®, Institute (GRI) and e-Pro designations, is a recipient of CBR's Volunteer Service Award and a contributor to both the Foundation Fund and CORPAC as a Sterling "R".

Ted has also served as president of the Independent Brokers Association (IBA) and the Commercial Real Estate Exchangors (CREE). He currently serves as an OAR director, has chaired OAR's Professional Development Committee and has served as a member of all of OAR's standing committees.

For his church and community, Ted has served as a Musical Director, Men's Ministry Director, Bible Teacher and Deacon. He has also served as president of the Ohio Baptist Foundation and helped raise money for a school that teaches A.D.H.D. kids. He serves meals to the homeless in Downtown Columbus, volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, as well as for the Worthington Chamber of Commerce.

Ted has four grown children and a son-in-law. He is known to his friends as "Governor" because of his interest in politics. He describes himself as a realistic optimist who lives by his philosophy that "Everyday is a new day and a new opportunity", and his motto "Never quit".

"The call came on my cell phone while waiting for my haircut at the Worthington Barbershop. I heard the words that the committee had reviewed many good resumes, and thought the next phrase my ears would hear was, we have selected another REALTOR®; but to my delight and surprise, the message was we have selected you as our REALTOR® Broker of the Year! I had to say, really? And the answer came again, yes, it's true. I told them I was so happy and humbled that the committee would choose me, being a one-man shop. It was great news. As I sat there thinking about what I had just heard, my mind recalled names like John Galbreath, Harley Rouda and George Smith, Bob and Skip Weiler, Max and Margie Coyle, Pat Grabill, Charlotte Van Steyn and others who have received the award. To be included in the list of honorees as REALTOR® Broker of the Year is a recognition for which I will always be grateful. Right there, I thanked the good Lord for His blessings and asked Him to help me earn it everyday as I continue to counsel with clients, working in this wonderful profession."