McMillan named chairman of Pee Dee Realtor Association

Joey McMillan was inducted as chairman of the Pee Dee Realtor Association, succeeding Frances Segars Jones, during the association’s luncheon Tuesday.

McMillan, a native of Florence, is owner and broker in charge of Coldwell Banker McMillan Tiller and Associates. He was a real estate broker in Columbia before returning to his hometown in 2006.

Also Tuesday, the association honored Jean Leatherman as 2008 Realtor of the Year. The award is given to the member who has shown outstanding leadership, commitment, and skill in the real estate industry. Candidates are reviewed by an independent panel of real estate professionals.

Examples of volunteer work and achievements through volunteerism on the local, state and national levels, as well as participation in civic and service clubs, arts organizations, charitable activities, political action and educational work, are considered.

Leatherman has been a member of the Pee Dee Realtors for more than 14 years. During her membership, she has served as program chairwoman, as a member of the Building Committee, as past president of the Pee Dee Realtors, and regional vice president of the S.C. Realtors. She is actively involved with The School Foundation, Florence Museum and Rotary. She serves on the board of Carolinas Hospital System and the advisory board for First Reliance Bank. She is president and Broker-in-Charge of ERA Leatherman Realty in Florence.

Peggy Collins received the association’s 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award on Tuesday, as well. The award recognizes a Realtor who has made recognizable and identifiable differences in multiple facets of the real estate industry. Factors that are considered for this award include Realtor spirit, efforts to encourage good real estate practices among other real estate brokers, time spent with the press and the general public fostering a positive image of the real estate profession, activity in public affairs, and contributing significantly to industry programs, products or services that enhance professionalism at the local, state or national level.

Collins has more than 25 years of service to the real estate industry. She and her husband, Charles, are brokers with Prudential Segars Realty.
A lifelong resident of Florence County, Collins served as past president of the Pee Dee Realtor Association and as past president of the Realtors Education Foundation. She was Realtor of the Year in 2002, and CRS of the Year for South Carolina in 2004. Her designations include Certified Residential Specialist, Realtor Institute graduate and Accredited Buyer’s Representative. She is chairwoman of the Chinese Ministries Committee at Calvary Baptist Church, a founding member and former vice president of the Pee Dee Business Women’s Network and is a member of Business Network International.

The Pee Dee Association of Realtors is a 500-member professional trade organization.