Local Realtor Honored for Work With Low-Income Homeowners, Animals

Brandon Realtor Connie Johnson recently received two prestigious awards for her work with low-income homeowners and homeless animals.

Last month, the National Association of Realtors honored the Coldwell Banker agent with its Realtor Hero award for 2012. 

Johnson is one of five Realtors from across the United States to be selected for the honor for helping to improve the quality of life for people in her community.

In addition, Johnson received the annual Coldwell Banker Preserving the Trust Award in January. The award is presented to a sales associate/representative, manager, broker, owner or employee who has demonstrated a commitment to the advancement and equality of home ownership for all by addressing social issues among prospective customers, their peers and their community.

Johnson served as president of Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay in 2009. The organization's mission is to assist low-income homeowners, especially senior citizens and people with disabilities, by providing necessary repairs to their properties free of charge. 

RTTB’s projects are supported through working partnerships with corporations and county and city governments. 

During her tenure as president, Johnson decided to tackle an entire blighted West Tampa neighborhood. Bringing together more than 800 volunteers and partnering with the National Football League,  RTTB rebuilt and repaired 72 homes over Super Bowl weekend. 

A lifelong pet lover, Johnson also has been involved with the Humane Society of Tampa Bay for many years.  She was elected president of the Humane Society in 2011 and completed her second term as president in 2012.

During the real estate downturn, Johnson reached out to foreclosed homeowners to help them find a place to live that would also accept the family’s dogs and cats. She also recognized the need for low-cost animal wellness and healthcare for the community, and began fundraising efforts to expand the Humane Society’s animal health services. The capital campaign was energized by an individual’s $1 million donation, enabling the society to build a new 11,000-square-foot facility. 

Additionally, Johnson formed the Best Friends Program, an initiative that helps troubled teenagers at the Juvenile Justice Department by bringing them to the animal shelter to work with dogs.

She also served as chairwoman of the Hillsborough County Animal Advisory Board and founder of Florida Big Dog Rescue.   

Johnson is based in the Coldwell Banker Brandon Central office, located at 213 W. Bloomingdale Ave., Brandon.

For more than 20 years, Johnson has sold property and homes in the greater Brandon area as a sales associate of the Brandon office of Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate.

She has earned professional designations of Certified Residential Specialist  and Graduate Realtor Institute.

In 2010, she was named Humanitarian of the Year by the Florida Association of Realtors.