In an exclusive RISMedia interview with Real Estate Apprentice Grant Foundation in California, it was announced today that Heinemann and Rosch had both received $7,000 in grants, but even more significant was their promotion to compete among the elite final ten applicants for the Foundation’s $70,000 Grand Prize.  As part of that same announcement, Semi-Finalists Mayra Kennedy and Melanie Eifling were honored for their outstanding and competitive essays. Each Semi-Finalist was given $2,500 in Foundation grants to help bolster their respective real estate careers. 

Finalist Dawn Heinemann – Former AVP Pro
Dawn Heinemann started her career in the food and beverage industry, working for some of the best hotels and restaurants in Arizona.  Later she was employed as a Customer Service Representative for a worldwide shipping company, where she worked her way up the ladder to become a Customer Service Manager for over 200 employees.   Dawn then moved to an international bank as an Assistant Vice President, again working with customers in the area of identity theft and fraud.  “My team helped fraud victims, and we developed strategies to prevent further crimes from occurring,” said Heinemann.  According to sources, Heinemann’s people skills were highly developed through extensive training in behavioral styles, learning styles, and interviewing techniques.  Her training, combined with customer service experience, enable Dawn to communicate quickly and effectively with clients and other real estate professionals to determine their needs.  She explains, “I am able to adapt my style to meet theirs; so most people are very comfortable working with me.”

Dawn believes that she will succeed in real estate when others around her may fail because her approach to real estate combines the same work ethic, drive and organizational skills that served her well in the corporate sector.  “I realized that I am the janitor and CEO of my own business,” she said.  When Heinemann changed careers, she made certain that she would be able to support herself for at least two years while she established herself.  “I refuse to be a ‘dabbler’ in this profession.  This is a 100% approach, combined with an outstanding business plan that I am confident will put me on the road to success,” she remarked.   Heinemann completed her licensing training with Arizona RealtyU® Affiliate Hogan School of Real Estate.

Finalist Steve Rosch – A Fisher & Marketer
Steve Rosch was educated by Armbrust Real Estate Institute, a RealtyU® Affiliate in Colorado, and is currently an agent with Coldwell Banker Adobe Realty, in Lakewood Colorado.  Steve’s real-world experience includes sales, marketing, mortgage origination, property management and maintenance.  Prior to his new career in real estate, he spent ten years in sales and marketing with an international software distribution company, where he was in charge of goal setting, quality control, problem resolution, employee training and business development. On the marketing side, he developed strategies, implemented and negotiated the purchase of large quantities of specialty software packaging, direct mail elements, presentation pieces, and trade show media.  During this time, Rosch originated and placed mortgages for select customers. He adds, “I did this mostly for friends and family that would not trust any one else.”

When Rosch was asked what life experiences he believed made him especially well-suited for a career in real estate, he responded by stating, “I have participated in every aspect of business; from direct marketing to lead generation, from database management to accounting.  I have experienced a broad range of business cycles, management styles, and company philosophies that have exposed me to a variety of possible future scenarios and pitfalls. My experiences have been challenging in many respects, and all have reinforced the idea that no matter what the situation or people involved, you can ultimately only rely on your own integrity and character to carry you through.”

Semi-Finalist Mayra Kennedy – Freed from Castro’s Dictatorship  
As a $2,500 grant winner, Mayra Kennedy received her real estate education through Armbrust Real Estate Institute in Colorado, and now works full-time for HR Realty / Keller Williams in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.  Mayra was born in Pinar De Rio, Cuba, where she lived on a farm full of orange groves and cattle.  When Castro’s dictatorship became apparent, Mayra’s father won a lottery of sorts and escaped the island, taking the entire family out of Cuba and to the United States.  Prior to Mayra’s full-time work as a real estate agent, she accumulated eight years experience working as an Asset/Marketing Specialist with foreclosures (bank owned-REO properties).  She was mainly involved with overseeing the maintenance, marketing and the sale of real estate portfolios.   Mayra also oversaw the order and follow up on CMA’s, repair bids, inspections, repair completions, contracts and closing documents, as well as the review of  monthly status reports provided by listing agents.  Kennedy also worked with foreclosure lawyers and title companies to resolve title issues.

Semi-Finalist Melanie Eifling Walks Away with Prize
Melanie Eifling, also a winner of a $2,500 grant from Real Estate Apprentice®, was educated by Tennessee RealtyU® Affiliate, T.R.E.E.S.. Melanie has a unique position as an agent with Bill Colson Auction and Realty in Nashville, Tennessee, and is now a licensed auctioneer with the sale of numerous properties and land tracts at auction.  Her employment history includes stints as a Federal Investigator, a Communications Liaison, and an operator of two successful sole proprietorships: Order, Inc. and Showone, Inc.  It was during these prior ventures that Eifling learned to be an excellent judge of fair market value, honing her skills as a historian, and offering detailed knowledge to better serve her clients.  She graduated in 1985 from the University of Arkansas with a B.S. in Animal Science along with Agriculture Business. Prior to her real estate career, Eifling pursued a lifetime dream of training Tennessee Walking Horses, where she ran a successful business in four states and achieved 34 world championships. During that time, she set industry sales records selling horses at auction. She now anticipates setting the same records in the auction of real estate.