CORPUS CHRISTI
C O N N E C T I N G .
E L E VAT I N G .
1. full page: Sarah Greaud Photography 2. 1/2 page: South Texas Mold Control 3. 1/4 page: Beach Tree Services
TERRANCE
franklin
GET YOU SQUARED AWAY Photography By TresPiña Photography Location By 1st Community Bank
I N S P I R I N G .
PREFERRED PARTNER SPOTLIGHT HEIL CLOSING TEAM Honesty, Integrity, Great Value RISING STAR LORI LEE GARCIA A Culture Of Caring LEGENDARY LEADER JEAN MARIE GIEGERICH A Small Package With A Big Boom ECONOMY CORPUS CHRISTI WATER What Makes A Good Neighbor?
JANUARY 2022
We Were Built To Work with YOU “THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE WAS GREAT! Juan and the
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The Juan Garcia Team 361-492-9353 juang@goalterra.com
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2 • January 2022
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Uncompromisingly High Standards Title & Escrow Settlement Services Residential, Commercial, & Industrial Closings Custom Homes and Residential Communities Estate Planning Consulting Services Legal Document Preparation
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Corpus Christi Real Producers • 3
TAB LE OF
CONTENTS 12
14
20
Publisher’s Note: Your Personal Brand
Legendary Leader: Jean Marie Giegerich
Preferred Partner Spotlight: Heil Closing Team
26
32
36
Real Producer: Terrance Franklin
Economy: Corpus Christi Water
Rising Star: Lori Lee Garcia
If you are interested in contributing or nominating REALTORS® for certain stories, please email us at amanda.carmichael@realproducersmag.com. DISCLAIMER: Any articles included in this publication and/or opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the views of The N2 Company d/b/a Real Producers but remain solely those of the author(s). The paid advertisements contained within the Corpus Christi Real Producers magazine are not endorsed or recommended by The N2 Company or the publisher. Therefore, neither The N2 Company nor the publisher may be held liable or responsible for business practices of these companies.
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Corpus Christi Real Producers • 7
PREFERRED PARTNERS
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8 • January 2022
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10 • January 2022
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Corpus Christi Real Producers • 11
publisher’s note
By Amanda Carmichael
BRAND YOUR PERSONAL
If you had to describe yourself to a stranger, would you know what to say?
The phrase “personal brand” often brings to mind influencers and other people who need to proactively market their work. However, everyone can benefit from presenting their talents to the world, both online and in person. You’re probably already doing this to some extent, even if you don’t realize it. Personal branding can be as simple as being punctual, being polite, and choosing clothes that express the way you want to be seen. It’s really an act of empowerment. Knowing your brand is knowing your value, it’s knowing your worth. It’s so much more than just knowing how to tell a great story. It’s understanding what makes you you—why you’re awesome, why you’re brilliant.… Because there’s only one you, and what a beautiful thing. People value self-worth in others.
Recognizing your own value will make you feel more confident. When you know that you’re capable and worthy of respect, those butterflies you feel before asking for a raise or taking on a challenging work project feel a little less overwhelming. Which means you’re more likely to push yourself to achieve more. Other people will take note, too. People who can sincerely advocate for themselves make others feel confident. Who would you rather trust with an important task: the person who tells you they can do it, or the person who doesn’t seem sure? You need to value and trust yourself before you expect other people to. At the same time, everyone has to start somewhere. Self-worth doesn’t magically develop after you’ve already achieved what you wanted. It’s usually the opposite: Knowing that you’re capable of great things and worthy of respect gives you the confidence you need to go for your goals. That means there will be lots of time when you’re facing a new challenge, trying to convince yourself and others you can handle it. Everyone has to do this at some point—it’s the only way to grow.
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JEAN MARIE
Giegerich
legendary leader By Dr. Kasia Suarez Photography By TresPiña Photography HMUA By Hair & Make-Up By LuLu
Jean Marie Giegerich is dedicated, motivated, and a firecracker. She is not afraid to take the bull by the horns. Friends say she is short and spicy, with loads of care and a huge heart. Jean Marie has had a passion for people and for the real estate industry for over four decades. Jean Marie is an independent broker/ owner of Weichert REALTORS® – The Place of Houses and the Commercial Division in Corpus Christi. She got into real estate 43 years ago, to help pay for her college education. She quickly learned time management skills and a hard-working attitude. Jean Marie worked real estate part-time while going to college, having a family, and supporting four other businesses. By the time Jean Marie had earned her degree in interior design, she had also made some real estate investments. Two days after graduation, she had five job offers. When she had
14 • January 2022
her final interviews for the new opportunities and heard the yearly salaries she was shocked. Jean Marie shared, “I looked at them and said, ‘You want me to work from eight to five to make this much money in a year? I make this much money selling real estate part-time in one month!’ That’s when I realized I had to rethink what direction I wanted to go.” She accepted a position as vice president and division manager of a home-building company. Jean Marie worked with Hughes Development, helping design, develop, and sell the subdivision at Steiner Ranch. After Steiner Ranch was on its feet, Jean Marie was asked to divide her time between Austin and Corpus Christi so she could work on a new development in the Coastal Bend. For two years she spent half of each week in Corpus Christi and the other half in Austin; allowing her to pursue both interior design and real estate.
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In 1994, Jean Marie was asked to go back to Austin full-time. However, she had fallen in love with the potential of the Corpus Christi community. Her children were off to college and living quite independently, so Jean Marie made the decision to stay in Corpus. She really wanted to work to help the area grow and develop. “I have watched some very professional people come into this community over the last 30 years. They have been focused on higher standards and building this community, as well. I will remain dedicated to that,” explained Jean Marie. Jean Marie is a second-generation American. One of her parents was Irish/English and the other was German, and both were raised during the Great Depression. Frugality and ethics were important to Jean Marie’s parents, and she valued the character they instilled into her. In the early 1990s, Jean Marie had opened up her boutique brokerage, The Place of Houses. She planned to stay small so she could maintain the culture she had created. When the Weichert Group approached her about joining their franchise in 2015, she was initially reluctant. Her office manager did a little investigating and found, to her delight, that the Weichert Group had the same mindset, high standards, and service mentality that Jean Marie did.
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Corpus Christi Real Producers • 15
“Having a quiet, deep relationship with the Lord is paramount in my life,” said Jean Marie. “When I tithe, I never run out of money. I think that if truly successful people would be honest with the rest of the world, they would agree.” Jean Marie believes reading contributes to her success and enjoys reading on an iPad or from an actual book so she can smell the pages! She jokes that agents say she made them read and memorize every line of every contract. In addition to reading for her own personal growth and professional development, Jean Marie reads the Bible, especially verses that have helped her push through events in life.
Weichert gives Jean Marie the tools she needs to train her team, including more marketing options for their sellers and high standards for how to behave with each client and each other. Her team has the tools they need to stay strong, despite the nationwide changes in the past two years. Additionally, the agents at Weichert Realtors, The Place of Houses, and the Commercial Division already have, or are earning, their GRI (Graduate Real Estate Institute). “It’s like having a family,” said Jean Marie. “They are unbelievable! After every power hour meeting, I get a lump in my throat. I have watched each one of them encourage, love, and support each other in everything they do,” Jean Marie shared. 16 • January 2022
Yvonne, the team’s recruiter, is entrusted with connecting with new teammates and finding the perfect fit. She doesn’t look for the right numbers, she looks for the right attitude. Yvonne is attentive in discerning how well individuals get along with others – their personalities and their attitudes toward serving others. The key to her success has been the blend of the work ethic her father instilled into her, and the spirituality that was instilled by her mother. From a young age, Jean Marie learned the importance of working hard six days a week, as well as the importance of setting aside time for God and giving back to Him.
One truth that stands out to Jean Marie is from Psalm One, where it states, “Blessed is the person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers…” The point of this psalm is the promise, which says if you do this, then everything you do will prosper. Jean Marie believes that life really is that simple. She also appreciates 2 Chronicles 7:14 and Jerimiah 29:11. Even in the toughest times, Jean Marie found herself walking into an open church, opening up the Bible, and having some of these verses seemingly pop up at her. That’s grace!
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Jean Marie said her heart motivates her for everything she does. When she is not working, Jean Marie likes to walk the beach, read, or spend time with family in Austin. Jean Marie’s family is her “why.” They have kept her going all these years, and she has taught them the importance of investing in real estate. They purchased a VRBO in Lake Travis as a family and learned the importance of preparing for the future by making investments to support their lives. Ninety percent of the items in their lake home, including materials and appliances, were purchased from Corpus Christi vendors. “Real estate is a hard business,” said Jean Marie. “People think REALTORS® look like movie stars, and they have no idea we have to sweep and move couches full of
roaches. We do what it takes to help a client. I also do whatever it takes to help agents, teaching them the importance of the four Fs: faith, family, fitness, and finances.” “My job is to give back to a business that has been so good to me,” said the woman with the reputation of being a small package with a big boom. “That is why I continue to go full speed, supporting my agents, and giving back to the community. I have no desire to quit. Ever!”
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Corpus Christi Real Producers • 17
WHAT DO I WANT?
WHY DON’T I HAVE IT YET?
WHAT HABITS OR MINDSETS DO I NEED TO CHANGE?
WHAT ACTIONS DO I NEED TO TAKE?
18 • January 2022
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SOUND STRATEGY STARTS WITH SOLID PLANNING
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Corpus Christi Real Producers • 19
preferred partner spotlight
HEIL CLOSING TEAM By Ruth Gnirk Photography By TresPiña Photography HMUA By Hair & Make-Up By LuLu
The Heil Closing Team has been faithfully serving the Coastal Bend community since 2018, assisting 300 families in 2021 alone. The four-member team protects buyers from title defects and serves as a neutral and knowledgeable third party during the escrow period. The Heil Closing Team has decades of combined experience in titles and closings, but their greatest asset is their commitment to honor God with every relationship and every transaction. The Law Office of Jacyr Q. Heil was established in 2005, and Jacyr quickly created a reputation as an attorney with integrity. He helped families create trusts, and assisted clients in creating power of attorneys and advanced directives. He also specialized in estate planning, probate, and real estate law.
20 • January 2022
In 2018 The Law Office of Jacyr Heil, PLLC teamed up with Texas Lone Star Title to become a trusted title closing office for the community. This partnership enables the Heil Closing Team to collaborate with multiple lenders, allowing the team to offer clients a variety of underwriter options. The dynamic, service-oriented Heil Closing Team provides personalized title insurance, escrow services, and loan closing services for residential clients as well as commercial and industrial clientele. Each member of the Heil Closing Team is involved with every transaction. Individually and collectively, the team is committed to professional excellence, and they are passionate about the people they are serving.
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CHRISTIE THOMAS, OFFICE MANAGER When Christie graduated from high school, she had no idea what she wanted to do with her life. She applied at a temp agency and soon started working as a receptionist. Christie is a perfectionist and loves to learn new things. She has been working in the title industry for over two decades. Her beautiful and nurturing Hawaiian grandmother “Tutu Wahine” taught her the love of yard work and decorating. She also modeled the importance of nurturing relationships with family, friends, and strangers. Christie is proud to be called “Tutu” by her own young grandchildren.
JACYR HEIL, ATTORNEY Jacyr was born in Brazil and has dual citizenship. His family moved to Corpus Christi in 1980, and Jacyr became intrigued and inspired by his older brother Robert’s involvement in the W.B. Ray High School mock trial and debate teams. Jacyr joined the debate and mock trial teams himself and found that he had a passion for justice. He earned his doctorate from Baylor School of Law in 2004.
Christie has three dogs and is an involved supporter of local animal foster organizations. She is especially passionate about the Faith and Hope Foundation (faithandhopefoundation.org). Christie also helps transport foster and adoptive dogs to Florida with Furry Friends of the Panhandle Rescue (find them on Facebook). “I had worked in several title companies in Austin,” Christie shared, “and learned a lot about hardship and integrity. Jacyr created The Heil Closing Team as an act of love. He created a place for us to grow and serve others. I have found my forever title home!”
Jacyr met his wife Stacey through a Church Unlimited life group that met at Jacyr’s home. The Heil family enjoys creating memories with relatives and friends at a church camp in New Braunfels. Their children are ages 6, 3, and 1. His team describes him as a gentle problem-solver. “God is the center of my life, and I want to provide a service for my community that honors Him,” said Jacyr. “My team and I treat customers like family. We love to provide hands-on, personalized customer service, and people are satisfied because they can tell that the whole team loves what they do and whom they serve. We are also grateful for Texas Lone Star Title; without them, we couldn’t do what we do.”
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Corpus Christi Real Producers • 21
VERONICA BUJANOS, ESCROW ASSISTANT Veronica and her siblings were raised by resourceful parents who enjoyed family projects. Throughout her childhood and youth, her parents would buy a home that needed some TLC and then remodel it slowly and purposefully while living there. When the project was complete, Veronica’s parents would sell the house and purchase the next project, so it was almost natural for Veronica to become a REALTOR®.
FRANCINE D’ASTA, ESCROW OFFICER As the youngest of three girls, Francine not only saw her mother’s example but was inspired by her older sisters’ drive to work hard and achieve goals. Francine worked in the service industry before graduating from a paralegal program at Del Mar College. A temp agency connected Francine with Jacyr Heil seven years ago, and she still fondly recalls that her transition onto the team was very smooth. Francine likes cycling in her free time. She belongs to an athletic club and enjoys both the camaraderie and the exercise. Francine is also very artistic and enjoys painting. She and Austin enjoy spending time together with her mini dachshund Abby. “The Heil Closing team keeps up with the laws, rules, and technology that are constantly changing,” said Francine. “We strive for excellence in everything we do, but our biggest goal is building relationships. I am so glad that Jacyr and Texas Lone Star Title give us the freedom to think outside the box!”
22 • January 2022
Veronica and her husband Artie met through a Church Unlimited life group that met at Jacyr’s home. The Bujanos’ have been married for seven years and have recently welcomed a parrotlet to their family. Veronica’s passion is singing, and she has been serving on the Church Unlimited worship team for 12 years. She is also a certified Les Mills BODYCOMBAT™ instructor. Veronica has been with the Heil Closing Team for three years. Although Veronica, her twin sister, and their brothers are grown and have their own families, the four still have a close bond. Their families are intentional about staying connected to each other, especially after one of Veronica’s brothers survived a health crisis. In 2020, Veronica’s parents, siblings, and their spouses remodeled a home together, which they successfully sold in early 2021. “My life can be summed up in three words: family, faith, and fitness. Artie and I love to serve at church. We also enjoy spending time with our extended family, and supporting our nieces and nephews as they play in sporting events. I am grateful to be able to live out my faith in my life and when I’m at work. I love to share my love for God, and for fitness, with others.”
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The team would also like to acknowledge their gratitude for Keith, the office technician who has graciously and skillfully resolved many computer, copier, and internet issues.
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Corpus Christi Real Producers • 23
THE OPTIONS AND ADVICE YOUR BUYERS NEED THE SERVICE YOU BOTH DESERVE
"Claudia and her team were amazing throughout the whole process. She kept my client and myself informed and up to date each step of the way. She was always there to answer any questions and make sure we understood each step of the process. We couldn't have asked for better service. Claudia and her team are highly recommended!!" - Chad H
#closedwithclaudia Work with a lender you can count on to get deals done.
NMLS # 464150 5850 S Staples St, Corpus Christi, TX 78413 361-774-0002 | 361-334-8370 www.closedwithclaudia.com/ 24 • January 2022
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Photo by Tres Piña Photography
Licensed & Insured • Locally Owned & Operated
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Corpus Christi Real Producers • 25
franklin
TERRANCE 26 • January 2022
@realproducers
real producer
By Ruth Gnirk Photography By TresPiña Photography Location By 1st Community Bank
rowing up as an “Army brat” in Germany and traveling in Europe shaped Terrance Franklin into the well-adjusted, socially connected real estate entrepreneur that he is today. He did well in sports in his youth, and excelled in sales, service, and motivational speaking as an adult. Terrance easily adapted to the real estate world in 2008 and has been increasing is influence each year. Terrance Franklin is an out-of-the-box thinker and a wholehearted man of action who works hard to get his clients and fellow REALTORS® squared away. Terrance’s dad was a drill sergeant in the US Army, and his mother worked in administrative positions for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Terrance and his brother’s earliest memories involve lessons about striving for excellence and being all that they could be. Terrance was born in Atlanta, GA but was raised in Germany, and the family visited a dozen countries while Terrance was growing up. The Franklins moved to a military base in Munich, Germany when Terrance was in middle school and they lived there until his senior year when they moved back to the US. Terrance played high profile positions in football and excelled in basketball and track, in Germany and in the United States. Terrance attended four different high schools and learned how to be resilient and make friends quickly. Terrance was able to visit Berlin when the wall came down, and he hand-picked his own piece of history. By the time he was 18, Terrance had experienced life in Germany, Italy, Spain, and six States in the US. He was looking for a place to call home. A position as director of training brought Terrance to Corpus Christi as a young adult. He quickly grew to appreciate the variety of culture, people, and opportunities in the Coastal Bend. He felt connected to the people, and decided that this was the best place for him. Terrance has lived in Corpus Christi for the past 18 years.
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Corpus Christi Real Producers • 27
Begin with the end in mind.
The key in any industry is to always treat others well, give 110 percent, and be known for good service.
28 • January 2022
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Franklin gained experience in sales, customer service, and project management. He approached each job as an opportunity for growth. He earned rapid promotions because of his diligence and tenacity, as well as his natural ability to connect with customers and personalize service to their needs. One of his customers actually offered him an amazing job opportunity because he saw Terrance’s character and potential. His life, and career path, were forever changed by his training at the Stagen Institute in Dallas, and by Stephen Covey’s book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Terrance utilized his training and his entrepreneurial mindset, together with his engaging personality and his emotional intelligence, to gain positions of leadership and influence. He frequently facilitated large company training seminars, motivating others to improve. Terrance earned his real estate license in 2008 shortly before the market crashed. When his daughter was young, he worked three jobs simultaneously to supplement his income. It was important to Terrance to fulfill his financial responsibilities, but he never gave up his vision of being a top REALTOR®.
In 2013 Terrance distinguished himself by selling over 30 homes in 12 months, earning a Ruby Award. In 2015 he transferred his license to Coldwell Banker Pacesetter Steele. Terrance has nothing but praise for the leadership, educational focus, and servant’s heart of his broker April Magnuson and his healthy, interdependent team. Despite circumstances or obstacles, Terrance continued to strive for excellence. He learned to adapt, and then he gained confidence and started his own trends. Terrance Franklin brings an attitude of excellence into every interaction he has with clients, fellow REALTORS®, Preferred Partners, and random strangers, for whom he always has a kind word and a warm smile. Franklin has a special place in his heart for military families. He is currently working on an entrepreneurial system to promote collaboration among REALTORS®, especially those who work with veterans and military families. He envisions that his connecting, coaching, and relocation referral business will continue growing and become national, perhaps even global. www.tlfranklin.com Terrance is a very involved father. He was an active participant in the parent teacher organization. He picks her up from school every day so he can connect with her and help her process the things she’s experienced. The two of them enjoy traveling to visit his parents in Georgia. The duo also frequently make TikToks together. Terrance gives his time and money to local programs that help those less fortunate. He has been actively involved in the community as a motivational speaker and volunteer through the Masonic Lodge. Terrance wants to help people, and families, succeed. “Begin with the end in mind,” Terrance said wisely. “The key in any industry is to always treat others well, give 110 percent, and be known for good service. I used to be the new agent; now I volunteer to mentor new agents. I want to be known as a good resource for my community, and beyond. I can help anyone get squared away.”
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Corpus Christi Real Producers • 29
Walk the Path With Me To Financial Success!
Ryan Reyna 1102 Santa Fe St. Corpus Christi, TX 78404 (361) 888-6669 ryan.reyna@equitable.com
Photo by Brianna Cortez Photography
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30 • January 2022
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Corpus Christi Real Producers • 31
economy
CORPUS CHRISTI
WATER
32 • January 2022
By Michael Murphy, COO of Corpus Christi Water
What makes a good neighbor?
I think it’s a relevant question for readers of Corpus Christi Real Producers magazine. I have some thoughts… I’ve learned when you move to a new neighborhood one of the best things you can do is introduce yourself. My name is Michael Murphy, but I go by Murphy. I’m the Chief Operations Officer for Corpus Christi Water and have been in the Coastal Bend for about seven months. I was born and raised in Texas, and I’m a proud Texas Tech Red Raider. My 30-plus-year career has been spent in public works leadership, primarily in water and wastewater. Being a good neighbor means keeping your area tidy. One of my main priorities is keeping Corpus Christi Water facilities around our city clean and neat with fresh paint, mowed grass, and a clean smell. Being a good neighbor means knowing how to stay in touch with one another. If you have an
issue with your water or wastewater services, please contact (361) 826-2489 or send an email to cctxwater@cctexas.com. We at Corpus Christi Water will do our very best to answer questions and get your problem remedied.
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Being a good neighbor means communicating. In that spirit, I want to tell you about some of the major projects we are working on.
at other possible sources of water. After evaluating numerous options, seawater desalination rose to the top, as it provides a drought-proof, reliable supply of water.
· Elevated Storage Tanks:
Two of our Elevated Storage Tanks – also known as water towers – are in the process of being brought back online after sitting idle for several years. Water storage is important because it helps keep the overall water system pressurized, which is vital for water quality.
· Seawater Desalination:
Corpus Christi Water has applied for four permits from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for two seawater desalination plants, one located on the Inner Harbor and the other on the La Quinta Channel. Why? The Coastal Bend has a history of droughts dating back to the 1800s. Our primary sources of water – Lake Corpus Christi, Choke Canyon Lake, the Nueces River, and the Colorado River – are all surface sources of water. They are dependent on rainfall. After the terrible drought of 2011, City of Corpus Christi leadership began looking
Our environmental modeling shows no negligible impact on aquatic life. The waters and wildlife are what make this part of Texas special, and we are committed to being environmentally responsible.
· Oso Wastewater Treatment Plant: Built in 1941,
this plant at the corner of Nile Drive and Ennis Joslin has undergone extensive upgrades. A properly functioning wastewater treatment plant is essential to public health and a strong community.
Seawater desalination also provides the most affordable option for a new water source. Affordability drives economy, which translates to businesses, employees, property sales, and more. For more information on the proposed seawater desalination project, visit desal. cctexas.com.
Water provides water to the city and seven other counties, making us the supplier for the region. About 500,000 people trust us to deliver water, and that is a responsibility we take very seriously. Please keep watching for more improvements to come your way as we strive to provide professional delivery of safe and reliable water and wastewater services. From all of us at Corpus Christi Water, Happy New Year! facebook.com/ CCTXWater
Finally, being a good neighbor means being trustworthy. Corpus Christi
p owur
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Lazrik Pettis | (361) 945-2748 | ursolarguy@hotmail.com realproducersmag.com
Corpus Christi Real Producers • 33
34 • January 2022
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Corpus Christi Real Producers • 35
rising star By Dr. Kasia Suarez Photography By TresPiña Photography Hair Styled By Christopher Jarred, Superior Haus Of Beauty Make-Up Artist By Olivia Franco, Haus Of Liv
I am thankful for all the ‘cheerleaders’ in the real estate world.
Lori Lee Garcia
36 • January 2022
@realproducers
Lori Lee Garcia is the true definition of someone who makes a difference. She wants to be known as someone that creates change, speaks out, and is a voice for those who aren’t being heard. Lori Lee got into real estate so she could help people. She saw a need in the community for Spanish-speaking REALTORS®. It was important for Lori Lee to help those individuals that wanted to purchase a home but could not find support in their native language.
Lori Lee has been a REALTOR® since July of 2020. In her first year as an agent, Lori Lee sold one home. One. She was willing to take advantage of the support and education provided by RE/MAX and was determined not to give up. Lori Lee closed on $2.5 million in 2021! She was honored to receive her first award in November 2021 for earning $50K in commission. Nevertheless, real estate means more than numbers to Lori Lee. Lori Lee started her career path as a probation officer. She enjoyed getting to know the community and being able to be there for others. Serving as a probation officer helped her fall in love with helping people, despite the tough cases. She has had many difficult experiences, such as the assignment to supervise an individual responsible for the death of someone known to the community. It was heartbreaking for her to hear what the convicted person shared with family members about the experience of going to trial. Rather than harden her heart, tough cases motivated Lori Lee to continue making a difference. She wanted to give people a second chance, and help them own their own home where they can live in peace and privacy.
realproducersmag.com
For Lori Lee, it’s not about the numbers, but about truly helping people.
Lori Lee grew up in a broken home and always wanted to be successful. When she graduated from high school, Lori Lee knew she needed to pursue higher education. She also wanted to help others who, like herself, grew up without a stable father figure. The experiences of her grandparents also motivated Lori to work harder and do better for herself and her daughters. As a second-generation MexicanAmerican, Lori Lee was very aware of the struggles her grandparents had gone through. Lori Lee’s grandmother did not want them to speak Spanish, because she has been discriminated against. Lori Lee did not learn Spanish until she went to college. Seeing what her grandmother went through fueled Lori Lee’s desire to be a voice for Spanish-speaking individuals.
Corpus Christi Real Producers • 37
Lori Lee shared that one of the hardest parts of being an agent is the emotional attachment she develops as she works with clients and their families. She doesn’t intentionally end friendly relationships with her clients, but she said that after a sale it feels like a break up because there are no more daily updates and texts. Lori is thankful that most of her clients end up becoming her good friends. Today, Lori Lee continues to serve as a probation supervisor. Her hours allow her the time to be a REALTOR®. Lori Lee plans to focus solely on real estate after she retires from probation in a few years. She is grateful for her family’s support as she works two full-time jobs. Lori is also very intentional about attending every volleyball game, dance recital, and soccer game.
“I truly try to help everyone from bottom to top and start to finish,” said Lori Lee. “For me, it’s not about closing another deal. It’s about answering every question and addressing any concerns they have. I also want to make sure my clients know there are different lenders, so they can get the best interest rate. I go above and beyond for my clients.” Lori Lee’s attitude of being there for others also translates into being a team player. She enjoys supporting other agents, and new agents. Lori Lee wants new agents to know there is always help available. If Lori Lee 38 • January 2022
doesn’t know the answer, she will find it, or refer the person so they can get an answer. “I am thankful for all the ‘cheerleaders’ in the real estate world,” said Lori Lee. “I have received a lot of support from other REALTORS®, even ones that are not in the same brokerage as I am. I love that there are other agents here in Corpus willing to help. I appreciate events like collections for Toys for Tots or the local food bank. I love that people work together here, instead of against each other.”
Lori Lee is a big fan of J Lo and of women supporting each other. She is also an active supporter of giving back to the community. Lori Lee has served with various organizations such as The Purple Door, CASA, Corpus Christi Food Bank, children’s camps. Lori Lee has also helped with various school drives, such as collecting funds for the high school graduation caps and gowns. Whether it’s donating money or donating her time, Lori Lee Garcia is there. The people and experiences in Lori Lee’s early life opened her eyes to be able to see a different, positive path in life. She continues to be grateful for everything that she went through because it helped shape her into the person she is today. Lori Lee is an outgoing and hard-working woman who loves supporting others, especially those like her grandmother who need someone to stand up for them.
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Corpus Christi Real Producers • 39
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40 • January 2022
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Corpus Christi Real Producers • 41
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OF F I C I A2022 L HAIR 42 • January
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Corpus Christi Real Producers • 43
