LEADER'S LEADER

by Sr. Staff Writer & Graphic Designer, Melanie Robitaille

Jackson, MN – The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) recently announced its roster of successful candidates for their highly sought after annual Leadership Academy. EXIT Franchisee, Lee A. Porter found himself among only 20 REALTORS® chosen out of hundreds of applicants from across the U.S. for the 2025 class.

Established in the early 2000’s, and known as a prestigious, once-in-a-career opportunity that’s both a preparation for and precursor to serving in prominent association leadership positions, the Academy provides a learning experience on the history and core workings of NAR. As a retired Sergeant with the Army National Guard, and the owner of 10 EXIT offices across Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota, Lee has always taken action and his role in real estate seriously.

“I serve on a number of committees at the state level and have served in all three states. I don’t know that there's ever going to be a perfect time for this kind of step, but when the opportunity is there, you have to go through the door,” he explained of a chance you just don’t turn down.

It’s a lot easier to walk through an open door instead of breaking it down. There's a lot going on in our industry, and I'd rather be prepared for the better times. If I can help build myself while the association is building itself, it's the perfect timing.

Candidates go through a rigorous, multi-step selection and application process which includes requirements such as obtaining references, recording a personal, 90-second video intro, and a final interview, just to name a few. Program sessions begin in January, with the 10-month process culminating in Houston, TX during the NAR NXT, The REALTOR® Experience event.

Lee, recently awarded as Broker of the Year for EXIT’s Central U.S. division, brings with him 18 years in the business, eight of those under the EXIT banner. It has only been within the last five years that he has been working in a leadership role in local associations. This was Lee’s first time applying because as a father of five he was waiting for the right time and “an empty nest,” as he said. He recalls Susan Blumhoeffer, the Association Executive of Minnesota’s West Central Association of REALTORS® putting his name into the running a mere two months after his youngest, “flew the coop.”

“I set the goal to apply, never really expecting that I was at the level where I would be at this point. I thought I would try and see the process and what it's about…It was a stepping stone to the future, but to be selected was an honor, and an exciting blessing all at once because I love to train and teach and I'd love to be able to bring that back after this experience,” Lee shared. “The only way we move forward is by challenging ourselves and growing. Knowledge is the one thing of value in this world that the more you have it’s only useful if you share it with others.”

He's a testament to what NAR is trying to accomplish through this Leadership Academy program, and the caliber of people who call EXIT home. And while he may not be the first EXIT associate to reach this achievement, with the application period for the 2026 class extending through February 13th, he definitely won’t be the last.