Ravalli Republic, Friday, January 31, 2020 - 11
Exit Realty wins Community Service Award Max and Tina Coleman, owners of Exit Realty, won the Community Service award with the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce. “It is important to us because I was told no other realtor has ever won it,” Max Coleman said. “Realtors are not known for giving. But we consistently give, and we are involved with more nonprofits than any other realty company in the valley.” Tina Coleman added that Exit Realty was under consideration for this category and Business of the Year. “I would rather get this award for giving back,” she said. “This speaks to my heart, and is what we’re all about. Of all the awards we could have won, this one means the most. It speaks to the heart of what we are trying to accomplish. We tell our agents; it is difficult to change the world but you can change yours” Just before Christmas Exit Realty paid off all the overdue school lunch accounts in Ravalli County, nearly $15,000. They reg-
ularly sponsor clubs and sports teams, donate to non-profits including $9,000 to the Gary Sinise (Veterans) Foundation in August, classroom grants, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Bitter Root Humane Association and law enforcement. “There is not one of our agents who is not giving back in some way, shape or form,” Tina Coleman said. “We encourage it. I’m also really proud that there has been an Exit person on the board of Habitat for the last 10 years. We’ve never not had someone on the board and gave them the money and lots with no commission charges.” EXIT Realty Corp International was founded in 1995. We have offices operating throughout North America. EXIT Realty Bitterroot Valley has been serving Ravalli County since 2006 opening its first office in Hamilton, MT. It has since expanded opening an office in Stevi in 2016 and in Darby in 2017. EXIT Realty is an empathy driven company focused on developing human
potential. We do not sell properties. We help people achieve their goals and fulfill their dreams. We actively strive to improve our communities; giving back and helping out wherever we can. We would like to leave the County we serve a better place because we operated in it. Broker/Owner Max Coleman has lived in the Valley since 1992. He has an extensive background in sales and serving. When opening a Real Estate Brokerage, he had many different brand names to choose from. He chose EXIT Photo MICHELLE MCCONNAHA because of its philosophy of Max & Tina Coleman of Exit Realty Bitterroot Valley, winners of the Chamber empathy and providing the best Community Service Award. platform for success for both clients and agents. “This award actually belongs to His wife, Tina, moved to the our agents,” Max Coleman said. Valley from Canada in 2013 Her background in education, admin- “Every single one of them gives their time, energy and money istration and EXIT Realty was the perfect compliment. Together to help make their community a they focus on developing their better place. It is their dedicaagents to be the best humans tion to serving our clients that has they can be. They provide the afforded EXIT Realty Bitterroot training, the education and the resources to be able to serve and Valley the opportunity to make an impact.” care for their clients.
Marvin Edstedt wins Chamber volunteer of the year The Chamber Volunteer of the year is Marvin Edstedt who works Fridays in the Chamber office. “I just do it because I love it,” Edstedt said. “I’m not in to it for anything other than intermingling with our visitors from out of state and out of country.” At the Chamber office Edstedt answers the phone, greets visitors and helps with any of the chamber procedures, like mailing fliers and helping John Trangmoe.
“We’re the ones who get all the out of state materials like travel books and maps for visitors who come into the Chamber office,” he said. “Maps are still going strong for the most part even with GPS. We keep maps of all the different states around Montana in case they need them.” He said he is an ambassador for the Bitterroot Valley and all of Montana. Edstedt has been a volunteer
at the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce for 11 years, worked as a veteran’s service officer for the Vietnam Veterans of America and was a history teacher. “I tried to teach US history but I think that is everyone’s least favorite subject in school,” Edstedt said. “After my career I went to the Chamber to see if they needed volunteers on day and they did so I’ve been there ever since.”
Photo DOUG MCCONNAHA
The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the year is Marvin Edstedt who works Fridays in the Chamber office.