McColly Real Estate celebrates 45 years of helping Northwest Indiana find a home

McColly Real Estate celebrates 45 years of helping Northwest Indiana find a home

Disco music, bell-bottom pants, go-go boots, and vinyl records decorated the Innsbrook Country Club Thursday morning for McColly Real Estate’s 45th Annual Awards Breakfast. 

More than 250 Agents & Staff gathered in their finest throwback polyester for this year’s “Studio ‘74” theme to share a meal and celebrate their successes for the 2018 production year.

McColly Real Estate Annual Awards Breakfast 2019

McColly Real Estate Annual Awards Breakfast 2019 157 Photos
McColly Real Estate Annual Awards Breakfast 2019McColly Real Estate Annual Awards Breakfast 2019McColly Real Estate Annual Awards Breakfast 2019McColly Real Estate Annual Awards Breakfast 2019

"We are here to recognize and honor our top broker associate producers and their offices for 2018," said company founder Ronald F. McColly in his opening remarks. "I'm very proud of 2018 sales results, and the turnout we have for our awards breakfast."

John Rostankovski, McColly Real Estate Broker, based out of the Schererville office, has been with the company for almost 45 years. He was one of McColly’s first Agents after launching the company in 1974.

"It means a lot to be here today because I was one of the people there at the beginning,” Rostankovski said. “I'm very excited.”

After serving as the managing broker at the Schererville office for 27 years, John’s taken a step back in the last few years to focus primarily on listing and selling homes. Over the last four and a half decades, he’s seen the Schererville office grow from two employees to over 130.

"It's a very successful company, and one of the best companies in Northwest Indiana,” he said. "I'm very proud to work for a company like that."

Individual branch pride abounded from table to table throughout breakfast. 

“My office, hands down, is my favorite,” said Brent W. Wright, Broker at the Portage Willowcreek office. “We're a small group that produces a lot of numbers. It's a good time."

Wright said he loves his job because he gets to help people successfully navigate major changes.

“Whether they’re buying or selling, I'm helping them through a hard transition,” he said. “It's a big life moment."

McColly’s Lake County Rookie of the Year award winner, Broker Kyle R. Bowen from the Schererville office, shared that sentiment.

"The best thing about selling real estate is the ability to help people," Bowen said. “You are making a difference. You are involved with people in the most important financial transaction that they'll ever make, and it's their home, so you are irreplaceable in that process.”

Being recognized with an award for his rookie year efforts meant a lot to Bowen.

"It's cool that this company recognizes you for your success," he said. “You get a little bit more drive. You're inspired a little bit more."

After Careers in Nursing and funeral service, Susan Schreffler entered real estate 25 years ago, as a Broker Realtor from the McColly Bennett Real Estate office in Bourbonnais, Ill.

"I decided to make a change and get into real estate because it's similar to nursing in some ways,” Schreffler explained. “You just listen to people and learn their needs, and then you go out and find a way to help address those needs."

Just recently, Schreffler helped a family moving into our community. There was no home available on market that met their needs. Susan went to work contacting owners and found the perfect home for the family. 

For the last six years, the Schreffler Winterroth Team has been an integral part of McColly Real Estate’s success in Ill. 

"This is an amazing company,” Schreffler said. “They offer so much to their agents and they are very supportive."