Local realtor Travis Close was among three Tennessee realtors who received awards at the Tennessee Realtor's fall convention last week in Memphis. Mr. Close received the Realtor of the Year award, while Leon Dickson, Sr. received the President Award, Ingrid Prather received the TREEF Educator of the Year Award

The annual convention brings together members for professional development, continuing education, governance meetings and statewide networking. 

Mr. Close's Realtor of the Year Award is given annually to the member who best represents the most complete character and professional profile of a realtor.

Mr. Close has a record of leadership at the Greater Chattanooga Realtors, serving as president in 2015 and currently as 2026 MLS chair. He is also an NAR RPAC Hall of Fame inductee and holds seven realtor designations, reflecting his ongoing investment in the profession.  

“Travis truly embodies what it means to be a realtor, and we’re incredibly proud to recognize him,” said Chris  Garrett, 2026 president. “His ongoing commitment to our industry and local community for the past 19 years has made an incredible impression. Through serving on countless committees and boards, Travis’ dedication to strengthening our industry and supporting those around him is hard to match.” 

Mr. Dickson Sr.'s President Award recognizes the member who provided the most support and encouragement and played a hands-on role in making their presidential year successful. 

“Leon’s influence began many years ago, long before I was President of Realtors,” said Mr. Garrett. “Our friendship formed through years of volunteering together, and I watched him serve as president in 2018. He started as a colleague, then turned into a friend and now a trusted mentor. I call him my big brother. Though Leon is currently battling a cancer diagnosis, his spirit and strength shine through. His grace through this difficult time is truly inspiring. He remains a constant friend, an amazing influence and a selfless mentor.” 

The TREEF Educator of the Year Award, since the mid-1980s, has periodically honored one individual as state realtor Educator of the Year. Ms. Prather, this year's recipient, has been a realtor for more than 35 years, and has dedicated much of her career to educating and empowering real estate professionals and future homeowners.

"Ingrid’s work in the real estate industry has made a lasting impression," said Mr. Garrett. "She has consistently gone above and beyond to advance realtor education, authored courses for Tennessee Realtors, including Fair Housing and Leadership, and was instrumental in bringing designation and certification courses to her local association. For more than a decade, she has taught Realtor Associations, Tennessee Realtor Conventions and Conferences and Women's Council of Realtors courses. Her commitment runs deep, from the classroom to her community, where she also organized homeownership resources during her time as President of Habitat for Humanity.”