Bill Pankonin’s EXIT Realty Upper Midwest was named Region of the Year for the second time at EXIT Realty Corp. International’s 2018 Annual Convention held recently at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Washington, DC.

EXIT Realty Upper Midwest is comprised of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois and represents a population of more than 30 million.  Pankonin joined EXIT Realty in 2005 as a Franchise Owner and within a few short months, expanded to regional ownership.  “I became a Regional Owner because of my background in real estate,” he said.  “My father was a real estate broker and when he decided to retire, there wasn’t really anything left after all those years of being in business.  It was hard for him to create equity.  EXIT’s business model addresses this and I seized the opportunity to pay it forward because there are a lot of people like my Dad.”

After acquiring the subfranchisor rights to Iowa, Minnesota and the Dakotas by the end of 2013 and being named EXIT’s Region of the Year in 2014, Pankonin continued to rapidly acquire territory, adding Wisconsin in 2016 and Illinois in 2018.  Pankonin was also named number two in franchise sales for the company in the 2017/2018 production year and his aggressive growth plans include doubling the region’s office and agent count within the next two years.

“What an honor to receive this award,” said Pankonin.  “I am so humbled to be able to represent such a great organization. Finding leaders throughout the Upper Midwest and helping them with their business and career decisions is what I love to do. I’m passionate about the opportunities we bring into their lives.”

“Bill Pankonin is a leaders’ leader,” said Tami Bonnell, CEO, EXIT Realty Corp. International.  “He is constantly growing, both personally and professionally, and he inspires his brokers and agents by the example he sets.  Bill is an excellent representative for EXIT Realty in the Upper Midwest and it is a pleasure to present him with this award.”