On Thursday, March 11th, 2021 Peak Producers met for their first annual event. The meeting was held virtually on Zoom to discuss the group, introduce the Board, and get to know our 2021 charities. To begin, Michael Podoyak shared some of the staggering statistics about Peak Producers members and how they are set apart from the rest of Pikes Peak area realtors:

• Pikes Peak area active agents closed an average of 10.3 active transactions each in 2020
• The Top 10% of agents closed an average of 24 active transactions each (the minimum required to qualify for Peak Producers)
• Peak Producers Members averaged 48.2 transactions each in 2020

The Board Members for 2021 as follows:

• Kimberly Hunstiger (Secretary)

• Tina Swonger (Member At-Large)

• Holly Quinn (Member At-Large)

• Cherise Selley (Vice President)

• Mike MacGuire (President)

Another highlight of the last year was shared from Will Burcher of FeD regarding the increased exposure and marketing of the group. In 2020, there were over 22,000 unique visitors to the site (an increase of 400% from 2019). The increased marketing and overall strategy goes to benefit the membership and the membership’s listings. Members pages and individual listings are showing up on Google searches and gaining great exposure to differentiate themselves from the thousands of other realtors in the area!

Despite a lack of fundraising events and meetings, Peak Producers donated $144,425 to Springs Rescue Mission and Mary’s Home in 2020. In 2021, we are looking to exceed that goal to support the two charities, as well as a new one – Restore Innocence. In our kick-off meeting, Peak Producers heard from leaders at each of these organizations about the impact we are making, as well as how we can help moving forward.

• Springs Rescue Mission – Travis Williams, Chief Development Officer, shared the impact their Hope Shines Through campaign has had over the last year in our community. They’ve created a campus filled with hope in Colorado Springs. Each year, there are over 205,000 meals served to individuals, over 30,000 showers, and over 1,400 families receiving assistance. Additionally, 265 people are placed in permanent housing. 116,906 nights of sheltered sleep are provided, 160 guests find work through case management services, and 20,717 job and life skills training hours are given.

• Mary’s Home Dream Center – Mary Hoggatt, Program Manager at Dream Centers Mary’s Home, shared about the large amount of children and mothers impacted by homelessness in Colorado Springs. 2,500 children in schools are counted as homeless and many of these families have been experiencing this issue for generations. In the last year, they’ve bought an adjacent property to expand the number of families they’re supporting, as well as provided continued career support for mothers. Mary’s Home has a focus on, “Seeing those that are unseen. Reaching out to those that are untouched.”

• Restore Innocence – Cherise Selley, Vice President of Peak Producers, introduced the group to Executive Director of Restore Innocence, Sues Hess. Their organization is mostly known for the backpacks they provide to those rescued from sex trafficking. Last year they sent out over 1,000 backpacks to FBI Victim Specialists who support the victims after their rescue. Restore Innocence is the only non-profit that the FBI works with for survivors of sex trafficking. Moving forward, they are looking to do better at providing housing for trafficked survivors, as more than 75% of women who have been involved in prostitution have been homeless.

We look forward to the year ahead, as we strive to support these incredibly impactful organizations and develop this group of leaders in the real estate community.