SARASOTA, Florida—(December 16, 2015)—Michael Saunders, Founder and CEO of Michael Saunders & Company, has been named to the “Inman Top 101,” the magazine’s new ranking of the most influential people in U.S. real estate, it was announced today from Inman’s headquarters in Emeryville, CA. The Inman 101 was assembled to recognize the country’s top real estate industry achievers whose ingenuity, outspokenness, strength, conviction, power and persistence are driving change within the industry. In announcing the list, Publisher Brad Inman positioned its selection criteria this way: “It is not who you are, it is what you do. It is not about yesterday’s achievements but what we expect from them in the future.” Included on the list with Saunders were such noteworthy real estate heavyweights as Richard Smith, CEO of Realogy, the parent company of Century 21, ERA, Coldwell Banker, and Sotheby's International Realty; as well as Gary Keller, the Chairman of Keller Williams. Also included were Dale Stinton, CEO of the National Association of Realtors; Dave Liniger, CEO and Co-founder of Re/Max; and Glenn Kelman, CEO of Refin. 
“Thousands of capable and purposeful professionals are changing the course of the industry,” adds Inman editor Amber Taufen. “But this is our pick of 101 we are watching closely as they face and forge a constantly shifting landscape.” In addition to being at the helm of Michael Saunders & Company, which is just a few months shy of celebrating its 40th anniversary, Michael Saunders has won numerous industry accolades and been seated on the boards of several prestigious industry groups. These include Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, of which she is a current board member and past chairman; and the advisory boards for Luxury Portfolio International, Christie’s International Real Estate and Trulia.com, the real estate search engine that has since merged with Zillow. Locally, she currently sits on the boards of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and the Gulf Coast Community Foundation; and has previously leant her expertise to several others, including the Education Foundation of Sarasota County, Mote Marine Laboratory and the Argus Foundation just to name a few. In 2003, Ms. Saunders was awarded the Florida Enterprise Medal by the Merchant’s Association; and a year later was singled out for the Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year for Florida in real estate. She has also been listed among the 35 Most Influential People in Luxury Real Estate by Unique Homes Magazine (2006); and among the 25 Most Influential Women in Real Estate by Swanepoel (2008). More recently Saunders was named to 2013’s “Swanepoel’s Power 200,” the annual list of the 200 most powerful people in real estate. About Michael Saunders & Company Now in its fourth decade, Michael Saunders & Company has grown from a single office into a network of 24 full-service real estate offices—with more than 650 agents and 163 staff members spanning the Gulf Coast region from Bradenton to Boca Grande. Powerful international brokerage affiliations—including Christie’s International Real Estate, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, Luxury Portfolio International and Mayfair International Realty extend the company’s message to qualified buyers globally, ensuring the broadest possible exposure for our sellers’ properties. Clients and customers of Michael Saunders & Company are afforded the most comprehensive range of real estate services in the Southwest Florida marketplace. These include mortgage, title and relocation services, a commercial real estate division and full service rental and property management capabilities. Its in-house marketing division has received numerous local, national and international awards for its property marketing techniques and expertise. With sales that topped more than $2.5 billion in 2014, Michael Saunders & Company is the largest-selling brokerage in all price ranges throughout Southwest Florida; and is ranked 47th largest in dollar volume according to the latest Real Trends 500 Survey of the 500 largest brokerages in the U.S. Locally focused and independently owned and operated, it is also listed among the 35 most influential Realtors in luxury real estate. For more information about Michael Saunders & Company, please call 1-888-552-5228 or search Sarasota homes for sale.
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