History
SCR was formed by two visionary volunteers, William
C. Jennings, Sr. and Marie Sheridan, who worked on behalf of both
commercial and residential practitioners to create “One Voice for Real
Estate” in the Fort Worth community for the two specialty groups.
Jennings, who served as the 1971 GFWAR president and 1984 Texas
Association of REALTORS® president, and Sheridan, who served as the 1985
president of GFWAR, worked to culminate the creation of a Fort Worth
Commercial Investment Division (CID) in January 1986. The first chairman
to serve was Beau Glenn.
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| William C. Jennings | Marie Sheridan |
In March 1987, the National Association of REALTORS® approved the “Guidelines for Professional Conduct and Rules and Regulations” for CID. These objectives set forth in this early guideline were as follows:
| • | To unite those REALTORS® who are engaged in the commercial and investment real estate business (exclusive of single-family residences) or others for fee or commission compensation. |
| • | To advance knowledge, education, integrity and professional conduct in the fields of the commercial and investment real estate business. |
| • | To encourage the exchange of specialized information relating to commercial and investment real estate among the members of CID. |
| • | To advance the economic growth of the Fort Worth area through GFWAR in cooperation with all local, state and national governmental departments. |
| • | To promote the indoctrination, training and education of those engaged in the commercial and investment real estate field in order to develop qualifications for experienced and competent commercial and investment real estate practitioners in cooperation with the GFWAR education committee. |
Early leaders for the organization were Jack Rutherford, Mike Brudnak, Myles Kelley, Robert D. Renfro, Melvin R. Haas, Jr., Jim Parr, Sam Brous, Jay Bruner, John Maddux, Charles Ferree and James Blake Jr. Serving on the state Commercial Investment Division as regional representatives were William C. Jennings, J.R. Kimball and Jim Parr.
Past SCR Chairmen
By the early 1990s, the success of the Commercial Investment Division was apparent but was temporarily threatened by the formation of a “commercial overlay” Board in Dallas. This Board was separate of its residential counterparts, but still a part of NAR. Eventually, the idea of an overlay Board was proposed in the Fort Worth area that would encompass commercial members of associations located on the western side of the Metroplex. However this idea faltered, and the members of CID decided to establish an even stronger community identity by changing its name to the Society of Commercial REALTORS®.
In addition to the objectives stated in its original guidelines, today’s SCR has a much-enhanced menu of issues, activities and contributions in which its members are involved. Recognition is given annually to an outstanding member for overall career achievement and professionalism. The prestigious Charles D. Tandy Commercial REALTOR® Award is presented to an SCR member who best exemplifies the highest professional standards for a commercial REALTOR®. The award was established in 1990 and named to honor Tandy for his outstanding leadership and his legacy of investing in and contributing to the Fort Worth community.
Charles D. Tandy Commercial REALTOR Award Recipients