Rutenberg Realty has hired its first veteran.
In March 2015, the brokerage announced that it was partnering with the Wounded Warriors Project.
Rutenberg pays for unemployed veterans to study and train for careers as real estate agents and, once they pass their exams, guarantee them an interview with the company.
Last week, former Submarine Qualified Electronic Technician – Third Class, Derrick Torres, of the United States Navy, officially joined the Rutenberg team as a result of the company’s partnership with the Wounded Warriors Project.
Torres, 33, is originally from The Bronx. He had been training to be a stock broker on Wall Street but, after 9/11, he decided to enlist in the Navy.
He joined the Navy and served onboard the USS Alaska as part of the Gold Crew strategic deterrent force.
He patrolled the oceans with nuclear firepower on board to deter other nuclear-capable countries from considering any attacks.
Torres was stationed in Bangor, Washington, and served in the Navy for four years.
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Coldwell Banker Real Estate is celebrating 109 years in business.
Colbert Coldwell, and later Benjamin Arthur Banker, founded the company to bring ethics and integrity back to the San Francisco real estate community after the turmoil of the 1906 earthquake.
“We are obviously very proud of the legacy our brand has built over the years and are thrilled to celebrate 109 years in real estate,” said Budge Huskey, president and chief executive officer of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.
“Yet innovation is our true hallmark and we are fully focused on our continued leadership in this area going forward.”
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The Manhattan offices of Weichert Properties recently volunteered with Volunteers of America – Greater New York to support the Operation Backpack initiative.
Sales associates from the Weichert Properties Midtown West, Rockefeller Center and Soho offices helped to sort through thousands of school supply donations to create backpacks for underprivileged children living in New York City’s homeless and domestic violence shelters.
Phyllis Bixon, regional vice president of Weichert, said, “We chose to work with Volunteers of America … because we feel the organization plays an essential role in addressing the local needs of our community and does so much to give back to those who need it most.”
