COEUR d'ALENE — Mark Johnson was a man of few words at Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty's annual awards celebration Thursday.

So when he spoke in the closing minutes, he got right to the point.

"All I really want to say is thank you, thank you, thank you," he said. "People don’t say thank you enough.”

About 100 people attended Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty's event at the Hagadone Event Center. It was an upbeat, spirited affair marked by applause, laughs and a standing ovation.

Owner Gary Schneidmiller praised the team for its dedication and hard work in 2022 and said he is looking forward to 2023.

It will come with challenges considering an uncertain economy, higher mortgage interest rates and a recession still possible, but Schneidmiller expressed confidence in what's to come. He pointed to an array of new construction activity in the area and said there are plenty of buyers and sellers.

"We’re going to have a great year," he said. "We just have to pay a little more attention, work a little harder, because the business is out there."

Schneidmiller also expressed his appreciation to those in the room.

"Thank you for being who you are. Thank you for being so good to work with. Thank you for making your leadership team proud every day," he said.

Several awards were presented for sales and in other areas. They included:

Mentor of the Year: Deb Saunders

Community Service Award: Amy Stone

Leadership Award: Melissa Hjeltness

Cindy Roth Spirit Award: Adriana Pickard

Chad Dwyer Integrity Award: Dustin Beartsch

Laura Fulton Humanitarian Award: Jan Leaf

Stacy Leech, real estate agent, said it's an honor to work with Leaf.

She said Leaf volunteers through Family Promise and is passionate about doing things for her community.

"I’m very lucky she’s a mentor to me," Leech said. "She does the right things every time.”

Real estate agent Danny Davis, who received sales awards, said it means a great deal when people in his field turn to him for help.

"Those are the greatest compliments I get," he said.

Preserving the Trust awards went to Mike Schwagler, Beth Ross, Scott Kramer, Scott Car, Hayden Anderl and Robert Jacobs II.

Schneidmiller said while everyone in the room was a key player, those six were honored for their all-around efforts throughout the year.

"They're always there for you, always there for the brokerage," he said.

Schneidmiller also praised Johnson and general manager Rob Brickett, who joined him on the stage throughout the awards presentations.

"I could not possibly do what I do without these guys' help," he said.

Johnson returned the compliment and said of Schneidmiller, "He’s the best damn broker in the United States of America, in my opinion."