Eleven Florida real estate heavyweights were named to T3 Sixty’s Swanepoel Power 200, an annual ranking of the most powerful and influential leaders and executives in residential real estate. 

The top three of the group included Stellar MLS CEO Merri Jo Cowen, at No. 47; Premier Sotheby’s International Realty CEO Budge Huskey, at No. 50; and The Keyes Company | Illustrated Properties CEO Mike Pappas and President Christina Pappas, at No. 80. 

According to T3 Sixty, a residential real estate management consulting and research firm, Cowen leads the nation’s third-largest MLS in Stellar MLS, which serves nearly 84,000 subscribers in Florida and Puerto Rico. With over 40 years in the industry, Cowen is a twice-past president of the Council of MLS and has been dean of its certification program.  

Huskey, meanwhile, oversees operations and strategy for Naples-based Premier Sotheby’s, which has offices reaching from Florida’s Gulf Coast to North Carolina’s High Country. He joined Premier Sotheby’s after retiring as CEO of Coldwell Banker Real Estate in 2016.  

Mike Pappas and Christina Pappas oversee The Keyes Company | Illustrated Properties, which is Florida’s largest independently owned brokerage and boasts more than 3,500 agents and over $7.5 billion in annual sales. The family-owned firm launched in 1926 and is now under its fourth generation of family leadership.  

Other Floridians making the list include Miami Association of REALTORS® CEO Teresa King Kinney, at No. 75; Florida REALTORS® CEO Margy Grant, at No. 78; One Sotheby’s International Realty CEO Mayi de la Vega and President Daniel de la Vega, at No. 95; Broward, Palm Beaches and St. Lucie REALTORS® CEO Dionna Hall, at No. 100; Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty President and CEO Rei Mesa, at No. 158; Schmidt Family of Companies CEO Mike Schmidt, at No. 146; Premiere Plus Realty President Jillian Young, at No. 144; and BHHS Florida Properties Group Broker-Owners Dewey Mitchell and Allen Crumbley, at No.190.