In its second year, the Alabama REALTORS® Brokerage of the Year Award recognizes brokerages throughout the state that demonstrate outstanding contributions to the profession, to their people and to the communities they serve.

Here are this year’s Small Brokerage of the Year (1–15 agents), Medium Brokerage of the Year (16–50 agents) and Large Brokerage of the Year (51+ agents) winners.

For Merrill P. Thomas, real estate is more than a business — it’s a family legacy.

Broker/owner Pratt Thomas grew up watching his father, who founded the company in 1992, scan every stretch of road for commercial opportunities.

“It was part of his DNA,” Thomas said. “Now, my wife and kids joke that I do the same thing.”

Born and raised in Mobile, Thomas has spent his career contributing to the growth and vitality of the city he loves. Commercial real estate, he says, is meaningful because of its ripple effect.

“The impact of the businesses we bring to town — the people they employ, the investment they make — it all influences the health of our community,” he said. “Being a good steward of Mobile is extremely important to me.”

Today, Merrill P. Thomas is defined by shared values, teamwork, and intentional growth. That ethos makes being named Alabama REALTORS®’ Small Brokerage of the Year especially meaningful.

“I was completely surprised,” Thomas said. “We’ve won awards locally, but to be recognized at the state level — among so many respected companies — is incredibly humbling. We just do what we do because it’s who we are. To have others see that and honor it means a great deal.”

Thomas credits the award to his team and to the foundation built by his father.

“We wouldn’t win this if it were just about me or Dad,” he said. “He laid the groundwork, and now our team is building on it. I’m grateful for everything he’s instilled in me — values that I hope will leave a legacy.”

Three Sixty Real Estate was built on the belief that collaboration, education, and strong values create better outcomes for both agents and clients. For broker and co-founder Nonet Reese, those principles have shaped her entire career.

“I’ve spent my entire career in real estate — property management, sales, and eventually brokerage leadership,” she said. “Each stage taught me something about people, business, and the importance of relationships, which remain at the center of everything I do.”

Three Sixty’s culture is rooted in its core values: authenticity, drive, service, team spirit, community minded, passionate, fun, professional, style and design focused, and industry expertise. Reese says those values are the heartbeat of the brokerage’s growth.

“Watching the company grow into a 30+ agent firm known for professionalism, collaboration, and service while staying true to its core values has been the most rewarding part of my career,” she said.

Three Sixty’s commitment to the profession and to fellow REALTORS® is grounded in mentorship, open communication, and shared success. Agents serve in leadership roles across the state, support one another through active peer-to-peer learning, and strive to elevate standards industrywide.

“Real estate isn’t a solo endeavor,” Reese said. “Our team lifts each other up. We believe cooperation makes everyone better.”

Being named Alabama REALTORS®’ Medium Brokerage of the Year is an honor she describes as both meaningful and energizing.

“It’s truly humbling,” she said. “It’s a reflection of the teamwork, professionalism, and heart that every person at Three Sixty brings to the table. For me, it’s also personal validation of the belief that if you build a culture centered on people, purpose, and integrity, success will follow.”

At Bellator Real Estate, hard work, service, and continuous growth define the company’s identity. For broker/owner Annette Oden, those values have shaped her leadership since she earned her real estate license at age 20.

“I had to learn quickly, and I failed plenty,” she said. “But those experiences built the foundation for my career and sparked my passion for leadership.”

What began as a 21-person office grew into a partnership with Bellator — now 180 agents strong. Through every stage, Oden says the focus has remained the same: pouring into people.

“Watching our leadership team invest in our agents every day — not just professionally, but personally — has been the most rewarding part of this journey,” she said.

Being named Alabama REALTORS®’ Large Brokerage of the Year is an honor she credits to the entire organization.

“This recognition truly belongs to our incredible team of staff, brokers, and most importantly our agents, who embody the Bellator culture that defines who we are,” she said. “This award isn’t a single achievement; it’s a reflection of the countless small acts of service our team has consistently offered to others — efforts that have compounded over time to create something truly special.”

This give-back mindset: to the growing team of agents, to the communities Bellator serves, and to the profession at large continue to shape Bellator’s growth. The brokerage invests heavily in education, mentorship, and service initiatives, all of which Oden believes lift not only their team, but the wider industry.

“We strive to be better today than we were yesterday,” she said. “Our people lead with purpose, and that is what makes this place special and what keeps us moving forward.”