Many of us are still trying to figure out what we want to be when we "grow up."
        For some they know their passion and destiny at a young age. They pursue it with vigor and success surely follows.         That is the case for local realtor and broker Everett Kennedy, owner of Prudential Kennedy Realty.
Everett's mother, Marjorie, began her career in real estate working with Joe Johnston at Johnston Realty while Everett was still in high school. With his mom's encouragement, he began working in the business and completed his real estate classes when he was only 17. He had to wait until he turned 18 to take the real estate licensing exam. He continued to work almost full time with Johnston Realty while he completed his Finance degree with an emphasis in Real Estate at Georgia Southern.
        Joe Johnston, founded Johnston Realty in 1963 along with Johnston Insurance and Appraisals. Each business was highly successful and was known as a market leader. Johnston sold all three businesses as he prepared for retirement.
Marion Hulsey purchased the appraisal business which is now known at Hulsey-Johnston, Inc., John Lee and Pratt Hill purchased the insurance business which is known as Lee, Hill and Johnston Insurers and in 1994 Everett purchased the real estate business.
        In 1989, he helped rebrand the company by joining the Prudential real estate franchise.
        "The partnership with Prudential was a bold move," Kennedy said. "We were experiencing tremendous growth in the market with the explosion of GSU and we needed a more global presence. It was a great decision at the time."
        In 2006, Everett built a new office building in the Market District behind East Georgia Regional Medical Center and renamed the company Prudential Kennedy Realty. The company has remained a strong leader in the real estate market. Also, Everett has continued to build on the success that he gained from his mentorship with Joe Johnston.
        "As a native of Bulloch County working over 31 years as a real estate agent in the Statesboro area, I've developed a deep understanding if it's neighbors, its houses and the wonderful people who live in our community," he said. "That's a knowledge base that would be difficult for any other agent to replicate. And it's a valuable resource for the clients who choose to work with me. I am still fueled by the opportunity, honor and privilege to assist a client in achieving their real estate goals."
        With an eye on the future and continuing to position his company for growth, Kennedy is making another bold move. This week, Berkshire Hathaway Homeservice announced an affiliation with Prudential Kennedy Realty and a rebranding of the company to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.
        Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is a worldwide holding company based in Omaha, NE. Its chairman and CEO is Warren Buffett, who is among the world's richest and most influential people. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is among the few companies entrusted to use the Berkshire Hathaway brand name with consumers.
        Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices affiliated its first brokerage in September 2013, and has since grown to nearly 35,000 agents and 1,100 offices operating in 47 states. The network, in its first year, was named 2014 "Real Estate Agency Brand of the Year" by consumers in the 26th annual Harris Poll EquiTrend study and "Startup of the Year" among all U.S. industries at the 2014 American Business Awards.
"This branding opportunity with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is one of the proudest moments in my real estate career, along with coming to work for Joe Johnston in 1983, and eventually acquiring his real estate company," Kennedy said. "I believe that the combination of our company, which has been serving Bulloch County with distinction for over 50 years, and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brand, will offer endless possibilities for our agents and clients, and further strengthen our position as Statesboro's market leader in real estate."
        With the transition, Everett and his agents gain access to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices' Global Network Platform - a suite of online tools, applications and services - plus ongoing business consultation, professional education, marketing support and the exclusive Luxury Collection program for high-end listings.
        Resources include lead generation, a handy mobile app and other tools driven by the most accurate real estate data available.
        "The Global Network Platform is still another key differentiator for our company," he said. "We will continue to enhance our client service with these leading-edge resources."
        Everett and his team will hold an open house Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at their office, which is located at 1000 Bermuda Run. The public is invited.