OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 6, 2022) – The Ocala/Marion County Association of REALTORS® (OMCAR) announced
its REALTOR® of the Year and Humanitarian of the Year award winners Thursday, Oct. 6 at its annual
election membership meeting in Ocala, Florida. Amy Jo Lord was named the association’s REALTOR® of
the Year while Christie Sue Casey earned Humanitarian of the Year honors.
“Amy and Christie Sue are truly deserving of their respective honors,” said 2021-22 OMCAR President
Virginia Wright. “They exemplify what it means to be leaders in their community, and we’re so grateful
that they represent our great association with such professionalism and integrity.”
A co-owner of Homes to Ranches with her father and fellow REALTOR®, Greg Lord, Amy’s
entrepreneurial success was evident at a young age. Along with becoming a restaurateur, she owned
investment properties and gained experience in the lending business early on. Later, as a real estate
professional, she was featured as one of Ocala Magazine’s 2016 top “40 Under 40.” Today, Amy’s
diverse experience and knowledge of the region is invaluable to her real estate clients.
Within the community, Amy strongly supports the Dignity Center for those in need and Kimberly’s
Center for Child Protection, but faith is the driving force in her life.
“Something I heard once that has really stuck with me is this: ‘If you want to follow God’s mission, your
goal should be to leave people better than you found them.’ So, whatever situation I’m in, I try to always
remember that.”
Like her father, Amy has a competitive spirit and a love of horses. Having competed as a youth in high
school rodeo events including breakaway roping and goat tying, Amy is currently active in local and
national team roping competitions. From the age of 15, she also assisted her father in training
thoroughbreds.
The REALTOR® of the Year award honors the OMCAR member who has contributed the most to the
profession, to fellow REALTORS® and to the community. A number of factors were considered by the
OMCAR board when selecting the winner, including character, ethics, personality and community
involvement.
Earning Humanitarian of the Year honors, Christie Sue Casey was born and raised in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania. A Pittsburgh Steelers fan, Christie is married with six children. She enjoys spending time
with her grandson, and her love of event planning is beneficial to several local nonprofit organizations as
she organized the 2020 Lip Sync Challenge for Reading Pals, Special Olympics, TEDxOcala High Tea
Interfaith 2021 and was the founder of Mojo’s Feed the Need. She also co-chaired Ignite for Ocala 2020
and chaired for 2021.
The Humanitarian of the Year award highlights the member whose extraordinary commitment to
volunteer work has helped make their community a better place to live and shines a spotlight on the
important work that REALTORS® do to help others in their community.
