Declaring that quality agents and management are responsible for Troop Real Estate Inc. continuing to dominate the Ventura County market despite the greatest industry turmoil he has seen, company President Brian Troop recently honored the firm's top producing agents for 2008 during its 22nd annual awards ceremony at the Reagan Library .

An event highlight was Troop's announcement that Alex Gandel of the Simi Valley office was the number one agent for all of Troop Real Estate for 2008, while Mary Leyden and Associates was recognized as the number one agent group.

"2008 was a challenging market. We witnessed the largest drop in real estate values that I have ever seen. The mortgage industry was turned upside down with changing requirements on a daily basis, and many loan programs were eliminated throughout the year. We saw real estate companies, loan companies and financial institutions close their doors. In all that turmoil Troop Real Estate continued to dominate the Ventura County market. I learned something very important years ago. Surround yourself with the very best and it will keep you strong. We have done that," said Troop.

Troop reported that President's Club Elite producers—the top tier for the company—included the following agents: Tina Hare, Wood Ranch office; Amy Gandel, Simi Valley; Debbie Gates, Simi Valley; and Alex Gandel. They earned a cruise to Mexico. President's Club honorees, who also earned the Mexico cruise, were Susan Kozman, Westlake office; Scott Urquhart, Thousand Oaks; Robert Swanson, Thousand Oaks; Sharron Parker, Camarillo; Gabby Hernandez, Channel Islands; Karen Thompson, Wood Ranch; Stan Rector, Simi Valley; Chris Garven, Wood Ranch; Sharon Phelps, Thousand Oaks; Larry Smart, Simi Valley; Rosie Poulson Garvin, Wood Ranch; Shirley Grieco, Ventura; Ken Grech, Wood Ranch; Nate Minkel, Ojai; Ray DeSilva, Camarillo; Briana Winton, Ventura; Karen Lindsey, Moorpark; Christy Rueckert, Camarillo; Mark Smith, Westlake; Dee Dee Hubbard, Simi Valley; Michael Friedman, Thousand Oaks; Eddy Milanes, Wood Ranch; Mike Gratland, Westlake; and Curt Sommers, Thousand Oaks.

Elite Multimillion Dollar awardees were Bob Dickran, Camarillo; Michel Losey, Channel Islands; Steve Lousen, Vicky Perez and Tanya Mendez, Moorpark; Heather Erickson, Ojai; Jamison Malone, Simi Valley; Corina Thoresen, Blake Mashburn, Cheryle Estes and Lixin Durborow, Ventura; and JoAnn Poole, Debbie Nicoll, Judy Lewicki and Colette Thiel, Wood Ranch. Multimillion Dollar Club award winners were Mayette Berglund and Scott Puckett, Mike Silva, Karen Rooke, Gaby Espinoza, Susie Hafer, Susan Dodd, Joe Ahearn and Tim Hall, Camarillo; Deborah Tyhurst, Sharon Osborne, Deborah Poole, Ismael Lopez, Sandy Rutter and Cheryl Todd, Channel Islands; Mary Leyden and Associates, Jen Sassano, Eric Arnaud, Frank Denardo, Corrine MacDougall, Monica Meza, Nicole Romanowski and Brenda Haugen, Moorpark; Francisco Limon, Lupe Arana and Cindy Diaz-Telly, Santa Paula/ Fillmore; Leah Theune, Karen Troop, Sara Van Klaveren, Gina Martinez, Natasha Guthrie, Allan Mann, Carole Philpott, Joe Barkey, Andy Torres, Andrea Roter, Goldy Maan, Mike Lefton, Jan Meek, Alexandra Fierro-Houston, Jim Clement, Meg Volk, Janet Vanbibber, Irene Allen and Mariann Culpepper, Simi Valley; Laura Means, Liz Puliti, Joe Sportato, Tina Weinstein, Peter Daradics, Betty McFarlin, Robbie Starr, Francine Simmons, Rich Barbarossa, Carolyn Skeren, Virginia Flynn, Shirley Hertel and Deri DiPrima, Thousand Oaks; Rick Malagon, Jean Warnke, Dan Levine and Art Perez, Ventura; Jan Bigotti, Marilyn MacDonald, Sherry Knight, Cheryl Clayton, Tammy DiPrima, Micah Knott, Cheryl Burt and Randy Barondess, Westlake; and Linda Gonzalez, Gregg Bruno, Pam Silverman, Nancy Martinez, Janet Brekke, Lee Harrison and Marie Cole, Wood Ranch.

Agents of the Year announced by Troop, representing those individuals who consistently offer assistance and guidance to fellow agents, were Gaby Espinoza, Camarillo; Sharon Osborne, Channel Islands; Jen Sassano, Moorpark; Nate Minkel, Ojai; Katie Rodriquez, Santa Paula/Fillmore; Carole Philpott, Simi Valley; Brent Courter, Thousand Oaks; Art Perez, Ventura; Sherry Price Knight, Westlake; and Chris Melamed, Wood Ranch.

Troop Real Estate Inc., with approximately 650 seasoned sales professionals, provides the full range of residential, property management, REO, commercial, financial, new homes, escrow, estate homes and relocation services.

Troop offices are in Simi Valley, Simi/Wood Ranch, Simi (Commercial), Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Moorpark, Camarillo, Channel Islands, Ventura, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Ojai and Bakersfield.