Loretta Alonzo

The Illinois Association of REALTORS® (IAR) named Loretta Alonzo, managing broker of Century 21 Affiliated in La Grange Park, the 2015 Illinois REALTOR® of the Year. Alonzo’s exemplary career and leadership in the real estate industry, as well as her dedication to improving her community through charity and civic service earned her the honor.

Thirty-eight years ago, Alonzo began her career in real estate as a way to balance work and family life. After becoming acclimated to the industry, Alonzo sought out a management role and became broker-owner of Century 21 Alonzo & Associates in La Grange Park in the early 1990s.

Currently, Alonzo oversees the now Century 21 Affiliated office where she passes on her knowledge to the next generation of agents. She advises new realtors to, “be prepared for hard work,” and makes sure they understand the work involved to become successful. “There are no short cuts,” she says. “You need to be educated about the business, take the classes you need and listen to the advice of your manager. You can’t miss any steps on your way to growth.”

Alonzo’s leadership is not lost on the Century 21 Affiliated family, as her colleague are proud to call Alonzo one of their own.

“I am extremely honored to have Loretta as a colleague,” said Thomas Bretz, a partner of Century 21 Affiliated. “Her commitment to the industry—past, present, and future— is unparalleled. She exemplifies a genuine spirit for not only getting the job done right but striving to do the job even better the next time around. That drive to exceed expectations is what makes her the perfect recipient of this award.”

In addition to the 2015 Illinois REALTOR® of the Year, Alonzo has also been named Local Association Realtor of the Year seven times, the Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS® 2013 REALTOR® of the Year, the recipient of IAR’s Distinguished Service Award in 2004, Woman of the Year from the Mexican-American Business Women’s Club in 1984 and Woman of the Year from the Fraternal Order of Wildcats in 2012.

Alonzo will receive the 2015 Illinois REALTOR® of the Year award at a banquet that will be held at Springfield’s Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in June.