Kate McCoy recently received the nationally recognized Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI) designation. The Graduate REALTOR® Institute is a national continuing education program offered by the Texas Association of REALTORS®. Graduates have completed three 30-hour courses of instruction in specialized subjects, such as legal issues, finance, marketing, professional standards and utilizing technology tools to improve their business. Less than 10 percent of TAR’s 80,000 members have earned their GRI designation. The GRI designation is a mark of excellence that signifies the graduate is a cut above other real estate practitioners. It represents the knowledge and professionalism needed to perform successfully in today’s complex real estate field. The term REALTOR® is a registered and protected trademark. A REALTOR® is a member of the National Association of REALTORS®, his or her state association of REALTORS® and a local board or association of REALTORS®. By joining the REALTOR® organization, a real estate professional pledges to adhere to a strict code of ethics and high standards of professionalism, integrity and competence. Although anyone can take the GRI courses, only REALTORS® who complete all three GRI courses can use the GRI designation. The Texas Association of REALTORS®, headquartered in Austin, is the largest professional membership association in Texas with more than 80,000 members statewide. The association is dedicated to increasing professionalism in the real estate industry and is affiliated with the 1.3 million member National Association of REALTORS®. Kate’s husband, Brad McCoy is the son of Judy and Ken McCoy of Bend, Texas, a 1989 alumnus of San Saba High School and 1995 Graduate of Texas A&M University. Kate is a 1992 alumnus of C.H. Yoe High School in Cameron, Texas and a 1996 Graduate of Texas A&M University. Kate recently completed the 2011-2012 MetroTex Leadership Academy and The Texas REALTORS® Leadership Program. Kate is an active member of the Dallas community, graciously volunteering her time and skills in fundraising for numerous non-profits and arts associations including the Junior League of Dallas (JLD) where she currently serves in fund development as the Special Sponsorship Opportunity Chair and has been accepted into the 2012-2013 class of the JLD T. Boone Pickens Leadership Institute. Brad is an electrical engineer with Teradyne, Inc. and Kate practices real estate. Brad & Kate reside in the Dallas, Texas area where they have lived and worked for 17 years.