CORFAC News

CORFAC International is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 Member Excellence Awards, which recognize individuals who exemplify excellence, integrity, dedication and participation in the network. Winners were announced by 2025 President Daniel Shindleman, CCIM, MRICS, (center) of Bridgemer AG/CORFAC International during the organization's Fall Summit in Amsterdam September 14-17. 

“At the Fall Summit of CORFAC International held recently in Amsterdam, I had the privilege to recognize exemplary vision, skill and competence of our global team members,” Shindleman  said. 

Charlie King MVP Award
“The Charlie King MVP Award honors one of the founders of CORFAC who paved the way to make CORFAC what it is today,” Shindleman noted. “Similarly, this year’s recipient of the award, Trent Scott, CCIM, (right) with First Capital Property Group, CORFAC International in Orlando, Florida, has shared and implemented his vision to even further enhance how our affiliates can cooperate to serve our valued clients around the world.”

Selected each year by CORFAC’s President, the Charlie King MVP Award recipient is considered the president’s most valuable player during the past 12 months. The award was created in honor of network co-founder Charlie King Jr., for his devoted and exceptional service to the organization. 

Since joining the network, Scott has been instrumental in improving CORFAC’s business development, member engagement and marketing initiatives. As a champion for data collection, he spearheaded the implementation of a new transaction management platform this year. He has also been a guiding force for increasing member engagement and marketing collaboration. Scott has served as Secretary and Treasurer the past two years and will assume the role of Vice President in 2026.

Olen Monsees Award
“The Olen Monsees Award recognizes an individual who goes above and beyond all expectations to produce for CORFAC clients. This year’s recipient, Ben Kuykendall (left) with First Capital Property Group/ CORFAC International in Orlando, Florida, has demonstrated leadership in preparing our next generation team members with experience and competence,” Shindleman said.

Named after the late Olen Monsees, former president of Karbank Real Estate Company in Kansas City, Missouri, this award recognizes a member who goes beyond the call of duty without being asked and often without realizing they are doing so. 

In his two years as chair of the Next Generation Committee, Kuykendall has implemented enhanced networking opportunities, new virtual programming for young professionals and a next generation mentoring program. 

Steven H. Podolsky International Member of the Year Award
This award was created to honor Steve’s outstanding service in growing our network globally and goes to an international member who has gone above and beyond to expand the visibility, collaboration and reach of CORFAC globally. 

Marina Kukharenko, (not pictured) Bright Rich/CORFAC International in Moscow, Russia, was recognized as our 2025 International Member of the Year. “Marina’s client dedication and outstanding level of skill in transaction execution shows what a CORFAC International member not only can do, but in fact does do, daily,” Shindleman said.

For more than a decade, Kukharenko has been an influential force in connecting CORFAC’s international affiliates. She has been an active member of the network’s International Committee and helped to spearhead Bright Rich’s expansion into the United Arab Emirates and Kazakhstan. Her contributions have been invaluable to CORFAC’s global growth. 

“Excellence throughout the network was recognized in Amsterdam. We congratulate all of our winners, the teams who support them, and CORFAC International members globally for their unrelenting service to clients,” Shindleman concluded.