2025 Annual Instructor Training Seminar & Awards Dinner

Celebrating Excellence in Education

July 15, 2025

From July 12–14, The CCIM Institute faculty, staff, board members, and guests gathered at the Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel for the annual Instructor Training Seminar (ITS) and Awards Dinner. It was a weekend of professional development, collaboration, and recognition.

Each year, ITS serves as a cornerstone for The CCIM Institute faculty, offering opportunities to align educational goals, share updates, and celebrate those who exemplify the Institute’s commitment to excellence in commercial real estate education.

Experts Setting the Standard
2025 CCIM Global President Steve Rich, CCIM, opened the event by applauding and thanking our instructors, citing them as a cornerstones of The CCIM Institute, not only in the quality of the teachings and methodologies, but the excitement and joy they bring to the classroom, as well as embracing the ever-developing numbers and technology within CRE. To him, practitioners made the best educators, providing real-world, real-time experience that not only excites soon-to-be Designees, but also provides key insights into how the industry operates. This is what allows The CCIM Institute to be the Gold Standard in CRE education.

“Our instructors are one of the primary reasons for CCIM’s existence. I’m confident in saying our instructors were the first human contact to CCIM for many of us in this room.”

Honoring Leadership and Faculty Achievements
Denise Rosemon, Faculty Manager of Education: Operations, celebrated recent faculty promotions and welcomed new Workshop Leaders from across North America and beyond, highlighting the growing depth and diversity of CCIM’s instructional talent.

Faculty Promotions and New Workshop Leaders
Denise Rosemon recognized several instructors who had earned senior instructor status since the 2024 ITS:

Tim Blair, CCIM (CI 101)

Jim Wittman, CCIM (CI 101)

Brian Estes, CCIM (CI 101)

James Gerdts, CCIM (CI 101)

Gary Martinez, CCIM (CI 102)

A Night of Recognition
The awards dinner then moved to the recognition of long-standing faculty for their dedicated service in creating courses and curricula that shape The CCIM Institute. These milestones are a testament to the longevity and passion of CCIM’s educator community.

45 Years of Service
Walt Clements, CCIM
Robin Dyche, CCIM
Joe Fisher, CCIM
Carl Russell, CCIM

40 Years of Service
Stan Gniazdowski, CCIM
Patricia Lynn, CCIM
Gary Ralston, CCIM

25 Years of Service
Tom Bothen, CCIM
Mark Cypert, CCIM
Richard Juge, CCIM

20 Years of Service
Cliff Bogart, CCIM
Barbara Crane, CCIM
Dr. Jeff Engelstad, CCIM
Robin Webb, CCIM

Faculty Excellence Awards
The evening also recognized outstanding instructional performance. Each award reflects both student evaluations and peer recognition, spotlighting those who go above and beyond to deliver an impactful, high-quality education.

CI 101 Instructor of the Year: George Wilson, CCIM

CI 102 Instructor of the Year: Mark Cypert, CCIM

CI 103 Instructor of the Year: Walt Clements, CCIM

CI 104 Instructor of the Year: Alec Pacella, CCIM

Rising Star Award: James Gerdts, CCIM

People’s Choice Award: George Wilson, CCIM

Robert L. Ward Instructor of the Year Award
One of the evening’s most meaningful moments came as Jeff Engelstad, CCIM, presented the Robert L. Ward Instructor of the Year Award — an honor named for the late Bob Ward, a revered CCIM past president and pioneer of the Institute’s education program.

This year’s recipient, Lydia Bennett, CCIM, was praised for her energy, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the faculty community. A faculty member since 2008, Bennett has taught CI 101 and CI 103, mentored new instructors, contributed to course development, and even taken international assignments on short notice. Though unable to attend in person, she was celebrated warmly in her absence.

“Her energy, passion, and leadership truly embody the spirit of the Robert L. Ward Instructor of the Year award. In a nutshell—she’s a rock star.”

Closing Cheers
As the evening drew to a close, Alec Pacella, CCIM, offered a toast celebrating the faculty’s shared commitment to excellence in commercial real estate education. From promotions and peer recognition to leadership insights and heartfelt tributes, the 2025 Instructor Training Seminar & Awards Dinner showcased the power of CCIM’s faculty network, and the people who make its education program one of the most respected in the industry.