The Roanoke Valley-Lake Gaston Board of Realtors selected Wilkie Real Estate’s Henry Ford as its 2022 Realtor of the Year.

Ford was selected by his peers in the profession and the honor is based on sales, civic service and volunteer work.

“I’ve been in real estate for 21 years,” Ford said. “I am very humbled that my peers, colleagues and clients selected me for this prestigious honor.”

Ford began working in real estate in 2001 with his aunt Betsey Merritt at Betsey's Real Estate. He was an agent there for seven years and the broker in charge for three years.

In 2011 he began working at Wilkie and in 2015 teamed up with his friend Betty Harris.

Ford currently serves on the Roanoke Rapids Planning Board, the Roanoke Rapids Board of Adjustment, and the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District Board of Trustees.

He has also served on the local MLS and board of realtors, the Main Street Roanoke Rapids Board and as secretary and treasurer of the Roanoke Valley Ducks Unlimited Chapter.

In addition to his civic service he has coached and managed the midget football program for five years.

“My proudest accomplishment is my family,” Ford said. “I love my wife Andrea Ford and our four beautiful children: Sydney, Holden, Payton, and Cullen.”

Ford is a lifelong resident of the Roanoke Valley. “I love what I do. I love helping people, meeting new people, and building relationships by working in all aspects of real estate – from homes to farms – I love selling to the Roanoke Valley community and providing my clients with honest straight-forward answers and always being there for them.”