For Immediate Release
SOUTHPORT, NC – Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS® (the “Corporation”), a leading independent real estate firm and long-standing family-owned business in Brunswick County, today announced the election of Karen Rudd Brake to president and chief executive officer and Brooke Rudd-Gaglie to vice president. Following 43 years of leading the Corporation, Margaret Rudd Bishop, founder will serve as president emeritus, a position in which she will continue to advise, guide, and serve the Corporation’s board of directors.
Brake brings a breadth of executive leadership, a deep understanding of innovative technology, and extensive knowledge of corporate best practices. She has served in numerous capacities within the industry and the local community. From 2008 to 2011 she served on the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and she was a former member of the Oak Island Business and Tourism Commission. Following her graduation with a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management and a minor in business from East Carolina University in 1998, Brake worked in food service management before returning to the family business of real estate in 2001. She then learned the industry's intricacies, specifically in property management, under her late father, S. R. “Buddy” Rudd, Jr., who served as the Corporation’s vice president until his passing in June 2021. Brake was later elected to fill that position in the same year. Currently, she is a certified Graduate, REALTOR® Institute recipient, serves as the vice president of the North Carolina Vacation Rental Managers Association, and is an active member of the Brunswick County Tourism Development Authority Board of Directors, the National Association of REALTORS® the North Carolina Association of REALTORS®, and the Brunswick County Association of REALTORS®. In addition to her duties as president, Brake will continue to manage the property management division of the Corporation overseeing its 250+ short-term rental properties and 55+ long-term rental properties.
Brooke Rudd-Gaglie has been an accomplished figure in real estate since obtaining her license in 1999. Her extensive experience and commitment to excellence are integral to the team at Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS®. An alumna of North Carolina State University, she earned a degree in Parks, Recreation, and tourism, and has dedicated over two decades to residential sales. An esteemed graduate of both the NC Graduate, REALTOR® Institute and the North Carolina REALTORS® William C. Bass Leadership Academy, Rudd-Gaglie holds an "At Home with Diversity" certification and has played an active role on various local and state level committees, including on the NC REALTORS® Diversity Committee, the Fair Housing Media Campaign and as vice chair of NC REALTORS® Forms Committee. Rudd-Gaglie's leadership was exemplified during her 2020 presidency of the Brunswick County Association of REALTORS® and subsequent roles, including serving on the NC REALTORS® Executive Committee as the NC REALTORS® sole Presidential Appointment and Joint Forms Task Force. Most recently, Brooke completed her 2nd Executive Committee term as Region 2 Vice President of NC REALTORS® and has been appointed 2024 Vice Chair of the NC REALTORS® Risk Management Committee. In addition to her real estate career, Brooke's involvement in her community is unwavering. She is on the board of directors for Truist, is vice president of the Southport Oak Island Chamber of Commerce, and is pursuing her candidacy for NC REALTORS® inaugural 1st Vice President, 2025. Her progressive vision and dedication make her a standout professional and community advocate, deeply rooted in her hometown of Oak Island.
In addition to the evolution from first generation to second and the above transition Jim Goodman will step down as the broker-in-charge for the Oak Island office in March 2024 or until such time that the position is filled. Following this transition, he will focus his attention on duties relative to agent development and training. Per Bishop, “Jim has worked tirelessly for the sales division of our business and is excited about the opportunity to focus more on what brings him the most joy - educating and assisting our agents with committed and dedicated guidance.” Despite this transition, Goodman will retain his position on the Company’s board of directors. In connection with this transition, the Board will conduct a comprehensive search process to identify a new Broker-In-Charge who will oversee the real estate sales division of the company’s Oak Island office.
George M. Brake, Jr., broker-in-charge of the central Southport office and 15-year veteran with the company, will continue to serve as chief financial officer and treasurer for the Corporation. “It is important to emphasize that these shifts and transitions are not about departures, rather they are an evolution for the company. The existing management team, which has long been the backbone of our success, will remain intact,” stated Bishop. She continued by saying, “our core values, commitment to excellence, community involvement, and dedication to providing the best for our agents, our employees, and our clients will remain unwavering. We believe that by redefining roles and embracing new leadership, we are positioning ourselves for even greater success in the future.”
About Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS®
Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS® (MRA) is a second-generation, family-run business offering a full range of real estate services including sales, property management, vacation rentals, development, land sales, commercial properties, relocation services, and long-term rentals. With a reputation for exceptional customer service and dedication to strong, professional ethics and integrity, MRA is a respected full-service firm in Brunswick County with three offices to service your property management and real estate needs. Learn more about the real estate sales and property management services the company offers its clientele.
