Reynolds Lake Oconee is pleased to recognize the most recent recipients of the annual Employee Awards for their integrity, exceptional quality, and commitment to the company. “The core of Reynolds Lake Oconee is the hard-working and extraordinary employees who exemplify our core values and standards each day,” says Rabun Neal, President of Reynolds Lake Oconee. “These awards are our chance to recognize those people for their service.”
Renee Hadley, Food & Beverage Tavern, was awarded the title of Employee of the Year, while Steve Pinheiro, Director of Platinum Dining Services, was recognized as Leader of the Year. Traci Johnson was honored as Sales Executive of the Year for Reynolds Lake Oconee Properties, LLC. Lori Brown, Reynolds Lake Oconee Properties, LLC received the 2022 “Helping Hand” Award. It was also a special night as we honored our second 35-year employee: Willie Evans, Golf Course Maintenance at The Preserve.
Renee Hadley has been with Reynolds since 2015. She began working as a banquet server before quickly moving into the restaurant area as a service attendant for several years and then becoming a server at the Tavern.
“The best part of my job is being able to form great relationships and create memorable experiences for Members and guests,” says Hadley. “I enjoy the people, the environment it fosters, the quality of life it gives, and the room for growth.”
When not serving at the Tavern, she enjoys reading, writing, shopping, cooking, and going to live shows.
Steve Pinheiro has been with Reynolds for nearly nine years and has worked in hospitality and restaurants for the last 19 years. He attended Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville and received a degree in History. He planned on teaching after college but was working at Reynolds during that time and fell in love with it.
Steve’s enthusiastic attitude and energy light up any room, and he gets a lot of gratification from teaching and coaching his team. He’s always there with words of wisdom or gentle corrections, and his advice is always sound and comes from a genuine place of care, not only for the operations but for the employees too.
“The favorite part of my job is the relationships you get to build with Membership and creating lasting memories for them,” Pinheiro says. “Whether it was a birthday, anniversary, or just a date night—we are creating forever memories for our Members.”
In his free time, Steve loves watching sports, and movies, and spending time with my family, especially his wonderful wife Susan, and their two sweet cats, Evie and Shadow.
As a Georgia native, Traci Johnson moved to Reynolds Lake Oconee from Forsyth, Georgia in 2017 and became a member of the Reynolds Lake Oconee Properties team. She has accomplished much in her time with Reynolds, including being named the Lake Country Board of Realtor’s 2019 Rookie of the Year, Multi-Million Dollar Club Member, and Top Producer each year. Traci is also Reynolds Lake Oconee Properties 2022 Sales Executive of the Year and Top Producer, earning three recognitions for Salesperson of the Month to finish out 2022.
When Traci’s family decided to relocate, she discovered the amazing lifestyle offered in Georgia’s Lake Country. Being afforded the opportunity to also work at Reynolds, she saw it as the perfect chance to share with others the many reasons why she loves being a Member and resident here—the lifestyle, Member events, and mostly, the people. She enjoys meeting new friends and getting to know wonderful neighbors, all while enjoying the natural beauty of the lake, neighborhood amenities, and the active community.
Traci prides herself on being customer service oriented, a good listener, and a problem solver—always personalizing each of her client’s experiences. With her knowledge, expertise, and exclusivity to Reynolds, she makes it her business to give her buyers and sellers confidence and comfort every step of the way.
Other than enjoying ‘The Rhythm of Reynolds’ and helping clients find their dream homes, Traci can be found cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs! She and her husband, Jeff, a hospitalist at Navicent Baldwin, also enjoy traveling to visit their six children—Ben, Laura, Brett, Maggie, Bradley, and Morgan—and six grandchildren!
Lori Brown has been instrumental this past year in growing the charitable efforts within the Reynolds Lake Oconee Properties office as a member of the RLOP Philanthropy Committee.
She has helped lead the efforts to raise over $6400 with 100% participation for Victory Train, an early childhood education program in Greene County that empowers parents with skills and resources to provide essential learning experiences for their children from birth to kindergarten. The money raised for Victory Train will support more than six local children for one year with books and educational materials each week. As well as gathering her real estate colleagues to volunteer their time on “PAC” days where they prepared and assembled educational packets for families in need, Lori has also led the charge for a pillow donation of 60+ pillows for Martha’s Closet in Sparta, along with picking the pillows up and arranging delivery of them.
Lori and her husband, John, have locally delivered food every month for years with Meals on Wheels. Giving is in Lori’s heart, and she will always assist anyone in the office, company, or in our community. Lori is a true Helping Hand and is a perfect recipient of the 2023 award!
