More Than a House: The Stories That Lead Us Home
FERNANDEZ The Power of Trust
CRAYCRAFT AND GREENWORKS
Raising the Standard and Building the Future of Service in Real Estate
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Two hundred and fifty years ago, a group of people took a risk on an idea.
Not a perfect idea. Not a guaranteed idea. Just a belief that hard work, personal responsibility, opportunity, and freedom were worth pursuing.
As our country celebrates 250 years of history, I have found myself thinking about the qualities that helped build America in the first place. Grit. Resilience. Integrity. The willingness to bet on yourself. The ability to get back up after a setback and keep moving forward. While the world has changed dramatically over the last two and a half centuries, those qualities have stood the test of time.
What’s interesting is that those same qualities are still what build great businesses today.
Every month, we have the privilege of sharing the stories of top agents throughout North Texas. The numbers are impressive, but the stories behind those numbers are what stand out.
Rarely do we hear about someone who had a perfect path to success. Instead, we hear stories of risk, sacrifice, long hours, uncertainty, failure, reinvention, and perseverance. We hear stories of people who kept going when things got hard. People who stayed committed when nobody was watching. People who built trust one relationship at a time.
Technology has changed. Marketing has changed. The way people buy and sell homes has changed. AI is changing the way many of us work. Yet the fundamentals remain remarkably similar. Character still matters. Relationships still matter. Keeping your word still matters. Showing up consistently still matters.
In a world that is constantly looking for shortcuts, I think there is something refreshing about being reminded that the old-fashioned principles still work. The agents and partners in this community prove that every day. The people who build lasting businesses
are rarely the ones chasing the latest trend. More often than not, they are the ones doing the simple things exceptionally well, year after year.
As we reflect on 250 years of America, I am grateful for the opportunities we have, the businesses we’ve built, and the people who helped us get here. And while the tools, technology, and tactics will continue to evolve, I have a feeling the qualities that built America, and the qualities that build great businesses, will continue to stand the test of time.
Jordan Espeseth & Lance Dunahoe Proud Owners, DFW Real Producers
Congrats on being one of the top real estate agents in Fort Worth!
Because of your 2026 MLS production, you earned your spot as a 2026 Fort Worth Real Producers Top Agent and can represent your badge proudly! This year, we have added NEW badges to the top 500 and top 1000 – top 10, top 25, top 100, top 250, and top 750 —the badge you will receive is determined by your production. Regardless, that is the top 6% in Fort Worth!
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OCTOBER 8TH, 2026
After a three-year hiatus. the ESPE Awards return.
An unforgettable black-tie evening dedicated to honoring the agents, leaders, and industry partners who continue to raise the standard in DFW real estate. BLACK TIE. UNFORGETTABLE.
RELIVE ESPE 2023
Watch the recap video and experience the event that everyone is still talking about.
Long before Claudia Fernandez became known in the Fort Worth real estate community for her warmth, leadership, and a tireless work ethic, she was a little girl watching her parents build a life from the ground up.
Born in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Claudia moved to Texas at just five years old after her parents immigrated in search of greater opportunities. Their journey shaped everything about the woman she would later become.
“I was raised in a family where hard work, faith, and loyalty weren’t just words; they were lived out every single day,” Claudia shares. “Watching my parents sacrifice, push through challenges, and still show up for our family instilled a deep sense of responsibility and gratitude in me. Family has always been at the center of everything I do. Being fluent in Spanish has allowed me to stay connected to my roots and better serve my community, especially families who are working toward building something of their own, just like mine did.”
Those early lessons became the foundation not only for her life, but for the way she serves every client who trusts her with one of the biggest decisions they will ever make.
Today, with more than $40 million in sales over the past seven years, Claudia has built a thriving career with Sukuza Realty. Yet success, to her, has very little to do with numbers alone.
“I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished,” she says. “Today, success means impact. It’s the lives I’ve touched, the trust I’ve earned, and the legacy I’m helping families build.”
Before real estate, Claudia spent 12 years working at an engineering firm. The role gave her discipline and structure, but something was missing. Deep down, she knew she was meant for something more personal and purpose-driven.
“I love meeting and getting to know people,” she says with a laugh. “I used to be the kid getting in trouble for talking in class. Now, I love listening to people’s stories-their ‘whys.’”
That natural gift for connection eventually became her calling.
She stepped into real estate after recognizing a need within her community, especially among Spanish-speaking families searching for guidance and reassurance throughout the home-buying process.
“Families like mine needed someone they could trust,” Claudia explains. “Someone who spoke their language, understood their fears, and could guide them through one of the biggest decisions of their lives. I wanted to be that person.”
The beginning was not without uncertainty. Like many agents, Claudia remembers the fear that came with stepping into a commission-based business. Still, she refused to let doubt outweigh determination.
“I remember the uncertainty… the fear of not knowing if it would work,” she recalls. “But there was also a fire inside me that refused to quit.”
Then came her first closing.
“It wasn’t just a transaction,” she says. “It was confirmation that I was exactly where I was supposed to be.”
That same conviction still fuels her today.
The discipline you build in your personal life reflects in your business.”
every negotiation, and every moment she spends advocating for families trying to create a better future.
Claudia’s motivation remains deeply personal. Everything traces back to the sacrifices her parents made years ago when they chose to start over in a new country.
Ask Claudia what excites her most about real estate, and her answer always comes back to people.
“Serving people, truly serving them,” she says. “It’s seeing a family walk into a home they never thought was possible. It’s the tears, the hugs, the relief.”
For Claudia, homeownership represents far more than property. It represents stability, opportunity, and generational change.
“Real estate, to me, is about building generational wealth and changing the trajectory of a family’s future.”
That heart-centered approach has earned her significant recognition across the industry. Claudia has been named a Top Producer, recognized among the Real Producers Top 500 in DFW, honored as a 360 West Best REALTOR®, and served as President of the Fort Worth chapter of NAHREP.
Still, titles and awards are secondary to the trust she builds with clients every day.
“I don’t see clients as transactions, I see them as family,” she says. “I want to be the one they call for anything real estate, the trusted resource they can count on at every stage of life.”
That mindset often means guiding people even when there is no immediate sale involved.
“I point and direct them in the right direction even if it’s not a sale,” she explains.
Her clients feel that sincerity. It is woven into every conversation,
“My family,” she says when asked what keeps her going. “Everything I do is rooted in making my parents’ sacrifices worth it and creating a legacy my kids can be proud of.”
Outside of business, Claudia prioritizes family, faith, fitness, and personal growth. Whether she is traveling with loved ones, spending time at the gym, or deepening her relationship with God, she believes the discipline cultivated in personal life directly impacts professional success.
“The discipline you build in your personal life reflects in your business,” she says.
As her business continues to grow, Claudia remains focused on expanding her reach and serving even more families throughout the Fort Worth community. Yet through every new milestone, she stays grounded in the values that first inspired her journey.
When asked how she hopes to be remembered, her answer comes without hesitation.
“I want to be remembered as someone who truly cared and made a difference,” she says. And for the countless families she has already helped along the way, that legacy is already taking shape.
In a real estate industry often driven by speed, pressure, and uncertainty, Michael Craycraft believes one thing should never be compromised: the client experience.
As President of GreenWorks Inspections & Engineering, Michael is helping redefine what a modern real estate service company can look and feel like — not just through inspections themselves, but through leadership, communication, consistency, problem-solving, and service at scale.
“Our job is bigger than inspecting houses,” Michael says. “We’re helping people navigate one of the
biggest and most emotional purchases of their lives. That requires more than technical knowledge. It requires clarity, calm, communication, and trust.”
That philosophy has helped GreenWorks become one of the largest privately-owned inspection companies in the United States — and the largest in Texas — while continuing to build strong relationships with topproducing agents across the state.
But according to Michael, growth was never the goal by itself.
“The goal was to build something people could believe in,” he says. “A company where clients feel taken care of, agents feel
supported, and our team operates with a high level of professionalism, leadership, and emotional intelligence.”
And that vision is exactly what GreenWorks is becoming.
Many people assume a larger inspection company means less consistency. Michael believes the opposite should be true.
“As we’ve grown, we’ve become even more intentional about leadership, communication, and training,” he says. “We don’t want the experience to depend on which inspector shows up that day. We want a consistent GreenWorks experience across the board.”
That consistency is built through ongoing development, field coaching, communication standards, leadership training, and a culture centered around ownership and service.
“We’re building systems that scale excellence,” Michael explains. “Not just volume.”
Today, GreenWorks has expanded far beyond the traditional home inspection model.
In addition to residential inspections, the company has grown extensively into Structural Engineering and Design, Environmental Testing and Consulting, Energy Assessments, HUD and Code Inspections, HomePro Connect, and a wide range of additional specialty services for both residential and commercial properties.
The result is one of the most expansive service offerings
in the home and commercial services industry.
For real estate professionals, that means having a trusted partner capable of helping solve problems faster, reduce friction throughout the transaction, and provide higher levels of clarity for clients when additional concerns arise.
“The best agents in the industry care deeply about client experience,” Michael says. “So do we.”
That commitment shows up most clearly in how GreenWorks approaches communication during inspections.
“A home inspection should never feel like chaos,” Michael explains. “It should feel like guidance.”
Rather than overwhelming clients with fear or confusion, GreenWorks trains its inspectors to educate clearly, communicate calmly, and help clients understand both the findings and the bigger picture.
“We don’t want clients leaving overwhelmed,” Michael says. “We want them leaving empowered.”
Michael believes one of the biggest frustrations in real estate is not necessarily discovering a problem — it’s the uncertainty and stress that follow when no clear next step exists.
That belief became one of the driving forces behind GreenWorks’ expansion into engineering, environmental consulting, and specialty assessments.
“When an issue is discovered during an inspection, clients naturally want deeper understanding,” Michael explains. “They want to know how serious it is, what it means, and what the next step should be. We’ve built our company around helping provide that clarity.”
By offering multiple services under one roof, GreenWorks helps reduce delays, improve communication, and eliminate much of the stress agents often experience when coordinating multiple outside vendors during tight option periods.
“The more handoffs you create in a transaction, the more friction you create,” Michael says. “If we can simplify the process, reduce turnaround times, and provide trusted guidance faster, that benefits everyone involved.”
That same mindset led to the creation of HomePro Connect, a growing network of vetted contractors and service professionals available to GreenWorks clients and agent partners. “We realized the stress doesn’t stop after the inspection,” Michael says. “Clients and agents are often left trying to figure out who to trust, who to call, and how to move forward. HomePro Connect was created to help solve that problem.”
From roofing and plumbing to foundation repair, HVAC, electrical, environmental remediation, and beyond, HomePro Connect connects clients with trusted professionals who have already been carefully vetted by the GreenWorks team.
“Our goal is to reduce friction wherever we can,”
WE’RE NOT TRYING TO CREATE FEAR. WE’RE TRYING TO CREATE UNDERSTANDING.
Michael explains. “If we can help make the process easier, faster, and less stressful for the client and the agent, that creates a better overall experience for everyone.”
For Michael, it all comes back to the same mission: helping people feel supported during one of the biggest decisions of their lives.
“We’re not trying to create fear,” he says. “We’re trying to create understanding.”
For Michael, leadership inside the company directly impacts the experience outside the company.
“The way our team communicates internally eventually becomes the way clients experience us externally,” he says. “So we invest heavily into people, not just processes.”
That investment includes technical training, leadership development, communication coaching, emotional intelligence, and creating a culture where ownership and growth are expected at every level.
“We’re not trying to build inspectors,” Michael says. “We’re building leaders who happen to inspect homes.”
That philosophy has created a culture focused not only on technical excellence, but also on trust, professionalism, and long-term relationships.
The company’s size allows it to provide consistency, support, availability, and multiple specialized services under one roof — while still maintaining a relationshipcentered approach.
“As we continue to grow, our challenge is making sure we never lose the human side of what we do,” Michael says. “People don’t want to feel like a number. They want to feel cared for.”
That perspective is deeply connected to Michael’s personal values.
Faith, family, growth, and contribution remain central to how he leads both his life and his company. Outside of work, he is a 3rd-degree black belt in jiu-jitsu and regularly teaches classes, something
he says has shaped his leadership philosophy in powerful ways.
“Jiu-jitsu teaches humility, composure, discipline, and the importance of staying teachable,” he says. “You learn very quickly that growth only happens when you’re willing to be uncomfortable.”
That same mindset continues to shape the future of GreenWorks.
While the company continues expanding its reach, services, leadership infrastructure, and innovation, Michael remains focused on something deeper than growth alone: building an organization that genuinely elevates the real estate experience for clients, agents, and team members alike.
“We’re not interested in becoming the biggest just to say we’re the biggest,” he says. “We want to become the standard.”
And in an industry searching for more professionalism, more consistency, and more trust, GreenWorks appears to be building exactly that.
There’s
a certain kind of confidence that doesn’t need to be announced. It shows up in preparation, in persistence, and in the quiet ability to read a room before a word is spoken. For David Chicotsky, that confidence was sharpened long before real estate ever entered the picture.
WRITTEN BY KATHERINE H. FONDREN PHOTOS BY KATHARINE GANN, DAYDREAM PHOTOGRAPHY
A Fort Worth native who proudly calls it “the best city on earth,” David grew up surrounded by support, structure, and movement. “I grew up playing competitive tennis,” he recalls, a foundation that taught discipline early. Today, that same competitive edge shows up in a different arena, where strategy and timing matter just as much.
David went to the University of Texas in Austin, graduating with an economics degree and continuing on at Baylor, pursuing environmental studies, specializing in economics and civic planning. Despite his field of study, before stepping into real estate, David built a career that might surprise many. He was a professional poker player, once ranked the number one player in the world and winner of the 2008 Online Poker Player of the Year award. That chapter of his life was not just about cards. It was about reading people, calculating risk, and making decisions with incomplete information. Skills that, as it turns out, translate seamlessly into real estate.
“My number one ability is negotiating,” David says. “With my game theory and economics background, I have the ability to flesh out both the qualitative and the quantitative aspects of any discussion.” It is a mindset that allows him to approach every transaction with clarity and control. “Being able to put yourself in the other
person’s shoes and view the transaction accordingly is very important.”
That ability to think several steps ahead is what sets him apart. In a business where emotions often run high, David remains grounded in strategy while never losing sight of the human element. “In many of these transactions, everyone can be a winner,” he explains. “One side doesn’t need to necessarily get the better of the other.” It is a refreshing perspective in an industry often driven by urgency and pressure.
His path into real estate began in a meeting with Robbie Briggs of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty. David and his wife, Michaela, were hired on the spot. What followed was not immediate success, but a test of endurance.
“It took me 135 days to get my first paycheck,” he shares. “I remember the embarrassment during that long stretch at the beginning.” For many, that kind of start might have been enough to walk away. For David, it became fuel. “Once I made my first sale, it was an avalanche of activity.” He went on to close 14 deals in his first year, proving that persistence often pays off when talent is paired with determination.
Today, with more than $100 million in career volume and a strong presence in Tarrant County, David leads
ONCE I MADE MY FIRST SALE, IT WAS AN AVALANCHE OF ACTIVITY.”
beyond transactions. His team Cockrell and Ryan Perucci. At this stage, his role has evolved
“Mentoring them and seeing motivation.” It is a shift from responsibility to the place he negotiation is an opportunity
“Every client you work with with focus and resolve. He is
EVERY CLIENT YOU WORK WITH IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP THEM AND TO CHANGE OUR COMMUNITY FOR THE BETTER.”
not just working deals. He is solving problems.
At home, life is just as full. David and Michaela are raising four young children, Jennie Rose, Bunny, Buddy, and baby Lily. “Focusing on growing my family” is at the center of everything he does. It is a reminder that behind the numbers and negotiations is a man grounded in what matters most.
When asked to define success, his answer is simple but telling. “Success is having a ton of clients that depend on you, and you coming through for them.” For David, the client is always the priority. “They are the prize and we are here to make sure they’re successful.”
Looking ahead, his goals include expanding into luxury properties, continuing to build referral
networks, and deepening his expertise in land, ranch, and commercial real estate. But beyond production, there is a larger aspiration at play.
“Ultimately I plan on being remembered as a statesman
for the City of Fort Worth and a great family man,” he says.
It is a bold vision, but one that feels entirely aligned with the way he already operates. In
every negotiation, every relationship, and every decision, David Chicotsky is playing the long game. Not just for his business, but for his clients, his family, and the city that shaped him.
WRITTEN BY KATHERINE H. FONDREN PHOTOS BY DESIREE
or
Wendy Tockey, real estate
has never been just about property; it has always been about people, perseverance, and the places that shape our lives.
Raised in upstate New York and adopted as a child, Wendy’s journey has been anything but conventional. She often says that she will write a book called “My 4 Fathers”, because she had four father figures throughout her life, each leaving a different mark on her story. One of the most pivotal moments came when the stepfather she had not spoken to in nearly twenty years encouraged her to pursue real estate and paid for her schooling. At the time, Wendy made him a promise: She would not let him down. She didn’t.
Before becoming one of the top-producing agents in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Wendy spent eleven years with Estée Lauder Cosmetics at Neiman Marcus and then built a successful career in home
building and interior design. As the founder of Cartiani’s Design Studio, she spent more than twenty-five years helping clients create beautiful, functional spaces that reflected the way they lived. That experience sharpened her eye for design, construction, and value—skills that now give her clients a unique advantage in today’s real estate market.
Today, her prior career experiences allow her to guide clients through one of life’s most important decisions with both expertise and empathy. Whether helping first-time buyers, luxury clients, or farm and ranch owners, Wendy approaches every transaction with the belief that every home has a story—and every client deserves to be heard.
Her passion for homeownership is deeply
personal. After a twenty-sixyear marriage, Wendy found herself navigating a new chapter of life and purchasing a home on her own for the first time. The experience reinforced what she had always believed: A home is far more than an investment. It represents security, independence, hope, and the opportunity to begin again.
As a mother of two and grandmother of two, some of Wendy’s most proud moments have been helping her own children achieve the dream of homeownership. That experience has given her a special passion for working with first-time homebuyers.
“It’s one of my favorite parts of this job,” she says. “I love helping young, first-time homebuyers navigate one of life’s biggest milestones with
I HELP SELLERS FOCUS ON THAT DELIVER THE GREATEST RETURN.”
guidance, encouragement, and honest advice from beginning to end. Watching them receive the keys to their first home is incredibly rewarding, and more than once, it’s brought tears of joy to my eyes.”
Known for her energy, authenticity, and steadfast commitment to excellence, Wendy combines her design background, construction knowledge, and
market expertise to help clients see possibilities where others see challenges. “I help sellers focus on strategic improvements that deliver the greatest return, while avoiding unnecessary expenses that don’t add value.” She believes that every property has potential
and every family deserves a place where memories can be made.
For Wendy, real estate isn’t just about homes. It’s about honoring the stories that live inside them— and the stories that are still waiting to be told.
Our Fort Worth Summer Social took over Topgolf Fort Worth, and from the first conversation to the last, the energy and connections in the room were incredible.
A huge thank you to all of our Preferred Partners, and a special shoutout to Stephanie Maldonado with Home Mortgage Express and Deluxe Roofing & Construction for serving as the Host Sponsors of this event.
Of course, thank you to Beth Graeme Photography for capturing the moments and to Studio USA for bringing the energy to life in this recap video.
Most importantly, thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with us. Congratulations again to all of our 2026 Real Producers Top Agents!
We'll see you at the next event.
Eli Howard General Manager
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