NORTH DALLAS
Lori Vaden West FROM THE GROUND UP
PEDRO MENESES Going High Level JESSICA & DAVID HUGHEY Better Together MIKE TUFARIELLO & K. HOVNANIAN HOMES Winning Together JEN GIRAUD & MEREDITH MARTIN OF AMERICAN HOME SHIELD A Partnership Built on Trust PHOTO BY SCOTT PEEK PHOTOGRAPHY LLC
OCTOBER 2026
2 • October 2026
North Dallas Real Producers • 3
Call me for a quote today
4 • October 2026
Your Client's Dream Home
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North Dallas Real Producers • 5
Contents
40
Jen Giraud & Meredith Martin
48
Lori Vaden West
32
COVER STORY
PROFILES
18 Pedro Meneses
24 Mike Tufariello
Jessica & David Hughey
IN THIS ISSUE 8 Preferred Partner Index 10 Meet the Team 12 Publisher’s Note 14 2025 By the Numbers 16 Your North Dallas RP Badges 18 Agent on the Rise: Pedro Meneses 24 Preferred Partner Spotlight: Mike Tufariello with K. Hovnanian Homes 30 MetroTex: In the Know 32 Cover Story: Lori Vaden West 40 Preferred Partner Spotlight: Jen Giraud & Meredith Martin with American Home Shield 44 Real Education 48 Home Team: Jessica & David Hughey 52 Real Producers FAQ
If you are interested in nominating people for certain stories, please email us at: dfw@realproducers.com 6 • October 2026
North Dallas Real Producers • 7
Preferred Partners This section has been created to give you easier access when searching for a trusted real estate affiliate. Take a minute to familiarize yourself with the businesses sponsoring your magazine. These local businesses are proud to partner with you and make this magazine possible. Please support these businesses and thank them for supporting the REALTOR® community!
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Meet The Team Jordan Espeseth Founder/Co-Owner
Lance Dunahoe Co-Owner
Ashley Gentry Agent Liaison
Reece Gentry Partner Liaison
Katherine Fondren Editor
Sarah Consentino Ad Strategist
Rick Davis Videographer
Scott Peek Photographer
Vanessa Corral Photographer
Beth Graeme Photographer
Jessica Espeseth Social Media Director
DISCLAIMER: The articles and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of The N2 Company d/b/a Real Producers (“N2”). Advertisements appearing in this publication are paid placements and are not endorsed or recommended by N2. N2 is not responsible for the statements, opinions, or business practices of any authors, contributors, or advertisers featured herein. Portions of this publication may include content created with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) tools by authors or contributors and may not be independently verified by N2.
10 • October 2026
A FIRST CLASS MOVING EXPERIENCE
Tyler Coleman
512.605.7328 Tyler@BlackTieMoving.com BlackTieMoving.com North Dallas Real Producers • 11
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
decisions that most people will never notice, but collectively, I hope, will make the night feel special. And if I’m being truthful, there are moments when looking at all of those details at once can feel a little overwhelming. But I’ve learned something through building Real Producers, putting on events, and really through business in general: at some point, you have to trust the work. That doesn’t mean crossing your fingers and hoping everything works out. It means giving yourself enough time, doing the preparation, taking the next action in front of you, surrounding yourself with great people, and controlling what you can control. Then, eventually, you have to loosen your grip on the outcome. There will probably be something that doesn’t go according to plan on October 8th. There almost always is. But I’ve learned that perfection was never really the goal anyway. The goal is to prepare well enough that when the moment finally arrives, you can actually be present enough to enjoy it.
BEFORE YOU KNOW THE ENDING As I sit here writing this in the middle of September, we’re just a few weeks away from the ESPE Awards. Right now, the stage hasn’t been built. The tables aren’t set. No awards have been handed out. But by the time you’re reading this, more than 500 of us will have gathered together, the lights will have gone down, the winners will have been announced, and months of planning will have culminated in one night. So... how was it? I’m dying to know. It’s kind of funny asking that question knowing you have an answer and I don’t. Because right now, I’m still living in the details. The seating chart. Sponsors. Tickets. Lighting. Music. Vendors. Valet. Staffing. Timing. Who is standing where. Who hands the microphone to whom. There are hundreds of little
12 • October 2026
And I think there’s something in that for all of us. So much of life requires us to do the work before we know the ending. You make the call before you know if it will lead to the opportunity. You invest in the relationship before you know what it will become. You take the risk, build the business, hire the person, pursue the goal, and keep showing up without any guarantee of exactly how the story will unfold. We can’t control every outcome. But we can control how we prepare, how we show up, and whether we allow ourselves to enjoy the process along the way. As I write this, I don’t know who won. I don’t know which moments brought the room to its feet. I don’t know what went perfectly or what inevitably didn’t. You know something right now that I don’t. But I do know we gave it everything we had. So from the Jordan and Lance writing this before October 8th to all of you reading it on the other side, we hope it was one heck of a night. More importantly, we hope you walked away reminded of just how special this community really is. And whatever you’re building right now, keep doing the work. Then trust it.
Jordan Espeseth & Lance Dunahoe Proud Owners, DFW Real Producers
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2025 BY THE NUMBERS
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Here’s What North Dallas Top 500 Agents Sold...
AVERAGE TRANSACTIONS PER AGENT
SALES VOLUME
TOTAL TRANSACTIONS
$12,924,816,765
19,216
$25.85 Million AVERAGE SALES VOLUME PER AGENT
14 • October 2026
North Dallas Real Producers • 15
YOUR NORTH DALLAS REAL PRODUCERS
BADGES Congrats on earning your Real Producers Top Agent Badge!
Because of your 2026 MLS production, you earned your spot as a 2026 North Dallas 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 North Dallas! Missing your badge? Email team@ dfwrealproducers.com. Using your badge? We’d love to see how! Show us how you are using your badge, and you may just find a picture of what you shared in the magazine! Social media, email signatures, web listings, marketing material... nothing’s off limits! Our preferred partners have been carefully selected to be a part of this community and have their own badge as well! They have been recommended by your peers and are some of North Dallas’ most elite businesses. Look for this badge to know that you are working with one of the best, recommended by the best!
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AGENT ON THE RISE
18 • October 2026
Pedro Meneses GOING HIGH LEVEL
WRITTEN BY KATHERINE H. FONDREN PHOTOS BY VANESSA CORRAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Some people build a real estate career because they want to sell homes. For Pedro Meneses, real estate became the vehicle that transformed his entire life. His story begins thousands of miles away in Guatemala City, where he grew up as the youngest of four children and the only boy in the family. His father was a successful entrepreneur, providing Pedro with opportunities many children never experience. Looking back, though, he believes that comfortable upbringing came with unexpected challenges.
That dream, however, took years to find.
“I grew up very spoiled,” Pedro admits. “My parents sheltered me way too much, and I grew up thinking everything would always just be handed to me.”
Then came the moment that changed everything.
School never interested him. Rules were something he constantly pushed against. Even as a teenager, one thing remained clear. “All I ever wanted was to be like my dad and have my own business.”
By his mid-twenties, Pedro felt completely lost. Despite spending a decade drifting from job to job, serving as a volunteer firefighter in Guatemala, he says the rest of his life lacked direction. Nights of partying had replaced purpose, and his father continued rescuing him whenever life fell apart.
“I came home after a night out and sat there realizing I had no career, no purpose, and no idea how lost I truly was.” Not long afterward, a friend mentioned opportunities in the United States. Pedro packed what little he could, boarded a one-way flight in December 2013, and never looked back.
“I told my parents I would be home before Christmas,” he says. “I never went back.” He wouldn’t see his family again for nearly a decade. “I made a promise to myself that I wouldn’t go home until I became a different person.” With only a few hundred dollars and no safety net, Pedro began selling products from mall kiosks in Virginia Beach. TENS units, makeup, hair straighteners, cleaning products. If shoppers avoided eye contact with kiosk salespeople, he laughs, he was probably one of the reasons why. But those years taught him something priceless. “It was the first time in my life where everything was fully on me. No safety net. No dad to bail me out.”
His sales career eventually took him from Virginia to Colorado, then to Nevada, where another unexpected encounter changed his life forever. He met a woman at one of his kiosks. “I always joke that because I took all her cash that night and we ended up going out later, she technically paid for our first date.” That woman became his wife. The couple married in 2018 and eventually relocated to Dallas after Pedro felt God calling them there. They arrived with no job, very little money, and plenty of uncertainty. To keep the bills paid while his wife completed her Texas licensing requirements, Pedro delivered groceries through Instacart while earning his own real estate license. North Dallas Real Producers • 19
“I want people to look back and say that because of a mindset shift I helped them have, they built an incredible, rich life.”
By October 2020, both were fully committed. “Going into business with my wife is the greatest decision I have ever made.” Today, that business has surpassed $75 million in volume. But Pedro believes the numbers tell only part of the story. “I think it comes down to my mindset and the way I have built my business differently than most people in this industry.” Rather than functioning as a traditional agent, Pedro sees himself as an operator. “I don’t want to be just another agent,” he says. “I want to be an operator. I want to be an agent of change.” That philosophy has led him to invest heavily in marketing, systems, automation, lead generation, and business development. Instead of allowing the business to control his life, he has intentionally built processes that allow him to control the business. 20 • October 2026
“A lot of agents struggle because the business controls their life instead of the other way around,” he explains. That mindset became even more meaningful after another lifechanging event. In 2023, Pedro and his wife learned they were expecting their first child. “My first daughter was born in January of 2024, and our lives changed completely.” Soon afterward, his wife stepped away from the business to become a fulltime mother. “My biggest fear was watching half of our production walk out the door with her,” he says. “But God is good.” Instead of slowing down, the business accelerated. “Since my wife stepped down, I felt like I unlocked a whole new level of hustle inside of me.”
Fatherhood also reshaped his definition of success. “Success is living life on my own terms,” Pedro says. “It’s about having control of your life and making decisions every single day that lead you to becoming a better version of yourself.” His motivation reaches far beyond real estate. “I know I have a bigger assignment,” he says. “That is to honor God through everything I do, help others build their lives, and guide people toward financial independence and entrepreneurship.”
mindset that have fueled his own growth while helping other agents build sustainable businesses. His advice stems from a concept one of his mentors introduced him to, something called the Unlimited Potential Unlock. That is knowing that “God has a plan for your life, and you can have everything you ever wanted as long as you are willing to pay the price.” When asked how he hopes people remember him, Pedro doesn’t mention sales volume or business success.
“I love this country,” Pedro says. “The American dream is still very much alive. But it’s your responsibility to make it a reality in your own life.”
“I want people to look back and say that because of a mindset shift I helped them have, they built an incredible, rich life,” he says. “But above all, I want my daughters to remember me as the greatest dad and my wife as the greatest husband.”
Pedro is now a broker and is launching his own brokerage, High Level Realty. He hopes to duplicate the systems and
For the young man who once boarded a one-way flight searching for purpose, that may be the greatest success story of all.
Becoming an American citizen in 2022 reinforced that perspective.
North Dallas Real Producers • 21
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North Dallas Real Producers • 23
MIKE TUFARIELLO Winning Together
WRITTEN BY KATHERINE H. FONDREN PHOTOS BY VANESSA CORRAL PHOTOGRAPHY
K . H OV N A N I A N H O M E S
Some careers are built on talent. Others are built on persistence. For Mike Tufariello, success has always come down to something much simpler: your word. “My creed is simple,” Mike says. “I say what I mean and mean what I say.” It is a philosophy that has guided him through nearly two decades in new home sales and earned the trust of countless homebuyers and real estate agent partners throughout North Texas. As a sales consultant with K. Hovnanian Homes, Mike has become known not only for helping families find the right home, but for making one of life’s biggest decisions feel far less overwhelming. That commitment begins with honesty. “I truly believe honesty, whether good or bad news, builds trust,” he says. “Clarity prevents confusion, and my word is all I have, so it matters.” Originally from Long Island, New York, Mike moved to Texas as a young boy when his father was transferred while serving in the Navy. After graduating from Newman Smith High School in Carrollton, he earned a degree in business administration and marketing from the University of North Texas. His career path was anything but ordinary. Before discovering new home sales, Mike worked in a variety of fields. Looking back, each experience prepared him for the career he enjoys today. “My background included being a teacher, a fitness trainer, and even a 24 • October 2026
pro boxer,” he says. “This industry allows all of those experiences to prove useful more often than not.” His brother-in-law first introduced him to new home sales, and Mike immediately recognized something that had been missing in his previous roles. “I didn’t feel I was providing a solution that anyone cared about,” he says. “After being exposed to this opportunity, I knew this was for me.” Today, Mike represents K. Hovnanian Homes, one of the nation’s largest homebuilders with more than 65 years of experience designing thoughtfully crafted communities across the country. The company’s commitment to quality construction, innovative floor plans, energy efficiency, and professionally coordinated interior design collections creates a homebuying experience that is both exciting and approachable. For Mike, however, the real difference lies in what happens after someone walks through the model home’s front door. “I’m passionate about helping people make one of the biggest decisions of their lives with confidence,” he says.
“It’s not just selling a house. It’s about helping people find a place that they are excited to call home while building trust and accountability along the way.” That mindset also shapes the way he works with agents. Mike understands that every referral represents years of relationship building, and he never takes that responsibility lightly.
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North Dallas Real Producers • 25
MY GOAL IS TO BUILD A TRUE PARTNERSHIP WITH TOP PRODUCERS THAT LASTS A LONG TIME.”
“It used to be based on commissions and awards,” Mike says. “Now success is being the person that is trusted, with a work ethic that aligns with my creed, and having an impact on those that I can help throughout my day.” Outside the office, Mike continues pursuing personal growth. He still enjoys working out and boxing, but some of his happiest moments are much quieter than they once were. “Calling my mom, sending my daughter a text, stopping by to see my dad, spending time with my girlfriend,” he says. “As I’ve gotten older, I realized the little things matter more.”
“I understand what it took for you to earn your client,” he says. “It’s my job to help, not to hurt, your relationship or your business.” His responsiveness has become something of a trademark. “I’m so responsive I can be confused as a 7-Eleven since I try to respond 24/7,” he says with a laugh. “Time kills deals and experiences.” Whether answering questions about construction timelines, financing, floor plans, or community features, Mike believes communication is one of the greatest ways he can serve both real estate agents and their clients. He keeps agents informed throughout the process so they never wonder what is happening behind the scenes. “My goal is to build a true partnership with top producers that lasts a long time,” he says. “Winning together is what I strive for.” Currently serving buyers at Kreymer at the Park in Wylie, Mike enjoys introducing clients to thoughtfully designed homes, spacious floor plans, professionally curated interiors,
26 • October 2026
larger homesites, and the added benefit of no MUD or PID taxes. Still, his greatest satisfaction comes from something much more personal. “I love educating buyers about new home construction and making the experience enjoyable instead of intimidating,” he says. “When they feel like I helped make this a lot easier than they ever expected, that’s the best part.” Throughout his career, Mike has experienced both remarkable highs and difficult seasons. He earned industry recognition, including the 2022 McSAM Award, but he has also experienced times when he found himself at the bottom of the leaderboard. Rather than defining him, those moments strengthened him. “I have been number one on the team and I have been last,” he says. “Like being knocked down in boxing, I always get up.” That resilience has shaped how he now defines success.
His close-knit New York Italian family remains an important part of his life. Celebrating his parents’ recent 55th wedding anniversary, spending time with his sister’s family, and cheering on his daughter as she pursues a career in cosmetology remind him why relationships always come first. Looking ahead, Mike hopes to sell 40 homes this year, continue growing his agent partnerships, and move closer to financial freedom by paying off his rental properties. Yet the goal he talks about most has very little to do with numbers. “My biggest goal is to become DFW REALTORS® ‘go-to’ new home consultant,” he says. “I know I have to earn that.” He understands that reputation is never given. It is built on one promise. “If I can make your job easier and help create a great experience for your client,” Mike says, “then I’ve done my job.” For Mike Tufariello, that simple promise reflects everything he hopes people remember. A man of integrity. A man whose word matters. And a trusted partner who understands that helping REALTORS® succeed is one of the best ways to serve the families who are searching for a place to call home.
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METROTEX: IN THE KNOW
The DFW Housing Market Is Changing, And That Creates Opportunity SUBMITTED BY BILL HEAD, COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA RELATIONS PROFESSIONAL, METROTEX
If you’ve been in the Dallas-Fort Worth real estate business for any length of time, you’ve learned an important lesson: the market never stays the same. The question isn’t whether the market will change. The question is whether we recognize the opportunity that comes with it. As we head toward the end of 2026, DFW real estate looks very different from the frenzy many agents experienced just a few years ago. Buyers are more deliberate. Sellers have to compete for attention. Interest rates continue to influence decisions. And consumers are taking longer to make major financial commitments. For some, that may feel like a headwind. For experienced REALTORS®, it is an opportunity. Not because this is an easy market. It isn’t. It is an opportunity because expertise becomes more valuable when the market gets complicated. During the boom, almost anyone could look like an expert. Properties received multiple offers. Inventory moved quickly. Pricing mistakes were often forgiven because demand was overwhelming. 30 • October 2026
That’s not today’s market. Today, the best agents have to bring something more to the table. They have to know their numbers. They have to understand micro-markets. They have to know how buyers are behaving, what sellers are willing to negotiate and where opportunities exist that aren’t obvious from a headline or a national housing report. That’s where experienced agents have an advantage. Experience matters when a seller wants to know whether lowering the price by $25,000 will actually change the outcome. Experience matters when a buyer is trying to determine whether today’s negotiation opportunity outweighs the cost of waiting. Experience matters when a market statistic doesn’t tell the whole story. And experience matters when a client needs someone willing to say, “Here’s what I would do if I were in your position.” The DFW market also continues to have something many other markets would love to have growth.
People and businesses continue to choose North Texas. Fort Worth surpassed one million residents in 2024, and employment growth in the Fort Worth-Arlington area remained strong in 2026. DFW’s economy continues to attract investment, jobs and new residents. That doesn’t mean every neighborhood or price point will perform equally. In fact, that’s part of the opportunity. A more normalized market rewards specialization. It rewards agents who know a particular community, price range or client demographic better than anyone else. It rewards those who can interpret data rather than simply repeat it. And it creates opportunities for agents who are willing to adapt their businesses. For less experienced REALTORS®, this market also creates an important opportunity to invest in education and training. A more complex market can be a tremendous classroom for agents who are willing to learn. Strong training in contracts, negotiation, market analysis, technology and business planning can help newer agents build confidence and develop the expertise their clients need. The agents who commit to learning from experienced professionals, taking advantage of quality education and continuously improving their skills will be better positioned to build lasting businesses—not just survive the current market, but grow with it.
And perhaps the most important question: If the 2027 market looks different from what you expect, is your business built to adapt? Top producers understand that success isn’t tied to one market cycle. They build systems, relationships and reputations that endure through them. That’s why I’m optimistic about DFW real estate. Not because every market indicator is perfect. Not because interest rates will suddenly return to historic lows. And not because the next year will necessarily be easier. I’m optimistic because North Texas continues to grow, and experienced real estate professionals know how to find opportunity in a changing market. The market is changing. That’s nothing new. The opportunity is deciding what you’re going to do with it. As we close out 2026, let’s not spend too much time wishing for the market we used to have. Let’s build for the one that’s coming next.
As we approach year-end, I think that’s worth remembering.
We Haul the Junk, You Close the Deal!
The goal shouldn’t be to recreate 2021. The goal should be to build a business that wins in 2027. For some agents, that may mean becoming even more specialized. For others, it may mean investing in technology, expanding their geographic footprint, strengthening their referral network or becoming more intentional about the clients they serve. For many top producers, it may simply mean going deeper rather than wider.
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The relationships you’ve built over the last decade are an asset. The transactions you’ve closed are an asset. The market knowledge you’ve accumulated is an asset. Now is the time to leverage them. The end of the year is also an opportunity to take an honest look at the business. What worked? What didn’t? Which clients generated the greatest long-term value—not simply the largest commission? Where did your best referrals come from? What part of your business would you like to eliminate? North Dallas Real Producers • 31
COVER STORY
32 • October 2026
Lori From the Ground Up WRITTEN BY KATHERINE H. FONDREN PHOTOS BY SCOTT PEEK PHOTOGRAPHY, LLC
Vaden West As a child growing up in Arlington, Texas, Lori Vaden West found herself fascinated by something many kids barely noticed. While others played in finished homes, Lori was drawn to construction sites, watching walls rise, floor plans take shape, and empty lots transform into dream homes. She was captivated by the process from the ground up. Looking back, it’s easy to see those childhood moments were quietly preparing her for the career she would eventually build. More than two decades into real estate, Lori leads the Lori Vaden West Group at Compass RE Texas, a team of ten professionals serving buyers and sellers throughout North Dallas. Their mission goes far beyond opening doors or putting signs in yards. Every client experience is built around thoughtful planning, personalized service, and strategic execution. “I love to surprise and delight each and every customer with an elevated real estate experience,” Lori says. “We minimize the stress in every way we can think of so that they truly receive concierge level service.” That commitment has helped her team achieve remarkable success, including more than $86 million in sales volume last year and recognition as the Number One Team and Lori as the Number One individual agent at Compass North Dallas in 2025. Yet rankings have never been her motivation. “It is never my goal to be number one,” she says. “I simply compete with myself and strive to help more clients every single year.” Long before earning those accolades, Lori was building the foundation for the career she enjoys today. She began in property management, where she developed a deep
North Dallas Real Producers • 33
understanding of contracts, budgets, scheduling, sales, and leadership. Those skills would later become invaluable as she transitioned into residential real estate. Even while juggling her real estate business and raising her young sons, Lori remained deeply involved in her community.
34 • October 2026
I want to be remembered as being available and present when someone is in need..
She managed bookkeeping for her husband’s business, volunteered extensively at school, served as PTA fundraiser chair, became treasurer for the booster club, and eventually served on the Celina City Council. In 2011, however, she joined respected agent Paulette Greene’s team at Ebby Halliday. Initially hired to oversee buyer agents, Lori quickly immersed herself in every aspect of the business. Paulette was an agent I had always looked up to and someone for whom I had a huge amount of respect. She became my mentor and is a very good friend today,” Lori says. At the time, Lori was a single mother who had spent years balancing multiple jobs, but real estate itself felt like a natural progression. Walking away from the security of a paycheck into a commissiononly career required tremendous courage. “My biggest win was believing in myself to go out on my own with no safety net in a commission-only industry as a single mom,” she recalls. “It took a lot of prayer for me to step out in complete faith.” The results came faster than she ever imagined. “Within the first six months, I was surprised to learn that I was number seven at Ebby Halliday out of 1,800 REALTORS®.” That leap of faith became the launching point for a career centered on serving families through some of the most significant moments of their lives.
Today, Lori believes successful real estate is built on far more than market knowledge. Strategy is at the center of everything her team does. She enjoys studying industry trends, embracing innovation, and tailoring every approach to fit each client’s unique goals. “I love the constant changes in the industry,” she says. “The continued innovation and how to take that information and apply it to a strategy that best helps my clients.” Whether representing buyers competing in a challenging market or helping sellers maximize the return on what is often their largest investment, every recommendation is intentional. That strategic mindset is paired with a genuine commitment to service. “We continue to show up for our clients long after the sale.” Sometimes, showing up means finding the perfect place for a young family to grow. Other times it means helping clients navigate unexpected life transitions while reducing as much stress as possible. Just as meaningful is watching the professionals on her own team develop into successful agents. “It’s helping the agents on my team grow and achieve their goals both personally and professionally.” That spirit of service extends well beyond real estate. Lori’s calendar is filled with opportunities to give back, from mission trips to Panama to supporting organizations such as the North Texas Food Bank, Hope’s Door, Community Garden Kitchen, Smiles Charity, the Alzheimer’s Foundation, and numerous ministries through her church. “Small random acts of kindness are a part of my daily to-do list,” she says. Her experiences as a single mother continue to influence both her personal life and her leadership. “It made me not only look within but also look up.” Faith, perseverance, and a genuine desire to help others remain guiding principles in everything she does. When asked about her favorite career moment, Lori struggles to narrow it down. Rather than pointing to a record-breaking transaction or industry recognition, her mind immediately goes to the people around her.
North Dallas Real Producers • 35
“I look around the room at some of our client parties or even at a team building event and see the friendships that have been built and the love between us.” That sense of community reflects the culture she has worked intentionally to create. Outside the office, Lori enjoys ballroom dancing, Mahjong, home design, and traveling. She also admits to being nearly unbeatable when it comes to music trivia, especially songs from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.
“Never stop learning and be flexible. This is not a nine-to-five job and you have to really enjoy serving others.” She also challenges a piece of advice she once received. “I was once told it is not what you know, it is who you know,” she says. “I disagree. It’s both.” In the end, Lori hopes her legacy will not be measured by production numbers or awards, but by something much more meaningful.
As her team looks toward another record-breaking year, her focus remains unchanged.
“I want to be remembered as being available and present when someone is in need.”
“Our goal is to exceed our best year and help more clients than the year before.”
For clients, teammates, and everyone fortunate enough to know her, that commitment to service has already become her signature. From the ground up, Lori Vaden West is there for her clients, during the transaction, and beyond.
Her advice to new agents is refreshingly practical.
36 • October 2026
North Dallas Real Producers • 37
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North Dallas Real Producers • 39
PREFERRED PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
40 • October 2026
Giraud &Martin JEN
MEREDITH
A Collaboration Built on Trust
WRITTEN BY KATHERINE H. FONDREN • PHOTOS BY JIN KIM, URSPECIAL
I
n real estate, the best collaborations are often the ones working quietly behind the scenes, anticipating questions and helping clients feel supported long after closing day.
For Meredith Martin and Jen Giraud of American Home Shield, that is exactly the role they want to play with agents and homeowners. Both women serve real estate professionals throughout the DFW area, bringing different backgrounds and experiences to a shared purpose: make life easier for agents and help homeowners feel confident about protecting their home systems and appliances.
OF AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
“I’m most passionate about being a trusted resource for real estate professionals and their clients,” Martin said. “It’s about helping people feel informed, empowered, protected, and supported before, during, and after the transaction.” Giraud shares that same commitment, backed by more than two decades of real estate experience, including four years as a licensed real estate agent. “I’ve been in the agent’s shoes,” Giraud said to agents. “I’m committed to making their life easier and helping their business grow. When you partner with me, you get a dedicated advocate in your corner.” That perspective shapes the way both women approach their work with American Home Shield. Founded in 1971, American Home Shield provides home warranty plans designed to help homeowners manage the cost of repairing covered home systems and appliances that break down due to normal wear and tear. Depending on the plan, coverage may include heating and air conditioning systems, plumbing, electrical systems, water heaters, kitchen appliances, laundry appliances, and more. Some plans even offer access to an innovative benefit: video chat with an Expert. But Martin and Giraud understand their role goes beyond simply explaining coverage.
Jen Giraud and Family Photo by Sonay Nicole Photography
“What makes me different is the level of partnership and personal support I provide,” Martin said. “I’m here to help agents and clients understand the value of the coverage in their season of life, North Dallas Real Producers • 41
choose the right plan, and feel supported when questions or service needs arise.” For Giraud, communication is equally important. “Communication is key in our business, and I’m available via call, text, or email to answer questions and provide quotes,,” she said. Meredith understands real estate agents are building a business and lasting reputation. “Top producers should have me in their network because I understand their business depends on the people and services they recommend,” she said. “I’m not just a vendor. I’m a responsive partner who equips agents with the tools, resources, and support they need to help protect their clients, reduce confusion, and add value before and after the sale.” Their approach is also backed by features and benefits designed to give homeowners additional support. Martin points to HVAC coverage limits of up to $15,000 per system on qualifying real estate plans, access to a vetted repair Expert via a live video chat, and seller coverage that can help protect home systems and appliances, while on the market. Giraud describes the video call feature as “a gamechanger,” giving members another way to troubleshoot home repair issues with live experts at no additional cost. For both women, education is a major part of the value they bring. That comes naturally to Martin, who never expected her career to lead to home warranties. Originally from Lubbock, she moved to Dallas in 2005 and began her professional life as a makeup artist before becoming a first grade teacher. She spent 10 years in the classroom, developing skills that now serve her every day. “That experience taught me patience, communication, organization, and how important it is to educate and guide people in a way that feels clear and supportive,” she said. Martin initially thought she would pursue pharmaceutical or medical sales. “I didn’t go searching for this industry. It found me,” she said. “My wonderful boss saw something in me and helped open the door to this opportunity.” Giraud’s path was different. Born and raised in Arlington, she graduated from Texas A&M University and eventually built extensive experience within real estate and home warranties.
Over the years, she has developed an understanding not only of the lending and closing process, but also of what agents need from their partners. Her passion remains simple: “Make lives easier for REALTORS® and educate buyers and sellers on the value a home warranty can provide.”
Meredith Martin
Behind their professional roles are two women who place enormous importance on family.
Giraud has been married to her husband, Hans, for more than 13 years. They have a 9-year-old daughter, Ella, and recently had a baby boy named Declan. When she is away from work, she enjoys traveling, attending concerts, watching sports, and spending time with family. Martin is equally family-centered. Her son will soon be a sophomore in college, and she treasures the time they spend together when he is home. She also enjoys football, concerts, traveling, staying active with her Sheepadoodle, and keeping Sundays centered on her faith. That grounding influences the way she approaches business as well. Together with their DFW colleagues Heather Waddle, Sherry Mckenzie, and Kristi Renteria, Martin and Giraud are part of a close-knit American Home Shield team that values collaboration. “We genuinely want each other to succeed,” Meredith said. “We each bring our own strengths, experience, and relationships to the table.” For agents, that means having people who understand a home warranty is not just another item on a contract. It can be a tool for providing education, protecting a client’s budget, easing concerns, and strengthening the experience long after the keys are handed over. “When you work with us, we’ll provide you with the support and resources to educate your clients about the value of an AHS real estate home warranty and help you build your business along the way,” Giraud said. For Martin, the goal is equally personal. She wants agents to know there is a real person behind the collaboration, someone who will answer, follow through, and genuinely cares. Because at the end of the day, both believe the strongest business relationships are built with trust, communication, and consistently showing up when it matters.
See the plan agreement at ahs.com/contracts for coverage details, including service fees, limitations, and exclusions. Charges for non-covered items may apply. Terms and conditions subject to change.[1] 42 • October 2026
North Dallas Real Producers • 43
BIGGEST APPRAISAL CHANGE REAL EDUCATION
THE
IN 20 YEARS IS COMING Why DFW Realtors Need to Prepare Now BY ANDY TUTTLE, BRANCH MANAGER, THE TUTTLE GROUP AT CROSSCOUNTRY MORTGAGE
A major change is coming to residential appraisal reporting, and DFW REALTORS® should understand it now, not after a transaction is already underway. On November 2, 2026, UAD 3.6 becomes mandatory for new appraisal reports submitted through the system used by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. It is the biggest modernization of residential appraisal reporting in more than 20 years. The key distinction: UAD 3.6 does not change how appraisers determine value. It changes how property characteristics, market data, and appraisal conclusions are documented and delivered. Traditional reports have relied heavily on fixed forms and narrative commentary. UAD 3.6 moves toward more standardized, structured data, with greater detail about condition, quality, renovations, energy features, site improvements, and other property characteristics. Photos will play a larger role, and adjustments will require clearer market support. 44 • October 2026
Why does this matter to REALTORS® now? Because UAD 3.6 is increasingly about specifics. Agents who wait until the appraisal is ordered may discover that important details are missing, difficult to verify, or impossible to reconstruct quickly. “Beautifully updated” is marketing. A kitchen remodeled in 2023, an HVAC system replaced in 2024, owned solar panels, upgraded windows, or a pool resurfaced in 2025 are useful facts. For listing agents, this is where the opportunity gets interesting: prepare the property’s story before the appraiser arrives. Make the MLS accurate and specific. Encourage sellers to maintain a “home file” with renovation dates, permits, contractor invoices, receipts, warranties, and before-and-after photos. Have an itemized upgrade list, a floor plan when available, and relevant comparable sales ready. When appropriate, agents can meet the appraiser and ask what
information would be helpful. The goal is never to influence the appraiser’s conclusion. It is to make accurate information about the property easy to find, understand, and use. DFW agents should expect some transition-related growing pains, including longer reports, additional questions, and possible delays. Those questions do not necessarily signal a problem; they may simply reflect more detailed documentation requirements. The best agents separate themselves by understanding important changes before everyone else does. UAD 3.6 creates another opportunity to show sellers why expertise matters through better listing preparation, fewer surprises, and smoother transactions. UAD 3.6 is not just an appraiser or lender change. It is a real estate transaction change, and prepared REALTORS® will have an advantage. For more information on this topic, The Tuttle Group is hosting a class on Wednesday, 10/28, from 11 am 12 pm at Capital Title - Frisco, 6303 Cowboys Way, Frisco, TX 75034. Please RSVP to Lynsey@CTOT.com if you would like to attend.
Andy Tuttle is a Branch Manager and Senior Loan Officer with The Tuttle Group at CrossCountry Mortgage, serving homebuyers and real estate professionals throughout DFW. With more than 25 years of mortgage experience, he helps clients and REALTOR® partners navigate complex financing, market shifts and major industry changes with clarity and confidence. Andy.Tuttle@CCM.com
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HOME TEAM
48 • October 2026
JESSICA & DAVID
HUGHEY
Better Together
WRITTEN BY KATHERINE H. FONDREN • PHOTOS BY SCOTT PEEK PHOTOGRAPHY, LLC
27 Years of Marriage, Two Distinct Strengths, and a Shared Love and Commitment to the People They Serve Jessica Hughey is hesitant to call herself and her husband, David, a “power couple.” “I don’t feel that is really who we are,” she says. Any success they have experienced, she believes, has come through “God’s help along with hard work.” David sees something extraordinary in their partnership, but his explanation begins simply. “I really believe in Jessica,” he says. “I always have and always will.” That belief has been a constant throughout their 27 years of marriage. Jessica and David married young, at 20 and 21, and began raising a family before David had even finished college. Over nearly three decades, they have grown into adulthood side by side, navigating marriage, parenthood, career changes, uncertainty and success while continually encouraging one another to take the next step. Their careers initially looked nothing alike. Jessica spent 12 years in commercial real estate management before earning her residential real estate license 13 years ago. David graduated from the University of North Texas and built a 25-year career in information technology, specializing in systems architecture and VoIP. His work eventually included leading the migration of the City of Plano
to Microsoft Teams for its voice and collaboration platform. Behind the scenes, however, David was watching Jessica build something of her own.
Believing in Each Other Residential real estate had not been an obvious choice for Jessica. She was a young mother attending community college when David encouraged her to pursue her real estate license. She took his advice and quickly discovered just how demanding entrepreneurship was. “I didn’t realize how hard it would be to actually run a business,” she recalls. “From the outside looking in, I thought real estate was going to be easy.” There were seasons when Jessica questioned whether she should continue. During one particularly difficult stretch, she considered returning to the security of a salaried position. David encouraged her to stay. Eventually, Jessica surrendered the uncertainty through prayer. “I will stay if this is what You want me to do, but You are going to have to help me,” she remembers telling the Lord.
himself reconsidering his own career. Although he had built a successful life in IT, he wanted greater independence, and, most importantly, more time with Jessica. “Getting into real estate felt like a risky move,” David says, “but I was willing to do anything to spend more time with Jess.” He joined her at Keller Williams McKinney, and D&J Realty Group became a partnership in both life and business. After 27 years of marriage, they were entering a new chapter together. The transition brought a learning curve. David had spent decades in an engineering environment, where success often meant solving technical problems and making complex systems work. Real estate was different. He describes it as a “people business,” where results are measured not only by whether a system functions, but by the effect your work has on someone’s life. “When I actually make a difference, I can see it in the faces of the people who were affected,” he says. That difference in perspective has become one of their greatest strengths.
Heart + Data
Her business took off that year.
The couple describes their approach as “a unique blend of heartfelt advocacy and data-driven strategy.”
More than a decade later, the roles shifted. In 2025, David found
Jessica brings 13 years of residential experience, along with a deep North Dallas Real Producers • 49
Eventually, she stopped concentrating on herself and focused instead on the person in front of her. “I don’t have to prove that I belong in the room,” Jessica says. “I just need to show up, care for people, and do the work I’ve been called to do.” David complements that instinct with numbers. His goal is not to overwhelm clients with statistics, but to determine which information actually matters to their decision and make it easier to understand.
“I DON’T MEASURE SUCCESS ONLY BY WHAT I ACCOMPLISH, BUT BY WHO I AM BECOMING AND WHETHER MY LIFE REFLECTS THE LORD I SERVE.”
investment in the people she represents. David brings an analytical mindset developed over decades of taking complicated information and turning it into something understandable. Their personalities complement each other, too. David calls Jessica a gentle advocate who genuinely cares for her clients, but he knows there is another side of her when negotiations begin. “She’s such a graceful woman to be around, but then suddenly she’s a bulldog negotiator at the table,” he says. “When it comes to defending her clients, she does not play.” Jessica’s approach has been shaped partly by overcoming her own doubts. Earlier in her career, she sometimes questioned whether she belonged in certain professional circles. 50 • October 2026
“I don’t measure success only by what I accomplish, but by who I am becoming and whether my life reflects the Lord I serve,” she says. That perspective has carried them through every season of their lives together. Their lives together have included marriage, parenthood, professional reinvention, uncertainty, growth and success. Through it all, they have continued to encourage one another to take the next step. Their lives outside the office reveal their personalities just as readily as their professional roles. Jessica loves to read and, above all, spend time with family and friends. She is also a dog lover and enjoys the outdoors. One of her dreams is to travel across the United States in a travel trailer, visiting the country’s national parks along the way. David is an oil painter, musician, homestudio producer, nature lover and enthusiastic landscaper. According to Jessica, he is also a fantastic cook.
Together, they have found a rhythm that works.
Those differences are part of what makes their partnership work.
Jessica brings the heart. David brings the data. Both bring a desire to take care of people.
David doesn’t simply appreciate Jessica’s accomplishments—he believes in her. And after 27 years of marriage, he considers meeting her the experience that changed the trajectory of his own life.
That combination has helped D&J Realty Group rank in the top 5 percent of their office, with recognition including D Magazine Best Real Estate Agents for 2025 and 2026 and Real Producers Top 750 in 2025.
“It’s a privilege to be working with her and learning from her now,” he says. Perhaps “power couple” is not the description Jessica would choose.
What Success Really Means Still, neither Jessica nor David defines achievement primarily through rankings or recognition. “To me, success means making a true, positive impact on a client’s life,” David says. He has found that when the emphasis remains on producing the best possible outcome, “the financial part takes care of itself.” For Jessica, faith is at the center of that definition.
What they have built is something quieter and, in many ways, more meaningful. It is a marriage strengthened by different gifts, a business shaped by complementary strengths, and a partnership grounded in faith and a genuine desire to serve others. After 27 years of believing in each other, Jessica and David are still discovering new ways to grow together, and finding that, in life and in business, they really are better together.
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Real Producers
FAQ
Real Producers Magazine is a national franchise that started in Indianapolis in 2015 and is now in over 130 markets across the nation and continues to spread rapidly. DFW has four Real Producers Communities: North Dallas, Dallas, North Fort Worth, and Fort Worth Real Producers. Q: What is the goal of Real Producers? A: We believe that we are better together. When we surround ourselves with other successful, like-minded people, we grow to new heights. Real Producers is a platform that brings together the most elite individuals in DFW real estate. We take the highest producing real estate agents, and RP-vetted businesses in every market, and build an exclusive community around that group. We share their stories, successes, upcoming events, and educate – really anything that will connect, inform and inspire, we put in our monthly publication. At Real Producers, we believe we are one person, one conversation, or one idea away from everything in our business and life changing. With this powerhouse community, it happens all the time.
Q: How do you become a Real Producers Top Agent? A: In all of DFW, there are roughly 60,000 licensed agents, meaning there are ~15,000 agents in each of our four communities. We rank all those agents based off their yearly MLS sales 52 • October 2026
volume. In years past, we congratulated the Top 500 Agents, and we still are, but in 2026, we are adding a other groups to our community… all in the RP Top 1000! These agents are in the top 6%.
Q: Who receives Real Producers Magazine? A: The Top 1000 agents in each community will receive the digital magazine for the year. The Top 500 agents will also receive the magazine physically to their mailbox. Our RP Vetted Businesses also receive the magazine physically and digitally.
Q: Can I be featured? A: If you are in the Top 1000, you have the opportunity to be featured! We love nominations and take them seriously. If you’d like to be considered for a feature, or if you would like to nominate someone, you can email team@dfwrealproducers.com.
Q: What does it cost to be featured as an RP Top Agent? A: Zero, zilch, zippo, nada, nil. How, you ask? Because of the businesses that your peers have recommended, who partner with Real Producers, and invest in this community to support you. These companies have
all been recommended by top agents and have been vetted by us to ensure they are of the highest quality. So instead of you paying $5k - $10k for this feature… they cover all those costs for you! Pretty incredible, right?
Q: Does Real Producers host events? A: Yes, we host many different events throughout the year! Some large 400800 people, some 75-250 people, and other more intimate events that are 30-50 people. We do Social Events, Magazine Celebration Events, an Awards Gala, and Masterclass Events. You can see quick recaps of some of our events under the “Events” tab on our website. For our events, we invite the top 1000 real estate agents and our RP-vetted businesses. The Top 1000 agents are allowed to invite agents on their team, as well. These events are an incredible opportunity to connect with the best in DFW real estate. It is amazing to see the power in the connection made at these
events. Be on the lookout for your exclusive invites!
Q: Who are the RP Vetted Businesses? A: They are some of the best businesses in DFW in their category! You can find them listed in our index and their ad in the magazine. We don’t just find these businesses off the street, nor do we work with all businesses that approach us. Each business has come recommended by your peers, the top producing real estate agents in the market. Our team will further vet every business to make sure they are a good fit and bring value to our community. Our goal is to create a powerhouse network, not only for the best real estate agents in the area but the best businesses, as well, so we can grow stronger together.
Q: Can I nominate an agent or recommend a business? A: Absolutely! Email your nominations and recommendations to team @dfwrealproducers.com.
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