Edina Realty honors one employee and one agent with prestigious award
MINNEAPOLIS, MN, Dec. 10, 2025 – Chris Petersen, an office manager at Edina Realty’s Blaine and Andover offices, and Jason Zweber, an Edina Realty real estate agent out of the Lakeville office, were acknowledged with the Emma L. Rovick Memorial Award at a Dec. 3 event.
Established to honor company founder Emma Rovick, the “Emmy” Award is given annually to two people: One employee and one real estate agent who exemplify Edina Realty Home Services’ core values of honesty, integrity, commitment, innovation and community.
Petersen joined Edina Realty in 2003 and is noted as a true leader who brings authenticity, warmth and unwavering support to everyone he works with. He is known to lead with empathy and authenticity, creating an environment where agents feel safe to grow, take risks and celebrate wins together.
“Chris is a leader in every sense of the word,” said Sharry Schmid, President and CEO of Edina Realty Home Services. “He truly cares about those he works with and is more than willing to take the time to help them in whatever form that takes.” According to a nomination by his peer, “His leadership style is rooted in a genuine desire to see every agent succeed—not just professionally, but personally.” This is Chris’ sixth year being nominated for this award.
Zweber has been an agent with Edina Realty since 2005 and has earned the distinction of being a Platinum Circle member. He is known to be committed to his clients and is responsive and diligent on every issue they may encounter. He is very knowledgeable and is willing to help his fellow agents. This is his fourth year being nominated.
“Jason is a true professional. He brings a positive energy to the office and is a real partner to his clients,” said Schmid. One nomination stated, “Jason brings honesty, reliability and real dedication to his clients—he’s always patient, responsive and looking out for their best interests.”
The Emmy Award winners are nominated by their fellow Edina Realty agents and employees for their excellence in customer service, leadership, team building and/or significant contributions to the industry. This year, there were 66 nominees from which one agent and one employee were selected.
Schmid commented, “We really admire the work and dedication demonstrated by our 2025 Emmy winners. They truly reinforce our culture and the values on which we were founded.”
### About Edina Realty Foundation The Edina Realty Foundation is a not-for-profit, private foundation that offers financial support to nonprofit organizations providing housing and related services to families experiencing homelessness throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Supported through donated funds and volunteer time by Edina Realty agents and employees, the Foundation has donated nearly $12 million since its inception in 1996. For more information, visit EdinaRealty.com. About Avivo Founded in 1960, Avivo has grown from serving 200 individuals annually to transforming the lives of over 11,000 people each year. Our mission is to increase well-being through recovery and career advancement while working to end homelessness. We help individuals and families overcome barriers such as poverty, unemployment, homelessness, chemical addiction, and mental health challenges by providing integrated, person-centered support across housing, recovery, and employment services. Avivo has a long history of innovation—from launching Minnesota’s first vocational evaluation center to developing employer-driven training models—and now partners with more than 60 businesses to meet workforce needs. Our services are trauma-informed and rooted in equity, acknowledging the impacts of historical and structural racism. Avivo is the state’s largest provider of the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), offering wraparound employment, education, and family support in nine counties. Our Institute of Career and Technical Education delivers industry-specific training in fields such as HVAC, IT, healthcare, and the trades, preparing individuals for in-demand careers. In 2024, we served 7,710 individuals in our workforce division, placing 1,729 into jobs and helping over 1,400 transition off public assistance. Simultaneously, we supported 2,198 individuals on recovery journeys through chemical and mental health services, and provided housing services to 1,790 people—many through Avivo Village, our innovative, low-barrier shelter and housing model.