Perham Realtor Jason Witzke Named 2025 Realtor of the Year

The Lakes Country Association of Realtors today named Perham realtor Jason Witzke its 2025 Realtor of the Year, citing not only his sales performance and association contributions but also a record of community service that includes charitable promotions, free coffee events, pet adoption support, mentorship of high school entrepreneurship students, Chamber of Commerce involvement, and wider volunteerism across Otter Tail County.

The award recognizes professionals whose work influences both the housing marketplace and civic life. Witzke said his motivation is to "give back" to the community, an approach the association weighed alongside traditional performance metrics. The organization also honored a Rookie of the Year and a recipient of its Distinguished Service Award at the same ceremony.

Local implications extend beyond personal recognition. Realtors who engage in community outreach tend to increase foot traffic to downtown businesses during promotional events and improve visibility for local nonprofits that receive support through adoption drives and free public gatherings. Witzke's mentorship of high school entrepreneurship students connects workforce development with small business formation, a pipeline that can influence local employment and firm creation over the long run.

For homeowners and prospective buyers in Otter Tail County, the award underscores a local real estate market tied closely to civic networks. Active Chamber participation and volunteerism by agents can build trust in transactions and provide practical benefits such as coordinated community marketing and support for local amenities. Those factors matter for buyer confidence, neighborhood stability, and the tax base that supports public services.

As the county heads into 2026, the recognition of community minded agents like Witzke highlights a broader trend in which professional success is increasingly linked to civic engagement. For residents, that means local real estate professionals may play a larger role in community projects that shape economic vitality and quality of life across Otter Tail County.