James “Jim” Slyman, founder of Slyman Auction & Real Estate, posthumously received the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award from the East Tennessee REALTORS® association. The inaugural award was presented during the organization’s annual Installation and Awards meeting held February 1st at the Tennessee Theater.

Jim Slyman founded Slyman Real Estate & Auction in 1971 and remained active in his business, church and community throughout his lifetime. He passed away in May of 2023. Jim’s leadership within the industry shaped Knoxville’s Real Estate landscape and left an enduring legacy.

“The association’s Board of Directors created the Lifetime Achievement Award to recognize members who had made lasting and meritorious contributions, not only to the REALTOR association, but also to the real estate industry,” said Lyle Irish, CEO of East Tennessee REALTORS. “The Awards Committee unanimously agreed that Jim’s career and contributions made him a very worthy inaugural recipient.”

The award was accepted on Jim’s behalf by his daughter, Laura Slyman, Realtor, owner, and broker at Slyman Real Estate & Auction. One of Tennessee’s few female auctioneers, Laura became president of Slyman Real Estate in 2007 and took ownership of Slyman Auction in 2023 following her father’s passing. Both father and daughter served as Board President of East Tennessee REALTORS, and both were awarded REALTOR® of the Year by the organization.

“This is such a special tribute honoring a lifetime of success,” said Laura, who was joined at the event by brothers Paige Slyman and Jared Slyman, both Realtors based in Atlanta, Georgia. “Dad’s accolades are lengthy, but he would always say that his greatest achievement was that his three children—my two brothers and I-- all chose to become Realtors. He spent our entire lives telling anyone who would listen just how proud he was of us. I only wish he were here so that we could express how proud we are of him.”

About Slyman Real Estate & Auction
Serving East Tennessee for over 50 years, Slyman Real Estate & Auction was founded by James “Jim” Slyman in 1971. The Knoxville-based firm is the area’s top producing independent real estate company and manages profitable auctions across the United maintaining the highest level of ethics while providing industryleading real estate and auction services. The company operates a second office in Georgia.