Fitzgerald, GA (Feb. 24, 2016) - Active Real Estate is now serving Ben Hill and surrounding counties residential real estate market as the newest member of the Coldwell Banker global franchise network. The firm will now do business as Coldwell Banker Active Real Estate.

The company was founded by Melissa Burgess in 2007 and has 15 independent sales associates with more than 65 years of combined experience in real estate sales.

Burgess was one of five from Coldwell Banker Active Real Estate recently honored by the Tiftarea Board of Realtors with the Circle of Excellence award joining Al Johnson, Mona Bennett, Blake Marshall and Lamar Boyer. Blake Marshall was also honored as Rookie of the Year. This is Burgess's 6th consecutive year obtaining Platinum level, which equals to more than $4 million in sales. Burgess is the only member of the Tiftarea Board of Realtors to obtain this honor.

"We are proud to have Melissa and her sales associates as part of the Coldwell Banker network and look forward to expanding the Coldwell Banker presence into the south central area of Georgia." said Budge Huskey, president and chief executive officer of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

"I started this company and opened my first office in Fitzgerald right when the Great Recession struck but have continued to thrive despite economic challenges," said Burgess. "Our company is blessed to have a deep connection with the Fitzgerald community especially when it comes to our annual charitable "Football Field Goal Kick" campaign where we award money to a local charity at each Fitzgerald High School home game. Non-profit organizations that we are deeply passionate about supporting through our volunteer and fundraising efforts are: Communities in Schools, The Christian Kitchen and Habitat for Humanity."

"We are thrilled to be joining the Coldwell Banker network and believe it is a win-win situation in which our sales associates receive a competitive edge through such a respected global brand, "Burgess continued. "We are very impressed with the unmatched resources and marketing power Coldwell Banker provides and look forward to increasing the value we currently provide to our clients."

About Coldwell Banker Active Real Estate.

Coldwell Banker Active Real Estate has several members of their company associated with various civic responsibilities and /or memberships in Fitzgerald, including: Melissa Burgess serves on the Ben Hill Housing Authority Board, Blake Marshall is a member of the Kiwanis and Rotary Club, Al Johnson is former chairman of Ben Hill Co. School Board, Coldwell Banker Active Real Estate has two locations at 125 S. Main Street, Fitzgerald, GA and 319 South Main Street, Tifton, GA. They can be reached at (229)423-SOLD or http://activerealestate.com