Creig Northrop, president and CEO of Northrop Realty, A Long & Foster Company, was named 2018 Entrepreneur of the Year by the Howard County Chamber of Commerce. The award recognizes an entrepreneur who has developed a vision, grown their business, established a reputation of excellence, become a role model and supported the community.

“I love what I do and who I serve—home sellers and buyers in Howard County and the Mid-Atlantic region—and I’m thankful for the opportunity to provide incredible service, expertise and results to our growing number of customers,” Northrop said. “It’s an honor to be recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year among so many talented business owners.”

Northrop is the first real estate company leader to be named Entrepreneur of the Year. The award follows his effort leading the Creig Northrop Team of Long & Foster Real Estate into becoming Northrop Realty, a full-service brokerage in the Long & Foster Real Estate family of companies, earlier this year. The transition from real estate team to brokerage positions Northrop Realty, which has six offices in Maryland, to expand the team, open additional offices and grow into surrounding states.

Under Northrop’s leadership, additionally, Northrop Realty launched NorthropU, an internal sales training program providing classes exclusively for Northrop Realty agents. NorthropU is part of a host of tools, such as 3D interactive virtual home tours, high-definition photography, social media support and home staging that Northrop Realty agents receive to better serve their clients.

The Howard County Chamber of Commerce will recognize Northrop as Entrepreneur of the Year at the organization’s annual Signature Event on Oct. 5.