Virginia Cook, president of Texas' largest independent brokerage, Henry S. Miller, REALTORS®, has resigned at the top of her form, stunning the national real estate community. Cook and Miller have been synonymous since she sold the company her boutique agency in 1971 and steered the new Miller agency into one of the largest independent brokerages in the nation with 29 offices in Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin and Houston. . What's next for one of the most powerful women in real estate?

Cook explained that it was not her intention to take anyone by surprise, but maintaining privacy about her decision to leave the company was paramount. "It has taken me over nine months to decide," says Cook. "Henry S. Miller, Realtors has been such a wonderful part of my life for so long, and I will always be grateful for the opportunities and support I have received from my first boss, Mr. Miller Jr., to my last and very special boss, Vance Miller."

"I decided the time was right," says Cook. "I've been president for 28 years. We announced record sales for 1998 and the company is on target to continue record-breaking sales in 1999. Business has never been better. That's the time to go out - on top."

Cook's record speaks for itself. A REALTORŪ for 38 years, her duties as president included directing sales, technology development, and the educational division. She established and built the company's relocation division, catapulting its growth through a canny interface with Cendant, the world's largest relocation organization. Recently named as one of the most powerful women in real estate by a national relocation magazine, Cook was the first female president of the Greater Dallas Association of REALTORSŪ, and was honored as REALTORŪ of the Year in 1983. She became the first president of the Texas Association of REALTORSŪ in 1989 and was TAR's REALTORŪ of the Year in 1991. Cook was named Woman of the Year by both the Texas and Dallas chapters of the NAR's Women's Council of REALTORS.

Cook has served on the NAR board of directors since 1985 and is currently serving as committee liaison for the International and Business Specialty Group.

Outside real estate circles, Cook is also held in high esteem. She has served on the board of the Dallas Chamber of Commerce since 1979, and was named one of five Outstanding Women in Dallas in 1985.

Cook is known for her strong emotional ties to her managers, agents and colleagues. Heidi Holman, whom Cook mentored, is a close personal friend and has now succeeded Cook as Miller's president. Another manager, Sheila Rice, resigned the day after Cook's resignation was announced to staff members and the public.

So what are Cook's plans? She makes it clear that she did not step down in order to "take it easy." "I'm still very much in the game," says Cook. "I left all my duties as of the end of April which allows me to consider several proposals," says Cook. "I'm looking at two very attractive offers and a third possibility. I'll be making an announcement very soon, so stay tuned."