Jim Workman Named Headrick Winner

Workman Honored as M.C. Headrick Free Enterprise Award Winner
 

CLEVELAND, TN – The recipient of the 2024 M.C. Headrick Free Enterprise Award is Jim Workman,

Broker and co-owner of Bender Realty. This is one of the highest awards given by the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce. Bender Realty is a leader in real estate in the Cleveland and Bradley County community and holds a large market share of real estate sold within the River Counties Association of REALTORS (RCAR). This are includes Bradley, Polk, Rhea, McMinn, Meigs, and Bledsoe.
 

The M.C. Headrick Free Enterprise Award honors the memory of one of the most outstanding

businessmen Cleveland and Bradley County has ever produced, M.C. Headrick. Headrick was a man who believed wholeheartedly in the fundamental concepts of the Free Enterprise System. Honorees receiving this award must display success, high morals, growth of business, and contributions to community-oriented projects.
 

Jim Workman began his professional career with J.C. Penney in Dyersburg, TN, in 1972. In

1975, he relocated to Cleveland, Tennessee, to be Senior Merchandising Manager for a new location in the Cleveland Mall. His interest in real estate and development led to the beginning of his career in real estate in 1978. After completing several courses from Cleveland State

Community College, he became a licensed REALTOR with Bender Realty. Within his first full year in

real estate, Jim had exceeded $2 million in sales volume. In 1982, Jim purchased Bender Realty from Bill Bender. Bender Realty is Cleveland’s only non-franchise, locally owned, full-service real estate company offering sales in residential and commercial real estate, property management, and relocation services. He continues to hold the company to a higher standard, sharing that The Golden Rule stands as the company rule. Jim was also one of the organizers and major stockholders of Southern Heritage Bank when it opened in 1998. He currently serves on the Advisory Board of Southern Heritage Bank.
 

Jim is a former winner of the Chamber’s prestigious Robert W. Varnell Jr. Leadership Award

(1997) and Mel Bedwell Small Business Person of the Year (2009). In addition to his service with the

Chamber as a past-chairman of the board, treasurer, and vice-chairman, he has also served his

community through United Way of the Ocoee Region, American Heart Association, American Cancer

Society, Boy Scouts of America, Bradley County Relay for Life, Junior Achievement of the Ocoee

Region, Great Strides, Empty Stocking Fund, Southern Heritage Bank Food Drive, and Cleveland State Foundation. Over his career, Jim has been recognized for his outstanding achievements, most notably receiving REALTOR Emeritus Status from the National Association of REALTORS for his 40 years of service. He and his wife of 51 years, Marilyn, attend Broad Street United Methodist Church, and have two sons, two daughter-in-laws, and six grandchildren.