“It was a surprise and an honor to be named the Rising Star. Everyone at National Land is so outstanding, so I was completely shocked that I was picked. But it wasn’t just about me. If it wasn’t for the people I’m surrounded by, the leadership and our teams, winning this award would not have been feasible.”

Chase Blalock is not one to brag, but we wanted to brag on him! Chase recently won the 2018 Rising Star Award. This award is given out each year at the National Land Summit to an emerging agent or broker that has shown considerable growth in his or her career.

“Chase was picked for the 2018 Rising Star Award because he not only increased his production in sales and listings from the previous year but more importantly, has been a valued team player with his colleagues in his state, as well as throughout our company,” said Logan Eaton, NLR Director of Sales. “He has attended our NLR trainings and webinars and is always striving to be the best Land Professional he can be.”

Chase isn’t a Hickory, North Carolina native, but you’d never know it from all his involvement and passion for the city. After moving to his wife’s hometown area and not knowing anyone except for her family, Chase hit the ground running. And in four years, Chase has managed to make a name for himself in the rural Catawba County city.

Before he got started as a Land Broker, Chase Blalock spent his childhood on his family farm, a 15,000-acre property in Eastern North Carolina. Growing up, he was able to watch his dad run the farm and learn from it. Chase explained that his dad even got him involved in the decision-making early on. He grew to have a love for the land and that’s what initially pointed him in the direction of the real estate industry.

Chase has been with National Land since 2017 but previously spent several years in outdoor TV production with Hank Parker, a well-known professional bass fisherman and two-time winner of the Bassmaster Classic. Chase traveled around the country with Hank during this time, hunting and filming shows such as the Outdoor Channel’s “Hank Parker’s Flesh and Blood” and “Drop Zone TV,” on a variety of property types. Through this opportunity, Chase was able to see how “blank canvases” of land could be developed into turnkey properties that were a true sportsman’s paradise. This, as well as Hank’s persuasion and positive encouragement, inspired him to follow his passion to go into the land industry and help people realize their own land dreams.

Now that he’s Hickory’s National Land Broker, Chase Blalock believes that a handful of things have catapulted his career. “I would say that having the backing of National Land and the access to the technology that no else has, as well as using all the tools, assets, and members of your team, is how you accomplish the deals,” he said. “All of that goes hand in hand. National Land provided the tools and I used them to be successful. I also listened to my mentors and I networked.”

“It’s also about getting out there. You’ve got to ask people what they do. Are they looking for land? Are they looking to sell? You just have to make sure everyone knows who you are and what you do in your area. I’m a member of the Catawba Valley Cattlemen’s Association and a cattleman, myself, so I surround myself with farmers and investors and just people who are looking to buy or sell something.”