CENTURY 21 Major Realty
Big-Time Firm with Small-Town Values

Meet the Staff

Barbara L. Blake, Broker/Owner
Born and raised in Jersey City, NJ, Barbara earned her B.A. degree in secondary education from Jersey City State College (now New Jersey City University). During her college years, she worked as a mortgage loan processor. Later, she was employed as a mortgage loan originator, processing supervisor, underwriter, and eventually founded the correspondence loan department at a local bank. Licensed as a real estate salesperson in 1974, Barbara became a broker in 1978, the same year she incorporated CENTURY 21 Major Realty. She and Michael "Silky" Silkowitz purchased the remaining stock in the company in 1987. Motivated by her father's philosophy that "security is only within oneself", Barbara pursued real estate over a career in education for its earning potential and flexible hours - both critical to a single mother of three children (ages 3, 4 and 9 when she entered the business).

Michael "Silky" Silkowitz, Sales Manager
Former firefighter Michael "Silky" Silkowitz is now fired up about real estate. This Toms River native was a member of the first graduating class of Toms River High School North and went on to earn his A.A. degree from Ocean County College. A volunteer with the Pleasant Plains Fire Company during his high school years, Silky soon blazed a career as a professional firefighter as McGuire Air Force Base, attaining the rank of Captain. He left McGuire in 1987 to pursue a full time real estate career with CENTURY 21 Major Realty. The fit was a natural! Silky loves to meet people and has made new friends from all walks of life. He thrives on problem solving as evidenced by the numerous awards he's earned and the vote of confidence given by fellow CENTURY 21 brokers when they elected him as President of the Central Jersey Broker's Council.

Laura Clark, Administrative Assistant and Right Hand
Laura was born and spent her early years in Secaucus, NJ. After graduation from Toms River High School North, she worked in the legal and real estate fields. When CENTURY 21 Major Realty opened in 1978, Laura joined the staff as a real estate salesperson. She soon completed all the requirements of the Realtors Graduate Institute, one of the first designations approved by the National Association of Realtors. While doing so, she earned her broker's license. Motherhood curtailed Laura's activities as a real estate salesperson for a while. Now she is the main part of our support staff, assisting in all areas of the business, helping new agents, and getting our sales to a smooth and trouble free closing.

Cheryl Hutchinson, Receptionist and Laura's Right Hand
Cheryl is another of our locals. After raising her two sons, Cheryl decided it was time for herself and a new career. She joined CENTURY 21 Major Realty in 1998 and has been with us ever since. In order to have a better knowledge of the workings of a real estate organization, Cheryl became a licensed salesperson. She handles our busy phones while processing new listings, prepares paperwork for our agents, maintains our supplies and helps with the numerous details involved in running a real estate office.