Regina Cochran, Vice President & Partner at the Norton Agency, Residential Division, is a woman who lives each day by faith even through challenging times.
She is a 38-year Gainesville resident and is married to Broughton Cochran. The couple has two daughters (Christina White and Julie Bingham) and two grandsons; Parker and Palmer White.
Regina attends First Baptist Church and says the most interesting person she has met over the years in Hall County is the Rev. Bill Coates, the pastor at First Baptist.
Regina and Brad Abernathy formed a partnership in 2009.
“Through our faith and through our work ethic we became partners and it has been what I would consider the best business decision I ever made.” she said. “I am very thankful for the loyalty that Brad has to the group, to me and the respect we share and have for our buyers and sellers. Our partnership has been a very positive move for myself and my business.”
We recently spoke to Regina about her interests and love for the Hall County community.
Question: What is your favorite part about working and living in Hall County?
Answer: “The reason that I chose Hall County to raise my girls is because it’s a college town. I’ve always thought that a college town offered so much to the people that live near and around it. So, my girls when they were growing up played in the front lawn of Brenau University, we would climb the steps to the crow’s nest, which was a no-no because that was only for seniors. They went to ballet at the Gainesville School of Ballet which was housed at Brenau University. Of course, our location and the mountains but we can always drive south if we need a big city.”
Q: What is your favorite local restaurant?
A: “I really enjoy the restaurants on the square, I love that ambiance of being able to sit on the sidewalk and see your friends pass by and visit. I think now I would have to say, I love Avocados, Sweet Magnolias and Atlas Pizza and mainly I choose those because they are on the square. I really just love that small town feel and being able to support those local restaurants.”
Q: What advice would you give to a crowd?
A: “I think loyalty and respect, those two things could mean the same thing to some degree. Stay loyal and always be respectful. Be a giver and have faith in all things.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in five years? 10 years?
A: “I love where I am in life right now, I’m 63 and I don’t mind saying that. I’m always thankful for every birthday. I hope in five years I’m still working in real estate to some degree. In 10 years, I hope to be watching the sun set over water, the sun rise over the mountains but just being able to enjoy life as it comes each day.”
Q: What has it been like working with the Abernathy Cochran Group, since you began in 2009?
A: “I worked in the real estate business as a single agent for many years and I think Brad Abernathy and I were maybe even considered a little bit of an odd couple, so to speak. The thing we did have in common, was we had strong faith, we were workaholics, we were the two that seemed to always be in the office early and in the office late. Through our faith and through our work ethic we became partners and it has been what I would consider the best business decision I ever made. I am very thankful for the loyalty that Brad has to the group, to me and the respect we share and have for our buyers and sellers. Our partnership has been a very positive move for myself and my business.”
Q: (Even for friends and family) what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “On a trip to Ireland, many years ago, Mother Teresa was about three feet from me and my daughter, Julie. I still smile when I think about that experience.”
The Faces of Hall County is a project to showcase the amazing people that live in our community. If you would like to nominate an interesting person to be featured please email babernathy@gonorton.com.
PROJECT PATRONS:
