On a whim, Linda A. Fercodini took a real estate course in 1979, planning to pursue this endeavor on a part-time basis. But after one week on the job, she was hooked. Real estate was her calling.

Fercodini originally worked at a small real estate company for a few months before moving on to the Waterbury Century 21 office. It didn’t take long before her boss recognized her passion and devotion to the industry and made her office manager. Soon after, she assumed a managerial role at Century 21’s Watertown office.

Her rapid rise up the real estate ladder impressed her friends, who suggested Fercodini open her own office. So with only two other agents, she launched Fercodini Properties in Wolcott. As the market soared, so did her business. “At the height of the market, I had 35 agents,” she said. Now with a respectable staff of 25, she continues to show and sell real estate.

Throughout her career, Fercodini has not only focused on matching homebuyers with the perfect property, but she has also lobbied for her clients in the political arena. As an active member of her local, state and national Realtors’ associations, she has collaborated closely with state senators and congressmen, espousing the benefits of several housing initiatives, including FHA financing and the protection of the Mortgage Interest Deduction.

Fercodini also serves as federal political coordinator for the National Association of Realtors for Sen. Christopher Murphy and has held the same position for congressional representatives Nancy Johnson, James Maloney and Gary Franks.

Community activities figure prominently into Fercodini’s life. In addition to holding the office of president of the Wolcott Circle of Sports and chairwoman of the Wolcott Industrial and Commercial Commission and the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments, she has been actively involved in the United Way, Junior Achievement, Habitat for Humanity, multiple Chambers of Commerce and several other organizations.

In spite of her many professional accomplishments, Fercodini noted that being taken seriously as a woman can be challenging at times. She encourages other women in the industry to work hard to change stereotypical thinking. “Never give up,” she said. “Have integrity, honesty and be professional. If you live life by those values, you’ll be successful.”