This section of our site will feature Ohio REALTORS who have demonstrated excellence within the industry or in community service activities. Please submit your awards and honors (photographs are welcome too!) to info@ohiorealtors.org and we’ll make sure your recognition gets included.

August 2012

Cannon selected to elite post
Ohio’s own Gloria Cannon has been selected to an elite group of real estate professionals that will comprise the 2013 class of the National Association of REALTORS Leadership Academy.

Only 17 REALTORS from across the country were selected for the upcoming NAR Leadership Academy.

Cannon, of Columbus, becomes only second Buckeye to join the Leadership Academy. Karen O’Donnell, of Mayfield Heights, was part of the the 2011 class.

The Leadership Academy is a a nine-month, five-stage training and development program designed for REALTORS active with the local and/or state organization, but not yet at the national level. Read more

The last three years have been good to Wayne County REALTOR and Auctioneer Seth Andrews.

The 31-year-old has placed third, second, and now first in the Ohio Auctioneers Association’s annual bid call contest at the state fair in Columbus. Andrews won the honor July 30 by topping roughly 30 other auctioneers from around the state.

The contest requires participants to sell one item, with proceeds benefiting a charity. This year, he sold a 106-piece Crescent tool set. The sale is fast–usually under a minute–and participants are judged on their presentation, enthusiasm and the clarity and rhythm of their chant.

Ali Whitley, President of the Akron Area Board of REALTORS, was honored as a 2012 Women of Note by Crain’s Cleveland Business.  The award pays tribute to business women throughout Northeastern Ohio who have made a difference where they work and live.  Nominees are selected based on their accomplishments, character and influence.

Marianne Collins has been named executive director of the Ohio Mortgage Bankers Association. She began her new position in June.

Congrats to the Columbus Board of REALTORS first Leadership Academy 2011-2012 graduating class: Chris Bell, Best Corporate Real Estate; Kaci Brown, B&A Realty; Clayton Davis, Continental Realty, Ltd.; Patrick Florence, Keller Williams Capital Partners; Milt Lustnauer, RE/MAX Premier Choice; Bob McCarthy, Real Living HER; Buffie Patterson, M2 & Associates Real Estate; Shad Phipps, CB Richard Ellis, Inc.; Jill Rudler, Real Living HER; Kathy Shiflet, Coldwell Banker King Thompson; Mark Sullivan, Keller Williams Greater Columbus; and Kasey Welch, RE/MAX Capital Center.

Akron Area (AABOR) REALTOR Bill Lowery of Stouffer Realty was selected as a member of Leadership Akron Class of XXIX.  Leadership Akron’s role is to strengthen and broaden the base of leadership in Summit County and to inspire those chosen to become more effective community leaders.

REALTOR and AABOR Immediate Past President Cyndi Kane of RE/MAX Crossroads Properties is serving as the 2012 President-elect of the Ohio CRS Chapter. Cyndi earned her CRS in 2011 and actively encourages others to earn their CRS as well as other professional designations.

June 2012

Kudos to Columbus Board
Over 400 Central Ohio REALTORS, family and friends, cleaned, painted, pruned and planted on June 6, as part of the Columbus board of REALTORS 8th annual REALTOR Care Day, helping improve homes in 22 surrounding areas in five counties.

• 22 groups!
• 34 projects!
• 446 volunteers!
• $18,719 dollars spent!
• $15,320 in-kind contributions!
• $34,039 total investment!!!

REALTOR Care Day is an annual event where central Ohio REALTORS, affiliates, family and friends volunteer their time to show their communities REALTOR care.

REALTOR Care Day started with one community service project in 2005. Although REALTORS donate time and talent to their communities throughout the year, this one day event focuses the energy of hundreds of volunteers in areas all over the central Ohio area.

REALTOR Care Day is funded through the REALTORS Charitable Foundation Fund. Area realty associations are offered matching funds (up to $500 ach) to help fund their community service efforts for this event. Additional assistance is received from many individuals and companies through in-kind donations of money, goods and services.

Congratulations to Columbus REALTOR Charlotte VanSteyn who was inducted into the REALTORS Political Action Committee’s $25K club. The induction took place during the National Association of REALTORS Mid-Year Conference in Washington, DC in May. VanStyne is with REMAX Premier Choice.

 

Akron REALTORS Volunteer for Rebuilding Together
On Saturday, April 28th, more than 20 AABOR members, family and friends braved the chilly temperatures and rain to participate in the 17th Annual Rebuilding Together Day.
AABOR’s house team was led by veteran house captain Dave Harris. Dave is a longtime volunteer at Rebuilding Together. He was assisted by Sandy Naragon as Volunteer Coordinator, Cyndi Kane as Safety Coordinator, and Vicky Rarrick as House Ambassador.

Volunteering at the AABOR House were: Dorothy Albanese, Paul Albanese, Kim Barnowski, Tom Bauch, Dave Harris, Shelby Harris, Sally Johnson, Cyndi Kane, Sim Lee, Sandy LoCascio, Jim Lowe, John Markley, Sandy Naragon, Joe Pekar, Gwen Petway, Vicky Rarrick, Roberta Rinehart, Chuck Slabaugh, Cindy Slabaugh, Brian Thomas, Ali Whitley, Debbie Zarconi and Janet Zoller.

This year, the work scope included yard work, planting, installing glass block windows in the basement, removing, replacing and painting an entryway door, installing a new side door, keying doors, installing a toilet, cleaning gutters and downspouts, cleaning and painting interior walls, and installing a shower head.

Rebuilding Together Greater Cuyahoga Valley provides home rehabilitation services in partnership low-income elderly and disabled homeowners so they may live in warmth, safety and independence. Since 1995, Rebuilding Together Greater Cuyahoga Valley has assisted more than 1,400 local homeowners and improved their living conditions, according to the organization’s website. AABOR has been active in its support of Rebuilding Together since its inception.

County REALTORS use grant money to fund levy campaigns … $20k will be distributed to four school districts

Photo caption: REALTORS present to give out the check to Buckeye’s levy campaign include (left to right) Brandon Marquard and Rick Stallard, both of M. C. Real Estate, along with Mike Schmidt of Prudential Kovack.

With the help of REALTOR Mike Schmidt, The Medina County Board of REALTORS won a $20,000 grant from the National Association of Realtors as part of the Issues Mobilization Program, which gives money to local chapters to either support or oppose local political issues. In the application, Rick Stallard, a REALTOR with M.C. Real Estate, said during the meeting the board’s legislative committee came up with the idea to help fund the levy campaigns since by law they cannot be funded with tax dollars.

The money will go to four districts: Buckeye, which has a levy in August, along with Medina, Black River and Cloverleaf, who are planning November ballot issues. Stallard said the money must be used by the end of 2012, so that is why only those districts are getting the funding. The rest of the money will be allocated proportionally using enrollment figures.

Schmidt said the money can be used for any campaign expenses such as mailings or advertisements, but he encouraged campaign organizers to keep track of it so they can report back and maybe even get more funding in the future.

While the Medina County Board of Realtors does candidate interviews and makes endorsements, Schmidt said after the meeting this is the first time the group has done direct advocacy of school issues. While several people wrote the grant, Schmidt did a finalist interview via conference call to the grant committee. Since many states do not allow residents to vote for school funding, he had to explain the concept to some of the committee members.

May 2012

Sandra Green, 2012 President of the Scioto Valley Association of REALTORS led the way to let community leaders know that local REALTORS are a very valuable asset and usually provides the first introduction to new businesses, individuals and families in the area.

Under Green’s leadership, the Board developed a roundtable meeting, coordinated with the Chamber of Commerce, and invited local business, government leaders, local politicians as well as REALTOR members and affiliates.

An advisory committee was formed that meets monthly with Chillicothe Mayor, Jack Everson. The Committee has also met with the Ross County Commissioners and will continue to do so on a monthly basis.

Five Honored by the Columbus Board of REALTORS

The Columbus Board of REALTORS (CBR) recently honored five central Ohio citizens for their outstanding commitment to their professions and to the central Ohio community. This year’s honorees are:

John Myers, 2012 Broker of the Year

Myers is the Broker/Owner of Myers Real Estate – a 75 year old family owned business in Grandview. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in real estate from Franklin University and has earned the Ohio Association of REALTOR’s (OAR) Graduate REALTORS® Institute (GRI) designation. He is currently serving a second three-year term on the (CBR) Multiple Listing Service Committee, and chairs CBR’s Residential Standard Forms Committee and is a member of its Governmental Affairs Committee. For OAR, Myers is as a member of the Legislative and Commercial/Industrial and Property Management/ Investment forums. His civic activities include serving as Director and Public Policy Chair of the Grandview Area Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Grandview Heights Planning Commission Advisory Group for Grandview Avenue. He also is a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, Dublin Scioto High School Lacrosse Boosters and is a member of Bethel United Methodist Church. In addition, he has served two-terms as president of the Independent Brokers Association (IBA), is a past president of the Northwest Area Realty Association, and is a member of Columbus Real Estate Exchangors (CREE).

Greg Hrabcak, 2012 REALTOR Salesperson of the Year

Hrabcak is an associate with Real Living HER and has been involved in the sale and leasing of commercial, industrial, investment and office real estate, and business brokerage sales throughout central Ohio for over 26 years. He is a Columbus Board of REALTORS (CBR) past president, has served a three-year term on its Board of Directors, and has chaired numerous Board committees. He currently serves as District 6 Vice President for the Ohio Association of REALTORS® (OAR), and has taught real estate classes for CBR, OAR and Columbus State Community College. He is certified by the National Association of REALTORS to teach its Commercial Green designation course. Hrabcak has also served as president of numerous commercial real estate associations and is the recipient of CBR’s Volunteer Service Award, the Ohio Commercial Real Estate Associations’ Creager Award for the Exchange of the Year; and for CBR’s Most Unique Commercial Transaction award. His civic activities include contributions to the Ronald McDonald Foundation, Kidney Services and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Other recipients were Attorney Joe Barone, Affiliate of the Year; Amy Klaben Citizen of the Year and Attorney Kristin Rosin, Joseph L. MacKinnon Instructor of the Year

Medina County Honors Members

The Medina County Board of REALTORS held their annual American Home Week Luncheon on April 12, 2012. Honored guests were Bob Miller, OAR President, Peg Ritenour, OAR VP Legal Services & Administration, Chris Hall, OAR Treasurer, Sandy LaCasio, OAR District 3 VP, Steve Hambley, Medina County Commissioner and Connie Gardner, Winner of the Outstanding Home Award for 2012.
We are fortunate to have so many talented and dedicated members that choose to contribute to their communities. Our 2012 award winners are:

Rick Stallard, recipient of REALTOR of the Year.  Rick has been licensed for more than 22 years and has been in constant service to MCBOR; serving on numerous committees Board of Directors (8yrs), Twice as President!   Rick has served on many of the OAR committees and has served as NAR’s Federal Political Coordinator in Washington, D.C. for the past two years. Rick helped host Representative, Jim Rennaci in 2011 and State Representative, Dave Hall in March of this year he talked on “Fracking Issues.”  Rick is presently serving as Councilman for the Village of Seville where he has resided for 37 years with his wife, Jennifer and their 5 children.

Tom Rebescher, recipient of Distinguished Service Award. Tom has been licensed for 33 years and has been in constant service to MCBOR; serving over 14 years on numerous committees and served for 12 years as Treasurer!  Tom is President of the St. Vincent DePaul Society which provides food and money for bills and assisting those in Medina County. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus and is a Volunteer Instructor at Senior Net, a learning center that offers adults over 50, low-cost, friendly computer instruction. Tom is active at St. Francis Xavier and also collects furniture for the poor of the community. Tom is also celebrating 50 years of marriage with his wife Jeanne.

Michelle Boyd, recipient of Excellence in Community Service Award, has been licensed for 26 years has served on many committees on local and State level. Michelle has served as President of the Medina Chapter of the Women’s Council of REALTORS and President of the Wadsworth Chamber. Michelle started, “Survivor Kids”, a fund raiser which has raised over $130K with 100% being donated to the Akron Children’s Hospital! In 2012 she started the “Pooh Pooh” and “Boo Boo’s” where diapers and special Band-Aids” are collected for children at Akron Children’s Hospital.  Michelle and her husband Bob have fostered 6 children and hosted 8 foreign exchange students.

Leslie Burns, recipient of Rookie of the Year, has been licensed for just one year and is already serving on committees at MCBOR.  Leslie serves as Trustee for Medina Community Design, Secretary for Falling Oak’s Homeowners Assoc., and President for the Ella Canavan PTO.  Leslie submitted the entry for this year’s Outstanding Home Award!

 

 

 

March 2012

Congratulations to the winners in the Columbus Board’s annual Commercial/Investment Awards Banquet was held in February. The event honors the outstanding professional achievements of those in the commercial and inves tment industry.

Bob White, Sr., co-founder and chairman of The Damiler Group, Inc., was the keynote speaker. CBR President Jim Coridan and Kevin McGrath, chair of the 2011 C/I Recognition Committee, presented the 2011 Commercial/Investment awards.

Rookie of the Year – Jesse Shkolnik, LGR Realty

Largest Industrial Transaction – Rick Trott, SIOR, Cassidy Turley

Largest Retail Transaction – Andy Mills, CCIM, and Andrew Montooth, CC IM, Continental Realty

Largest Office Transaction – Wayne Harer & Ken Isenbarger, Continental Realty

Largest Multi-Family Transaction – Bill Gordon & Steve Holzer, Commercial One Realty

Most Unique Transaction – Brent Stamm, CCIIM, Continental Realty
Sale of a 15,000 square foot retail building in Gahanna in 2007.

Erika Blumenstein Award – Myrna Kobre
The Erika Blumenstein Memorial Award is given to members of our profession based not only on their business experience, but their conduct and involvement in the industry and in the community.

2011 Top 10 Producers
George Stecz, CB Richard Ellis; Terry Mathews, CB Richard Ellis; Ken Isenbarger,  Continental Realty; William Whipple, III, CB Richard Ellis; Tom McGarity, Cassidy Turley; Donald Roberts, CB Richard Ellis; Wayne Harer, Continental Realty;  Rick Trott, SIOR, Cassidy Turley;  Doug Jackson, CB Richard Ellis; Michael Mullady, CB Richard Ellis.

Gavin Blair, CBR’s Director of Governmental Affairs, has been elected president of the Pickerington City Council. Gavin, a lifelong resident of Pickerington, was in his third year on council when unanimously elected to lead the council by his fellow council members. Gavin expects to be council’s liaison to the community, city administrators and staff in the coming year, and views economic development as a top priority in 2012.

January 2012

The American Red Cross of Fairfield and Hocking Counties, a United Way agency, is pleased to announce Fran L. Miller (Lancaster Board) as the Community Hero sponsored by Fairfield County Foundation. Fran will be honored at this year’s Heroes Breakfast presented by Time Warner and Diamond Power International Inc., Fraternal Order of Eagles and Innerphase Video Production in February.

Marian Everhart, (Scioto Valley Association) and OAR’s District #8 vice president,  has been installed as President, of the Frankfort Lions Club.

 

Thanks to Jennifer Wiles‘ (Wayne-Holmes) involvement in the Golden Bear Brigade, her community is a better place to live by raising awareness for the men and women who have dedicated their lives to serving our country. Events Wiles organized:

1. “Welcome Home” parades for Marines who had just returned from Afghanistan;
2. Began publishing a quarterly newsletter;
3. Helped design, build, and paint a parade float;
4. Organized a “Pack & Ship” campaign setting up donation drop-offs at local businesses and a community meeting to pack up 25+ boxes, shipped to those serving outside of the country;
5. Initiated a campaign where 150+ letters were written by children for the “Adopt-A-Solder” program.

Sarah Eagleson, Keller Williams Classic Properties (Columbus), has been named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Columbus Chapter of the Women’s Council of REALTORS.

Sue Lusk-Gleich, Keller Williams Capital Partners Realty (Columbus), has been named to the Furniture Bank of Central Ohio Board of Directors. Founded in 1998, the Furniture Bank was created to provide furniture to area families in need and has grown to become a major community collaborative. It’s the second largest community furniture provider in the country, helping 3,575 families, which includes more than 10,700 individuals, of which, half were children in 2010. Each family receives approximately 14 pieces of furniture.

(Columbus) In December, with the help of Angela Parsons, Associate Director of Planned Giving at The Columbus Foundation, Dean Salts (and wife, Connie) established a charitable gift annuity that allows the him to make a significant charitable gift but still secure a stream of income for life. It is a contract between the donor and the charity which allows the transfer of assets to the charity in exchange for a commitment to pay a fixed amount to the donor for the remainder of their lifetime. And, once Dean passes, the remaining assets will be credited to the CBR Charitable Foundation Fund, when it will be available for scholarships in Connie Salts’ name.

Michael A. Sliemers, Just Results Real Estate (Columbus) has been a member of the Make-A-Wish Foundation since 2009, and was recently involved in helping to grant a wish for Caleb Hall, a child with cerebral palsy. Caleb’s wish took him and his family on a trip to Disney World, where they stayed at the Universal Orlando Resort and visited Universal Studios and Sea World!

Beverly Woodford, CRS, Woodford Contemporary Real Estate (Columbus) has been a member and volunteer at Macedonia Baptist Church for 25 plus years. As a volunteer, she has served in numerous capacities, including chairing the Church College Fund, the annual Christmas Party and the annual Church Picnic. This year, she served as chair for the Macedonia Annual Women’s Day Luncheon that was held in November.

Columbus REALTOR Milt Lustnauer and his family have taken in a Central Ohio family who is fighting bankruptcy while their daughter fights for her life with terminal leukemia. Watch the news clip from Channel 4 (aired 1/9/12) http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2012/jan/09/medical-bankruptcy-09775-vi-36547/

REALTOR Jan McInturf, of McInturf Realty in New Philadelpha, once againhosted the15th annual Christmas Event in Tuscora Park for nearly 5,000 people. Read story >>

December 2011

Toledo REALTOR Carol Dimas, ABR, The Danberry Co. was awarded the 2011 REALTOR of the Year Award from the Toledo Board. Dimas has been an agent for over 20 years and has served as a member, OAR Director and RPAC Committee Chair. She has also served on committees including the Leadership Task Force, Public Relations Task Force, Rookie League Ambassador and the Distinguished Service Committee.  Dimas has served as a member of OAR’s RPAC Committee and is a lifetime member of the TBR President’s Sales Club.

Toledo REALTOR Jack Amlin, The Danberry Co. (Amlin and Associates Auction Services), was awarded the 2011 Citizen of the Year Award by the Toledo Board. Amlin has been licensed for over 15 years and currently serves as Toledo Board Director. He is involved in numerous charities including Partners in Education, Boys Scouts of America and Shawnee Girls Club, Big Brothers & Sisters, Imagination Station and Adopt America.  He sponsors and supports local youth sports programs in Toledo and the Lucas County Sheriff’s sports program. He is the Past President of the Holland-Springfield Rotary and currently serves on the Financial Advisory Board for Springfield Schools. In his “spare” time he donates his time conducting hundred of charity auctions for local nonprofit groups including the American Cancer Society, Arthritis Foundation, Toledo Children’s Hospital, Children’s Miracle Network, The Leukemia/Lymphoma Society, The Gliding Stars and Assistance  Dogs of America.

Toledo REALTOR Ferd Seipel, Jr., was the recipient of the 2011 Distinguished Service Award from the Toledo Board. Seipel was licensed in 1963 and is the Broker of Village Realty II. He has been a member of the Toledo Board for over 48 years. He was very active for both the TBR and OAR organizations as well as the HBA of Northwest Ohio. He graduated from The Ohio State University in 1960 after serving 4 years in the United States Marine Corps as a Navigator. Seipel was instrumental in the Waterville Downtown Development Revitalization program and was the recipient of the Dwight D. Morrison “Citizen of the Year” award. He developed the infamous “Peddler’s Alley” in Waterville. In addition to developing over 150 acres in numerous subdivisions throughout Waterville he has built close to 1,000 homes throughout his career.  He served as President of his local Rotary Club and twice the President of his local Chamber of Commerce. He was Toledo Board’s Board President in 1991, OAR District 4 Vice-President in 1992 and Toledo Board’s REALTOR/Broker of the Year in 1993.

Congratulations to Toledo REALTOR James F. Flynn, Sulphur Springs Realty, Inc. who has received NAR’s REALTOR Emeritus Status.

The Furniture Bank of Central Ohio provides furniture to area families in need. Founded in 1998, the Furniture Bank (then known as Material Assistance Providers) has, over the years, grown to become a major community collaborative. It is the second largest community furniture provider in the country. In 2010 the Furniture Bank helped 3,575 families, which included more than 10,700 individuals. More than half were children. Each family receives approximately 14 pieces of furniture.

REALTORS Shari Carroll and Stacy McVey were awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Columbus Board of REALTORS on Dec. 10, 2011. This award recognizes members for their outstanding sales production as well as their long-time commitment to the board. To qualify, current members must have received the $25 million dollar award and demonstrated significant involvement in the CBR over a minimum of 15 consecutive years. This truly is the pinnacle of recognition for the CBR and therefore, appropriately called the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Letter to the Editor: Currently my husband and I are working on finding a home to buy in Columbus, OH. Tina Mattix lives in my parents neighborhood and despite the fact that she doesn’t have anything to gain from helping us through this process, she has been wonderful. Tina sat down with us and gave us some wonderful information to help us get started. She has also helped us find a REALTOR that specializes in the area of Columbus that we are interested in. We are in a tough situation since I am being transferred without any relocation expenses being paid. If every REALTOR was like Tina Mattix, buying a house would no longer be one of the top life stressors! Sylvia Chelf

Dr. Robert “Bob” Weiler, The Robert Weiler Co., REALTORS, was one of five individuals recently inducted in to the inaugural class of Capital University Law School Hall of Honor. Honorees selected for this award must have profoundly influenced the Law School and reached and remained at the pinnacle of their fields for a period of time that demonstrates perseverance and maturation. Dr. Bob was honored for his personal values and priorities that have had a great impact on students, colleagues, partners and competitors. His inspiration, capability and practice advice have enabled Capital Law School to launch many real estate careers.

(Photos l. to r.) John Boch, Justin Ford, Bill Funtjar, Mic Gordon, Patrick Guanciale, and Kimberly Kovacs have been named to The Wall Street Journal/REAL Trends Top 1,000. This report recognizes top residential real estate agents in the country based on annual 2010 sales volume and transaction sides.

Shad Phipps, CCIM, recently graduated from the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) Institute’s Jay W. Levine Leadership Development Academy and was elected to serve as the 2012 Ohio CCIM Chapter President.

 

 

Richard Elosh who received the Erika Blumenstein Memorial Award through NAR’s National Commercial Award Program for his outstanding professional achievements in commercial real estate. Elosh received the award in October.

 

 

Congratulations to Millersburg REALTOR Joseph Mast, CAI (Wayne-Holmes Board) who was awarded the coveted title of International Auctioneer Champion (IAC) in Orlando, Fla., in July. The IAC is an annual competition hosted by the National Auctioneers Association that allows the world’s top bid-calling auctioneers the opportunity to compete for the world title. Mast travels the globe selling cars, equipment and thoroughbred horses. YouTube Video