by Michele Gillis
Staff Writer
The Northeast Florida Association of Realtors’ 2010 theme is “Getting Down to Business” and the annual installation of officers event reflected it.
It was all business during last month’s luncheon at the Jacksonville Marriott: no funny costumes, crazy decorations or beach balls as in years past.
“My goal this year is to encourage Realtors to ‘Get Down to Business’ and become involved in NEFAR as much as possible,” said 2010 President Carol Hill of Prudential Network Realty.
“We have four strategic goals this year,” she added, and listed them:
• “Continuing to be the voice and advocate for Realtors,
• “Ensuring our members take advantage of the Realtor Knowledge Center,
• “Ensuring our Realtor operations are successful through member growth, benefits and services,
• “And, maintaining community leadership as the model Realtors association.”
Hill encouraged everyone to get involved, saying, “We have several programs, committees, councils and task forces to enhance our organization. NEFAR will continue to be the resource for industry information and education for our members, which in turn benefits our community.”
The officers were installed by Hill’s employer, Linda Sherrer of Prudential, and included Dane Leslie, president-elect, of Watson Realty; Stephanie White of Keller Williams of Jacksonville, treasurer; and Carol Zingone of Prudential Network Realty, secretary.
The major award - Realtor of the Year - went to Zingone. The nominating committee report cited her work on numerous committees as well as volunteer work: “Our 2009 Realtor of the Year is truly an extraordinary leader among her Realtor peers in Northeast Florida. Not one to sit still, she makes a huge personal commitment to her profession through involvement in NEFAR, RPAC and Florida Realtor committees, councils and task forces. Her contributions are readily apparent based on her extensive list of successful involvements.”
Other awards:
• Selby Kaiser of The Legends of Real Estate received the Presidential Lifetime Service Award, an award that always goes to a past president.
• Walter Williams of Walter Williams Property Management was inducted into NEFAR’s Circle of Honor.
• Andrew Bell of RELS Title was named Affiliate of the Year.
• Ulrich Leinhase of PlanetEarth Realty was named Educator of the Year.
• Rose Hetman of Watson Realty got the Humanitarian of the Year award.
The committee noted, “She is a volunteer for Hands On Jacksonville, serving on four different projects. She is also a holiday assistant through Hands On Jacksonville for the Salvation Army. She leads a team for Clean Green Earth, a monthly clean-up project at the Beaches. She is a certified Eco Broker and teaches a Go Green Seminar for JEA, showing people how to save money on their utility bills. She also serves on the Cards of Caring project that sends greeting cards to the elderly.
“Recently, she helped to establish Watson Realty’s Watson Cares program to assist needy families during the holiday season. She is the chairperson of their Food Drive and Adopt A Family projects.”
• Terry Brown of Watson Realty took the Property Manager of the Year award.
• In a departure from the past, a group received Elected Official of the Year award. This year it went to the entire Clay County Commission. The committee’s report explained: “While this award is traditionally given to a single individual, it is difficult to single out one member of the Commission for this effort. Therefore, we recognize the collective effort ... to revitalize the local housing market and acknowledge the central role of the real estate market in any economic recovery.”
• Cammie Thomas, Exit Real Estate Gallery, got the Professional Development award.