by David Chapman
Staff Writer
For many members of the Realtor and builder community, the second act of the Laurels was just as rewarding as the first.
The annual awards given each year by the Sales and Marketing Council, a division of the Northeast Florida Builder’s Association, are broken into two seasonal events. The production winners of the industry were honored earlier this year at the University of North Florida.
Those in competition for the marketing and advertising awards had their moment in the spotlight in July at Latitude 30, where more than 40 awards were presented, bringing the total awards to more than 60 for the year. Award winners were chosen based on entries to a 12-member, non-local panel of judges.
Though the night was filled with both individual and company winners, some names were announced more than a few times.
Two builders, Lennar Homes and ICI Homes, brought in six awards. ICI Homes took home several awards in various “Best Architectural Design” categories while Lennar had several members of its team win individual awards including “Sales Manager of the Year” (Michael Carlo), “Site Agent of the Year” (Samuel Schneider), “Site Agent of the Year – Partnership/Team” (Teresa Santos and Jason Brooks) and “Marketing Director of the Year” (Walter Hawkins).
In addition, Lennar also took home the “Grand Award,” presented annually to the builder for the best overall product.
Charlie Clark, a real estate consultant, market analyst and “the reason SMC is what it is today,” was presented with the annual Dick Baker Award. The award is named after the 1993 NEFBA president who exemplified civic duty with commitment to Jacksonville organizations and volunteer projects. It is given to a member of the Realtor and builder community for their commitment to the industry.
One award annually presented to the industry’s top rookie was renamed in honor of Robin Challberg, a longtime NEFBA and SMC member and sales professional with Ryland Homes who was killed in a car accident in June. Chris Pena of Pulte Homes was presented the “Robin Challberg Rookie Sales Person of the Year” award.
Other individual awards went to some familiar names who have captured such honors in the past: Judy Hicks of Re/Max Coastal Real Estate was again named “Realtor of the Year,” Cornerstone Homes was presented the “Golden Service Award” and The PARC Group reined in another “Developer of the Year” honor.
Falling in line with the night’s theme, “Business of Green,” three new green-themed awards were also presented for the first time. They included the “Best Green Homes” award given to ICI Homes for its Palermo model, “Best Green Office Over 800 Feet” given to Sisler Johnson Interior Designs and “Best Green Promotion” given to KB Home.
The overall big winner of the night was Wendy Chandler of Chandler Designs, who left with eight Laurels for “Best Interior Merchandising” across a variety of price ranges.
There were several other companies and individuals who took in multiple awards, with the Montello Agency and Ocean’s Edge each taking in four apiece, good for third most overall for the evening.
The event’s masters of ceremonies were NEFBA President Michael Bourre and SMC Chair Amber Williams, who had words of encouragement for her peers on the continuous adaptation of the industry to conclude the evening.
“The world has changed,” she said, “and our industry has changed with it.”