by Florida Realtors
The state’s real estate association — Florida Realtors — recognized Todd Dantzler, 2000 president of the state association, as its 2012 Realtor of the Year during Florida Realtors’ recent annual Convention & Trade Expo at the Marriott World Center in Orlando.
It was one of the major awards given at the annual meeting.
On the local level, Dantzler has served on committees and projects for his home Realtor organization, the East Polk County Association of Realtors, as “far back as we have records,” according to Association Executive Marisol Espinoza. He joined EPCAR in 1981 and has since been an active part or chair of almost every committee.
At the national level, he decided to dive into the public policy side of the National Association of Realtors back in 1997. An NAR board member for many years, he also became involved in its Land Use, Property Rights and the Environment Forum.
Other awards:
Associate Realtor of the Year: Joan Alipo of the Jupiter-Tequesta-Hobe Sound Association of Realtors.
A former president of her local association, she was named JTHS Realtor of the Year in 2005, is a member of its Honor Society and has achieved the Lifetime Professional Achievement Award.
Realtor Achievement Award: Dale Peterson, Destin.
This award recognizes a Realtor who serves as manager, broker of record, or officer in his or her company. The award acknowledges the winner’s previous three years’ contributions to the community, local, state and national Realtor associations.
A member of the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors, Peterson is the current treasurer for his local association, while also serving on its Budget and Finance Committee.
Commercial Realtor Achievement Award: Cynthia Shelton, Orlando.
The award honors a Realtor’s lifetime of contributions to commercial activities at the local, state, national and community levels.
Shelton was president of Florida Realtors in 2009 and was recognized by Florida Realtors as its Realtor of the Year in 2010.
She served as a board member of the Commercial Society of ORRA and was an active member of its Commercial Overlay Board and the Retail Subcommittee. Prior to her ORRA membership, Shelton was a member of the Greater Tampa Association of Realtors (GTAR) and served as its president in 1994.
Humanitarian of the Year Award: John Castelli, Broward County, and Phil Wilson, Punta Gorda-Port Charlotte-North Port.
For the past two years, Castelli has been president of his association’s Charitable Foundation, established in 1987 to help people with specific needs that cannot be met by any other source. He led the foundation’s largest fundraiser in history – attracting the most attendees and raising the most money.
Wilson was honored for his volunteer efforts spanning more than two decades. He has been the community auctioneer for the American Cancer Society for 25 years. Wilson has used his skills as a professional auctioneer to help raise funds for nearly every community group in Charlotte County, including the YMCA, Red Cross, Boy Scouts, 4H Club, Rotary Club, American Heart Association, Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies, Leukemia Cup Race, Future Farmers of America, Kiwanis Clubs, high schools, churches, medical centers and many others.