Realtors honor service, change officers
Each December, the Jefferson-Lewis Board of Realtors and the St. Lawrence County Board of Realtors thank their volunteers, install new officers and directors, award special honors, and raise money for local charities.Jefferson-Lewis Board of Realtors
On Dec. 3, the Jefferson-Lewis Board of Realtors held its annual holiday and installation dinner at the Hilton Garden Inn, Watertown. Donald Radke, New York State Association of Realtors 2016 regional vice president, installed 2016 board members. Heading the association is Randy Raso, Raso Real Estate, president; Vickie Staie, Staie on the Seaway, president-elect; Al Netto, Weichert, Realtors — Thousand Islands Realty, vice president; Mary Adair, Exit More Real Estate, treasurer; Nancy Rome, Rome RSA Realty, recording secretary; Lisa Lowe, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services CNY Realty, corresponding secretary; Vicki Bulger, RealtyUSA, Katharine Dickson, Front Porch Realty, Elizabeth Miller, Century 21 Gentry Realty, Gwyn Monnat, RealtyUSA, and Cindy Moyer, Century 21 Millennium Realty, directors. Jennifer Dindl, Humes Realty and Appraisal, and Nancy D. Storino, Nancy D. Storino Real Estate, whose terms expired Dec. 31, were thanked for their service.
The association also singled out a Realtor and an affiliate for special recognition.
The Realtor of the Year, the association’s highest honor, is bestowed annually on a member who has been a Realtor for at least five years and who has expended effort, time, and talent in the interest of fellow Realtors, the profession, and the community.
This year’s honoree is Nancy Rome, Rome RSA Realty. Nancy has served as the association’s recording secretary for the past several years. She chairs the board’s community service committee, which raises money and collects food and other items year-round for local charities. Nancy regularly attends regional, state and national meetings. In her community, she volunteers with the Carthage Area Chamber of Commerce and her church. In 2014, she was honored as Carthage Citizen of the Year.
Watertown Savings Bank was honored as Affiliate of the Year. The bank is very supportive of local Realtors and the association as a regular supporter of educational events and the Women’s Council of Realtors NNY chapter. Shelby Morgia, mortgage loan officer, serves on the association’s education committee, helping to plan classes and events for Realtors. In addition, the bank has donated to the New York State Association’s Housing Opportunities Foundation that assists New Yorkers with down payments. Their donation is earmarked for grants in the local area.
Money and food donations were also collected for various local charities.
St. Lawrence County Board of Realtors
The St. Lawrence County Board held its installation during its holiday lunch on Dec. 11 at Sabad’s Restaurant in Norfolk. Debbie Gilson, County Seat Realty, will lead the board as president. The rest of the governing body includes: Cheryl Yelle, Yelle Realty, vice president; Doug Hawkins, Sandstone Realty, secretary; Linda Fields, Linda J. Fields, Broker, treasurer; Korleen Spilman, Century 21 Millennium Realty, immediate past president; Gail Abplanalp, Pat Collins Real Estate, Linda Dufrane, Dufrane Real Estate, LLC, and Richard J. Wood, RJ Wood Real Estate, LLC, directors. Lorraine Streeter, New York State Association of Realtors regional vice president, installed the new board. Michael Kassian, Kassian Real Estate, whose term expired Dec. 31, was thanked for his service. The lunch also featured an auction that raised $2,300 for local food pantries.
The New York State Association of Realtors honors members based on association recommendation through the Realtor Honor Society. The recognition is based on involvement during the previous elective year. If an individual is approved for the award, a pin and certificate are sent to the local association.
Nine north country Realtors were honored: Walter Christensen, RealtyUSA, Jennifer Dindl, Humes Realty and Appraisal, Linda Fields, Linda J. Fields, Broker, Mike Kassian, Kassian Real Estate, Lisa L’Huillier, Hefferon Real Estate, Elizabeth Miller, Century 21 Gentry Real Estate, Gwyn Monnat, RealtyUSA, Korleen Spilman, Century 21 Millennium Realty, and Jennifer Stevenson, Blue Heron Realty
Lance M. Evans is the executive officer of the Jefferson-Lewis Board of Realtors and the St. Lawrence County Board of Realtors. Contact him at levans@nnymls.com. His column appears monthly in NNY Business.