Linda J. Page Lifetime Achievement Award
Few times is an organization fortunate to have a person who over countless years has dedicated an abundant amount of time and energy to the betterment of an organization and an industry.
However, the Columbia Greene Board of Realtors is fortunate enough to have such a person in our midst. In its inaugural year, this award is named for the very first recipient and moving forward – will only be distributed when some big shoes in the industry have been filled.
Now, a few words about our recipient of this particular award. As a realtor for about 50 years, we are unable to list all of this member’s accomplishments or how many times we’ve tapped them for information and representation – unless, of course, you’d like to share the entire day with us! We can rarely say that any other Realtor has held every position on both the Columbia Greene Board of Realtors, the MLS Board, and has acted as Chairperson for both Professional Standards and Education Committees, but this member has!
Their knowledge and leadership skills as President brought us through many challenges and changes when the two Boards merged, and while we’ve covered some service at the local level – this member represented all of us as President of the New York State Association of Realtors and Region 2 RVP on the national level.
Holding various designations and having served as an instructor at the local and state level, many have been lucky to be the recipient of her guidance, knowledge and advice.
If anyone knows what the Professional Standards manual is – it’s about an inch thick and not much fun to read. But this Realtor knows it inside out. She is the epitome of holding the bar high in knowledge and ethics and truly walks the walk.
An avid supporter of RPAC, additionally, she earned the Lawrence Caldwell Award at the State level and this year will be inducted into the National RPAC Hall of Fame.
To honor these accomplishments and attributes, the Columbia Greene Board of Realtors instituted the Linda J. Page Lifetime Achievement Award. Our Board would like to present it to you, Linda J. Page, and with this Award a token of our appreciation – a sapphire necklace signifying “Realtor Blue”. And just for you, we have a surprise guest today who would like to say a few words, Patrick Reilly, NYSAR Vice President of Board & Member Services. Congratulations, Linda, and may we all strive to emanate so many of your talents and traits in the industry.
Rookie of the Year
The Columbia Greene Board of Realtors recognizes one active member who has been in the business three years or less that demonstrates outstanding service to the industry and the Columbia Greene Board of Realtors.
The recipient of the 2020 Rookie of the Year award has been a Realtor since 2019 and owns a home in the Village of Chatham.
Sixteen plus years of specialty retail, consultative and management experience within retail stores across Manhattan, Westchester County and Connecticut enabled the recipient to adapt quickly and successfully in the real estate world.
Holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Printmaking, the recipient assists the Columbia Greene Board of Realtors in a variety of aspects including a seat on the Education Committee revising the Teacher Evaluation Form – streamlining it to be completed virtually by class attendees and 2021 sees this Realtor in a new roll as Chairperson of the Education Committee as well.
In speaking with their Principal Broker, this salesperson has proven to be diligent in their skills, honest, a team player and asset to their brokerage.
You may even see her in her spare time running, cycling or exploring Columbia County.
The Columbia Greene Board of Realtors is proud to announce the 2020 Rookie of the Year recipient – Jennifer Sesma of Beach and Bartolo Realtors
Community Service Award
The purpose of the Community Service Award is to recognize one active member in good standing who has made an extraordinary impact on his/her community through volunteer work.
This realtor is no stranger to community service dedicating her time to numerous organizations – but today she is honored for her work with Blue Star Mothers. This organization provides care packages to active duty service members from Columbia and Greene Counties. They work closely with the Veteran’s Administration and have provided food and personal items to the food pantry when needed. They support Veterans in the community with blankets and also provide ongoing support to those families who have active duty family members. She is currently the President of the local chapter of the Blue Star Mothers and a check in her honor will be made payable to them. Congratulations – Stephanie Hamilton of Country Views Realty – and thank you for all you do.
Most Cooperative Brokerage
Cooperation is one of the Golden Rules we as Realtors subscribe to. Reaching towards a common goal with an outstretched hand, a willingness to work through things diligently and lead ethically for the industry and common man are the essence of criteria for the Most Cooperative Brokerage Award.
Marked by a willingness and ability to work well with others, without hesitation, the 2020 recipient of Most Cooperative Brokerage Award defines “Playing nice in the playpen”.
Having opened its doors only two years ago – but having numerous years in the business – the Principal Broker has held multiple positions with our Board and Committees. A respected business owner, family man, and civic minded individual, he shares these qualities effortlessly with his team, clients and others.
Bill Laraway, Owner of Val Kin Properties leads with compassion and experience and has grown his brokerage into a family of 5 in a short time. Naturally friendly and responsive – and even humorous, you’re lucky if you’ve brokered a deal with Bill or anyone from his agency. The Columbia Greene Board of Realtors is proud to present the 2020 Most Cooperative Brokerage to Val Kin Properties
Business Partner of the Year
The Business Partner Program is a valuable asset to our Board members providing services by local businesses that are integrative and diverse to our industry benefiting Realtors, clients and customers alike. In good standing professionally and ethically, our partners are categorized by Gold, Silver and Bronze Membership.
They go above and beyond providing informational classes through lunch and learn programs, co-participation in community and fundraising events, and are a vital source of information and guidance in their areas of expertise. For the benefit of all, we are always looking to expand this program and appreciate all they bring to the table.
Our 2020 Recipient of the Business Partner of the Year is our newest Gold member who readily stepped up to the plate offering Realtor discounts for cleaning services for offices and homes and kept our members apprised of cleaning techniques and guidelines during Covid19.
In order to give a little more time to the recipient to speak on behalf of their company and services, we would like to give the floor to Carol Ann Price, our local representative for Certified Water, Smoke & Fire. Carol Ann, thank you for your diligence in a trying year, and congratulations on being the 2020 Columbia Greene Board of Realtors Business Partner of the Year.
Realtor of the Year
The Realtor of the Year Award is to recognize one active member who has provided outstanding service to his/her profession and community during the year. The nominee should have served on Boards and/or Committees and have notable business accomplishments and or community service involvement.
We like to try and keep the Realtor of the Year a mystery until the end, but it may be difficult as once you hear of their contributions, it will probably be a dead give away – so we’ll start you off slowly.
This members’ clients describe them with words such as:
“listens”
“understands”
“knowledgeable”
And shows the utmost of patience sticking with clients through months of searching.
Their broker is proud to have this Realtor on their team and credits their work ethic and never ending energy and fierce advocacy for clients and colleagues.
Not only does she work tirelessly for clients – she works tirelessly for YOU and her community. Always approaching challenges head on with vigor and a positive mind set, she single handedly negotiated with Lone Wolf, Homesnap and Showingtime – bringing programs of value to our organization – and is known for having a knack of getting the best deals and keeping us all smiling with her infectious laugh and exuberance.
After two years of being in the works, we will soon be launching a data share with our neighbors to the South. She tuned in and turned on her negotiation skills and worked out a data share deal that will help members grow their business into new territories and markets.
She’s served on the Education and Professional Standards Committee, served as MLS Director as well as MLS President for the past two years, and this year – took on the role of a Team Leader in her personal business as well as being the President of the Columbia Greene Board of Realtors.
Please join me in congratulating the 2020 Columbia Greene Realtor of the Year – the one – the only, Angela Lanuto of Coldwell Banker Village Green – Catskill.
