Eastside Business Journal - King County REALTORS Induct Officers

King County REALTORS Induct Officers, Honor Special Achievements During 2008

Monday, 26 January 2009 - Eastside Business Journal

Nine individuals received special awards during a special event that also marked the formal installation of the 2009 leadership team for the Seattle-King County Association of REALTORS (SKCAR).

New officers for 2009 and their brokerage affiliations include:

President...................................................... Keith Nelson, broker, Executive Real Estate, Inc. (Bellevue)

President-elect............................................ Dennis Brown, Windermere Real Estate Fauntleroy (Seattle)

Vice President, Business Practices............................. Wolf Puls, Windermere Real Estate/East (Kirkland)

Vice President, Governmental & Public Affairs.........................................................................................

..................................................... Kristen Greenlaw, Windermere Real Estate Northeast, Inc. (Kirkland)

Vice President-elect, Governmental & Public Affairs.................................................................................

............................................................................. Sheri Goldman, RE/MAX Performance Plus (Renton)

Immediate Past President................................... Jason Watabe, Windermere Real Estate/East (Bellevue)

SKCAR honored Terry E. Miller of Coldwell Banker Bain’s Lake Union officeas 2008 Realtor of the Year. In presenting its most prestigious award to a peer, the association’s awards committee cited Miller’s faithfulness to Realtor principles during a career than spans two dozen years of service, along with her exemplary service to associations at local, state and national levels.

Describing Miller as a “leader by example” and a “bellwether for our marketplace,” the award’s judges applauded various contributions to the industry, including her initiatives to enhance productivity and professionalism. Miller, who holds multiple professional designations, has more than a decade of service in leadership positions with industry associations. In addition to being recognized for industry service, she has been ranked for several consecutive years as a “Top 10 Listing Agent” at her company.

Three non-Realtors received recognition for special achievement during 2008 at SKCAR’s annual awards and installation banquet, held this year at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue. The trio of award recipients included Marge Bearman, Elizabeth Rhodes and Jillayne Schlicke.

Marge Bearman of Choice Lending, Inc. in Bellevue was named Affiliate of the Year. The award is presented to non-Realtors who demonstrate a commitment to the association’s goals and who work to fulfill its mission to foster cooperation within the industry. Besides serving on SKCAR’s membership committee, Bearman helped lead efforts to present real estate events focused on various consumer needs, including a Housing Fair for King County employees. In 2009, she will serve as Affiliate Director on the association’s board.

Elizabeth Rhodes, who retired from The Seattle Times in December after serving as the residential real estate reporter for more than a dozen years, received the Media of the Year award. In part, the award recognizes “excellence and impartial reporting on real estate matters,” with Rhodes singled out for her “straightforward and thoughtful coverage” during a Seattle Times career that spanned 30 years.

Jillayne Schlicke was honored as “Instructor of the Year” in appreciation for her commitment to real estate education and her passion for teaching. In six years, Schlicke, the CEO of CE Forward, Inc., has developed curriculum and taught classes on more than 30 real estate-related titles. Her programs are among the top-rated offerings for content and instructor knowledge and enthusiasm.

SKCAR bestowed its Cultural Awareness award on Jason Watabe, the association’s 2008 president. The award honors outstanding contributions in promoting diversity in the Realtor workplace, along with efforts to broaden the markets and constituencies served by Realtors and promote homeownership among diverse populations in the area.

During 2008, Watabe served as president of the Washington Chapter of the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) and as the liaison to Japanese real estate for the president of the National Association of REALTORS. Among Watabe’s priorities as president of SKCAR, he has advocated for representation of the Asian, Hispanic and Women’s Councils on the association’s board. Watabe, who is with Windermere Real Estate/East in Bellevue, also provided leadership for the International Councils of the state and local associations.

The Government Affairs Volunteer of the Year award went to Joan Probala, an associate broker at Windermere Real Estate/East, Inc. in Issaquah. The award recognizes service on various governmental and public affairs activities. Probala, a nine-year volunteer on the association’s governmental affairs committee, also serves as a key contact for state legislators in the 5^th district. She has volunteered for numerous candidate interview panels and is an active fundraiser for political candidates and the Realtors’ Political Action Committee (RPAC). She is also a past president of the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce and currently serves on its Planning Policy Commission.

Two Realtors were selected to receive Community Service awards for outstanding leadership and service. Both Sally Gregg, with the Bellevue Downtown office of John L. Scott, Inc. and Dave Bush with Windermere Real Estate South, Inc., in Burien were cited for myriad contributions.

Dave Bush was honored for his devotion to improving the quality of life, particularly for children, in the Burien/SeaTac areas where he lives and works. He served as PTSA president at Tyee High School for three years and currently serves as president of the Rotary Club of SeaTac and as a board member of the Highline YMCA and the Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence. Bush also provided leadership in establishing the “SeaTac Exchange Group” to promote collaboration among leading service agencies in addressing needs of local youngsters. He and his wife are active in the church, providing assistance and shelter to troubled teens and runaways.

Sally Gregg, a real estate professional for 25 years, has held leadership roles as a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity of East King County, Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center, and Hopelink. She also volunteers for the Lunch Buddy Program in the Lake Washington School District and supports Ronald McDonald House through the John L. Scott Foundation.

The Realtor Achievement Award, recognizing either a singular feat or a body of work to improve the association and real estate industry, was presented to Michele Brennan. She is a Realtor with Windermere Real Estate South, Inc., in Kent, and is active in governmental affairs, schools and community groups. Brennan has served as Realtor Political Coordinator to Rep. Dave Reichert for the past four years and was instrumental in securing his co-sponsorship of the Community Choice in Real Estate Act, an association priority. She is a long-time volunteer in the Auburn School District and has served as president of the Kent Swim and Tennis Club. In honoring her, the selection committee noted much of what she has achieved was done so while battling significant health issues.

About SKCAR

The Seattle-King County Association of REALTORS, based in Bellevue, has more than 8,000 members, including licensed brokers, agents and affiliated businesses. Its mission is to enhance the ability and opportunity of members to conduct their businesses successfully and ethically through a strict Code of Ethics. As one of approximately 1,800 local associations/boards that comprise the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), SKCAR promotes the rights of an increasingly diverse populace to own, transfer and use real property. REALTOR® membership is voluntary, and only members may use the term REALTOR®, which is a licensed collective trademark.

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