banquet honors stand-out members
greater albuquerque association of realtors®
The Greater Albuquerque Association of REALTORS® recognized several other organizational members or associates at its recent awards banquet. Long time REALTOR® betty
ostrower received the C.O. Nelson Award for lifetime achievement.
As the very first recipient of GAAR’s REALTOR® of the Year award, Ostrower is “somebody who has given and continues to give to the association over a long period of time,” said Danny Wm. Vigil, president of the GAAR board of directors. “This recognizes her longevity and her contributions. Even though she’s been retired for some time, hers was an award that was really past due in coming. We were really honored to be able to recognize her this year for all that she’s accomplished through a long career in GAAR.”
brian steudle of Coldwell Banker Legacy, who is the qualifying broker for two of the company’s larger offices at Cottonwood and Rio Rancho, is the Sales Manager of the Year.
“The challenge for Brian is to be in two places at once but he really does a good job of training the brokers that work for him,” Vigil said. “And he does a very good job and is so supportive of GAAR and the goals that GAAR has. He also has been a big contributor in raising money, and giving back. He’s not only been supportive of me as president of the GAAR board, but supportive of all of our causes.”
Also from Coldwell Banker Legacy, michelle smith is the Sales Person of the Year.
A past Rookie of the Year recipient, Smith “is a very, very busy broker,” Vigil said. “But it’s not uncommon to walk through halls of her office and see her being a mentor to other brokers, providing guidance in what they should do and shouldn’t do in terms of contracts and making them better REALTORS®. She’s dedicated to the betterment of the business.”
kristina salcido of Re/Max Elite steps in as Rookie of the Year.
“The one thing that has always impressed me about the Rookie of the Year is the ambition and the dedication they give to learning a new craft,” Vigil said. “Our Rookie of the winner is somebody we can look to that exemplifies that change is a vital part of our industry. They embrace that change and do it in a short period of time and they have the production to go along with it. Kristina stood above and beyond all the other nominees.”
Although not a REALTOR®,
mindy abramson of Distinguishing Style, is the Affiliate of the Year.
“Our affiliates are a vital part of what GAAR does,” Vigil said. “And we’re happy to be recognizing Mindy because she was a great choice. She represents numerous members through numerous associations. She championed the ‘We’ve Got Your Back Pack Drive,’ to have 240 backpacks for APS students, complete and full of supplies. Mindy was a real driver of that endeavor.”
The final honoree, kelsey
stevens (not pictured), is not yet a GAAR member, but she earned the organization’s Security Escrow Scholarship. The $1,000 award will go toward Steven’s licensing as an agent.
“One of the big obstacles is the initial cost of what it takes” to become a REALTOR®, Vigil said. “The scholarship funds help somebody who is driven to becoming a REALTOR®. Some have gone on to be the Rookie of the Year and are some of the top producers. The leg up to people is important. Kelsey has a parent in the industry for over 30 years and her ambition is to follow in the footsteps of her mother.”