Litchfield County Board of REALTORS^®, Inc.
Awards Night
May 24, 2010

Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc. held “Awards Night” on Monday, May 24, 2010 at Cornucopia Banquet Hall with over 125 members in attendance. We truly appreciate the sponsors of this event, James Dean of Cornucopia for the Hors D’ oeuvres, The Real Estate Book and Ulster Home Mortgage.

The following were presented at the meeting: REALTOR® of the Year 2010, 2010 LCBR Scholarship Grant, 20 an 25 Year member pins, New Member Pins, two Honorary Members, an Affiliate Appreciation Award and an Unsung Hero Award. 

Each year the Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc. selects one REALTOR® as REALTOR® of the Year based on selected criteria.  The selected member represents the highest qualities and the outstanding service REALTORS® offer their local, state and national Association as well as their civic contributions.  This year’s recipient was Christopher O Ashe of Learning Unlimited.  

Chris Ashe has been a REALTOR® member since 1979. He has devoted much of his time to various Boards by serving as an Officer or Director, a Mediation Officer and on over a dozen committees, most notably the Education and Professional Standards Committees. Chris has also instructed many Continuing Education courses for the Board through the years. 

In the past 3 years, our Chris has served on the following LCBR committees: Education, Green, Legislative, Mediation, Professional Standards and RPAC. 

Chris has served on the following Connecticut Association of REALTORS® committees:  Green Committee Subcommittee, Issues & Advocacy, Legislative & Political Affairs, Realtors® at the Capitol and Realtors® Grassroots.  He is also a state Director, a Region 2 Director, an RPAC Trustee and has the following National Designations:  ABR, CRB, ePRO, Green, GRI, PSCS, Mediator and SRES.

Additionally, Chris has served as a Board member of the following community organizations:  CT State Company, The Albert Schweitzer Friendship House, The Animal Network, The Sherman Players, the NW CT Aids Project and the Wildlife Umbrella.

The Board also presented Christopher O Ashe with the Unsung Hero Award for his dedication to Litchfield County Board of REALTOR® in the past 31 years!  He was honored at the event by the Connecticut Association of REALTORS® as well as the Mid-Fairfield County Association of REALTOR®. 

The Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc. distributes a scholarship award every year to a qualified applicant.  The Board chooses the recipient based on selected criteria and issues the recipient a Scholarship Award and a check for a predetermined amount, and this year’s recipient was Mark Kolb, son of Laurie Bocchetta a REALTOR® with ERA Property Center in Torrington.

Mark is currently enrolled as a senior The Gilbert School in Winsted. He will attend Central Connecticut State University in New Britain Connecticut in the fall.  Thanks to the generosity of our members Mark was awarded a $3,744 scholarship.

This year’s Awards Night included the presentation of an “Affiliate Appreciation Award” to Founders Insurance Group for it's outstanding service and commitment to Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc. and the REALTOR® organization.

Founder Insurance joined the Board in October of 2009 and has already generously sponsored 6 programs this year! Affiliate members of the Board include Cindy Donaldson, Joe Lipski and Laura Trotta. 

REALTORS® who have celebrated their 20th and 25th Anniversary as members of the Board were recognized and congratulated by Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc.  The members received their prestigious 20 or 25 year REALTOR® pin symbolizing their long term commitment to upholding the Professional standards set forth by the REALTOR® organization. 

The following members received their 20 year REALTOR® pin: Christine Cornish of Future Realty, LLC; Rose Marie Foth of CENTURY 21 Command Realty; Ziggy Keparutis of Bayberry Realty; Kathy Matyas of William Raveis Real Estate; Betty Ann Sweeney of Fahey Associates REALTORS®; David Taylor of Bain Real Estate and Barbara Anne White of Realty Experts, LLC.

The following members received their 25 year REALTOR® pin: Rita Alfano of Coldwell Banker Realty 2000; Constance Breakell of Coldwell Banker Realty 2000; Christine Brennan of Gooseboro Realty; Oren Boynton of Fahey Associates REALTORS®; Patricia D’Amore of RE/MAX Property Shoppe; Gene Gisselbrecht of Cohen Agency; Dan Grammatica of Realty Experts, LLC; Becky Grieco of Prudential Premier Homes; Karen Grimes of Fahey Associates REALTORS®; Susan Holway of ERA Property Center Hotchkiss & Holway; Mary LeBlanc of Mary LeBlanc Realty; Cathy Macias of Future Realty, LLC; Ron Rudek of CENTURY 21 Command Realty; Ralph Sabia of  S & S Realty; John Smedick of Mettling Real Estate; Mary Stevens of Mary Stevens Realty; Ellen Waterhouse of Harry Waterhouse Realty; Adrienne Weik of ERA Property Center.

The following new Designated REALTORS® received their REALTOR® pin: Todd Michael Carusillo, Todd Carusillo Real Estate; Christine Hunter, Hunter Real Estate; Lynn Graf, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage; Ellie Peterson, Future Realty, LLC; Richard Poirier, Richard Poirier, Broker; Paul Rogers, Paul N Rogers Real Estate Appraiser; Debra Root, Harmony Hill Realty; Susan Vaill, Susan Vaill Country Real Estate, LLC.

The following new REALTORS® received their REALTOR® pin: Wendy Anderson, John Harney Associates, LLC; Rebecca Barrett, Mary LeBlanc Realty; Rachel Bingham, CENTURY 21 Command Realty; David Cappabianca, Sullivan Real Estate; Gerald Cassella, Prudential Premier Homes; Anne Ingversten, CENTURY 21 Command Realty; Laurie Kidney, William Raveis Real Estate; Paul LeBlanc, Conaghan Realty; Frank Meaney; Logan Realty; Dennis Mouyious, Litchfield Hills Sotheby's International Realty; Jamie Niviolo, Klemm Real Estate; Denise Raap; Fahey Associates REALTORS®; Mary Reeve, Locust Lane Realty, LLC; Kevin Schibi, RE/MAX Property Shoppe; Erin Schumacher, Klemm Real Estate; Ronald Stango, Northbury Realty; Geoffrey Taylor, WM Geiger & Associates; Barbara Tingley, CENTURY 21 Command Realty; Wayne Watt, Jr., Realty Experts; Darilyn Woods, BRealEstate.net.

The following new Affiliates were announced: Laurel Caliendo, Village Mortgage; Leslie Columbia-Gattinella, Norcom Mortgage; Gayle Deneen, Tiger Home & Building Inspection; Amy Ouellete, Union Savings; Norman Rogers, Rogers Law Firm, LLC.
 
The following door prizes contributed by generous sponsors were awarded during Awards Night.  A $50 Gas Card, donated by Brian Cap of The Real Estate book, was won by Joe Cirillo and a $50 Venetian Restaurant gift certificate, donated by Ulster Home Mortgage, was won by Larry Rabago.