The Statesboro Board of Realtors held its annual awards banquet last week celebrating the 2009 accomplishments of two of its members and the life time achievement of two others.
Tracy Mallary was named the organization's Realtor of the Year, and Paul Newman was named Sales Associate of the Year.
"The only way I know to describe my feelings is to say that I am overwhelmed," Mallary said. "I have been a realtor for four years, and certainly was surprised to receive this recognition, but I am very excited that I did."
Local realtor Cindy Osborne is the newly installed president of the Statesboro Board of Realtors. Osborne said it wasn't just Mallary's track record of real estate sales, it was the work she had done with volunteer organizations that her fellow agents found so important.
"Tracy was in charge of our community service committee this past year," Osborne said. "She made sure that we became involved in a number of charities and charitable events. Frankly, as an organization, we had not done that on this scale before. It was really rewarding, and I am so glad that she felt so impassioned about it."
For the first time, the SBR fielded a team for Relay for Life, the Subway charity challenge, and hosted a chicken fundraiser to send children to summer camp in conjunction with the Muscular Dystrophy Society. In addition, local SBR members held a fundraiser for the Statesboro food bank, collected blankets and food for the Humane Society, and teamed up with the Statesboro Homebuilders Association providing a tent and volunteers for the Fall Special Olympics.
"I am really proud of all the things that we were involved in this past year," Mallary said. "We even won the award for the most money raised by a new team at Relay for Life. We raised $7200, and I was thrilled by that. I feel that it is so important that we work within the community on a charitable basis to not only give back, but to really understand where we live."
For the first time, the organization recognized two former realtors with life time achievement awards - Mary Bishop and Joe Johnston. Margaret Ann Johnston accepted the award on behalf of her husband who died in July.
"This is such a meaningful award," Johnston said. "I remember when Joe opened his own real estate agency in 1963. He really loved real estate. It was such a big part of our lives for such a long time. It is really special for us that he is being recognized with this award. I am so glad that two of our daughters were here to see it."
Real estate agent Carma Smith spoke about the accomplishments of Mary Bishop and how many people she had helped over the years.
"Mary was the first female real estate agent in Statesboro," Smith said. "She started her real estate agency in the mid 1960's. I have often wondered many times how many people she helped find homes or helped sell their homes. Her job was helping people. That is what she did."
Smith said that when Bishop and Johnston started in the real estate business, parts of it were very tedious.
"There were no computers, so all contracts had to be written out," she said. "It wasn't very glamorous, but Mary really loved it, and loved helping new agents get started. I am so glad that she was honored."
The SBR Sales Associate of the Year award is based on sales volume and community services. Newman sold over two million dollars of real estate in 2009. "I am super excited and to have been given this award," Newman said. "I felt like I worked really hard all year long and appreciate being recognized."
Newman is a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Tanner Realty in Statesboro. He is also co-owner of the Premier Management Group.
Mallary is associate broker for Re/Max Preferred Realty in Statesboro.
Tracy Mallary was named the organization's Realtor of the Year, and Paul Newman was named Sales Associate of the Year.
"The only way I know to describe my feelings is to say that I am overwhelmed," Mallary said. "I have been a realtor for four years, and certainly was surprised to receive this recognition, but I am very excited that I did."
Local realtor Cindy Osborne is the newly installed president of the Statesboro Board of Realtors. Osborne said it wasn't just Mallary's track record of real estate sales, it was the work she had done with volunteer organizations that her fellow agents found so important.
"Tracy was in charge of our community service committee this past year," Osborne said. "She made sure that we became involved in a number of charities and charitable events. Frankly, as an organization, we had not done that on this scale before. It was really rewarding, and I am so glad that she felt so impassioned about it."
For the first time, the SBR fielded a team for Relay for Life, the Subway charity challenge, and hosted a chicken fundraiser to send children to summer camp in conjunction with the Muscular Dystrophy Society. In addition, local SBR members held a fundraiser for the Statesboro food bank, collected blankets and food for the Humane Society, and teamed up with the Statesboro Homebuilders Association providing a tent and volunteers for the Fall Special Olympics.
"I am really proud of all the things that we were involved in this past year," Mallary said. "We even won the award for the most money raised by a new team at Relay for Life. We raised $7200, and I was thrilled by that. I feel that it is so important that we work within the community on a charitable basis to not only give back, but to really understand where we live."
For the first time, the organization recognized two former realtors with life time achievement awards - Mary Bishop and Joe Johnston. Margaret Ann Johnston accepted the award on behalf of her husband who died in July.
"This is such a meaningful award," Johnston said. "I remember when Joe opened his own real estate agency in 1963. He really loved real estate. It was such a big part of our lives for such a long time. It is really special for us that he is being recognized with this award. I am so glad that two of our daughters were here to see it."
Real estate agent Carma Smith spoke about the accomplishments of Mary Bishop and how many people she had helped over the years.
"Mary was the first female real estate agent in Statesboro," Smith said. "She started her real estate agency in the mid 1960's. I have often wondered many times how many people she helped find homes or helped sell their homes. Her job was helping people. That is what she did."
Smith said that when Bishop and Johnston started in the real estate business, parts of it were very tedious.
"There were no computers, so all contracts had to be written out," she said. "It wasn't very glamorous, but Mary really loved it, and loved helping new agents get started. I am so glad that she was honored."
The SBR Sales Associate of the Year award is based on sales volume and community services. Newman sold over two million dollars of real estate in 2009. "I am super excited and to have been given this award," Newman said. "I felt like I worked really hard all year long and appreciate being recognized."
Newman is a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Tanner Realty in Statesboro. He is also co-owner of the Premier Management Group.
Mallary is associate broker for Re/Max Preferred Realty in Statesboro.